Topics include toxic and nuclear waste disposal, finite energy and mineral resources, and a variety of natural hazards, including landslides, floods, volcanoes, earthquakes, and radon contamination. GSC103H Offered in summer session only. The Earth is our planet. We discuss the age and origin of the Earth, its deep interior, the world of minerals, the processes which form rocks, Plate Tectonics and the origin of mountains and oceans, earthquakes, volcanoes, etc. Tutorials present some of the methods used by geologists to study the Earth as well as some films illustrating specific topics.
Geology is fundamental to understanding and solving many environmental problems.
ENV100Y ERS217H Geological Hazards Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and landslides are examples of sudden, sometimes catastrophic, events that occur in response to forces that originate deep in the Earth's interior and which, together with the action of water and wind, are continually reshaping the Earth's surface. This course will cover methods used to monitor, predict and control these potentially hazardous phenomena. Recent theories that asteroidal impacts with Earth have caused periodic mass extinctions of life will also be discussed. An introduction is given to the structure, properties and origin of minerals. Laboratories consist of hand sample identification of common minerals, and demonstrations and exercises applying principles learned in lectures.