Objectives for the topic: Course Themes

Reading: Chapter 1 in Tarbuck and Lutgens

Images to understand: 1.7, 12, 14, 15, 16

After completing this topic, the student will be able to:

1. Understand that the concepts in GEOL 101 will all be tied to one or more of the five course themes:
   1. Most processes in geology can be thought of in terms of cycles.
   2. Plate tectonic theory is the paradigm for understanding changes on the surface and in the interior of the Earth.
   3. Understanding geology requires understanding DEEP time.
   4. Understanding geologic hazards is the best way to minimize their impact on us.
   5. Modern technological society is built on Earth resources.
2. Describe the two heat engines that use gravity to drive Earth processes: internal- powered by heat from the Earth's core and external- powered by the sun
3. Name and describe three compositional layers of the Earth (crust, mantle, and core).
4. Name and describe the five mechanical layers of the Earth (lithosphere, asthenosphere, mesosphere, outer core, and inner core).
5. Explain the idea of isostasy (see Fig. 20.14 on p. 572 in Chap. 20) and its relevance to the distinction between continental and oceanic lithosphere.
6. Describe the rock cycle and the basis for classification of the three main rock types (igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic).
7. Describe plate tectonic theory in four sentences or less.
8. Know that an abundance of scientific evidence indicates the Earth is about 4.5 billion years old, whereas the human species is only about 3 million years old.
9. Distinguish scientific and common usage of the words "hypothesis" and "theory".