Specification points

OCR A-level Geology H414

402 points in 9 topics, with OCR's codes and titles.

Codes and titles are read by a script from OCR's published specification and have not been checked by a person. What each point covers is in the specification itself: OCR’s specification.

1 Development of practical skills in geology

1.1 Practical skills assessed in a written examination
1.1.1 Planning
1.1.1(a) Designing experiments to solve practical problems
1.1.1(b) Identifying variables to control
1.1.1(c) Judging whether a method suits the aims
1.1.2 Implementing
1.1.2(a) Using practical apparatus and techniques correctly
1.1.2(b) Units for measurements
1.1.2(c) Presenting observations and data
1.1.3 Analysis
1.1.3(a) Processing and interpreting experimental results
1.1.3(b) Maths skills for analysing quantitative data
1.1.3(c) Significant figures
1.1.3(d) Plotting and interpreting graphs of results
1.1.3(d)(i) Choosing and labelling graph axes
1.1.3(d)(ii) Gradients and intercepts from graphs
1.1.4 Evaluation
1.1.4(a) Evaluating results and drawing conclusions
1.1.4(b) Spotting anomalies in measurements
1.1.4(c) Limitations of experimental procedures
1.1.4(d) Precision, accuracy, errors and uncertainties
1.1.4(e) Improving experimental procedures and apparatus
1.2 Practical skills assessed in the Practical Endorsement
1.2.1 Practical skills
1.2.1(a) Investigative approaches in practical work
1.2.1(b) Safe, correct use of practical equipment
1.2.1(c) Following written instructions
1.2.1(d) Making and recording observations and measurements
1.2.1(e) Keeping records of practical activities
1.2.1(f) Presenting information and data scientifically
1.2.1(g) Software and tools for data and research
1.2.1(h) Research skills using online and printed sources
1.2.1(i) Citing sources of information
1.2.1(j) Range of practical instruments and techniques
1.2.2 Use of apparatus and techniques
1.2.2(a) Field navigation without GPS
1.2.2(b) Identifying structures and field sketching
1.2.2(c) Compass clinometer measurements
1.2.2(d) Constructing graphic logs
1.2.2(e) Fieldwork sampling techniques
1.2.2(f) Classifying unknown minerals and fossils
1.2.2(g) Annotated drawings of fossils and small features
1.2.2(h) Full rock descriptions
1.2.2(i) Photomicrographs of minerals and rock textures
1.2.2(j) Apparatus for quantitative measurements
1.2.2(k) Physical and chemical tests on minerals
1.2.2(k)(i) Density test
1.2.2(k)(ii) Mohs hardness test
1.2.2(l) Improving accuracy of measurements
1.2.2(m) ICT for geological data
1.2.2(m)(i) GIS for geological data sets
1.2.2(m)(ii) Collecting, processing and modelling geological data
1.3 Practical skills developed through fieldwork and assessed in a written examination
1.3.1 Practical skills developed through fieldwork
1.3.1(a) Describing diagnostic rock properties in the field
1.3.1(b) Field data on rock-forming processes
1.3.1(c) Measuring rock deformation in the field
1.3.1(d) Relative dating of events in the field

