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Unit Code: GMQ415

Unit Name: Earth, its Origin and Structure

Description: In this unit the student will be introduced to the Geological Time Scale, and the age of the Earth in comparison with the age of the islands of Fiji. The overall structure of the planet Earth and how earthquakes, volcanic activity, and seismic waves have been used to understand the structure of our planet. The differences between ocean and continental crust will be covered followed by an introduction to concept of plate tectonics and different types of earthquakes and volcanoes. A particular study is made of the evolution over the past 200 million years of the Pacific Plate and how movement of the plate boundaries in the southwest Pacific have controlled the evolution of the islands of Fiji.

Learning Target Outcomes:

Prerequisite: N/A

Prerequisite Sentence: Minimum Entry Requirement of the programme

Credit Point: 5

Offered In: Quarter 1