Geo 101 -  Lab 1 Lecture Outline

IntroDuction to GeologIc Study of Earth Materials and Processes

 

I. Lecture Content - Topics

 

       Observing Nature: Consciousness and the Act of Perception

Earth from a Scientific Perspective - A Systems Approach

        What is Geology?                      

        Geology and Human Civilization

Geologic Studies, the Scientific Method & Theory

Observations and Measurement of Materials, Energy, and

 Processes

                                                                   

II. Observing Nature Through the Human Experience    

       A.  Making Sense of Mother Nature and the Universe

 

              1. Humans have an amazing capacity for exploring and

   understanding nature and the Universe. 

 

2.  Humans take great efforts in searching for and defining

 the order and relationships between matter, energy, and

 life amidst a mind-boggling backdrop of cosmic chaos.

 

3. Making "sense" of Nature is a way of answering the

 most basic questions that humans ask themselves:

 

Ø    Where are we?

Ø    Who/what are we?

Ø    How did we get here?

Ø    Where are we going?

 

       B.  Levels of Human Consciousness

 

                1. Environment Awareness

2. Self-Awareness

3. Self-Reflection

4. Holistic Awareness

5. Holistic Reflection

 

C.  The Tricky Thing We Call (Human) Perception

 

               1.  Identification, evaluation and categorization of objects

 

               2. Complex process of comparing different objects & events

 

               3. Prioritizing sensory (experiential) input (objects & events)

 

               4. Constantly creating a "perceived" reality (occurs in

                     the present) from a "remembered" reality (from the past)

 

               5. Personal and societal perceptions of Life on Earth are

                     based on popularly-held belief systems

 

       D.  The Means of Understanding the Nature of Things

 

              1. Human Senses - Input of Information

 

                2. Human Mind - Information processing (Thinking)

 

Ø    "Mapping" how everything is connected together

Ø    How and why things change the way they do.

 

                3. Technology - Extension of input and processing abilities

 

Ø          Sensitive, sophisticated instruments

Ø          Computers

 

III. Systems Approach To Understanding the Earth

      A.  The Science Perspective of Earth

                1. Rational, analytical approach to studying the Earth

                2. Based upon empirical, reproducible evidence (facts)

                3. Testable interpretations (hypotheses & theories)

                4. Always open to debate and modification

 

       B.  The System-Subsystem Conceptualization of Earth

              1. The Concept of a System - Combination of related parts

   (subsystems) that interact in an organized fashion.

 

                2. Individual Systems are characterized by the dynamic

                              transfer of energy, matter, and information:

 

·        Input = into the system from outside (the system)

·        Output = out of the system to outside (the system)

·        Process = transfer within/between subsystems

 

3. Very useful for understanding complex things such as

 Earth or a human body

 

                4. The Earth can be described as being a limited System

                       having a virtually limitless set of Sub-systems

 

       C. The Principle Subsystems of Earth

                1.  Core

                2.  Mantle

                3.  Lithosphere

                4.  Biosphere

5.  Hydrosphere

                6.  Atmosphere

                               

       D. Complex Interactions Among Earth's Subsystems

              1. The Rock Cycle

                2. The Hydrologic Cycle

                3. The Biological Cycle

                4. Plate Tectonics - the "Supercontinent Cycle"

 

IV.  What is Geology?

      A.  Word comes from Greek: geo = earth; logos = study

 

       B. The Scientific Study of Planet Earth

 

                1. Divided into two major areas:

 

·       Physical = materials and processes

·       Historical = origin and evolution

 

2. Several major areas of geologic study:

 

Ø       The earth's internal structure and composition, its dynamic character plate

               tectonics), and the (earthquakes, volcanoes, processes that occur within it

 

Ø        The processes that shape the surface of the Earth, and the materials that

                                   constitute its surface layers

 

Ø        The origin, occurrence, extraction and conservation of the Earth's natural

    resources -  minerals, fossil fuels, soils, water

 

Ø        Earth's place within the Solar System

 

Ø        The history of life on Earth

 

 

