1. Introduction to Geology

2. Standards
Examine investigations of current interest in science

3. What is Geology?
Student answers

4. What is Geology? Geology is the science that studies Earth
how it was born
how it evolved
how it works

5. Earth is an Active Place
As you sit in this room right now:
Volcanoes are erupting & earthquakes are shaking
Mountains are being pushed up and are being worn down
Glaciers are moving
Rivers are carrying sand & mud to the sea
Huge slabs of Earth’s surface, called tectonic plates, are slowly moving

6. Why is Geology Important?
Recent short-lived concerns (hazards) – events (usually unpredictable) that pose a threat to human life.
Examples:

7. Pinatubo Volcano that erupted in Philippines in 1991
722 killed, thousands evacuated

8. Mt. St. Helens
Volcano erupted in Washington in 1980
63 killed

9. Northridge
6.7 magnitude earthquake in S. CA in 1994
61 killed

10. Kobe
7.2 magnitude earthquake in Japan in 1995
>5000 killed

11. Indian Ocean
9.2 magnitude earthquake in 2004, produced tsunami that killed >275,000 people

12. JAPAN March 11, 2011 Magnitude 9.0 Tsunami heights of up to 133 ft
(*Run up)
> 15,000 deaths
Nuclear power plant meltdowns

13. Why is Geology Important?
Future short-lived concerns – events that could occur in the future.
Examples:

14. Jemez Mountains
Why a concern?
Explosive type volcano

15. Yellowstone Why is it a concern?
Large caldera volcano – eruptions of size never before seen

16. Dams
Why a concern?
Fill up with sediment

17. San Andreas Fault Why a concern?
Movement along fault causes earthquakes

18. Cascade Volcanoes Why a concern?
Explosive type volcanoes near populated areas

19. Tsunamis
Why a concern?
Can devastate coastal areas

20. Landslides
Why a concern?
People build on and below unstable slopes

21. Why is Geology Important?
Long-term concerns
Exs:
Environment
Earth resources (oil, coal, metals, fresh water…)
Planet earth is our home

22. Geology has many subdivisions
Geophysics – study of Earth’s interior
Paleontology – study of fossils & life history
Seismology – study of earthquakes
Planetary geology – study of geology of other planets
Hydrogeology – study of water resources
Volcanology – study of volcanoes
Geomorphology – study of landforms
Etc.

23. Principle of Uniformitarianism
The most basic geologic principle.
Says that the geologic processes we see in action today have worked in much the same way throughout geologic time.
Also stated as: “the present is the key to the past”
Ex: the way a river transports sediments today is the same way a river transported sediments in the past.

24. Photos

25. Amethyst Photo: John Betts Fine Minerals

26. Calcite on Fluorite Photo: John Betts Fine Minerals

27. Emerald Photo: John Betts Fine Minerals
Emerald

28. Opal Photo: John Betts Fine Minerals

29. Rhodocrosite Photo: John Betts Fine Minerals

30. Glacier Bay Lechuguilla, NM
Photo: NOVA. Mysterious Life of Caves

31. Chandelier Ballroom, Lechuguilla, NM
Photo: NOVA. Mysterious Life of Caves

32. Glacier Way, Lechuguilla, NM
Photo: NOVA. Mysterious Life of Caves

33. Mt. Fuji, Japan

34. Mt. Etna, Italy

35. Popocateptl, Mexico
Photo: Volcano World.

36. Soufriere Hills, Montserrat

37. Icelandic Volcano & Aurora

38. Kilauea, Hawaii
Photo: USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

39. Kilauea, Hawaii
Photo: USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

40. Kilauea, Hawaii
Photo: USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

41. Pu’uO’o Crater, Kilauea
Photo: USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Pu’uO’o Crater, Kilauea

42. Mt. St. Helens Photo: USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory

43. Mt. St. Helens Photo: USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory
Mt. St. Helens

44. Sulfur Springs, St. Lucia
Photo: Linda Brown

45. Mt. Everest, Nepal

46. Annapurna, Nepal

47. Himalayas, Nepal