2 Foundations in geology

2.1 Minerals and rocks
2.1.1 Minerals
2.1.1(a) Minerals and their chemical formulae
2.1.1(b) Silicate minerals and silicon–oxygen tetrahedra
2.1.1(c) Identifying rock-forming minerals, with practical work
2.1.1(c)(i) Diagnostic properties of minerals in hand specimens
2.1.1(c)(ii) Classifying minerals from samples and thin sections
2.1.1(c)(iii) Practical: density and hardness of minerals
2.1.1(c)(iv) Measuring mass, length and volume
2.1.1(d) Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks in the rock cycle
2.1.2 Igneous rocks
2.1.2(a) Classifying and identifying igneous rocks
2.1.2(a)(i) Igneous rock classification by composition and grain size
2.1.2(a)(ii) Identifying igneous rocks from their properties
2.1.2(b) Igneous textures, crystal shape and cooling
2.1.2(b)(i) Textures as evidence of depth and cooling rate
2.1.2(b)(ii) Recognising igneous textures in samples and sections
2.1.2(b)(iii) Drawing igneous textures
2.1.2(b)(iv) Measuring temperature
2.1.3 Sedimentary rocks
2.1.3(a) Weathering and erosion producing sediments
2.1.3(b) Erosion and modern sediments, with sieve analysis
2.1.3(b)(i) Erosion and the character of modern sediments
2.1.3(b)(ii) Sieve analysis of sediments
2.1.3(c) Measuring grain size
2.1.3(d) Classifying siliciclastic and carbonate rocks
2.1.3(d)(i) Classifying siliciclastic rocks
2.1.3(d)(ii) Classifying carbonate rocks
2.1.3(d)(iii) Identifying siliciclastic and carbonate rocks
2.1.3(e) Diagenesis and lithification
2.1.3(e)(i) Mechanical compaction
2.1.3(e)(ii) Pressure dissolution and recrystallisation
2.1.3(e)(iii) Growth of cements
2.1.3(e)(iv) Diagenesis, porosity and permeability
2.1.4 Metamorphic rocks
2.1.4(a) Metamorphism as an isochemical process
2.1.4(b) Inferring parent rock from metamorphic rocks
2.1.4(c) Metamorphic minerals and conditions of metamorphism
2.2 Fossils and time
2.2.1 Fossils
2.2.1(a) What fossils are
2.2.1(b) Reliability of the fossil record and species
2.2.1(c) Fossils as palaeoenvironmental indicators
2.2.1(c)(i) Trace fossils
2.2.1(c)(ii) Body fossils
2.2.2 Geological time
2.2.2(a) Radiometric dating, with half-life curves
2.2.2(a)(i) Numerical ages from radioactive decay
2.2.2(a)(ii) Plotting half-life curves
2.2.2(b) The Phanerozoic geological column

3 Global tectonics

3.1 Earth structure
3.1.1 The physical structure of the Earth
3.1.1(a) Earth's layers by rheology
3.1.1(b) Seismic waves, Earth's layers and shadow zones
3.1.1(c) The lithosphere and its plates
3.1.1(d) Gravity anomalies and isostasy
3.1.1(e) Electromagnetic surveys at mid-ocean ridges
3.1.1(f) The asthenosphere
3.1.1(g) Density evidence for core and mantle
3.1.1(h) The geodynamo and Earth's magnetic field
3.1.2 The origin of the Earth’s structure
3.1.2(a) Earth's bulk composition from meteorites
3.1.2(b) The nebular hypothesis
3.1.2(c) Sources of geothermal energy
3.1.2(c)(i) Heat of formation of the Earth
3.1.2(c)(ii) Radioactive decay within the Earth
3.1.2(d) Goldschmidt classification of elements
3.1.2(e) Differentiation of the Earth into layers
3.1.2(f) Earth's geochemical layers
3.2 Plate tectonics
3.2.1 The plate tectonics paradigm
3.2.1(a) Internal energy driving geological processes
3.2.1(b) Seismic evidence for plates and mantle structure
3.2.1(b)(i) Earthquake evidence for lithospheric plates
3.2.1(b)(ii) Seismic tomography of the mantle
3.2.1(b)(iii) Interpreting seismograms
3.2.1(c) Nature of lithospheric plates
3.2.1(d) Evidence for past plate movement
3.2.1(e) Evidence for mantle plumes
3.2.1(f) Measuring plate movement with GPS
3.2.1(g) Convection cells and energy transfer in the Earth
3.2.1(h) Ridge push
3.2.1(i) Slab pull and ridge push compared
3.2.1(j) Development of plate tectonic theory
3.2.1(j)(i) Earlier models leading to plate tectonics
3.2.1(j)(ii) Interpreting developing scientific models
3.2.2 Plate boundaries and igneous process
3.2.2(a) Mafic magma from mantle upwelling
3.2.2(b) Intermediate and silicic magmas at convergent boundaries
3.2.2(c) Magma intrusion and country rock
3.2.2(d) Intrusive bodies and detecting intrusion
3.2.2(d)(i) Major and minor intrusions
3.2.2(d)(ii) Geodetic and geophysical data for intrusions
3.2.2(e) Magma buoyancy and eruption, with modelling
3.2.2(e)(i) Magma properties and eruptions
3.2.2(e)(ii) Practical: modelling magma buoyancy
3.2.2(f) Dykes, sills and lava flows
3.2.2(g) Lava composition, viscosity and volatiles
3.2.2(h) Volcanic landforms and eruption style
3.2.2(i) Volcanic hazards and magma properties
3.3 Geological structures
3.3.1 Rock mechanics
3.3.1(a) Geological structures from rock deformation
3.3.1(a)(i) Structures from tectonic stresses
3.3.1(a)(ii) Recording geological structures and field sketches
3.3.1(a)(iii) Constructing cross-sections from maps
3.3.1(a)(iv) Using a compass-clinometer
3.3.1(b) Stress, strain and rock deformation
3.3.1(b)(i) Plastic and brittle deformation conditions
3.3.1(b)(ii) Stress and strain diagrams
3.3.1(c) Slaty cleavage
3.3.2 Structural geology and plate boundaries
3.3.2(a) Earthquakes and elastic rebound
3.3.2(b) Deformation at transform boundaries
3.3.2(c) Deformation at convergent boundaries
3.3.2(d) Deformation at divergent boundaries

