Staff involved: Dr. Patrice Rey (The University of Sydney) and others

The Archaean holds a particular place in the Earth's history. From 4.03 to 2.5 Ga, our planet evolved from a primitive and hostile terrestrial body to a differentiated, life-supporting planet. It was a time of creation as opposed to recycling and evolution that characterize the geology and biology of the following eras. With the juvenile crust came the creation and early development of Life on Earth. Cane also extraordinarily rich ore deposits by-products of complex geodynamic processes, some of these unique to the Archaean.

Module Objectives: The course has been designed not only for postgraduate students in Geosciences, but also students in Mathematics, Physics and life Sciences with a genuine curiosity for planet Earth. The participation of students from various disciplines will provide a dynamic learning environment. More information can be found at: http://www.es.usyd.edu.au/geology/people/staff/prey/Archaean/

Format, duration and timing: This course has 2 components: (not offered in 2004)

• From Geodynamics to Biogeneses: a -5-day short course, where biologists, physicists and geoscientists will present and debate the most recent on the Earth's primitive history;
• A Mission Through Time: a 5-day fieldtrip to the Pilbara in Western Australia, one of the oldest and best exposed cratons on Earth. A unique natural laboratory to study early geological and biological processes.

Contact Dr P Rey for details of costs

Module contact person and coordinator:

Dr. P.F. Rey
School of Geosciences, Division of Geology and Geophysics
The University of Sydney,
NSW 2006, Australia
Phone: 61 2 9351 2067
Fax: 61 2 9351 0184
E-mail: prey@es.usyd.edu.au

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