First Geology Lecture - GALALA UNIVERSITY - Fall 2023 PDF

G A L A L A U N I V E R S I T Y T H E F U T U R E S T A R T S H E R E Powered by Arizona State University Field of Basic Sciences Department of Geological Sciences T H E F U T U...

G A L A L A U N I V E R S I T Y T H E F U T U R E S T A R T S H E R E Powered by Arizona State University Field of Basic Sciences Department of Geological Sciences T H E F U T U R E S T A R T S H E R E  Field of Basic Sciences Department of Geological Sciences GES 111 Physical Geology For students from the programs of 1) Petroleum & Mining Geology, 2) Biotechnology & 3) Nanotechnology Instructor: Prof. Adel A. Surour Fall 2023 Textbooks  Lecture 1 Introduction to Geology/Earth Sciences Definition: Geology is the study of the earth (geo means earth, and ology means study of). This is a very simple definition for something so complex. Geology involves: 1) Study of the materials that make up the earth, the features and structures found on Earth as well as the processes that act upon them. 2) Study of the history of life that's ever lived on or is living on the earth now. 3) Study how life and our planet have changed over time is an important part of geology. Two Main Divisions of Geology: Physical geology deals with the study of the physical features of the earth and the processes acting on them. This includes volcanoes, earthquakes, rocks, mountains and the oceans; just about any feature of the earth. Historical geology is the study of the history of the earth. Historical geologists focus on what's happened to Earth since its formation. They also study the changes in life throughout time. In historical geology, you essentially get to travel back in time to the formation of the earth and move forward through time, witnessing the changes in Earth itself and the life on it.  Why do we study geology? We study geology to make new discoveries and learn more about the world around us. Geology looks at some of the most important issues in society today including: 1) Energy sources and sustainability 2) Climate change 3) Impacts of developments on the environment 4) Water management 5) Mineral resources 6) Natural hazards By studying these issues, geologists, along with other scientists, can anticipate earth's future and examine any changes that may need to be made. A key example of this is the study of climate change and how society needs to change to improve the earth's future. By switching from fossils fuels to geothermal energy and other renewable sources, we can reduce our carbon emissions and the effects of global warming. Understanding the mechanical properties of soils help us evaluate risks for landslides and identifying zones that are prone to risks. Studying the movement of groundwater underneath our feet supports drinking water protection from pollution. Medical Geology Medical Geology is an earth science specialty that concerns how geologic materials and earth processes affect human health. Geologic materials such as rocks, soils, dusts, and volcanic emissions can contain naturally elevated levels of elements, minerals, other compounds, or microbes that harm or benefit human health. Forensic Geology Forensic Geology is the study of evidence relating to minerals, oil, petroleum, and other materials found in or incorporated into the earth (such as soil, glass, water, or fossils) that can be used to answer questions raised by the criminal or civic legal systems. * Understanding history/evolution of the earth, without life and when life began Earth Natural Resources 1) Fossils fuels 2) Renewable energy​​ 3) Mineral resources G A L A L A U N I V E R S I T Y T H E F U T U R E S T A R T S H E R E Thanks for Attention T H E F U T U R E S T A R T S H E R E  Tools for the lab Please bring the following 1. Colored pencils 2. Regular pencil 3. Sharpener 4. Eraser 5. Ruler 6. Graph paper sheets