Geology

GEOLOGY 11: PRINCIPLES OF GEOLOGY  INTRODUCTION TO GEOLOGY 

that the latter remains unchanged in between these periods of upheavals

 WHAT IS GEOLOGY ?

Geology is the study of the Earth, the processes that shape it, and the resources that could be obtained from it.  geo  –  Earth logos - discourse Geology is the study of: Earth’s processes Earth’s materials Earth’s history  Geology as a discipline: the relevance of time the issue of scale the complexity of replicating natural systems and phenomena in the laboratory relevance of resources

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 widely accepted by theologians in the early 1800s due to similarity with Biblical events such as the Noachian Flood

Uniformitarianism, developed by the Scottish physician  James Hutton in the late 1700's, is the belief that features are created through everyday processes acting at slow rates throughout millions of years, and that these processes have been active throughout earth history.  Therefore by observing processes in operation today we can interpret features of the past.

proposed by James Hutton (The Father of Modern Geology) often condensed to: o

BRANCHES OF GEOLOGY  1.

PHYSICAL GEOLOGY

deals with the materials that comprise the Earth and the processes that affect it

advocates the idea that the Earth is continuously modified by geologic processes that have always operated throughout time (albeit at different rates), and that by studying them we can understand how the Earth has evolved through time

ex: Volcanology, Seismology, Petrology, Mineralogy 2. HISTORICAL GEOLOGY

the study of the origin and evolution of the Earth through time ex: Paleontology, Stratigraphy

B ASIC

Uniformitarianism as expounded by Lyell:

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Uniformity of law  –   assumes that natural laws are constant through time and space

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Uniformity of process  –   past event can be explained as the consequence of processes now known to be operating, then additional unknown causes should not be invoked

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Uniformity of rate (gradualism)  –  changes  changes in the earth surface are slow, steady and gradual, acknowledges the occurrence of catastrophes but are only local and occurred in the past with average frequency as they do today

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Uniformity of state  –  although   although change occurs it is directionless; Earth looked behaved much as it does at the present time.

CONCEPTS IN THE HISTORY OF

GEOLOGY  Catastrophism  is the belief that features on the earth are shaped by short short term catastrophic events. The belief  was popular among biblical scholars who believed that the earth was created in 4004 BC, a date obtained by  James Ussher, the Archbishop Archbishop of Armagh.

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proposed by Baron Georges Cuvier

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advocates the idea that sudden, worldwide catastrophes are the agents of change that alter the physical features of the Earth over time and

“ The present is the key to the past.” Think of this not so much as a scientific theory as a working principle.

GEOLOGY 11: PRINCIPLES OF GEOLOGY  INTRODUCTION TO GEOLOGY 

SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY  Science based on assumption that Natural world behaves in consistent and o predictable manner (uniformity of process) Collect scientific facts Observation and measurements o Formulate hypothesis (model)  Theory –   well tested and widely accepted Paradigm o

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Consensus plays in the historical development of a theory in any one of the disciplines of science.

Big Idea 5: Earth in Space and Time

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 The origin and eventual fate of the Universe still remains one of the greatest questions in science.

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Gravity and energy influence the formation of galaxies, stars, the planetary systems, and Earth.

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Humankind’s need to explore continues to lead to the development of knowledge and understanding of the nature of the Universe.

Big Idea 1: The Practice of Science

Scientific inquiry is a multifaceted activity; The processes of science include the formulation of scientifically investigable questions, construction of investigations into those questions, the collection of appropriate data, the evaluation of the meaning of those data, and the communication of this evaluation.

Big Idea 6: Earth’s Structures •

Big Idea 2: Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge

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Scientific knowledge is based on empirical evidence, and is appropriate for understanding the natural world

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Over geologic time, internal and external sources of energy have continuously altered the features of Earth by means of both constructive and destructive forces.  All life, including human civilization, is dependent on Earth’s internal and external energy and material resources.

Scientific knowledge is durable and robust, but open to change.

Big Idea 7: Earth Systems and Patterns

Because science is based on empirical evidence it strives for objectivity, but as it is a human endeavor the processes, methods, and knowledge of science include subjectivity, as  well as creativity and discovery.

 The scientific theory of the evolution of Earth states that changes in our planet are driven by the flow of energy and the cycling of matter through dynamic interactions among the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, geosphere, and biosphere, and the resources used to sustain human civilization on Earth.

Big Idea 3: Roles of Theories, Laws, Hypotheses, and Models

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 A scientific theory is the culmination of many scientific investigations drawing together all the current evidence concerning a substantial range of phenomena.

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Scientific laws are descriptions of specific relationships under given conditions in nature, but do not offer explanations for those relationships.

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 Theories do not become laws, nor do laws become theories; theories are well supported explanations and laws are well supported descriptions.