Online Physical Geology
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For course outline and links, see revised file
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If you want to study the Power Point presentations
that are usually used when the class is taught in person,
follow this link: Power Point Presentations
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Introductory Material
File link
Welcome
Course Syllabus
Required Textbooks
Exploring Geology, by S.J. Renyolds, J.K. Johnson, M.M. Kelly, P.J. Morin and C.M. Carter, 2007: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, ISBN 978-0-07-313515-1, QE26.3.E97 2008 (www.mhhe.com).
Required Lab Manual
Exercises in Physical Geology, Twelfth Edition, by W. K. Hamblin and J.D. Howard, 2005: Peason Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River , NJ 07458 , ISBN number 0-13-144770-X (www.prenhall.com)
Required Lab Supplies
The laboratory kit consists of the following 5 items:
- Wards Natural Sciences catalog number 45V3545 for 21 minerals;
- catalog number45V3540 for 21 rocks;
- catalog number 12 V 0300 for the mineral testing kit, which consist of an unglazed porcelain tile [streak plate], glass plate, nail, copper strip, magnifying glass, magnet and acid bottle (acid not included);
- catalog number 25V 2951 for the stereogram plastic glasses; and
- catalog number 26V 0070 for the red and blue 3-dimension (3-D) glasses.
Other supplies required for other exercises include the following:
- a ruler,
- compass,
- scissors,
- tape or glue,
- digital camera or phone camera, and
- access to a scanner.
Instructor Information
Schedule
Requirements - see Course Calendar below
How to Study
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Geology 101IN: Introduction to Geology 1
Integrated Lecture and Laboratory (4 units)
Course Calendar
Date
Reading
Video
Lab
Assignments and Activities
Week 1
due Sunday
11:55pm
Chapter 1: The Nature of Geology from Exploring Geology
Chapter 2: Investigating Geologic Questions from Exploring Geology
Topographic Map Symbols from Exercises in Physical Geology
USGS e-booklets:
- The Interior of the Earth
- Introduction to Geologic Mapping
- A Tapestry of Time and Terrain: The Union of Two Maps - Geology and Topography
- USGS Maps online edition
Physical Geology: Earth Revealed flash animation:
- Hollywood "Fly-By"
USGS videos:
- The Living Rock: The Earth's Continental Crust
- USGS Careers - Not Just Rocks
Chapter 2 Lab Activity 1: Topographic Map Exercise
1) Student Introduction
2) Chapter 1 Investigation Worksheet
3) Chapter 1 Discussion Questions
4) Chapter 1 Quiz
5) Chapter 2 Investigation Worksheet
6) Chapter 2 Discussion Questions
7) Chapter 2 Quiz
Drop / Refund / Audit Deadline
Week 2
Chapter 3: Plate Tectonics from Exploring Geology
USGS e-book:This Dynamic Earth: The Story of Plate Tectonics
Planet Earth video series: The Living Machine
Exploring Geology flash animations:
- Plate Tectonics
- Plate Motions
Physical Geology: Earth Revealed flash animations:
- Convergence of Plates – Ocean-Ocean
- Convergence of Plates – Ocean-Continent
- Convergence of Plates – Continent-Continent
- Divergent Plate Boundaries
- Pangaea Breakup
Chapter 3 Lab Activity 1: Plate Tectonic Laboratory Exercise
1) Chapter 3 Investigation Worksheet
2) Chapter 3 Discussion Questions
3) Chapter 3 Quiz
4) Module 1 Exam
Weeks 3
Chapter 4: Earth Materials from Exploring Geology
Exercise 1: Minerals and Crystal Growth in Exercises in Physical Geology
Exercise 2: Mineral Identification in Exercises in Physical Geology
Rock and Mineral Guide: Mineral Identification section
USGS Posters:
- Minerals in Our Environment
- Mineral Resources: Out of the ground...into our daily lives
Optional USGS Brochure:Gold
Planet Earth video series: Gifts From the Earth
Physical Geology: Earth Revealed flash animations:
- Silicate Mineral Structures
- Murfreesboro Quadrangle"Fly-By"
PCC videos:
- Mineral Identification Lab Processes videos (8 total)
Chapter 4 Lab Activity 1: Physical Properties of Minerals Exercise
Chapter 4 Lab Activity 2: Mineral Identification Exercise
1) Chapter 4 Investigation Worksheet
2) Chapter 4 Discussion Questions
3) Chapter 4 Quiz
