107 lec1

Geology 107, Our Dynamic Planet Professor: Dr Seth Stein Teaching Assistants: Kimberly Schramm, Laura Swafford In addition to getting your distribution requirement out of the way, this course should give you some ideas about: • How our planet works • Why mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes are where they are • How geology impacts our civilization “We believe” is used often New discoveries/a dvances are being made today that further our understanding Planet Earth is a dynamic system that evolved for 4.6 billion years and continues to Grand Canyon, AZ, USA, formed by erosion during a period of uplift beginning 60 mya (million years ago) “Sue” - Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton - 67 million yrs old (late Cretaceous) Chicago Field Museum The evolution depends on the way heat - “The geological lifeblood of planets” - is transferred out of the cooling earth by thermal convection (Hot stuff rises) Thermal convection causes plate tectonics: plates of the earth's surface move relative to each other at a few mm/yr (about the speed fingernails grow) San Andreas Fault, Carizo Plain, CA  Plate motions cause earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain building at plate boundaries  Plate tectonics makes earth what it is different from neighbor planets(Mars, Venus: bears principle) Too Cold Just Right Too Hot  Plate motions are crucial for the origin of life, its survival, and our climate  Plate motions provide resources as well as hazards to society "CIVILIZATION EXISTS BY GEOLOGICAL CONSENT" Damage in Indonesia from the tsunami in December Grading:      tests: 25% each Weekly quizzes: 15% of final grade Presentation: 10% of final grade Presentation evaluation: 10% of final grade Discussion : 15% of final grade STAY WITH THE MATERIAL! DON’T PUT OFF STUDYING Notes and Reading:  Most of the figures used in class are available on the website: http://www.earth.northwestern.edu/individ/seth/107/  Text: Exploring Earth, by Davidson, Reed, Davis, 2nd ed, 2002 Reading is not required Test will cover only lecture and discussion & pres material  First edition of text is OK, but chapters may be different   Paper and Presentation Description of topics on handout and class website      http://www.earth.northwestern.edu/individ/seth/107/issues htm Topic will be assigned Presentation will consist of minute argument for/against - this will be assigned as well First one will be on Friday , October Earth science plays a role in many important societal issues This course focuses on the underlying science relevant to some of these Via class presentations we will explore several issues, some of which go beyond what we in class Presentation Evaluation   Each Presentation will be evaluated by the class 10% of your grade - so don’t miss days that you aren’t presenting! NO MAKE-UPS will be possible! Weekly Quizzes    Each Wednesday except for test days Quizzes are short - about minutes Any make-ups require advance permission from the office of studies Extra  Extra credit opportunity worth one quiz http://www.earth.northwestern.edu/individ/seth/10  Due Monday, November 28, by 5:00pm Electronic submission is acceptable  Discussion  Meets weekly, attendance required!     Can switch sessions with advance notice to TA Covers material that complements lecture, and is eligible for quiz/test questions! Each week an exercise/handout to be completed in class period Also a good time to ask TA’s questions! Tests   hour tests: Wednesday, October 26 and Wednesday, November 23 Each test covers material in previous lectures, discussions and presentations   The second test is not cumulative, but the material does build on itself So no direct questions on the material from first half, but make sure you understand everything Any make-ups require advance permission from the office of studies We are here to help you!  TA’s:   Kimberly Schramm, Office: Locy Rm 309 C-D, schramm@earth.northwestern.edu, office hours: Wed 1-2pm, or by appointment Laura Swafford, Office: Locy Rm 3, swafford@earth.northwestern.edu, office hours: Thurs 11am-noon, 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:  Dr Seth Stein, Office: Locy Rm 311, seth@earth.northwestern.edu, office hours: 10-11am, weekdays DON’T WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE TEST TO SEE US! [...]... http://www.earth.northwestern.edu/individ/seth /107/  Text: Exploring Earth, by Davidson, Reed, Davis, 2nd ed, 2002 Reading is not required Test will cover only lecture and discussion & pres material  First edition of text is OK, but chapters may be different   Paper and Presentation Description of topics on handout and class website      http://www.earth.northwestern.edu/individ/seth /107/ issues htm Topic will