The course is an introduction to physics of the solid Earth intended for students with substantial background in physics and mathematics including calculus. The course will provide an overview of the structure and evolution of the Earth as a dynamic planet within our solar system. Physical principles will be applied to the following topics: theory of elasticity and elastic wave propagation; modern global seismology as a probe of the Earth's internal structure; earthquakes and the description of seismic sources; a simple but fundamental theory of thermal convection; the distinctive rheological behaviour of the upper mantle and its top layer, controlled by significant changes in the mechanical properties of the material, will then be explored to arrive at a comprehensive description of what forces drive and resist global plate motions.

Honours Pathway Option

Students taking the HP advanced option will undertake an individual project on a topic of interest from the course syllabus. Such project shall develop in consultation with the course lecturers, and may be in the form of a reading project or a laboratory/numerical experiment accompanied by a final report. The assessment of the project will be agreed upon and undertaken in a manner appropriate to the project itself (e.g. a written report or essay, a short talk etc.). Students taking the HP option may elect to substitute their project mark either with up to two (out of four) individual assignments or with one of the experiments and accompanying report normally undertaken during the course (this amounts to a total of 10-20% of the final grade). The assessment weight towards the exam will remain the same.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Discuss the theoretical basis for modern global seismology and employ methods based on such theory to understand earthquake phenomena and the seismological probing of earth structure.
2. Explain the governing dynamics of mantle and lithosphere, and use such understanding to make reliable estimates of the forces controlling plate motions and their temporal changes.

Research-Led Teaching

In both modules, the lectures consist of fundamental Earth physics concepts, as well as selected groundbreaking research results of the past few years. Usually, this is a selection of results developed by the Seismology & Mathematical Geophysics group at ANU, and/or other significant recent results within the intellectual context of the course. A significant element of research-led teaching occurs through students' oral presentations of the selected research papers where we engage in group discussions and explore how the selected papers utilize and address topics from the course curriculum. In module 2, the computer labs are based on research codes that can be applied to relatively simple problems that we encounter in the course. The lectures will be recorded. The labs will be delivered in-person only.

Field Trips

N.A.

Additional Course Costs

N.A.

Examination Material or equipment

180 min. Answer five of the six questions. All questions will. be of equal value. All questions to be completed in the script book provided. A calculator is allowed.

Required Resources

1) The Solid Earth - Second Edition: An Introduction to Global Geophysics by C. M. R. Fowler (Chapters 4 & 8; Appendix 1-10) - Cambridge Univ. Press (QC806.F625)

2) The Earth’s Inner Core by H. Tkalcic (Chapters 2-4, 6, Appendix A-D) - Cambridge University Press

3) Dynamic Earth, Cambridge University Press (QE509.4 .D38 1999) by Davies, G. F. (1999)

4) Turcotte, Donald, and Gerald Schubert. Geodynamics. Cambridge university press, 2002 (QE501 .T83 2002)

 (More recent editions are fine too)

Recommended Resources

•Modern Global Seismology (intermediate level)

 by T. Lay and Wallace (QE534.2M62)

•Introduction to Seismology, Cambridge University Press - available online as a pdf

by Shearer, P.M. (QE534.2 .S455 1999)

•Fundamentals of Geophysics

 by W. Lowrie (Chapters 1 & 3) - Cambridge University Press (QC.806.L67)

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities, including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well, but a computer/laptop may be more appropriate in some situations.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g., headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi, then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing and photo/scanning equipment

For more information, please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback during review sessions and via email. Students are welcome to drop in during office hours.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