       C. The Discipline of Geology is Very Broad and Diverse

              1. Geochronology

              2. Planetary Geology

              3. Paleontology

              4. Economic Geology

              5. Environmental Geology

              6. Geochemistry

              7. Hydrogeology

              8. Mineralogy

              9. Petrology

            10. Geophysics

            11. Structural Geology

            12. Seismology

            13. Geomorphology

            14. Oceanography (marine geology)

            15. Paleogeography

            16. Stratigraphy/ Sedimentology

           17. Tectonics

           18. Volcanology

            19. Engineering Geology

 

       D. Geological Science Research - "Pure" Versus "Practical"

 

                1. "Pure" = sake of curiosity and scientific knowledge

                        Examples:  Studies of Trilobites; Age of the Earth

 

                2. "Practical" = solving human-related problems or concern

                      Examples: Oil Exploration; Geologic Hazards; Mining

 

E. Economical & Environmental Aspects of Geology

 

    1. Economical = Geology impacts local & global economies

Examples: Mineral & Energy Resources; Engineering

 

    2. Environmental = Geology affects local & global ecosystems

Examples: Geologic Hazards; Pollution; Development

 

F. Interesting & Rewarding Careers in Geology

 

V.  Geology and Human Civilization

A.  The Human Experience Has Been Shaped by Geology

 

                 1. Every human society, past & present, developed their

        unique character and perceptions through interaction with

 the ever-dynamic land, sea, and air they called home

·        Weather and Climate

·        Natural Disasters

·        Habitation & Resources

·        Cultural Behaviors & Belief Systems

·        Religions & Spirituality

 

                2. Humans are quickly becoming a major geologic force

 

        B.  Geology Affects Every Person's Everyday Life

              1.  Same factors as defined above

 

       C. Important Global, Regional and Local Geologic Issues

                1. Volcanic eruptions

                2. Earthquakes

                3. Tsunamis

                4. Flooding

                5. Mining and Oil Drilling

                6. Dams Building

                7. Environmental Degradation

                8. Urban Development

                9. Water Conservation

               10. Climate Change

 

VI. Geologic Studies, the Scientific Method & Theory

      A.  Geologic Research is Conducted in a Thoughtful Way

 

                1. Clear stated purpose

 

2. Well thought out & carefully planned

 

3. Follows a set of logical and rational guidelines outlined

       in a step-by-step method called the Scientific Method

 

4. Collaboration, review, and debate with fellow geologists

 

5. Always open to scrutiny, challenge, and modification

       from the scientific community and the world at large

        

B. The Scientific Method - A Set-by-Step Research Plan

1. Observation -  Observe something in nature, using your

    bodily senses or sensing instruments. 

 

                        2. Question - Ask a question about what you observe.

 

                        3. Hypothesis - Predict what you think the answer to your

   question might be

 

                        4. Method - Figure out a way to test whether or not your

hypothesis is correct.  Note that the outcome must be measurable, i.e. quantifiable and

reproducible.

 

5. Result - Perform the experiment using the method you

came up with, and record the results.  Repeat the experiment to confirm you results. 

 

6. Conclusion - You state whether your prediction was

   confirmed or not and try to explain your results.

 

                7. Follow up - Repeat above steps (modify research plan)

 until your hypothesis confirms your results.

 

       C. The Formulation of Hypotheses and Theories

 

VII. Observations and Measurement of Materials,

           Energy, and Processes

 

      A. Qualitative versus Quantitative Information

                1. Qualitative = Descriptive

                2. Quantitative = Empirical Measurement

 

       B. Physical & Temporal Scales of Observation

              1. Multiple perspectives & units of measurement

                2. Fractal orders in Nature

 

       C. Classification of Geologic Systems

              1. Principles of classification

                2. Classification of minerals, rocks, fossils, etc.

 

XII. Vocabulary Terms

 

Athenosphere

Atmosphere

Convergent plate boundary

Core (inner and outer)

Crust (continental and oceanic)

Density

Differentiation

Geologic time scale

Geology

Gravity

Historical geology

Hydrologic cycle

Hydrosphere

Hypothesis

Lithosphere

Mantle

Mineral

Physical geology

Plate

Plate tectonic theory

Principle of Uniformatarianism

Process

Radioactive decay

Rock

Rock cycle

Scientific method

System

Theory