Lecture 1: Introduction

Question 1

the study of earth, extra-terrestrial lives in the universe, processes on and beneath the Earth’s surface and earth’s resources.

Answer 1

Geology

Question 2

Geology is the study of * , * in the universe, * on and beneath the Earth’s surface and earth’s *.

Answer 2

earth, extra-terrestrial lives, processes, resources

Question 3

3 things important to geology

Answer 3

1. Relevance of time – History of Earth “deep time”
2. Issue of Scale – macro vs micro (rock); small vs large (map); local vs regional (fault system)
3. Complexity – simulation of fault (different complex processes)

Question 4

• Composition and processes beneath and on the surface of the Earth

Answer 4

Physical Geology

Question 5

• Origin and development through time

Answer 5

Historical Geology

Question 6

Example of Physical geology

Answer 6

1. Volcanology
2. Seismology
3. Environmental Geology
4. Engineering Geology
5. Mining Geology; Petroleum Geology
6. Mineralogy; Petrology (rock)
7. Geomorphology
8. Geophysics and Geochemistry
9. Planetary Geology

Question 7

Example of Historical geology

Answer 7

1. Paleontology (Fossils)
2. Stratigraphy (sequence of strata)
3. Geochronology (detailed geologic time scale)

Question 8

• Earth’s features are shaped by sudden and often worldwide great catastrophes

Answer 8

Catastrophism

Question 9

Catastrophism is coined by *, and proposed by *

Answer 9

William Whewell, Baron Georges Cuvier

Question 10

• Physical, chemical and biological laws that operate today also operated in the geologic past

Answer 10

Uniformitarianism

Question 11

Father of Modern Geology

“Present is key to the past”

Answer 11

James Hutton

Question 12

Earth’s large scale features

Which are stable places?

Answer 12

1. Mountain Belts -
   * Young mountain belts - circumpacific; Himalaya Mts (ring of Pacific Ocean)
   * Old mountain belts – Appalachian Mts
2. Shields - Canadian Shield
3. Stable Platform

Question 13

Shields covered by sedimentary rock; large areas mainly composed of crystalline rock

Answer 13

Stable platform

Question 14

Ocean Basin {seafloor} features

Answer 14

1. Continental shelf
2. Continental slope
3. Abyssal plain
4. Mid oceanic ridge
5. Trench
6. Seamount
7. Guyot
8. Submarine canyon

Question 15

Explain the origin of the moon

Answer 15

pass

Question 16

Explain the origin of the atmosphere

Answer 16

pass

Question 17

Where did the water in Earth’s ocean come from?

Answer 17

*Rain, Bombardment by comets; balls of ice that collide with earth; 20 balls per minute

Question 18

Why is the water saline?

Answer 18

• Outgassing produced acidic condition

* Oceans become depository for products of weathering (dissolved compounds) and CO2

Question 19

Fun Fact about Solar System
*Venus – 
*Mars 
Gas Giants
Jupiter, Saturn: 
Uranus 
Neptune

Answer 19

*Venus – hottest (867 F)
*Mars might have supported life
Gas Giants
Jupiter, Saturn: H, He
Uranus (rotation on its side)
Neptune (coldest)
{Rock, Ice, no solid surface}

Question 20

{collection of debris; edge of the solar system}

Answer 20

Oort cloud

Question 21

Solar system configuration

Answer 21

Sun - Terrestrial planets – Asteroid belt – Jovian Planets – Kuiper Belt (Ceres) – Oort Cloud

Question 22

Largest and deepest ocean:

Answer 22

Pacific Ocean

Question 23

Highest Mountain:

Answer 23

Mt Everest

Question 24

Surface locations farthest from the center of the Earth:

Answer 24

Mount Chimborazo, Mount Huascaian

Question 25

Longest River:

Answer 25

Nile River

Question 26

Largest Lake:

Answer 26

Caspian Sea

Question 27

Largest Island:

Answer 27

Greenland

Question 28

Location of Solar System in the Milky way galaxy:

Answer 28

Orion Spur