1. Welcome to
PRINCIPLES OF GEOLOGY
GEO - 102

2. Today’s Goals Discuss course - syllabus Talk about Science
Ask Questions

3. Dr. Eric Peterson Office: Felmley Hall Annex 435
Phone:
Office Hours: 9:00 – 10:00 MW or by appointment

4. Text The Good Earth Principles of Geology: A Lab Manual
by McConnell, Steer, Knight,
Owens, and Park
Principles of Geology: A Lab Manual
by William E. Shields
This manual will be made available for purchase in the laboratory. You will need to purchase a new copy.

5. COURSE CONTENT Designed for science and non-science majors
Earth’s Systems
Solid Earth – geological process that create and modify the Earth’s surface
Hydrosphere and Hydrologic Cycle
The Atmosphere
The Biosphere

6. COURSE OBJECTIVES
Understand the role of geology in society and geologic constraints on the utilization of resources
Understand the Major Principles of Geology
Understand the interaction between the different systems on the Earth

7. Class Policies Attendance – Mandatory Academic Honesty
Text / Lab Books Required
Pre-read assigned material

8. Grading Exams (best 4 out of 5) 55%
Homework/Quizzes/Participation – in-class exercises and assigned
15%
Lab Grade
30%
100%

9. ?

10. What is Science?

11. Why do YOU need a science course?

12. How is Science conducted?
The Scientific Method– process by which scientist answer questions
Observation – Evidence/Data that can be measured or observed.
Hypothesis – Formation of an explanation of the observation. An untested idea (See Figure 1.4).
Inductive Reasoning – scientists draw general conclusions from specific observations
Deductive Reasoning – scientists draw specific conclusions from general principles or observations

13. Fig. 1.6

14. How is Science conducted?
The Scientific Method– continued
Hypothesis Testing – Designing an experiment that supports your hypothesis.
Theory –
well-supported explanation withstanding tests by numerous investigators
Elevated hypothesis
Generally accepted by the scientific community
Law –
Universally accepted theory
No deviations have ever been observed.
Most certain concept in science

15. The Scientific Method
Scientific answers are tentative – they can change
Answers/Explanations are continually challenged, which causes ideas to be modified or discarded
Answers/Explanations should be predictable and testable
Answers/Explanations are based upon observations or experiments and can be reproduced

16. Earth System Science
The Earth can be divided into individual parts (systems) to be studied, but it is recognized that each part interacts with many other parts.
The boundaries of a system can be defined however you want.
Systems are defined by how energy and matter cross the boundaries.

17. Earth's Major Systems - the 4 spheres
Biosphere
Hydrosphere
Biosphere
Lithosphere
Atmosphere
All four are constantly interacting
Can be broken into internal and external processes
Lithosphere
Hydrosphere
Atmosphere

18. Example Tsunami
Fig. 1.4

19. Hydrosphere Total Mass of Water Covers 71% of Earth’s surface
98% is in the oceans
2% is in streams, lakes, groundwater, & glaciers
In constant motion – Hydrologic Cycle
Needed for life to evolve and flourish

20. Hydrosphere Breakdown

21. The Biosphere Includes all life Continually in flux Plants Animals
Microorganisms
Continually in flux
Temperature
Pressure
Chemistry
Make sure animation is on the disc being used.

22. Atmosphere Envelope of gas around Earth Essential for life
Influences weather and climate patterns
Composition Unique
78% nitrogen
21% oxygen
trace amounts of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other gases
1st atmosphere was carbon dioxide and water vapor
Oxygen added as a by-product photosynthesis once plants evolved

23. Lithosphere The Solid Earth The stresses acting on the materials
Minerals and rocks
The stresses acting on the materials
Plate Tectonics