The class aims to give students a clear understanding of the geology of the continents and oceans. It is built on the basis of plate tectonics, the evolution of the earth's crust.

• Main concepts of the tectonics
  • Cratons and the mechanism of formation
  • Orogenies and timing
  • Basins and main basin types
• Plate movements and plate tectonic reconstruction
• Geology of each continent
  • Cratonic elements and age
  • Orogenic belts
  • Main sedimentary basins, age and characteristics
• Geology of the oceans
  • Main oceanic plates
  • Mid ocean ridges
  • Subduction zones
  • Active and passive edges of the continents

At the end of the class, students

• Have a clear understanding of the structure of various continents and oceans, the time of occurrence and evolution of these tectonic mega-units.
• Differentiate the geology of old cratons from relatively young continental crusts
• Understand the timing and processes of each main orogenic belt
• Understand main types of basins and their spread on the Earth
• Understand the main tectonic elements of each ocean