GEOS 251

Physical Geology

Spring 2012

Introduction / Solar System Development

(Chapters 1, 9)

Introductionsand quickreviewof syllabusand classcalendar

Syllabus: Class objectives and policies Pre-lecture questions Questions and concerns

Whatis geology?
The science of the Earth what it is, how it operates, how it evolved Close links to other earth and planetary sciences, biological and physical sciences Based on the scientific method as in other sciences observations, hypotheses, tests lead to better understanding and subsequent tests (a theory is a very well substantiated hypothesis) The central feature is observation of the Earth a natural science. Time a key aspect How old? How long? How do we know?

TheEarthas a planetin the solar system

Key features Sun, inner rocky planets, outer gas-rich planets Broad characteristics: relative size, density, composition Active and dead planets and atmospheres Origin of the solar system Elements the basic building blocks (see periodic table) Where elements originate Big Bang and nucleosynthesis in stars Common and rare elements in the sun, planets and Earth why and why do we care? Nebular hypothesis from interstellar gas and dust to the solar system Formation and differentiation of the Earth and Moon Chemical divisions of the Earth: core, mantle, crust, fluid envelopes Sources of energy for a dynamic planet: primordial and continuing / internal vs. external

TheEarthas an activeplanet the consequencesof energyflow

What happens when heat and materials are redistributed Next time: plate tectonics, geochemical cycles, time scales

Thinkingahead: Geologictimeand dynamicprocesses

Lecture 1

12 January 2012

GEOS 251

Physical Geology

Spring 2012

Review & Next Class

ALSO SEE SUMMARY & REVIEW AT THE END OF EACH CHAPTER Read Chapter 1 if you havent already Read Chapter 2 to see about the Earth as a dynamic planet consider the role of heat and the types of heat sources in the Earth Review general characteristics of the Periodic Table (Appendix 3 6th Ed.) Which are the even numbered elements, how do these compare with the common elements? Do you recall (from earlier chemistry classes) the typical charges (valence) that elements have across this table (some positive, some negative)? Take a look at the geological time scale (inside front cover) think about what kinds of processes might take a few minutes, years, thousands of years, millions of years well discuss this next time Which Earth processes take place only over long times? Which occur rapidly? Can you speculate on why there are these major differences? Supplementary question (see front pages of book) If your height is proportional to the age of the Earth, where would the following key events fall: 1. Accretion? 2. Oxygenation of the atmosphere (approximately the Archean-Proterozoic boundary)? 3. The Cambrian "explosion" (evolution of complex fauna at the beginning of the Phanerozoic)? 4. The Mesozoic Era (age of dinosaurs)? 5. The Ice Ages (Pleistocene to Recent)? 6. Recorded human history (ca. last 5000 years)? Supplementary reading on the origin of the elements and the planet: How to Build a Habitable Planet by Wallace S. Broecker (1985) Eldigo Press, Palisades, New York. This is a relatively non-technical introduction to the origin of the earth.

Lecture 1

12 January 2012