Geodynamics – Seismotectonics

Specialization / Direction

The course is also offered to exchange programme students.

In this course, static and dynamic properties of the Earth’s lithosphere are examined. Information is given on the lithospheric plates and the characteristics of their boundaries, the relative movements of the plates and the related geodynamic phenomena (seismicity, volcanism, subduction, orogenesis), as well as on hot spots and on the different kinds of geological faults. It then deals with the fundamental physical processes for an understanding of plate tectonics and a variety of geological phenomena. It includes an introduction to the concepts of stress and strain and discusses the measurements of these quantities in the Earth’s crust. Then the basic principles of linear elasticity are analyzed. The bending of thin elastic plates is emphasized and is applied to problems involving the bending of the Earth’s lithosphere. The courses further refer to the thermal processes that take place on Earth and their tectonic consequences. It concerns the circulation of the material in the mantle, which is a direct consequence of these thermal processes and the cause of the movement of the lithospheric plates being responsible for the geological processes of Earth’s surface. The heat production from the Earth’s interior, heat in continents and oceans, geothermal fields, applications of geothermal energy and geothermal fields in Greece constitute this section. Τhe contribution of the Earth’s Magnetic Field (GMF) for the study of lithospheric motions is examined, either referring to their boundaries and relative motions, or to their intra-plate deformations. An introduction to the notion of the GMF is given, with its basic parameters and the process of its recording into geological formations through their iron oxides. (Palaeomagnetism). Following this, the sampling and laboratory procedures are explained together with case studies from areas with significant geodynamic activity. Finally, relevant applications on the broader Hellenic area are developed by focusing to particular geotectonic patterns, e.g. the Hellenic Trench, the N.A Trough ,the back-arc area etc.

15-05-2023