Geology 101

Physical geology
Fall 2014
Dr. Gray Dean
 Syllabus
5 tests (including final)
4 Exams (lowest dropped) 3 @ 17% each = 51 %
1 Final (Comprehensive) = 17 %
Lab = 33 %
1 point for being oh so special! = 1%
Total Points = 101 %
Grades:
91-100 = A
81-90 = B
71-80 = C
60-70 = D
< 60 = F
Lab is Mandatory
Lab = 33% of course grade
 Textbook
REQUIRED!!!!!
Earth: Exploring Geology (Renolds, Johns,
Morin and Carter,2013).

Lab Manual also required. Be sure to

bring lab manual to your first lab meeting
 Class policies
Read ALL materials before class
You are responsible for materials from the readings as
well as from the lecture
Take Notes
Helps you process information
Making outlines of notes helps understanding
Regular Attendance
Lecture helps clarify concepts
Lecture provides opportunities for questions
Lecture may add information not found in text

Office hours M, W, F 10 - 11 am or by appointment

Room 217 EPS
 Class policies
Missed exams Prior approval, only
Lowest score is dropped

Exam Format
Multiple choice
Fill in the blank/Short answer?

Final: Comprehensive
Dec 5th (F) from 8 AM 10 AM
 Class policies
NO cellphones are to be used for any
purpose in this class
Please keep them turned off and put away
Academic Integrity and Civility
Cheating on tests will result in disciplinary
action
Please refer to Campus Syllabus posted
in Blackboard and emailed to everyone
 Office of Disability Services
If you need course adaptations or accommodations
because of a documented disability, please contact
the Office of Disability Services by September 16

2227 Dunford Hall

Telephone/TTY: 865-974-6087

E-mail: ods@utk.edu

This will ensure that you are properly registered for

services
 Outline
What is geology
How do we study geology
Processes
Materials
Why do we care about geology
Resources, hazards, human interest
We are part of this planet
Need to live harmoniously or else
How is geology a science
Scientific method and concept of systems
What makes geology unique amongst the sciences
Time and scale
 What is Geology?
The Study of Rocks

NO!
Rocks merely provide a physical
record of processes, geology is
much more than just rocks!
 What is Geology?
Study of planets (earth) and planetary processes
Includes Earth materials
Includes ALL phases of materials
Includes ALL processes
Includes the interactions of biology
Synthesis of ALL sciences
Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Ecology,
Astronomy, Mathematics, Engineering.
Earth Materials

Minerals
Rocks = Aggregates of minerals
Gravity Streams Glaciers

Earth Processes
Groundwater Waves and currents

Wind
Earth Processes
Earth Processes
 Minerals tell us
the environment

Rock type may tell us

how this was deposited

Fossils may tell us

the environment

Earth Materials
Tell Us About Processes
Why Study Geology?

Earth is our Home

 Processes affect our lives:
Hazards Earthquakes

Subsidence

Volcanoes
Landslides
Floods
2004 Indonesian Earthquake and Tsunami

June 23, 2004 December 27, 2004

Why Study Geology?

Earth provides us
resources
 Earth provides our critical resources
Each US Nonmetallic resources
Citizen uses
these:

4+ tons of stone
4 tons of sand and
gravel
1200 pounds of Metallic resources
iron and steel
4 tons of coal
>4 tons of oil Energy resources
 Geology helps to find
and extract resources

Copper Mine Berkeley Pit, Butte, Montana

Geology also helps efficient utilization
of critical resources such as Water
Approximately 40% of US
agricultural products
come from the wheat
belt, which is irrigated by
groundwater

Ogallala Aquifer
Geology helps us plan land use wisely

U.S. has 4% of the worlds population,

but generates 50% of its garbage
 How is
Geology
a Science?
Many predictions can be
Tested in
controlled settings, but

Other hypotheses are

confirmed by
observations in the field
 Most Physical Sciences
Work within closed systems
A system is a combination of related
parts that interact in an organized fashion.
A Closed system does not exchange
material or reactions across its
boundaries, except energy
An Open system allows an exchange of
matter across boundaries
Most Geological systems are open
Earth System

Solar System
The earth system can be
subdivided
The earth system can be
subdivided
Interactions of major earth systems
 Why is geology unique
amongst the sciences
Open systems
Scale of systems
From macro to micro-scale
Time
The magnitude of time represented by
geological systems
 Geology as a unique science

Scale of the features we deal with

The concept of time

 Geology as a unique science

Scale of the features we deal with

The concept of time

The concept of time
(the earth 250 million
years ago)
Why geology is cool
Why geology is cool