Download Course Outline and General Information

Course Outline and General Information
Courses:
THE DYNAMIC EARTH (with labs)
GEOLOGY FOR ENGINEERS (with labs)
INTRODUCTION TO THE DYNAMIC EARTH (no labs)
Instructor:
ANTON CHAKHMOURADIAN
GEOL1340
GEOL2250
GEOL1440
Office: 230 Wallace Bldg; phone 474-7278; e-mail [email protected]
(please indicate your student number in the subject line). Availability for
questions/comments: Tuesday and Thursday between 10 am and noon; Friday
after 3 pm. Feel free to ask questions during or immediately after class.
Lectures:
Tuesdays & Thursdays; 8:30-9:45 in 223 WALLACE BLDG.
January 3 - April 7, 2006 (except during the mid-term break, February 13-17)
Lab Coordinator: KAREN FERREIRA (Office: 330 Wallace Bldg)
Please see your Lab Coordinator for the lab schedule and further information.
Required Text:
PHYSICAL GEOLOGY & THE ENVIRONMENT
by Plummer, McGeary, Carlson, Eyles & Eyles (2004); 1st Canadian edition;
McGraw-Hill Ryerson, Toronto.
Lecture Outline:
(order of topics may change)
Introduction to the course
An overview of physical geology: Important concepts and its place among
Earth sciences. Earth’s structure. Geologic time. Why is geology important?
From atoms to minerals
Atoms, elements and isotopes. Crystal structures. Minerals and their physical
properties. Chemical composition of the Earth’s crust. What are minerals used for?
Igneous rocks and their origin
Igneous rocks, their mineralogy and chemistry. Formation and evolution
of magmas. Intrusive magmatism. Volcanism and extrusive rocks.
Metamorphism and hydrothermal activity
Metamorphic rocks and types of metamorphism. Metamorphic facies.
Metasomatism. Hydrothermal processes at mid-ocean ridges. Ore veins.
Weathering and soils
Weathering, erosion and transportation. Types and rate of weathering. Origin and
evolution of soils. Types of soils.
Sedimentary rocks
Conversion of sediments to rocks. Clastic, chemical and organic sedimentary rocks.
Coal, petroleum and natural gas. Interpretation of sedimentary rock textures.
Mass wasting
Classification of mass wasting. Factors that control mass wasting. Preventing
geologic hazards associated with mass wasting.
Streams and floods
The hydrologic cycle. Channel flow and sheet flow. Drainage. Stream erosion
and deposition. Floods. Stream valley development. Terraces, meanders and
superposed streams.
Groundwater
Groundwater. Porosity and permeability. Water table. Aquifers, aquitards and wells.
Karst. Geothermal activity. Groundwater pollution and groundwater protection.
Chapter
1
5
6-7
10
8
9
13
14
15
Glaciers
Glaciation and glacial ages. Types of glaciers, their distribution and movement.
Glacial erosion and deposition. Glacial ages of the past.
Deserts and wind action
Desert features. Why and where do deserts form? Types of deserts.
Shoreline processes
Water waves and circulation. Wave refraction. Tides and currents. Coastal features.
Types of coasts.
Geologic structures
Tectonic forces in action. Folds, faults and joints. Mapping of geologic structures and
interpretation of geologic maps and cross-sections.
Geologic time
Uniformitarianusm. Timing of geologic events. Geologic time scale. Relative and
absolute age. Radiometric dating. Earth’s geologic history at a glance.
Earthquakes
Causes of earthquakes. Seismic waves. Locating and measuring earthquakes.
Tsunami waves, liquefaction and other effects of earthquakes. Earthquakes in the
context of plate tectonics. Control and prediction of earthquakes.
The Earth’s interior
The Earth’s internal structure. Isostasy and isostatic rebound. Gravity.
Earth’s magnetic field. Heat flow.
Ocean floor
Origin of the oceans. Sea floor, continental shelves and slopes. Submarine
canyons. Passive and active continental margins. Mid-oceanic ridges. Seamounts
and aseismic ridges. Reefs. Oceanic sediments. Sea floor and plate tectonics.
Continents
Mountain belts and their characteristics. Evolution of mountain belts. Growth and
break-up of continents.
Plate tectonics
Evolution of the plate tectonics theory. Continental drift and sea-floor spreading.
Plate motion. Divergent, convergent and transform boundaries. Relationship
between plate tectonics, seismic activity and volcanism.
Evaluation Procedures:
GEOL1340 & GEOL2250
Lectures
Mid-term test in class on Thursday, February 23
Final exam (Kennedy Gym, Wednesday, April 26)
Labs
Assignments and tests (Lab Coordinator will provide details)
GEOL1440
Lectures only!
Mid-term test in class on Thursday, February 23
Final exam (Kennedy Gym, Wednesday, April 26)
Ø
Ø
Ø
16
17
18
(459-477)
11
19
3
4
2
(478-488)
18
(34-36)
2
(55-57)
2
20%
30%
50%
40%
60%
Tests and exams will have the same format, and may include: true/false, multiple choice and
completion (fill-in-the-blanks) questions.
Evaluative feedback will be given to you prior to the voluntary withdrawal deadline (March 17).
Make-up tests/deferrals will be permitted for compassionate or medical reasons only. Please
consult the University of Manitoba General Calendar for University’s policies concerning
academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, cheating and impersonation on examinations.
Supplementary Resources:
JOURNEY THROUGH GEOLOGY is a CD that comes free with the textbook and contains a lot of useful
information and graphics. Other computer resources (e.g., IN-TERRA-ACTIVE by Brown & Dunning and
INTERACTIVE PLATE TECTONICS by Plummer & McGeary) are available in the Science and Tech Library;
ask for directions at the Information Desk. Wallace Bldg has several informative rock, mineral and map
displays to help you prepare for tests and exams, including: the Cretaceous Menagerie, mineral display in
the hallway, and exhibits in Room 323 (see your Lab Coordinator for access).