Earth SC-202 Physical Geology

InstructorProf. Steven DutchOffice: LS 402Phone: 465-2246Email: dutchs@uwgb.eduHome Page: www.uwgb.edu/dutchsOffice Hours MWF 10:30-11:30, TR 9:30-10:50

RocksIgneousSedimentaryMetamorphicVolcanoesIntrusionsWeatheringSoilsErosionWaterUndergroundSurfaceOceansWindGlaciersFossilsEarth HistoryEarths InteriorEarthquakesMountainsPlate TectonicsOther PlanetsMineral ResourcesWhat is Physical Geology?

SyllabusIntroduction to the courseMineralsIgneous Rocks and Volcanoes Weathering and Erosion Evolution of LandscapesSedimentary RocksEvolution, Fossils, Geologic TimeGlaciers Wind and Wave Erosion

Metamorphism and DeformationEarthquakes and Earth's InteriorContinental Drift and Plate TectonicsResources from the Earth Geology of other Worlds

Exams and GradingMidterm I50 pointsMidterm II50 pointsLab100 pointsFinal80 pointsField Trip20 pointsAttendance10 points

Total300 points A270+AB255-269B240-254BC225-239C210-224CD205-210D200-204

Field TripDatesMandatory Absence Excuse Required8:00 LS Parking Lot, Return 4:15Casual Clothing No strenuous hikingBring a lunch and fluidsRest stops providedPut on your calendar! No excuses!

LabInstructor: Jennifer WesselEnroll in one section100 points total

ExpectationsCommitmentFocus in classProfessional ConductNo talking, textingStay whole periodStay vertical and awakeUse SyllabusKnow your ID number or bring ID to exams

Sample exam questionWhich is the most desirable property in a gemstone?

High hardnessLow hardnessExcellent cleavageDensity

Signs of TroubleNot making connectionsLecture, lab, text, on-line, examsNot knowing your gradeNot knowing what to study forNot knowing whats on syllabus

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Geology and Other Sciences

PhysicsGeophysicsSeismologyChemistryMineralogyPetrologyGeochemistryBiologyPaleontologyPaleo????ology

AstronomyPlanetary GeologyHelioseismologyGeologyEconomic GeologyHydrologyEngineering GeologyHistorical GeologyGeomorphologyOceanographyStructural GeologyVolcanology

Who Geoscientists Are: About 30,000 in the U.S. Globally, in rich and poor countries, about one per $50 million GNP. Mostly male but changing rapidly (now about 25% female in U.S.) Still less than 10% minority in U.S. (moving up slowly)

Where Geologists Work 40 % Private Sector 30 % Academic 30 % Government

What Geologists Do: Locate Geologic ResourcesGeologic Hazard MitigationGeological and Mining Engineering Site Study Land-Use Planning Environmental ProtectionEnvironmental Impact Ground Water and Waste Management Basic Research (Furnishes fundamental knowledge for the applications)

Some Unique Aspects of GeologyImportance of RelationshipsSequential Spatial

Importance of TimeDistinctive Problems of EvidenceSlow Rates Rare Events Destruction of Evidence Inaccessibility

Some Geologic RatesCutting of Grand Canyon2 km/3 m.y. = 1 cm/15 yr

Uplift of Alps5 km/10 m.y. = 1 cm/20 yr.

Opening of Atlantic5000 km/180 m.y. = 2.8 cm/yr.

Uplift of White Mtns. (N.H.) Granites8 km/150 m.y. = 1 cm/190 yr.

Some Geologic RatesMovement of San Andreas Fault5 cm/yr = 7 m/140 yr.

Growth of Mt. St. Helens3 km/30,000 yr = 10 cm/yr.

Deposition of Niagara Dolomite100 m/ 1 m.y.? = 1 cm/100 yr.

1 Second = 1 Year35 minutes to birth of Christ1 hour+ to pyramids3 hours to retreat of glaciers from Wisconsin12 days = 1 million years2 years to extinction of dinosaurs14 years to age of Niagara Escarpment31 years = 1 billion years

Some Unique Aspects of Geology (Continued)Reliance on Inference and DeductionIntrinsically "Unsolvable" ProblemsAncient Landscapes Mass Extinctions Ancient Ocean Basins

Scientific Principles in Geology Parsimony (K.I.S.S.)SuperpositionUniformitarianism

Using these, plus observation, we establish facts about Earth Processes

ParsimonyThe simplest explanation that fits all the data is preferredDoesnt guarantee that things must be simple!Theories with lots of ad hoc or unsupported ideas are probably wrong.

Parsimony: What is the best interpretation of this well data?

Parsimony

This?

Or This?

ParsimonyRock layers throughout NE Wisconsin are nearly flat and little disturbedGlacial deposits are always on top of bedrock

Therefore this is the most likely interpretation

One Implication of ParsimonyHow do we know the laws of nature are the same everywhere?Out to the farthest stars, everything seems to obey the same laws of natureWe find nothing in the rocks to suggest the laws of nature were different in the past

Either:The laws of nature change but just happen to produce effects that look like the presently-known laws of nature or The laws of nature really are the same everywhere

Another Implication of ParsimonyWe live in a universe of patternsIf someone claims there is an exception to a known pattern, the simplest explanation is that he/she is wrongTherefore the burden of proof in science is on the challenger

SuperpositionWhodunit?Last night, one of Green Bays premier beer can collections was stolenThe only clue is footprints in the snowThe thief was the last person to leave the premises

The SuspectsThe NephewHas a seeing-eye dog The MaidDrives a carThe CookRides a motorcycle The HandymanRides a bikeThe ButlerWalks to work

The Crime SceneThe Nephew has a seeing-eye dogThe Maid Drives a car The Cook Rides a motorcycleThe Handyman Rides a bikeThe Butler Walks to work

Contacts

A Contact:Mindoro Cut, Wisconsin

Uniformitarianism Continuity of Cause and EffectApply Cause and Effect to Future - Prediction Apply Cause and Effect to Present - Technology Apply Cause and Effect to Past - Uniformitarianism

Uniformitarianism does not mean: Catastrophes never occur Physical Conditions on Earth never Change Earth has always been the same Physical processes always occur at the same rate or intensity Laws of Physics have always been the same

Uniformitarianism does mean: Using our knowledge of physical laws, we can test:Whether catastrophes have occurred Whether physical conditions on earth have changed, and if so, how (ice ages, warm periods, high or low sea level, etc.) Whether physical laws themselves have changed in time, or elsewhere in the universe.

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