4) Term Paper and Presentation topic decided and submitted to instructor for approval
Week 4
Chapter 5: Igneous Environments from Exploring Geology
Chapter 6: Volcanoes and Volcanic Hazards from Exploring Geology
Exercise 3: Igneous Rocks in Exercises in Physical Geology (read only)
Rock and Mineral Guide: Igneous Identification section
USGS video:The Eruption of Kilauea 1959-1960
Exploring Geology flash animation:
- The Valles Caldera Formation
Physical Geology: Earth Revealed flash animations:
- How Subduction Causes Volcanism
- How Veins Form
- Mount St. Helen's "Fly-By"
Optional Video (Extra Credit):
- Volcano Above the Clouds: Nova
- Volcano Under the City: Nova
- Volcano: Fountains of Fire
- Volcanoes of the DeepSea: IMAX
- Volcano: Natures Inferno: National Geographic
- In the Path of a Killer Volcano
- Physical Geography: Volcanoes of the United States
Chapter 5 Lab Activity 1: Descriptions of Igneous Rock Samples Exercise
Chapter 6 Lab Activity 1: Volcanoes and Volcanic Activity Exercise
1) Chapter 5 Investigation Worksheet
2) Chapter 5 Discussion Questions
3) Chapter 5 Quiz
4) Chapter 6 Investigation Worksheet
5) Chapter 6 Discussion Questions
6) Chapter 6 Quiz
Week 5
Chapter 7: Sedimentary Environments from Exploring Geology
Chapter 8: Deformation and Metamorphism from Exploring Geology
Exercise 4: Sedimentary Rocks in Exercises in Physical Geology
Exercise 5: Metamorphic Rocks in Exercises in Physical Geology
Rock and Mineral Guide: Sedimentary and Metamorphic Identification sections
Physical Geology: Earth Revealed flash animations:
- Migration of Sand Grains to Form Ripples, Dunes, and Crossbeds
- Sand Hills "Fly-By"
- Styles of Faulting
- Normal Faulting
- Reverse and Thrust Faults
- Strike and Dip in Geologic Strata
- Styles of Folding
- Transform Faults
Chapter 7 Lab Activity 1: Descriptions of Sedimentary Rock Samples Exercise
Chapter 7 Lab Activity 2: Identification of Sedimentary Rock Samples Exercise
Chapter 8 Lab Activity 1: Descriptions of Metamorphic Rock Samples Exercise
Chapter 8 Lab Activity 2: Identification of Metamorphic Rock Samples Exercise
1) Chapter 7 Investigation Worksheet
2) Chapter 7 Discussion Questions
3) Chapter 7 Quiz
4) Chapter 8 Investigation Worksheet
5) Chapter 8 Discussion Questions
6) Chapter 8 Quiz
7) Module 2 Exam
Week 6
Chapter 9: Geologic Time from Exploring Geology
Exercise 6: Geologic Time - Relative Dating in Exercises in Physical Geology
USGS e-book: Fossils, Rocks, and Time
Optional USGS e-book:Geologic Time
Exploring Geology flash animation:
- Relative Dating
Physical Geology: Earth Revealed flash animations:
- Geologic History of the Earth
- Grand Canyon "Fly-By"
PCC video:
- "A" Mountain Field Trip (Weeks 9-12)
Optional:
NPS videos:
- How Old is the Grand Canyon
- Flight Into Grand Canyon
USGS video:The Survey of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River in Arizona (1923)
Chapter 9 Lab Activity 1, Parts 1 and 2: Grand Canyon Relative Dating Exercises
Chapter 9 Lab Activity 2: Colorado Plateau Sequence of Events Exercise
1) Chapter 9 Investigation Worksheet
2) Chapter 9 Discussion Questions
3) Chapter 9 Quiz
Week 7
Chapter 10: The Seafloor and Continental Margins from Exploring Geology
Exercise 22: Plumes and Hotspots in Exercises in Physical Geology
Optional USGS Circular: Beyond the Golden Gate - Oceanography, Geology, Biology, and Environmental Issues in the Gulf of the Farallones
Planet Earth video series: The Blue Planet
Physical Geology: Earth Revealed flash animations:
- Formation of Graded Bed
- Age of Ocean Floor
- Seafloor Spreading Hypothesis of Harry Hess
- Magnetic Reversals at Mid-Oceanic Ridge
- How Seafloor Spreading Creates Magnetic Polarity Stripes
- Formation of HawaiianIsland Chain by Hotspot Volcanism
- The Hawai'i - Emperor Seamounts "Fly-By"
NOAA:Learning Objects (15)
Chapter 10 Lab Activity 1: Niu Guyot Seamount Bathymetric Profile Exercise
Chapter 10 Lab Activity 2: Hawaii-Emperor Seamount Chain Exercise
1) Chapter 10 Investigation Worksheet
2) Chapter 10 Discussion Questions
3) Chapter 10 Quiz
Spring Break
Note: Some Telecourse video episodes may be broadcast during this Spring Break week. Be prepared to watch and/or record any episodes that may be broadcast during this time.
