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