107 lec1

Geology 107, Our
Dynamic Planet
Professor: Dr. Seth Stein
Teaching Assistants: Kimberly
Schramm, Laura Swafford


In addition to getting your distribution
requirement out of the way, this course
should give you some ideas about:
•

How our planet works.

•

Why mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes
are where they are.

•

How geology impacts our civilization


“We believe” is
used often New
discoveries/a
dvances are
being made
today that
further our

understanding


Planet Earth is a dynamic system that evolved for 4.6 billion
years and continues to.
Grand Canyon, AZ, USA,
formed by erosion during a
period of uplift beginning 60
mya (million years ago)

“Sue” - Tyrannosaurus Rex
skeleton - 67 million yrs
old (late Cretaceous) Chicago Field Museum


The evolution depends
on the way heat - “The
geological lifeblood of
planets” - is transferred
out of the cooling earth
by thermal convection
(Hot stuff rises)


Thermal
convection
causes plate
tectonics: plates
of the earth's
surface move

relative to each
other at a few
mm/yr (about
the speed
fingernails grow)

San Andreas Fault,
Carizo Plain, CA




Plate motions cause earthquakes, volcanoes,
mountain building at plate boundaries




Plate tectonics makes earth what it is different from neighbor planets(Mars, Venus:
3 bears principle)

Too Cold

Just Right

Too Hot




Plate motions are
crucial for the
origin of life, its
survival, and our
climate




Plate motions provide
resources as well as hazards
to society


"CIVILIZATION EXISTS BY
GEOLOGICAL CONSENT"

Damage in Indonesia from the tsunami in December


Grading:






2 tests: 25% each
Weekly quizzes: 15% of final grade
Presentation: 10% of final grade

Presentation evaluation: 10% of final grade
Discussion : 15% of final grade

STAY WITH THE MATERIAL! DON’T PUT
OFF STUDYING


Notes and Reading:


Most of the figures used in class are available
on the website:
/>


Text: Exploring Earth, by Davidson, Reed,
Davis, 2nd ed, 2002.
Reading is not required. Test will cover only
lecture and discussion & pres. material.
 First edition of text is OK, but chapters may be
different.





Paper and Presentation

Description of topics on handout and class website







/>htm

Topic will be assigned
Presentation will consist of 5 minute argument
for/against - this will be assigned as well.
First one will be on Friday , October 7.
Earth science plays a role in many important societal
issues. This course focuses on the underlying science
relevant to some of these. Via class presentations we
will explore several issues, some of which go beyond
what we do in class.


Presentation Evaluation




Each Presentation will be evaluated by the
class
10% of your grade - so don’t miss days that
you aren’t presenting! NO MAKE-UPS will
be possible!

Weekly Quizzes




Each Wednesday except for test days
Quizzes are short - about 5 minutes
Any make-ups require advance permission
from the office of studies.


Extra


Extra credit opportunity worth one quiz
/>7
 Due Monday, November 28, by 5:00pm.
Electronic submission is acceptable.



Discussion


Meets weekly, attendance required!








Can switch sessions with advance notice to TA.

Covers material that complements lecture, and
is eligible for quiz/test questions!
Each week an exercise/handout to be
completed in class period
Also a good time to ask TA’s questions!


Tests



2 hour tests: Wednesday, October 26 and Wednesday,
November 23.
Each test covers material in previous lectures,
discussions and presentations.




The second test is not cumulative, but the material does
build on itself. So no direct questions on the material from
first half, but make sure you understand everything

Any make-ups require advance permission from the

office of studies


We are here to help you!


2 TA’s:




Kimberly Schramm, Office: Locy Rm 309 C-D,
, office hours: Wed 1-2pm, or by
appointment
Laura Swafford, Office: Locy Rm 3,
, office hours: Thurs 11am-noon, or
by appointment

Please see the TA’s first for help! - we are paid to help you.
BONUS: you get a different explanation from the prof.


Professor:


Dr. Seth Stein, Office: Locy Rm 311, ,
office hours: 10-11am, weekdays

DON’T WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE TEST TO
SEE US!