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. 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. The history of life on Earth, beginning with the origins of life, and emphasizing the major events, trends, and innovations.
Geology is fundamental to understanding and solving many environmental problems.
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. Some of the fundamental principles of the behaviour of light in crystalline substances are introduced, allowing elementary observations concerning mineral identification with a petrographic microscope to be made in laboratory exercises.