Geology of Southeast Australia

This subject provides students with an introduction to the geological evolution of southeast Victoria, via a practical field experience. Students will develop skills in reconstructing the geology and history of the region and in the identification of the geological relationships between rock units in the field, including evidence for the nature of volcanic eruptions. Key formations such as the Ordovician shale, Permian tillite, Cretaceous sandstone and Tertiary limestone deposits will be examined to interpret their evolution. Students will learn to characterise the age and depositional environments of these units using fossils and sediments and will be introduced to geological methods used to evaluate the geomorphic evolution and tectonic activity of southeast Australia.