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Lecture Topics Brief Outlines
II. Earth Science (Geology) Section (2/10/2011)
- Interior of the Earth
Learning objectives: Understand the structure of the Earth’s interior – crust, mantle, core (chemical classification); and lithosphere, asthenosphere (mechanical classification). Learn about the properties of Earth materials – physical/mechanical, chemical, conditions (temperature, pressure).
Reading: Text, pages 188-
Figures to study: Text, Figures 6.25, 6.
Topics: Introduction to Earth science (geology) – Earth is dynamic, impact on people, effects of people on the Earth
Main features of planet Earth
Physical (density, elastic, mechanical properties), chemical (chemical composition, minerals) and condition (temperature, pressure, time) properties of rocks
Earth’s interior structure Chemical classification – crust, mantle, outer core, inner core Mechanical classification – lithosphere, asthenosphere
- Chemistry of the Earth
Learning objectives: Learn the definitions of minerals and rocks, and rock types – igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary. Understand how we know about the composition of the Earth’s deep interior. Recognize the significance of the silica tetrahedron.
Reading: Text, pages 22-
Figures to study: Text, Figures 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.8, 1.10, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16, 1.17, 1.21, 1.22, 1.23, 1.26, 2.2, 2.9, 2.10, 2.19, 2.21, 2.29, 2.30, 2.
Topics: Mineral – naturally occurring, inorganic, solid, distinct chemical composition, regular crystal structure, characteristic properties
Rocks – aggregate of minerals
Average (bulk) composition of the Earth (how do we know what’s in the Earth’s deep interior)
The Silica tetrahedron (SiO2) – silicate minerals
- Plate Tectonics 2
Learning objectives: Examine the evidence for plate tectonics. View examples of plate processes at divergent, convergent and transform boundaries. Compare the hypotheses for the “driving mechanism” for plate tectonics.
Reading: Text, pages 158-167, 192-
Figures to study: Text, Figures 5.20, 5.22, 5.24, 5.25, 5.26, 5.27, 5.28, 5.30, 6.36, 6.41, 6.
Topics: Evidence supporting the theory of plate tectonics
Examples of plate boundaries and associated features (topography, age, etc.) and processes (volcanism, earthquake activity, etc.)
The driving mechanism of plate tectonics, hypotheses – ridge push, slab pull, mantle convection, mantle plumes – all due to heat within the Earth
- Geological Hazards, Earthquakes 1
Learning objectives: What are earthquakes? Understanding the connection between plate tectonics and the cause of earthquakes – the elastic rebound theory. Learn about earthquake waves, basic earthquake statistics, and seismicity (where and how often do earthquakes occur).
Reading: Text, pages 172-
Figures to study: Text, Figures 6.1, 6.2, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 6.11, 6.12, 6.13, 6.14, 6.
Topics: Why study earthquakes?
What are earthquakes?
The elastic rebound theory
Earthquake (seismic) waves
http://www.eas.purdue.edu/~braile/edumod/waves/WaveDemo.htm
Effect of location (how close to a fault zone?)
Effects of geology – attenuation, soil conditions, liquefaction
Effects of building design
Examples of earthquake damage; earthquake safety
Paleoseismology, earthquake prediction
- Geological Hazards, Volcanoes, Hawaiian Volcanism
Learning objectives: Learn of the significance of volcanoes in Earth history, the relationship to plate tectonics, and as natural hazards. Understand the properties that control the eruption intensity (“explosiveness”) of a volcano. Examine volcanic activity and characteristics of two classic volcano systems – the Hawaiian Islands and Mt. St. Helens.
Reading: Text, pages 208-
Figures to study: Text, Figures 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.5, 7.8, 7.9, 7.10, 7.11, 7.14, 7.16, 7.17, 7.18, 7.20, 7.22, 7.26, 7.29, 7.30,
Topics: Importance of volcanoes in Earth history
Relationship to plate tectonics
Main types of volcanoes – shield and composite volcanoes are most important
***** Two major types of volcanism – basaltic and rhyolite/andesite (differences in composition, volcano shape, density, tectonic setting, melting point, viscosity)
Examples: Hawaiian volcanism and Mt. St. Helens