4 Interpreting the past

4.1 Sedimentary environments in time
4.1.1 Uniformitarianism and the rock cycle
4.1.1(a) Recognising the rock cycle
4.1.1(b) Uniformitarianism and development of the rock cycle model
4.1.1(c) Facies associations and uniformitarianism
4.1.2 Surface processes and products
4.1.2(a) Sediment transport and sedimentary structures
4.1.2(a)(i) Facies and sediment transport methods
4.1.2(a)(ii) Sedimentary structures from transport processes
4.1.2(a)(iii) Way-up and environments from sedimentary structures
4.1.2(b) Graphic logs of sediment sequences
4.1.2(c) Fluvial deposition
4.1.2(d) Hot desert deposition
4.1.2(e) Shallow siliciclastic sea deposition
4.1.2(f) Shallow carbonate sea deposition
4.1.2(g) Deep water carbonate deposition
4.2 Geochronology
4.2.1 Relative dating and biostratigraphy
4.2.1(a) Relative dating principles
4.2.1(b) Lithostratigraphic correlation
4.2.1(c) Uses and limits of relative dating
4.2.1(d) Biostratigraphic correlation

5 Petrology and economic geology

5.1 Applied sedimentology
5.1.1 Sedimentary processes and resources
5.1.1(a) Sedimentary processes and modelling sedimentation
5.1.1(a)(i) Rare or hard-to-observe sedimentary processes
5.1.1(a)(ii) Practical: modelling sedimentation
5.1.1(b) Turbidity currents and the Bouma model
5.1.1(c) Deltaic cyclothem models
5.1.1(d) Walther's law
5.1.1(e) Banded iron-formations
5.2 Fluids and geological processes
5.2.1 Fluids in rocks
5.2.1(a) Porosity and permeability
5.2.1(a)(i) Porosity and fluid storage
5.2.1(a)(ii) Permeability and fluid movement
5.2.1(b) Darcy's law
5.2.1(c) Controls on groundwater quality
5.2.1(d) Hydrogeology and aquifers
5.3 Igneous petrology
5.3.1 Igneous petrology
5.3.1(a) Solid solution and phase diagrams
5.3.1(a)(i) Element substitution and solid solution series
5.3.1(a)(ii) Binary phase diagrams
5.3.1(b) Assimilation, differentiation and fractionation of magma
5.3.1(c) Layered intrusions and magmatic ores
5.3.2 Mid-ocean ridges
5.3.2(a) Spreading rate, seabed morphology and dating
5.3.2(a)(i) Spreading rate and seabed morphology
5.3.2(a)(ii) Numerical age from radioactive decay
5.3.2(b) Evidence for mid-ocean ridge structure
5.3.2(c) Oceanic crust and seafloor spreading
5.3.2(d) Hydrothermal processes and sulfide ores
5.4 Metamorphic petrology
5.4.1 Metamorphic petrology
5.4.1(a) Metamorphic grade and isograds
5.4.1(a)(i) Metamorphic grade and conditions of metamorphism
5.4.1(a)(ii) Plotting and interpreting isograds
5.4.1(b) Metamorphic fabrics and orogeny
5.4.1(b)(i) Formation of metamorphic fabrics
5.4.1(b)(ii) Recognising metamorphic fabrics
5.4.1(c) Parent rock, conditions and style of deformation
5.5 Mining geology
5.5.1 Exploration for metals
5.5.1(a) Ore deposits and concentration factors
5.5.1(b) Secondary enrichment of copper ores
5.5.1(c) Placer deposits
5.5.1(d) Geophysical exploration for metals
5.5.1(e) Geochemical exploration for metals
5.5.1(f) Integrating data in prospecting and defining reserves
5.5.2 Resource extraction and impacts
5.5.2(a) Surface and underground mining
5.5.2(b) Mineral processing operations
5.5.2(c) Contaminated minewater
5.5.2(d) Former mines as waste repositories

