GV2EPH: Earth Processes and Hazards

Module code: GV2EPH

Module provider: Geography and Environmental Science; School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Hazel McGoff, email: h.j.mcgoff@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Alison MacLeod, email: alison.macleod@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 20 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module explores the key natural processes that occur both within the Earth and at the surface and also describes the hazards that are associated with these processes. 

Heat flow within the Earth is the main driver of plate tectonic changes and the continual cycle of plate formation, motion and destruction forms the distinctive geomorphology of the Earth’s surface especially at plate margins where features such as mountain ranges, volcanoes and ocean trenches occur. Surface features are further modified by processes including weather, gravity, water, ice and fire. This module explores these dynamic processes and also the resultant hazards which result from the tectonic and geomorphological evolution of the Earth including volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, weather events and landslides as well as the impact these can have on the natural world and human societies. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Describe the key processes within the Earth that drive plate tectonic changes and identify they main tectonic features of constructive, destructive and conservative plate margins  
2. Discuss how agents of weathering and erosion such as gravity, water, ice and wind modify the Earth’s surface changing its geomorphology  
3. Understand the importance of geological timescales in tectonic and geomorphological processes   
4. Describe tectonic and geomorphological hazards including volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides and weather events, how these originate, their characteristics and impacts on the natural world and outline the impacts of these hazards on human societies through the use of case studies 

Module content

• Heat within the Earth and role as driver of plate tectonics 
• The Earth’s magnetic field and magnetic storms 
• The lithosphere – constructive and rifted tectonic margins 
• The lithosphere – destructive margins 
• Lithosphere hazards – volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis 
• Geomorphological hazards Weather events including hurricanes and tornadoes 
• Geomorphological hazards Landslides 
• Geomorphological hazards Floods, droughts and fire 
• Geomorphological hazards Glacial erosion and deposition 
• Impact of hazards on the natural world 
• Impacts of hazards on human societies 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

• Short introductory screencasts 
• Weekly lectures/seminars 
• Computer/paper based practicals 
• Laboratory practicals 

Study hours

At least 36 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Blackboard ‘quizzes’ which do not contribute to modules assessment but allow students to check that they understand the learning outcomes for each week. 

Reassessment

Additional costs