Geology 107, Our Geology 107, Our Dynamic PlanetDynamic Planet

Professor: Dr. Seth SteinProfessor: Dr. Seth Stein

Teaching Assistants: Teaching Assistants: Kimberly Schramm, Laura Kimberly Schramm, Laura

SwaffordSwafford

• How our planet works.How our planet works.

• Why mountains, volcanoes, and Why mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes are where they are.earthquakes are where they are.

• How geology impacts our civilizationHow geology impacts our civilization

In addition to getting your In addition to getting your distribution requirement out of the distribution requirement out of the way, this course should give you way, this course should give you some ideas about:some ideas about:

““We We believe” is believe” is used often used often

- New - New discoveriediscoveries/advances s/advances are being are being

made made today that today that

further further our our

understanunderstand-ingd-ing

Planet Earth is a dynamic system that evolved Planet Earth is a dynamic system that evolved for 4.6 billion years and continues to.for 4.6 billion years and continues to.

“Sue” - Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton - 67 million yrs old (late Cretaceous) - Chicago Field Museum

Grand Canyon, AZ, USA, formed by erosion during a period of uplift beginning 60 mya (million years ago)

The evolution The evolution depends on the depends on the way heat - “The way heat - “The geological geological lifeblood of lifeblood of planets” - is planets” - is transferred out of transferred out of the cooling earth the cooling earth by thermal by thermal convection (Hot convection (Hot stuff rises)stuff rises)

Thermal Thermal convection convection

causes plate causes plate tectonics: tectonics:

plates of the plates of the earth's earth's surface surface move move

relative to relative to each other each other

at a few at a few mm/yr mm/yr

(about the (about the speed speed

fingernails fingernails grow)grow)

San Andreas Fault, Carizo Plain, CA

Plate motions cause earthquakes, Plate motions cause earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain building at volcanoes, mountain building at plate boundariesplate boundaries

Plate tectonics makes earth what it is - Plate tectonics makes earth what it is - different from neighbor planets(Mars, different from neighbor planets(Mars, Venus: 3 bears principle)Venus: 3 bears principle)

Too Cold Just Right Too Hot

Plate motions Plate motions are crucial for are crucial for the origin of the origin of life, its life, its survival, and survival, and our climateour climate

Plate motions provide Plate motions provide resources as well as resources as well as hazards to societyhazards to society

"CIVILIZATION EXISTS BY "CIVILIZATION EXISTS BY GEOLOGICAL CONSENT"GEOLOGICAL CONSENT"

Damage in Indonesia from the tsunami in December

Grading:Grading:

2 tests: 25% each2 tests: 25% each Weekly quizzes: 15% of final gradeWeekly quizzes: 15% of final grade Presentation: 10% of final gradePresentation: 10% of final grade Presentation evaluation: 10% of final Presentation evaluation: 10% of final

gradegrade Discussion : 15% of final gradeDiscussion : 15% of final grade

STAY WITH THE MATERIAL! DON’T STAY WITH THE MATERIAL! DON’T PUT OFF STUDYINGPUT OFF STUDYING

Notes and Reading:Notes and Reading:

Most of the figures used in class are Most of the figures used in class are available on the website: available on the website: http://www.earth.northwestern.edu/individ/seth/107/

Text: Exploring Earth, by Davidson, Text: Exploring Earth, by Davidson, Reed, Davis, 2nd ed, 2002. Reed, Davis, 2nd ed, 2002. Reading is not required. Test will cover Reading is not required. Test will cover

only lecture and discussion & pres. only lecture and discussion & pres. material.material.

First edition of text is OK, but chapters First edition of text is OK, but chapters may be different.may be different.

Paper and PresentationPaper and Presentation Description of topics on handout and class Description of topics on handout and class

websitewebsite http://www.earth.northwestern.edu/individ/sethttp://www.earth.northwestern.edu/individ/set

h/107/issues.htmh/107/issues.htm

Topic will be assignedTopic will be assigned Presentation will consist of 5 minute Presentation will consist of 5 minute

argument for/against - this will be argument for/against - this will be assigned as well.assigned as well.

First one will be on Friday , October 7.First one will be on Friday , October 7. Earth science plays a role in many Earth science plays a role in many

important societal issues. This course important societal issues. This course focuses on the underlying science focuses on the underlying science relevant to some of these. Via class relevant to some of these. Via class presentations we will explore several presentations we will explore several issues, some of which go beyond what we issues, some of which go beyond what we do in class.do in class.

Presentation EvaluationPresentation Evaluation

Each Presentation will be evaluated Each Presentation will be evaluated by the classby the class

10% of your grade - so don’t miss 10% of your grade - so don’t miss days that you aren’t presenting! NO days that you aren’t presenting! NO MAKE-UPS will be possible!MAKE-UPS will be possible!

Weekly QuizzesWeekly Quizzes

Each Wednesday except for test Each Wednesday except for test daysdays

Quizzes are short - about 5 minutesQuizzes are short - about 5 minutes Any make-ups require advance Any make-ups require advance

permission from the office of studies.permission from the office of studies.

ExtraExtra

Extra credit opportunity worth one Extra credit opportunity worth one quizquiz http://www.earth.northwestern.edu/indihttp://www.earth.northwestern.edu/indi

vid/seth/107vid/seth/107 Due Monday, November 28, by 5:00pm. Due Monday, November 28, by 5:00pm.

Electronic submission is acceptable.Electronic submission is acceptable.

Discussion Discussion

Meets weekly, attendance required!Meets weekly, attendance required! Can switch sessions with advance notice Can switch sessions with advance notice

to TA.to TA. Covers material that complements Covers material that complements

lecture, and is eligible for quiz/test lecture, and is eligible for quiz/test questions!questions!

Each week an exercise/handout to be Each week an exercise/handout to be completed in class periodcompleted in class period

Also a good time to ask TA’s questions!Also a good time to ask TA’s questions!

TestsTests 2 hour tests: Wednesday, October 26 and 2 hour tests: Wednesday, October 26 and

Wednesday, November 23.Wednesday, November 23. Each test covers material in previous Each test covers material in previous

lectures, discussions and presentations.lectures, discussions and presentations. The second test is not cumulative, but the The second test is not cumulative, but the

material does build on itself. So no direct material does build on itself. So no direct questions on the material from first half, but questions on the material from first half, but make sure you understand everythingmake sure you understand everything

Any make-ups require advance permission Any make-ups require advance permission from the office of studiesfrom the office of studies

We are here to help you!We are here to help you!

2 TA’s: 2 TA’s: Kimberly Schramm, Office: Locy Rm 309 C-D, Kimberly Schramm, Office: Locy Rm 309 C-D,

schramm@earth.northwestern.eduschramm@earth.northwestern.edu, office hours: Wed 1-2pm, , office hours: Wed 1-2pm, or by appointmentor by appointment

Laura Swafford, Office: Locy Rm 3, Laura Swafford, Office: Locy Rm 3, swafford@earth.northwestern.edu,swafford@earth.northwestern.edu, office hours: Thurs 11am- office hours: Thurs 11am-noon, or by appointmentnoon, or by appointment

Please see the TA’s first for help! - we are paid to help you. BONUS: you get a different explanation from the

prof. Professor: Professor:

Dr. Seth Stein, Office: Locy Rm 311, Dr. Seth Stein, Office: Locy Rm 311, seth@earth.northwestern.edu,seth@earth.northwestern.edu, office hours: 10-11am, office hours: 10-11am, weekdaysweekdays

DON’T WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE TEST TO SEE US!