Introduction to GeologyCVE 3205Engineering GeologyWong Jee Khai

Introduction to GeologyGeo (Greek) EarthLogos (Greek) Discourse

Its the science that pursues an understanding of planet Earth.

Introduction to GeologyGeology is traditionally divided into two areas:Physical geologyHistorical geology

Physical GeologyExamines the materials composing Earth and seeks to understand the many processes that operate beneath and upon its surface.

Physical GeologyDifferent areas of geologic study:Archaeological geologyBiogeosciencesEngineering geologyGeochemistryGeomorphologyGeophysics

Physical GeologyHistory of geologyHydrogeologyMineralogyOcean sciencesPaleoclimatologyPaleontologyPetrology

Physical GeologyPlanetary geologySedimentary geologySeismologyStructural geologyTectonicsVolcanology

Historical GeologyTo understand the origin of Earth and its development through time.To understand Earth is challenging because our planet is a dynamic body with many interacting parts and a complex history.

Historical GeologyThroughout history, the Earth has been changing. Some are rapid and violent, as when landslides or volcanic eruptions occur.Some changes take place so slowly that it goes unnoticed during lifetime.

Historical GeologyScales of size and space also vary greatly.Sometimes we must focus on phenomena that are submicroscopic, and at other times with features that are continental or global.

History of GeologyWritings about fossils, gems, earthquakes and volcanoes date back to the Greeks, more than 2300 years ago. Greek philosopher, Aristotle believed that rocks were created under the influence of the stars and earthquakes occurred when air in the ground was heated by central fires and escaped explosively!

History of GeologyWhen confronted with a fossil fish, he said that a great many fishes live in the earth motionless and are found when excavations are made.In the mid-1600s James Ussher, Anglican Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of all Ireland, published a major work that Earth was created in 4004 B.C.

History of GeologyCatastrophismDuring the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, catastrophists believed that Earths landscapes had been shaped primarily by great catastrophes.

History of GeologyUniformitarianism Published by a Scottish physician named James Hutton named Theory of the Earth in 1795.States that the physical, chemical and biological laws that operate today also operated in the geologic past.the present is the key to the past.

Geology, Human and the EarthWhat challenges are critical?Population growth EnergyWater Climate change

Population GrowthEstimated population in year:0 was 250 million1650 was 500 million1850 was 1 billion1930 was 2 billion1975 was 4 billion2000 was 6 billion

Population GrowthN = N0ert

whereN = Amount of the quantity after time t, N0 = Amount of the quantity at time t0.e = Exponential functionr = Rate of growth

EnergyWoodCoalOilGasNuclear

WaterOnly 2.8% of total amount of water is fresh water.

Climate ChangeCO2 concentrations have goes up from year 1000, about 280 ppm by volume to 365 ppm by volume in year 2000.Global warming is it a hoax?

Geology & Construction SiteGeologic setting of the construction site must be described and characterized.Eg. Rocks and soil.

Threat of hazardous geologic processes.Eg. Volcanic eruption, tsunamis, earthquakes, landslides, floods.

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