Weeks 8 - 12
PCC video:
- "A" Mountain Field Trip
"A" Mountain Field Trip Lab Activity 1
1) "A" Mountain Field Trip Discussion Questions
2) "A" Mountain Field Trip Quiz
Week 8
Chapter 11: Mountains, Basins, and Continents from Exploring Geology
Exercise 8: Landforms of the United States in Exercises in Physical Geology (read only)
Exercise 16: Structural Geology in Exercises in Physical Geology
Exercise 21: Convergent Plate Boundaries in Exercises in Physical Geology (read only)
USGS e-book: Birth of the Mountains: The Geologic Story of the Southern Appalachian Mountains
Physical Geology: Earth Revealed flash animations:
- Isostacy, Orogeny, and Metamorphism
- Isostacy and Sedimentation
- Isostatic Rebound and Glaciation
- Mt.Whitney "Fly-By"
- Grenville Dome "Fly-By"
USGS video: The Southern Appalachians: A Changing World
Chapter 11 Lab Activity 1: Structural Geology Exercise
Chapter 11 Lab Activity 2: Geologic Structures Exercise, Parts 1 and 2
1) Chapter 11 Investigation Worksheet
2) Chapter 11 Discussion Questions
3) Chapter 11 Quiz
Week 9
Chapter 12: Earthquakes and Earth's Interior from Exploring Geology
Exercise 17: Seismology in Exercises in Physical Geology (read only)
Optional USGS e-book: Where's the San Andreas Fault? A Guidebook to Tracing the Fault on Public Lands in the San FranciscoBay Region
Physical Geology: Earth Revealed flash animations:
- Earthquake Focus
- Earthquake Waves
- Basic Seismometer
- Advanced Seismometer
- Locating an Earthquake Epicenter
- P and S Wave Shadow Zones
- Banda Aceh Before and After December 26, 2004 Tsunami
- Pt. Reyes, California "Fly-By"
USGS videos:
- Shock Waves: One Hundred Years After the 1906 Earthquake
- When the Bay Area Quakes
Optional (Extra Credit):
- Earthquake: Nova
- Killer Quake: Nova
- The Day the Earth Shook: Nova
- Living with Violent Earth: Discovery Channel
- We Live on Somewhat Shaky Ground: Discovery Channel
- Alaska Earthquake: Discovery Channel
- Earthquake II: You Can Survive!
- Hidden Fury: The New Madrid Earthquake Zone
- Surviving the Big One
Chapter 12 Lab Activity 1: Measuring Earthquakes Exercise
1) Chapter 12 Investigation Worksheet
2) Chapter 12 Discussion Questions
3) Chapter 12 Quiz
4) Module 3 Exam
Week 10
Chapter 13: Climate, Weather, and Their Influences on Geology from Exploring Geology
Exercise 7: Maps and Aerial Photos in Exercises in Physical Geology (read only)
Exercise 15: Eolian Processes in Exercises in Physical Geology
USGS Fact Sheet: Ground-Water Resources for the Future -- Desert Basins of the Southwest
Planet Earth video series: The Climate Puzzle
Physical Geology: Earth Revealed flash animations:
- Migration of Sand Grains to Form Ripples, Dunes, and Crossbeds
- Death Valley, California "Fly-By"
Optional Video (Extra Credit):
- An Inconvenient Truth
- The Great Global Warming Swindle
Chapter 13 Lab Activity 1: Deserts and Wind Action Exercise
Chapter 13 Lab Activity 2: Eolian Processes Exercise
1) Chapter 13 Investigation Worksheet
2) Chapter 13 Discussion Questions
3) Chapter 13 Quizzes, Parts 1 and 2
Withdrawal deadline
Week 11 and 12
Chapter 14: Shorelines, Glaciers, and Changing Sea Levels from Exploring Geology
Exercise 12: Valley Glaciation in Exercises in Physical Geology
Exercise 13: Continental Glaciation in Exercises in Physical Geology
Exercise 14: Shoreline Processes in Exercises in Physical Geology
USGS e-book: Coasts in Crisis
Optional USGS/NASA website:LIMA: Landsat Image Mosaic of Antarctica, Faces of Antarctica
Planet Earth video series: Fate of the Earth
Physical Geology: Earth Revealed flash animations:
- Seasonal Beach Cycle
- Longshore Movement of Sand
- Southern California Borderland "Fly-By"
- Cross Section of an Ice Sheet
- Dynamics of Glaciers
- Crevasse Formation in Glaciers
