Welcome to Geology 218: Environmental Geology Dr. Ralph Dawes, Instructor Today’s plan. Introductions Syllabus Active learning is key. Geology learned by reaching out, taking part. HP Compaq tc4200 tablet computer and Earth, ca Image Source:

Talk to another student and introduce her or him to the rest of the class in terms of… First and last name Town where they live Geologic hazard or environmental issue most interested in Image Source:

Thinking about Earth / Environment 1. Scientific Method 2. Empirical, experimental, & theoretical approaches 3. History of science/geoscience 4. Evolution and environment 5. Population growth and human  Earth interactions 6. Earth systems science 7. Dynamic Earth Systems 8. Links & Cycles Among Earth Systems: Matter and Energy Image Source:

The Scientific Method Ideas about nature in terms that are logical, rational, verifiable, repeatable, and yield manipulative/predictive power Mathematical: most elegantly logical Measurable, observable Hypothesis (what most people mean when they say “theory”) Theory: Verified, repeatedly confirmed, powerful, insightful, predictive. Some common misconceptions… Image source:

Empirical, experimental, & theoretical Empirical: based on many careful measurements and observations Experimental: controlling the variables Theoretical: may or may not be mathematically expressed provides explanations that account for the evidence makes predictions that prove true E = mc 2 Image Source: Image Source:

History of science/geoscience Geology was one of the leading sciences that arose from the Enlightenment Ranks with physics, chemistry, biology In 1800… Chemistry still separating from alchemy Astronomy separate from astrology for ~200 years (since Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo) Biology post-Linnaeus, pre-Darwin Physics 100 years since Newton Geology still over 200 years old, but age of Earth not resolved Image Source:

Evolution and environment Given that natural selection favors those most well- adapted to the environment, changing environments are a key factor in evolution 10,000 years ago wooly mammoths, mastodons, giant elk, etc. existed, but soon after became extinct, probably due to environmental change At that time the earth warmed up from the last glaciation of the Pleistocene ice ages, driving rapid environmental change Changes in future earth environments will also change ecosystems and cause extinction of species Image source:

Population growth and human  Earth interactions As populations grow and societal infrastructure expands, so does exposure of society to earth hazards Hurricanes striking increasingly populated coasts is just one example More humans require more resources (or do they?) Population growth causes: More land developed More air, water, and soil pollution More floods (why?) Climate change (why?) etc. Image Source:

Earth systems science Geosphere HydrosphereBiosphere Atmosphere

Dynamic Earth Systems Follow a molecule of water in the ocean Into an altered basalt on the ocean floor Down a subduction zone Into magma (molten rock) Up a volcano Out with a steam-exploded eruption Into the atmosphere Down as rain Etc…One tiny example. Image Source:

Links & Cycles Among Earth Systems: Matter and Energy The earth’s surface gets much of its energy from the sun: Wind Rain Rivers Erosion Hurricanes Etc. The earth’s interior gets its energy from remnant heat of earth formation plus natural radioactivity in the rocks: Volcanoes Mountain range uplift Earthquakes Plate tectonics Image Source: Image Source: lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/Phys-earth-core.htmlhttp://www. lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/Phys-earth-core.html

Earth Systems 4 main systems: Atmosphere Biosphere Hydrosphere Lithosphere (Geosphere) Lithosphere also has other meanings Each  Other Boundaries arbitrary Energy and matter Reservoirs and fluxes Image Source:

Earth systems compositions Atmosphere Biosphere Hydrosphere Lithosphere (Geosphere) Image Source: