3101.19 - Earth, Ocean and Atmosphere


Course number
3101.19
Title
Earth, Ocean and Atmosphere
ECTS
7.5
Prerequisites
B-støddfrøði, B-alisfrøði og C-evnafrøði
Purpose
To give the students an introduction to the physical environment on planet earth from a broad natural scientific background. This will be achieved by introducing the 3 basic sciences, geology, oceanography and metrology. The environment will be studied physically, and processes taking place in the solid earth, oceans and in the atmosphere will be analyzed. The course focuses on local, Faroese case studies and field trips with the research vessel, Magnus Heinason in the fjords and bus trips around the Faroese landscape and geology will be part of the course along with classroom exercises.
Content
Part 1: Geology Rock types, minerals, volcanic processes, ground water, sills, dykes and sediments in the Faroese Geology, water and ground water Part 2: Oceanography Currents, light and sound in the sea, waves, mixing, tidal stream and drift, the drift in earth's oceans, the sea around the Faroe Islands, the Faroese waters, continental shelf and the fjords Part 3: The atmosphere Main focus will be to understand the path of the low pressure systems around the Faroe Islands. Jet streams and their connection to the local weather systems. Key words: The atmosphere, moisture in the air, low pressure systems and winds, weather patterns and climatic indexes as NAO and ENSO
Learning and teaching approaches
Lectures, problem solving and field courses
Learning outcomes
Having past the course, the student is able to: o describe and explain physical and chemical properties mineral and rock types o demonstrate knowledge on specific minerals and rock types common in the Faroese geology o demonstrate knowledge on the Faroese stratigraphy o describe the features of weathering in relation to the Faroese landscape o describe and explain the main features in the hydrological cycle and basic principles in groundwater geology o describe the basic properties of seawater and explain stability and stratification in the ocean (KML) o describe the tides and the tidal forces o describe the large scale wind driven cirkulation and the termohaline circulation o describe the watermasses and circulation in the Faroese area (North East Atlantic) and explain the circulation on the Faroe shelf and in fjords o Describe temperature, humidity, pressure and stability, and how this relates to cloud formation o Outline the radiation balance, the main vertical structure and the global circulation of the atmosphere o Describe the polar front and its relation to the jetstream above o Describe cyclogenesis and the general dynamics of the cyclones over the North Atlantic ocean
Assessment method
A 4 hour test. The existing grade scale is used. No help devices and materials are permitted. Marks are given for written exercises and reports handed in and the weighted average of these marks (33%) and the exam mark (67%) constitutes the final course grade. Written exercises and reports are not included in re-examination grading.
Marking scale
7-
Bibliography
Earth Science 15th Edition (Tarbuck, Lutgens and Tara, 2018) Kapitlar: 2,3,4,6,8,9,16,17,18 og 19 Føroya Jarðfrøði (J. Rasmussen, 2005) Havið (B. Hansen, 2000) Veðurlæra (H. Kjølbro)
Contact
Uni Egholm Árting