G4101 Structural geology and geotectonics

Faculty of Science
Spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
2/2/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
doc. RNDr. Rostislav Melichar, Dr. (lecturer)
Mgr. Klára Dudinská (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
doc. RNDr. Rostislav Melichar, Dr.
Department of Geological Sciences – Earth Sciences Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: Ing. Jana Pechmannová
Supplier department: Department of Geological Sciences – Earth Sciences Section – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Mon 16. 2. to Fri 22. 5. Mon 13:00–13:50 G1,01004, Mon 14:00–14:50 G1,01004, Wed 14:00–14:50 G2,02003
  • Timetable of Seminar Groups:
G4101/01: Mon 16. 2. to Fri 22. 5. Wed 13:00–13:50 Gs,-1011, K. Dudinská, R. Melichar
G4101/02: Mon 16. 2. to Fri 22. 5. Wed 15:00–15:50 Gs,-1011, K. Dudinská, R. Melichar
Prerequisites
It is advisable to completion of the course Physical Geology
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 45 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Abstract
The subject acquaints students with the basics of tectonic terminology and the main knowledge of structural geology. It is necessary to be familiar with terminology used in structural geology. Particular emphasis is focused on deformational structures.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course students should be able to: describe principle geological structures, understand principal structural processes.
Key topics
Structure and deformation. 

Force, stress on a plane, stress at a point, principal stresses, Mohr diagram.

 Strain in one dimension, practical strain measurement. 

Strain in two dimensions, strain ellipse.  Strain in three dimensions, strain ellipsoide. 

Kinematics, pure and simple shear, kinematic markers, shear zones. 

Deformation mechanisms, plastic deformation, recrystallization, fracturing. 

Sedimentary structures, sedimentological markers. 

Magmatic structures. 

Description and classification of folds, mechanics of folding, refolded folds. 

Faults, joints and cleavage. Normal and thrust faults, strike-slip fault. 

Nappes, thrust tectonics, development and structure of orogens

Principles of plate tectonics, plate boundaries

Study resources and literature
    required literature
  • JAROŠ, Josef and Josef VACHTL. Strukturní geologie. Vyd. 1. Praha: Academia, 1992, 437 s. ISBN 8020001344. info
    recommended literature
  • MARKO, František and Stanislav JACKO. Štruktúrna geológia. 1. vyd. Košice: Harlequin, 1999, 181 s. ISBN 80-88896-36-3. info
  • FOSSEN, Haakon. Structural geology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010, xv, 463. ISBN 9780521516648. info
  • FOSSEN, Haakon and Christian TEYSSIER. Plate tectonics. First published. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2025, x, 450. ISBN 9781108476232. info
  • NĚMČOK, Michal; Rostislav MELICHAR; František MARKO; Ján MADARÁS and Štefan HODÁŇ. Základy štruktúrnej geológie (Principles of Structural Geology). 1. vydání. Bratislava: Mineralia Slovaca, 1995, 170 s. ISBN 80-967018-3-5. info
    not specified
  • JAROŠ, Josef and Josef VACHTL. Strukturní geologie obecná a systematická. 1. vyd. Praha: Státní pedagogické nakladatelství, 1978, 270 s. info
  • JAROŠ, Josef and Josef VACHTL. Strukturní geologie obecná a systematická. Vyd. 1.. Praha: Státní pedagogické nakladatelství, 1978, 347 s. info
  • CHÁB, Jan. Desková tektonika. Vyd. 1. Praha: Academia, 1983, 234 s. info
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching

Lectures with presentations - theoretical preparation.

Exercises - a) practical solution of problems with protocols; b) examples of structural samples and their determination

Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements

To complete the course, you must (1) have properly prepared protocols for the exercises, (2) pass the electronic test, and (3) pass the structure recognition test:

(1) An overview of the protocols is provided in the interactive syllabus, which can be supplemented according to the current situation.

(2) The electronic test consists of 50 questions, mostly with a constructed answer, and to pass successfully, you must achieve at least 35 points. Points are deducted for incorrect answers. Example questions are published in the interactive syllabus.

(3) Structure recognition tests knowledge from the exercises. The exam usually involves three sample structures. The task is to determine the type and orientation of planar structures (foliation, layering, fold axis, fault, etc.), linear structures (lineation, flow direction, fold axis, striation, etc.) and to determine the orientation of asymmetry (direction into the overlying bed, shear direction, etc.)

Language of instruction
Czech
Follow-Up Courses
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught annually.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2008 - for the purpose of the accreditation, Spring 2011 - only for the accreditation, Autumn 2002, Spring 2004, Spring 2005, Spring 2006, Spring 2007, Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, spring 2012 - acreditation, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2026/G4101