For over 50 years Plate Tectonics has been the conceptual framework for understanding how Earth works.  Once considered “revolutionary” and controversial, it is now firmly entrenched as the orthodoxy and permeates all discussions of Earth’s evolution and the underlying processes. 

In this course we will examine how geophysical tools are used to probe Earth’s interior.  These include seismology, gravity, magnetics, geodesy, and heat flow.  Interpretations of global processes, based on the geophysical observations, are considered.  You will explore classic and contemporary data sets that provide support (and stimulate new questions ) for the concepts of plate tectonics.   Furthermore, you will investigate observations in the Pacific Northwest that provide new insight in the structure and dynamics of the Cascadia Subduction complex. Issues of uncertainty and non-uniqueness of models are also be considered.

Improving communication skills (oral and written) is an additional focus of this class.  The required weekly technical reports serve to better prepare all students for employment or further graduate education.

This is a demanding 5 credit 400-level course that assumes upper division “critical thinking” and quantitative skills.  A senior ESS major should be adequately prepared.  However, you will be challenged to improve conceptual understandings, quantitative skills,  oral and written communication abilities, and computer skills.  You will use MATLAB to manipulate, analyze, and make figures. You will use large internet accessible data bases to obtain data to analyze.