This course has been adjusted for remote participation in Sem 2 2021, however, students are encouraged to attend on-campus activities if possible. The lectures will be recorded. The labs will be delivered in a dual-mode: online participants will require convenient and stable access to the Unix/Linux server. We strongly recommend students attend on-campus labs.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Module 1/ Week 11/1 Introduction1/2 Inverse theory; linearized methods1/3 Inverse theory; probabilistic methods	Tutorial: Inverse theoryComputer lab: Intro to Unix & Seismic Analysis Code (SAC)
2	Module 1/ Week 22/1 Introduction II; The things that Jules Verne didn’t know I2/2 The things that Jules Verne didn’t know II2/3 Introduction to rocks; theory of elasticity	Tutorial: General questions & discussion; The strength of rocks; the height of the cliffs on Earth and other planetsComputer lab: Earthquake location 1
3	Module 1/ Week 32/1 Theory of elasticity contd.; Hooke’s law2/2 Wave equation2/3 Wave equation contd.; Energy partitioning and boundary conditions	Tutorial: Vector & differential calculus revision; tensors; Earthquake hypocentre locationComputer lab: Earthquake location 2Assignment due end Week 3 (10% of the mark)
4	Module 1/ Week 43/1 Energy partitioning revision; Intro to ray theory; Fermat’s principle2/2 Ray theory; parametric travel-time/epicentral distance equations2/3 Wiechert-Herglotz inversion for Earth’s velocity structure	Tutorial: Liquid/solid boundary; energy partitioning and boundary conditions; Snell’s law via Fermat principleComputer lab: Seismic source inversion 1Lab 1 report due end week 4 (5% of the mark)
5	Module 1/ Week 51/1 Mohorovicic’s method and discovery of Moho1/2 Introduction to seismic sources1/3 Seismic sources contnd.	Tutorial: Body waves nomenclature; Discussion about moment tensor inversion; Surface wavesComputer lab: Seismic source inversion 2Assignment due Week 5 (10% of the mark)
6	Module 1/ Week 61/1 Earth structure I1/2 Earth structure II1/3 The things that Jules Verne didn’t know and the things we know today	Tutorial: Course revisionComputer lab: Catch up and miscellaneousOral presentation end week 6 (10% of the mark)Lab 2 report due end of week 1 of the break (5% of the mark)
7	Module 2 / Week 1Introduction to module 2: Geological time, the age of the Earth, plate tectonics and viscoelastic flow.	Tutorial: Computer lab: Dynamic models 1
8	Module 2 / Week 2The principles of fluid dynamics: viscous flow v. inviscid flow v. creeping flow.	Tutorial: Plate tectonic theoryComputer lab: Dynamic models 2
9	Module 2 / Week 3The Earth’s heat engine and plate motions, theory and application to terrestrial planets	Tutorial: Continuum mechanics, Non-dimensional numbers the Navier-Stokes and Stokes equations - pt1Computer lab: Dynamic models 3
10	Module 2 / Week 4The Earth’s gravity field, topography and relation to internal dynamics.	Tutorial: Continuum mechanics, Non-dimensional numbers the Navier-Stokes and Stokes equations - pt2Computer lab: Project work 1
11	Module 2 / Week 5The dynamics of the Earth’s Lithosphere and the connection between internal dynamics and Earthquakes	Tutorial: Open DiscussionComputer lab: Project work 2
12	Module 2 / Week 6The relationship between whole Earth dynamics, global and local changes in sea-level.	Tutorial: Open DiscussionComputer lab: Project finalisation

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Examination	40 %	02/11/2023	01/12/2023	1,2
Homework assignment	10 %	11/08/2023	*	1,2
Computer Lab assignment (1 of 2)	5 %	18/08/2023	*	1,2
Oral Presentation	10 %	01/09/2023	*	1,2
Computer Lab assignment (2 of 2)	5 %	08/09/2023	*	1,2
Homework assessments, Module 2	15 %	13/10/2023	*	1,2
Computer lab project Module 2	15 %	27/10/2023	*	1,2

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Participation in lectures is strongly recommended. Participation in computer labs is required. Participation in tutorials is not mandatory but is strongly recommended.

Assessment Task 1

Examination

Answer five of the six questions (3 questions from Module 1 and 3 questions from Module 2). All questions are of equal value.

All questions to be completed in the script book provided.

The date range in the Assessment Summary indicates the start of the end of semester exam period and the date official end of semester results are released on ISIS. Please check the ANU final Examination Timetable http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-timetable to confirm the date, time and location exam.

Assessment Task 2

Homework assignment

A combination of descriptive and problem tasks related to the lecture content.

Due: 11 Aug (end of week 3)

Marked assessments will be returned within 1-2 weeks from submission.

Assessment Task 3

Computer Lab assignment (1 of 2)

There are two assignments related to each computer lab topic in Phase I of the course. The first assignment is on earthquake location using travel times of P and S waves and the method of triangulation. This assignment includes a computer program for the determination of the earthquake location.

Due: 18 August (end week 4)

Computer Lab assignment will be returned to students within 2-3 weeks.

Assessment Task 4

Oral Presentation

Students present selected research papers relevant to the course content. Each presentation is 15-20 minutes long. Students are assessed on their understanding of the content, oral presentations skills including the timing, participation in the discussion.

Due: 1 Sept (end week 6)

Feedback will be returned to students within 1-2 weeks.

Assessment Task 5

Computer Lab assignment (2 of 2)

There are two assignments related to each computer lab topic in Phase I of the course. The second assignment is on seismic moment tensor inversion using full-waveform modeling and inverse theory concepts.

Due: 08 Sept (end week 1 of teaching break)

Computer Lab assignment will be returned to students within 2-3 weeks.

Assessment Task 6

Homework assessments, Module 2

Multiple short tasks arising from lecture and tutorial materials.

Due: 13 Oct (end of Week 10)

Marked assessments will be returned within 1-2 weeks from submission.

Assessment Task 7

Computer lab project Module 2

There will be a number of projects from which students can choose to work on 1 over the second half of the course. The final result will be a jupyter-notebook based written project with results from numerical models included. Credit will be given for contextualizing the work and for the computer code.

Due: 27 October (end Week 12)

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will be returned via different mechanisms. Check with the course and module conveners.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Not permitted

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students