GEOL 1010 002 Introduction to Physical Geology Joseph R Smyth Office Benson 340B Office Hours 2 3PM Mon Wed GEOL 1010 002 Web Site http ruby colorado edu smyth G1010syl html Text Understanding Earth Fourth Edition Press Siever Grotzinger Jordan 2003 GEOL 1010 003 Test policy Four hour exams last one optional Final Exam comprehensive I will take the best four out of five scores Physical Geology Field Science Descriptive of the Earth Observations and Hypotheses are based in Field Laboratory Analysis of samples Experiments to explore and test hypotheses Physical Geology Study of the Earth How it Formed How it evolved How it works How to preserve and utilize its resources Earth Processes External Heat Engine Thermonuclear Fusion in Sun Drives most surface processes atmosphere and ocean circulation weathering and sedimentation Internal Heat Engine Radioactive decay of U Th and K Drives internal processes volcanoes earthquakes plate movement magnetic field 1 Course Outline Introduction Plate Tectonics Minerals Rocks Igneous Rocks Volcanism Weathering Erosion Sedimentary Rocks Metamorphic Rocks Geologic Time Folds Faults Mass Wasting Hydrology Streams Rivers Wind Deserts Glaciers Landscape Evolution Scientific Method Observation fact This is a repeatable measurement or experiment Hypothesis One or more possible explanations to link observations Testing Further experiment or observation to test hypothesis Non testable hypotheses also rejected Theory Course Outline Oceans Coasts Earthquakes Earth s Interior Plate Tectonics Continental Crust Energy and Mineral Resources Earth Systems and Human Impacts Scientific Method 1 Observation Observation fact Measurement in Laboratory Observation in field Must be repeatable by independent investigator Example The coastlines of Africa and South America are remarkably parallel A grand or unifying hypothesis that has survived tests Relativity Evolution Plate tectonics Scientific Method 2 Hypothesis Hypothesis One or more possible explanations to link observations Hypotheses must be testable Hypotheses generally make predictions that will allow them to be tested Example The continents of Africa and South America were once joined and have since split and moved apart Scientific Method 3 Testing Testing Further experiment or observation to test hypothesis Non testable hypotheses also rejected Example If Africa and South America were once joined there should be similar rock types in adjoining regions 2 Scientific Method 4 Theory A Theory is a unifying hypothesis that has survived all the tests The Earth s surface is composed of about 12 large plates that move as rigid blocks Theories are never proven only disproved A theory is not someone s opinion There are no competing theories Example Plate tectonics is the unifying theory of plate motion driven by convection The Earth s surface is composed of about 12 large plates that move as rigid blocks Formation of the Planet Big Bang produces elements H and He Precursor large star formed heavier elements by thermonuclear fusion Precursor star exploded supernova Solar system coalesced from remnants Nebular ring condensed from gas Planets accreted from ring Sun started up Earth Formation The Earth differentiated into rocky mantle and metal core Earth accreted grew from smaller planetesimals Earth melted and differentiated iron metal core separated Earth was impacted by a Mars sized object Fragments of this collision formed Moon Tilted the Earth rotation axis 22 3 The Earth was hit by a body the size of Mars The Earth s surface is composed of about 12 large plates that move as rigid blocks 4
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