EMSC 3002 - Structural Geology & Tectonics

Revision Materials

Author

ANU EMSC 3002 Teaching Team

Published

October 23, 2025

Welcome

EMSC 3002 Revision Materials

This is a companion resource for EMSC 3002 - Structure and Tectonic Evolution of the Australian Plate at the Australian National University.

About These Materials

These revision notes have been developed to help you prepare for exams by:

  • Identifying key concepts that appear throughout the course
  • Grouping related topics across different modules
  • Providing self-test questions to check your understanding
  • Highlighting important examples and case studies
  • Connecting theoretical concepts to real-world applications

How to Use This Resource

The revision notes are organized to help you:

  1. Review core concepts - Each module summary covers the fundamental principles
  2. Test your knowledge - Self-assessment questions help identify gaps
  3. Make connections - Cross-cutting themes show how topics relate
  4. Practice skills - Quantitative problems and graphical methods
  5. Learn from examples - Real-world locations illustrate key concepts

Course Structure

EMSC 3002 is organized into five main modules:

  • Module I: Global Tectonics - Plate boundaries, motions, and large-scale deformation
  • Module II: Structural Geology - Contractional, extensional, and strike-slip regimes
  • Module III: Theory - Stress, strain, and rheology fundamentals
  • Module IV: Brittle Deformation - Fractures, faults, and earthquakes
  • Module V: Ductile Deformation - Folds, shear zones, and flow

Additional Resources

For the complete course materials, including:

  • Lecture slides and presentations
  • Practical exercises and labs
  • Field trip guides
  • Background reading

Please visit the main course website at: https://anu-rses-education.github.io/EMSC-3002/

Acknowledgments

Course materials developed by Louis Moresi, Chengxin Jiang, Romain Beucher, and Stephen Cox.

These materials are open source under a Creative Commons licence. We acknowledge contributions from the broader community and endeavour to provide correct attribution and citation.

Ready to start? Continue to the Revision Notes to begin your exam preparation.