6 Geohazards

6.1 Geohazards
6.1.1 Earthquake geology
6.1.1(a) Factors affecting earthquake impact
6.1.1(b) Seismic energy, ground conditions and liquefaction
6.1.1(b)(i) Seismic energy and bedrock competence
6.1.1(b)(ii) Liquefaction
6.1.1(c) Engineering to reduce earthquake impact
6.1.1(d) Seismic hazard risk analysis
6.1.2 Geohazard risk analysis
6.1.2(a) Probabilistic forecasting of geohazards
6.1.2(a)(i) Limits of probabilistic forecasting
6.1.2(a)(ii) Probability and return periods
6.1.2(a)(iii) Communicating probability to non-specialists
6.1.2(b) Deterministic prediction of tectonic hazards
6.1.2(c) GIS in disaster planning
6.1.3 Geohazards in the British Isles
6.1.3(a) Shrinking and swelling clays
6.1.3(a)(i) Causes of clay shrinking and swelling
6.1.3(a)(ii) Effects and mitigation of clay shrink–swell
6.1.3(b) Subsidence and its mitigation
6.1.3(c) Landslides and their mitigation
6.1.3(d) Evidence and risk of tsunamis
6.2 Engineering geology
6.2.1 Geotechnics
6.2.1(a) Rock strength and density
6.2.1(a)(i) Mineral interlocking, cementation and rock strength
6.2.1(a)(ii) Measuring rock strength
6.2.1(a)(iii) Density of rocks
6.2.1(b) Weathering, fractures, structures and rock strength
6.2.1(c) Pore water pressure and rock strength
6.2.1(d) Geotechnical site assessment
6.2.2 Applied engineering geology
6.2.2(a) Engineering geology of tunnelling
6.2.2(a)(i) Constructing tunnels in rock and loose material
6.2.2(a)(ii) Monitoring and mitigating tunnelling impacts
6.2.2(b) Engineering geology of dams
6.2.2(b)(i) Constructing dams
6.2.2(b)(ii) Hydrogeological impacts of dams
6.2.2(b)(iii) Dams and slope stability
6.2.2(b)(iv) Reservoirs and induced seismicity
6.2.2(c) Managing contaminated land and groundwater

