Introductory Lecture

Day 1

1. Scientific Method
   1. Observations
   2. Hypothesis
      • Multiple Working Hypotheses
   3. Experimentation
   4. Conclusions
2. Geology = Study of the Earth
   1. Physical Geology
      1. Geophysics
      2. Geochemistry
      3. Geomorphology
      4. Mineralogy and Petrology
   2. Historical Geology
      1. Paleontology
      2. Planetary Geology
      3. Stratigraphy
      4. Sedimentology
3. Geological Paradigms
   1. Catastrophism
      1. Young age for earth - 4004 BC
      2. Catastrophes shape earth
   2. Uniformitarianism
      1. Older age for earth - 4.6 Billion
      2. Earth changes gradually
      3. "Present is the key to the past"
4. Earth Spheres
   1. Atmosphere
   2. Hydrosphere
   3. Biosphere
   4. Lithosphere
      1. Crust
      1. Oceanic
      2. Continental
      2. Upper Mantle
   5. Asthenosphere
5. Surface Processes
   1. Hydrologic Cycle
      1. Erosional Processes
   2. Weathering Processes
      1. Mechanical
      2. Chemical
6. Internal Processes
   1. Plate Tectonics
      1. Divergence
      2. Convergent
      3. Transform
   2. Rock Cycle