HTML University

Science Dept.

Geology and Soils GEO 100 Notes
Introduction

1. Reasons for Studying Geology
   1. Information as a Citizen

   2. Information as a Student of the Environment

   3. Information as General Interest

   4. Concept of Time
      1. Law of Original Horizontality

      2. Law of Superposition

   5. Geo Hazards

2. The Planet Earth: Major Features of the Continents
   1. Shields

   2. Stable Platforms

   3. Folded Mountains

3. The Planet Earth: Major Features of the Ocean Floor
   1. Oceanic Ridge

   2. Abyssal Floor

   3. Seamounts

   4. Trenches

   5. Continental Margins
      1. Continental Shelf

      2. Continental Slope

      3. Continental Rise

      4. Submarine Canyons

4. The Planet Earth: Structure of the Earth
   1. Crust
      1. Sial

      2. Sima

   2. Lithosphere
      1. Outer 70 to 100 KM which Includes the Crust and the Upper Mantle above the...

      2. Asthenosphere

   3. Mantle

   4. Core
      1. Outer Core: Does Not Transmit Shear Waves

      2. Inner Core

5. The Planet Earth: Surface Fluids
   1. Atmosphere

   2. Hydrosphere

6. The Planet Earth: Hydrologic System
   1. Water Cycle

   2. Agents of Erosion
      1. River Systems = Running Water

      2. Mass wasting = Downslope Movement

      3. Glacial Systems = Ice

      4. Ground Water

      5. Wind = Eolian

      6. Waves = Shoreline Systems

7. The Planet Earth: Tectonic System
   1. Convection Cells
      1. Temperature Gradient ~15^oC/1 Km

      2. ~70 Km T = 1000^oC

   2. Plate Tectonics
      1. Divergent Plates: Ocean Floor Spreading and Ocean Ridges
         1. Volcanoes

         2. Earthquakes

      2. Convergent Plates: Subduction Zone
         1. Volcanoes

         2. Trenches

         3. Earthquakes

      3. Continental Drift

8. Gravity & Isostasy
   1. Pratt

   2. Airy

   3. Glacial Rebound

   4. Ancient Lakes

   5. Artificial Reservoirs