7 Basin analysis

7.1 Key concepts for basin analysis
7.1.1 The changing Earth
7.1.1(a) Earth's changes through geological time, especially the Phanerozoic
7.1.1(a)(i) Changing distribution of continents
7.1.1(a)(ii) Long-term climate and atmosphere change
7.1.1(a)(iii) Long-term sea level change
7.1.1(a)(iv) The Wilson cycle and long-term change
7.1.1(b) Evidence for long-term change from rocks and isotopes
7.1.1(c) Current environmental change and the geological timescale
7.1.2 Evolution and applied palaeontology
7.1.2(a) Evolution in the marine fossil record
7.1.2(a)(i) Trilobite adaptations
7.1.2(a)(ii) Modern and fossil corals and reefs
7.1.2(a)(iii) Brachiopod adaptations
7.1.2(a)(iv) Brachiopods and bivalves compared
7.1.2(b) Evolution in the terrestrial fossil record
7.1.2(b)(i) Evolution of amphibians
7.1.2(b)(ii) The amniotic egg
7.1.2(b)(iii) Dinosaur adaptations
7.1.2(b)(iv) Evolution of birds and comparison with pterosaurs
7.1.3 Mass extinctions
7.1.3(a) Mass extinctions and their causes
7.1.3(b) Replacement of dominant forms after mass extinctions
7.2 Basin analysis in practice
7.2.1 Lagerstätten deposits
7.2.1(a) Burgess Shale and Chengjiang Lagerstätten
7.2.1(a)(i) Preservation in Cambrian Lagerstätten
7.2.1(a)(ii) Lagerstätten and the Cambrian explosion
7.2.1(b) Solnhofen Limestone preservation
7.2.1(b)(i) Preservation of feathers and soft tissues
7.2.1(b)(ii) Archaeopteryx and bird evolution
7.2.2 Oil and gas basins
7.2.2(a) Basin analysis for North Sea hydrocarbons
7.2.2(a)(i) Formation of North Sea oil and gas
7.2.2(a)(ii) Source, reservoir and cap rock environments
7.2.2(a)(iii) Maturation of oil and gas
7.2.2(b) Migration and trapping of hydrocarbons
7.2.2(b)(i) Hydrocarbon migration
7.2.2(b)(ii) Rifting and traps in the North Sea Basin
7.2.2(b)(iii) Oil and gas accumulation in traps
7.2.2(c) Exploring for hydrocarbon reserves
7.2.2(c)(i) Geophysics and basin structural history
7.2.2(c)(ii) Drilling and well logging to find hydrocarbons
7.2.2(c)(iii) Microfossils in hydrocarbon exploration
7.2.2(d) Basin analysis of onshore hydrocarbon basins
7.2.3 Whole basin facies analysis
7.2.3(a) Basin analysis of the Welsh Basin
7.2.3(a)(i) Welsh Basin settings and sedimentation
7.2.3(a)(ii) Welsh Basin palaeoenvironments from facies
7.2.3(a)(iii) Zone fossils in the Welsh Basin
7.2.3(b) Basin analysis of UK Jurassic rocks
7.2.3(b)(i) Cyclical sedimentation in Jurassic shallow seas
7.2.3(b)(ii) Jurassic facies analysis
7.2.3(b)(iii) Ammonite and belemnite zonation
7.2.3(c) Integrated field and data investigation of a basin

5d How Science Works (HSW)

HSW1 Theories and models to explain geology
HSW2 Posing questions and presenting geological arguments
HSW3 Methods, including ICT, for geological problems
HSW4 Fieldwork, experiments and Earth science data
HSW5 Analysing and extrapolating incomplete data sets
HSW6 Evaluating methods, evidence and partial data
HSW7 How scientific knowledge develops over time
HSW8 Communicating geology, including maps and cross-sections
HSW9 Applications, benefits and risks of geology
HSW10 Ethical issues in science
HSW11 Geology's scientific community and validating knowledge
HSW12 Science in society's decision making

5e Mathematical skills requirements

M1 Number
M1.1 Units in calculations
M1.2 Decimal and standard form
M1.3 Significant figures
M1.4 Ratios, fractions and percentages
M1.5 Order of magnitude calculations
M1.6 Estimating results
M2 Statistics and probability
M2.1 Arithmetic means
M2.2 Frequency tables, bar charts and histograms
M2.3 Simple probability
M2.4 Uncertainties in measurements and combined data
M2.5 Sampling principles for scientific data
M2.6 Mean, median and mode
M2.7 Normal and skewed distributions
M2.8 Standard deviation and interquartile range
M2.9 Plotting linear data
M2.10 Scatter diagrams and correlation
M2.11 Plotting circular data
M2.12 Choosing and using statistical tests
M3 Algebra and graphs
M3.1 Mathematical symbols
M3.2 Changing the subject of an equation
M3.3 Substituting values into equations
M3.4 Solving algebraic equations
M3.5 Powers, exponentials and logarithms on calculators
M3.6 Logarithms for wide-ranging quantities
M3.7 Graphical, numerical and algebraic forms
M3.8 Linear relationships: y = mx + c
M3.9 Slope and intercept of a linear graph
M3.10 Rate of change from a linear graph
M3.11 Logarithmic plots
M4 Geometry and measures
M4.1 Circumference, surface area and volume of shapes
M4.2 Representing 2-D and 3-D forms
M4.3 Sine, cosine and tangent in physics