- Formation of GlacierLand Forms
- Maximum Glaciation and Deglaciation
- GlacierNational Park "Fly-By"
Optional NASA video:
McMurdoValleys Flyover
Chapter 14 Lab Activity 1: Coastal Geology and Geomorphology-Sandy Coast Exercise
Chapter 14 Lab Activity 2: Coastal Geology and Geomorphology-Rocky Coast Exercise
Chapter 14 Lab Activity 3: Shoreline Processes Exercise
Chapter 14 Lab Activity 4: Glaciers and Glaciation Exercise
Chapter 14 Lab Activity 5: Valley Glaciation Exercise
Chapter 14 Lab Activity 6: Continental Glaciation Exercise
1) Chapter 14 Investigation Worksheet
2) Chapter 14 Discussion Questions
3) Chapter 14 Quizzes, Parts 1 and 2
Week 13
Chapter 15: Weathering, Soil, and Unstable Slopes
Exercise 10: Mass Movement in Exercises in Physical Geology
USGS Open-File Report: Landslide Hazards at La Conchita
Optional USGS poster:Scenic Drive Landslide of January-March 1998, La Honda, San Mateo County, California
Physical Geology: Earth Revealed flash animations:
- Types of Earth Movement
- BadlandsNational Park "Fly-By"
USGS video: Riding The Storm - Landslide Danger in the San FranciscoBay Area
Chapter 15 Lab Activity 1: Mass Movement Exercise
1) Chapter 15 Investigation Worksheet
2) Chapter 15 Discussion Questions
3) Chapter 15 Quizzes, Parts 1 and 2
4) Term Paper and Presentation submitted to instructor for final grade
Week 14
Chapter 16: Rivers and Streams from Exploring Geology
Chapter 17: Water Resources from Exploring Geology
Exercise 9: Stream Erosion and Deposition in Exercises in Physical Geology
Exercise 11: Groundwater and Karst Topography in Exercises in Physical Geology
USGS Circulars: Large Floods in the United States: Where They Happen and Why
Sustainability of Ground-Water Resources
Optional USGS Information:
- Ground Water and Surface Water A Single Resource
- Ground Water and the Rural Homeowner
Physical Geology: Earth Revealed flash animations:
- Modes of Sediment Transportation
- River Meander Development
- Groundwater Flow
- Cone of Depression and Landfill Intrusion
- Cone of Depression and Saltwater Intrusion
- Red River Flood - 1997 "Fly-By"
Chapter 16 Lab Activity 1: Fluvial Geomorphology Exercise
Chapter 16 Lab Activity 2: Stream Erosion and Deposition Exercise
Chapter 17 Lab Activity 1: Contouring a Water Table Exercise
1) Chapter 16 Investigation Worksheet
2) Chapter 16 Discussion Questions
3) Chapter 16 Quiz
4) Module 4 Exam
5) Chapter 17 Investigation Worksheet
6) Chapter 17 Discussion Questions
7) Chapter 17 Quiz
Week 15
Chapter 18: Energy and Mineral Resources from Exploring Geology
USGS Fact Sheets:
- U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program - Science Supporting Mineral Resource Stewardship
- Materials in Use in U.S. Interstate Highways
Planet Earth video series: Gifts From the Earth (review from Weeks 3 and 4)
Physical Geology: Earth Revealed flash animation:
- BinghamCanyon Copper Mine "Fly-By"
USGS flash animations:
- Oil Migration Process
- Oil and the Ocean Floor
USGS video: The Future of Energy Gases
Chapter 18 Lab Activity 1: Mining and Natural Resources Exercise
1) Chapter 18 Investigation Worksheet
2) Chapter 18 Discussion Questions
3) Chapter 18 Quiz
Week 16
Chapter 19: Geology of the Solar System from Exploring Geology
Physical Geology: Earth Revealed flash animations:
- Formation of the Solar System
- Impact Formation of the Earth's Moon 4.55 Billion Years Ago
- The Barringer Meteorite Crater "Fly-By"
Optional Video (Extra Credit):
Planet Earth video series:
- Tales From Other Worlds
- The Solar Sea
Chapter 19 Lab Activity 1: Planetary Geology Exercise
1) Chapter 19 Investigation Worksheet
2) Chapter 19 Discussion Questions
3) Chapter 19 Quiz
4) Module 5 Exam
last update = Jan. 24, 2008
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