This course will focus on describing the tectonic, topographic and climatic evolution of Asia, and more particularly of Central Asia, from the end of the Paleozoic to the present day. Teaching will be based on descriptions and interpretations of geological maps, field images, digital topographic models, structural geology, geochronology, thermochronology and sedimentology data. The main periods of formation of the resource deposits (hydrocarbons, metals, coal) will be described in more detail, as well as the structure of the associated reservoirs. The different types of data used will be explained as they are introduced in the course (acquisition method, exploitation possibilities, limits).

The course will the taught by Marc Jolivet, Rennes-1 (marc.jolivet@univ-rennes1.fr)

The main objective is to give students a very global vision of the major tectonic events that led to the formation of present-day Central Asia and the resources found there. At the same time, students will learn how to integrate into the study of a single object a whole set of data from a wide variety of disciplines. Basic theoretical knowledge will be acquired in geochronology, satellite image processing and sedimentology.
 

You may find the following papers of interest (they are not compulsory) :

1. Jolivet, M. (2017). Mesozoic tectonic and topographic evolution of Central Asia and Tibet: a preliminary synthesis. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 427(1), 19–55. http://doi.org/10.1144/SP427.2 (download link)
2. Roger, F., Jolivet, M., & Malavieille, J. (2010). The tectonic evolution of the Songpan-Garzê (North Tibet) and adjacent areas from Proterozoic to Present: A synthesis. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 39(4), 254–269. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2010.03.008 (download link)
3. Yin, A. (2009). Cenozoic tectonic evolution of Asia: A preliminary synthesis. Tectonophysics, 1–33. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2009.06.002 (download link)