What is Geology? Geology is the study of the Earth's physical composition. But, isn't that Geography? No! Geography, once again is the study of people and their place. Geology is closely related, as it looks specifically at the place where we all live: Earth

Earth’s Interior HYDROSPHERE ATMOSPHERE Crust - 8-64 km thick Air ATMOSPHERE Water Crust - 8-64 km thick - cold & fragile - Granite and Basalt Land LITHOSPHERE Mantle - 1800 km thick - hot & molten - Magnesium and Silicon Outer Core - 2000 km thick - 3 - 4000°C - liquid Nickel and Iron Inner Core - 1400 km thick - 5 - 6000°C - solid Nickel and Iron

It's a lot like an egg Crust: Outer layer Mantle: The molten magma, aka white part of the egg The Core: The centre of the Earth is like the yolk…except really hot.

Rock Cycle MAGMA Heats and melts Cools and hardens IGNEOUS METAMORPHIC Weathers, erodes, and deposits Stresses or heats SEDIMENTARY

Geologic History – Step 1 Precambrian Era 550 million – 4.5 billion years ago Volcanism Fault Ancient Sea Igneous Rock

Geologic History – Step 2 Paleozoic Era  250 million to 550 million years ago Erosion Erosion Sediments Sediments Igneous Rock

Geologic History – Step 3 Mesozoic Era  65.5 million to 250 million years ago Yikes! Dinosaurs! Erosion Sediments Sediments Igneous Rock Mountains Forming

Geologic History – Step 4 Cenozoic Era  Present era to 65.5 million years ago Sedimentary Mountains Eroding Mountains Forming Sedimentary Plains APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS PACIFIC OCEAN ROCKY MOUNTAINS Igneous Rock ATLANTIC OCEAN INTERIOR PLAINS CANADIAN SHIELD