Sediment Dynamics

Course Objective

The goal of this course is to characterize, classify and interpret a selected number of terrestrial, coastal and marine sedimentary environments in terms of their geomorphology, facies distribution, sedimentary and post-depositional processes, stratigraphy and paleoclimatic significance.

Course Content

The goal of this course is to characterize, classify and interpret a selected number of terrestrial, coastal and marine sedimentary environments in terms of their geomorphology, facies distribution, sedimentary and post-depositional processes, stratigraphy and paleoclimatic significance. Special attention will be paid to aeolian environments.

High-latitude (periglacial) aeolian environments (Van Balen): processes and landforms that are specific to these environments and their palaeoclimatic significance will be discussed. Special attention is paid to those phenomena which are preserved in the fossil record in the Netherlands / NW Europe. Late Weichselian and Holocene (fluvio-) aeolian sedimentary sequences will be studied during a visit to the Geological Survey (TNO-GDN) and during a field excursion to the type locality Lutterzand (Twente). The latter excursion will also be used to study active erosional and depositional processes in a drift sand landscape, the Hulshorsterzand (Veluwe).

Low-and mid-latitude aeolian environments (Prins & Stuut): the sedimentary processes responsible for sand and dust emission, transport, and deposition, the specific climatic setting of such environments, and associated landforms will be discussed. Special attention will be given to present-day dust source areas in NW Africa and East Asia, associated erosion-transport-deposition processes and the resulting dust deposits (terrestrial and marine) and their palaeoclimatic significance. A field excursion to the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park (along the North Sea coast, west of Haarlem) is scheduled to study the geomorphology and active sedimentary processes in a coastal dune system.

Additional Information Teaching Methods

The course has a study value of 6 ECTS and has a study load of about 168 hours consisting of:

• Lectures (11 sessions of max. ~3.5 hours), including practicals, literature presentation and discussion meetings.
• Field trips (2 x full day).
• Self-tuition (remaining ~110 hours).

Method of Assessment

The final mark of the Sediment Dynamics course will be determined on basis of the partial marks given for the following items:

Student paper presentation (10% of final mark): 1/3 of the students will present during 'part Van Balen', 2/3 of the students will present during 'part Prins & Stuut'.

Part Van Balen (30% of final mark): assignments (10%), written examination (20%).

Part Prins & Stuut (60% of final mark): assignments (20%), written examination (40%).

In case of a re-sit, your final mark will be determined on basis of the highest partial marks for the individual topics.

Entry Requirements

A requirement for this course is that students have followed the second year course ‘Landschapsontwikkeling' (AB_1284).

Literature

A course manual and list of selected literature (book chapters, articles) will be made available via Canvas.

Additional Information Target Audience

3rd-year bachelor students following the minor Earth Surface – track Earth Sciences or the minor Earth Surface – track Earth, Economics and Sustainability.