1. GEOMYTHOLOGY
LEGENDS OF THE EARTH

2. GEOMYTHOLOGY IS…
The study of myths created by pre-scientific cultures to explain geological events such as earthquakes, floods, fossils, and other natural features.

3. TWO TYPES OF GEOMYTHOLOGY
Folk explanations of notable geologic features
Garbled descriptions of catastrophic geologic events

4. THE ANCIENT GREEKS AND EARTHQUAKES Tremors were the result of struggling giants imprisoned in the Earth by Zeus

5. Large magnitude tectonic quakes with tsunamis were attributed to Poseidon, the Earth-shaking god of the sea

6. THE ANCIENT GREEKS AND VOLCANOES
Hawaiian volcanoes inspired stories about the fire goddess Pele digging a series of great fire pits as she traveled across the islands

7. Mt. Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, is said to erupt because of Typhon’s attempts to escape the mountain. He was imprisoned there by Zeus

8. Virgil and Pliny the Elder suggested that the giant, one-eyed Cyclopes personified other active volcanoes in the Mediterranean

9. OTHER GEOMYTHS
Legends of “birdless places” originated in regions where toxic natural gases are released from vents in the Earth, affecting plant and wildlife.
The image of the cave-dwelling, fire-breathing Chimera, which dwelled in what is now Turkey, was influenced by spontaneously burning natural gas wells in Asia Minor.
Cosmic wars, in which the gods destroyed giant monsters and buried them underground, account for fossils of pre-historic elephants and other large mammals.

10. THE FUTURE OF GEOMYTHOLOGY
The permanent and safe disposal of thousands of tons of radioactive material from nuclear reactors and weapons may influence geologists to think geomythologically.
This waste is expected to remain radioactive for 100,000 years.
The plan is to bury the waste deep underground and prevent it from being disturbed for 10,000 years.
To do this warnings must remain effective until the year 12,000 A.D.

11. Written and visual markers of menacing design
To warn civilizations ahead of the danger buried underground

12. CREATE YOUR OWN GEOMYTH/GEOCHARACTER
IN THE FORM OF A WRITTEN MYTH
IN THE FORM OF A COLORED DRAWING
WRITTEN EXAMPLES
HAWAIIAN LEGEND: PELE
ZEUS VS. TYPHON

13. DRAWINGS/GEOCHARACTERS
global warming

14. BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS

15. POLLUTION

16. NUCLEAR WAR