1. September 4, 2008

2. Extreme Earth
ERSC 1P92
Fall 2008
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3. Instructor: Rick Cheel Department of Earth Sciences
Office: Mackenzie Chown D418
Phone: Ext. 3512
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4. All course material will be located at:
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5. First, some important considerations…..
ERSC 1P92
Extreme Earth
Extreme low frequency events and the geological record of their causes and effects, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, climatic change and impacts with extraterrestrial bodies.
Lectures, 3 hours per week.
Note: secondary school sciences are not a prerequisite.
Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade in ERSC 1F01, 1F90 and 1F95.
Brock University, Calendar

6. First, some important considerations…..
By October 24 you will have been communicated more than 15% of your total grade for the course.
Friday, October 31 is the last date for withdrawal without academic penalty and last day to change from credit to audit status for duration 2 courses without academic penalty.

7. Extreme Earth aims to provide:
a basic understanding of how the Earth system operates on an ongoing basis.
examples of changing paradigms and the challenges to new ideas.
examples of extreme events of various scales of magnitude and frequency.
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8. Grade Distribution Assignment 1 10% Due Tuesday, Oct. 28
Assignment % Due Thursday, Nov. 13
Assignment % Due Tuesday, Nov. 26
Midterm test %
Last names beginning A to K: In class Thur., October 9
Last names beginning L to Z: In class Fri., October 10
Final Exam % Scheduled by the Registrar
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9. Assignments (10% each): Locating earthquake epicenters.
Reconstructing tectonic plates on the fictitious planet of Tralfamadore (Kurt Vonnegut fans should enjoy this).
Example mulitple choice questions.
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10. Introduction and course synopsis
Outline and schedule
September 4
Introduction and course synopsis
September 5 & 9
Scientific Ideas, Geology 001, a brief History of Geology and Catastrophism in the 20th
September 11 to 25
The Origin of the Solar System and its bodies; Near Earth Objects, collisions and risk to humans; impact craters; Nemesis hypothesis
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11. Continental Drift: the history of an idea;
Outline and schedule
Sept. 26, 30 & Oct. 2
Continental Drift: the history of an idea;
Geomagnetism
October 3
Plate Tectonics.
October 7 and 14 to 24
Earthquakes
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12. Outline and schedule October 21
Assignment 1: Locating an earthquake epicentre
October 9
Mid term test for last names beginning A to K
October 10
Mid term test for last names beginning L to Z
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13. Atmosphere and climate (past and present); sea level change.
Outline and schedule
Note: By October 24 you will have been communicated more than 15% of your total grade for the course.
October 28 to November 4
Atmosphere and climate (past and present); sea level change.
Note: Friday, October 31 is the last date for withdrawal without academic penalty and last day to change from credit to audit status for duration 2 courses without academic penalty.
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14. Assignment 2. Plate Boundaries on Trafalmador
Outline and schedule
November 6
Assignment 2. Plate Boundaries on Trafalmador
November 7 to 14
Volcanoes Part I: Composition, deposits, types of volcanoes and their distribution.
November 18 to 21
Volcanoes Part II: Prediction of eruptions; impact of eruptions; super volcanoes; volcanoes in space.
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15. Wrap up, review and course information.
Outline and schedule
November 25
Wrap up, review and course information.
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16. The usual disclaimer….
The schedule and topics may change without notice.
Check the web-based schedule for changes and updates
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17. significant asteroid impact: class will be cancelled!
In the event of a
significant asteroid impact:
class will be cancelled!
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18. Return to Extreme Earth Home Page