Fundamentals of Geology PDF Course Notes

Fundamentals of Geology ‫بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم‬ © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. ‫ أنس الشريف‬.‫د‬.‫ا‬ FUNDAMENTALS OF GEOLOGY COURSE Prof. Dr. Anas M. El-Sherif Engineering College Northern Border Universit...

Fundamentals of Geology ‫بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم‬ © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. ‫ أنس الشريف‬.‫د‬.‫ا‬ FUNDAMENTALS OF GEOLOGY COURSE Prof. Dr. Anas M. El-Sherif Engineering College Northern Border University © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.  Grade Distribution Grade Mark Mid Term 30 2 Home works 10 2 Quizes 10 Attendance 10 Final Exam 40 Total 100 © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.  Fundamentals of Geology - An introduction to the science of geology - Matters and minerals - Igneous rocks and intrusive activity - Weathering and soils - Sedimentary rocks - Metamorphism and metamorphic rocks - Crustal deformation and mountain building © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Essentials of Geology, 11e An Introduction to Geology Chapter 1 Stanley Hatfield Southwestern Illinois College Jennifer Cole Northeastern University © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.  The Science of Geology Geology is the science that pursues an understanding of planet Earth Physical geology – examines the materials composing Earth and seeks to understand the many processes that operate beneath and upon its surface Historical geology – seeks an understanding of the origin of Earth and its development through time © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.  The Science of Geology Geology, people, and the environment There are many important relationships between people and the natural environment Some of the problems and issues addressed by geology involve natural hazards, resources, world population growth, and environmental issues © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.  The Science of Geology Some historical notes about geology The nature of Earth has been a focus of study for centuries Catastrophism Uniformitarianism and the birth of modern geology © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.  Geologic Time Geologists are now able to assign fairly accurate dates to events in Earth history Relative dating and the geologic time scale Relative dating means that dates are placed in their proper sequence or order without knowing their age in years © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.  Geologic Time The magnitude of geologic time Involves vast times – millions or billions of years An appreciation for the magnitude of geologic time is important because many processes are very gradual © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. The Geologic Time Scale © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 1.8  The Nature of Scientific Inquiry Science assumes the natural world is consistent and predictable The goal of science is to discover patterns in nature and use the knowledge to make predictions Scientists collect facts through observation and measurements © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.  The Nature of Scientific Inquiry How or why things happen are explained using a Hypothesis – a tentative (or untested) explanation Theory – a well-tested and widely accepted view that the scientific community agrees best explains certain observable facts © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.  The Nature of Scientific Inquiry Scientific method Scientific method involves gathering facts through observations and formulation of hypotheses and theories There is no fixed path that scientists follow that leads to scientific knowledge © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.  A View of Earth Earth is a planet that is small and self- contained Earth’s four spheres Hydrosphere Atmosphere Biosphere Solid Earth © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. A View of Earth from the Moon Figure 1.12 A © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.  Earth as a System Earth is a dynamic planet with many interacting parts or spheres Parts of the Earth system are linked It is characterized by processes that Vary on spatial scales from fractions of a millimeter to thousands of kilometers Have time scales that range from milliseconds to billions of years © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. The Intersection of Three Spheres The atmosphere, hydrosphere, and the geosphere Figure 1.13 © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.  Earth as a System The Earth system is powered by the Sun, which drives external processes In the atmosphere In the hydrosphere At Earth’s surface © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.  Earth as a System The Earth system is also powered from Earth’s interior Heat remaining from the Earth’s formation and heat that is continuously generated by radioactive decay powers the internal processes that produce volcanoes, earthquakes, and mountains © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.  The Rock Cycle Part of the Earth system The loop that involves the processes by which one rock changes to another Illustrates the various processes and paths as Earth’s materials change both on the surface and inside Earth © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. The Rock Cycle © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Figure 1.22  Earth’s Internal Structure Earth’s internal layers can be defined by Chemical composition Physical properties Layers defined by composition Crust Mantle Core © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.  Earth’s Internal Structure Four main layers of Earth are based on physical properties and hence mechanical strength Lithosphere Asthenosphere Mesosphere Core © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Earth’s Internal Structure Figure 1.26 © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.  The Face of Earth Earth’s surface Continents Oceans Continents Mountain belts – Most prominent feature of continents The stable interior – Shields and stable platforms © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc.