GEOLOGY
171: APPLIED PHYSICAL GEOLOGY
SPRING 2007
Lecture:
Instructors: Dr.
David E. Blake, Lecturer; Rm 221 Deloach
Hall, (910) 962-3387; Main Office: (910) 962-3490; Fax: (919)
962-7077; Email: blaked@uncw.edu; Webpage: http://people.uncw.edu/blaked/index.html;
Mr. David B. Parnell, Teaching Assistant; Rm 224A Deloach Hall; Main Office: (910) 962-3490; Email: dbp9162@uncw.edu
.
Office Hours: Tuesday:
Text: Earth: Portrait of a Planet by S.
Marshak (2nd edition) and Geology in the Field by R. R.
Compton (1985 or later edition).
Additional readings may be provided.
Course Goals: The
goal of this course is to provide the student with an advanced overview of Earth
systems and physical geology. We will be
studying its material nomenclature, physical features, and fundamental guiding
principles, as well as gaining practical experience in various methods of
applied physical geology pertaining to:
1) use
of the scientific method in geology
2) seismology
and physical properties of Earth’s crust, mantle, and core;
3) mineralogy,
petrology, and tectonic settings in oceanic and continental crust;
4) fundamentals
of mineral and rock observation, description, and classification;
5) deformation
and structures in crustal rocks;
6) Brunton
compass and GPS use;
7) topographic
and geologic map construction and interpretation;
8) detailed
geologic mapping and production of a professional quality map and cross
section;
9) library
science and computer applications in geology;
10) reporting
of scientific/geologic information;
11) fundamentals
of sample preparation in the GEO Petrology Preparation lab.
By
the end of the semester, you will be armed with an arsenal of concepts and
techniques with which to further investigate the geologic sciences. For geological terms that are new and
strange, try the Glossary of Geology by Bates and
Jackson (Reference: QE5 .B38 1987). You may find it
helpful to use a GOOGLE Search on key geologic and geographic words during
initial inquiries about fundamental geologic principles and concepts. Earth’s regional geography has geological
origins and they are closely linked as the Earth Sciences. Geology books in the Randall Library
are found primarily in the QE section of the
stacks. Books related to the technical
and applied nature of geology are found in the TN
section and those related to geography in the GB
section.
If
you want to find something specific to the geologic literature, the computer
data base GEOREF is the best. Search the Randall Library under Inside UNCW
on its web page. Then search electronic resources by subject and choose Earth
Sciences. The reference librarian in the
Randall Library will help you get started with this when you wish to use it.
Attendance: Attendance
of lecture, laboratory, and field trips is required for all scheduled course
activities. Plan ahead as some of the
activities such as the field trips will occur outside of the regular lecture
and laboratory period. Please make
arrangements with your other faculty members and employers ahead of time.
Field Trips: There
will be two required field trips during the semester:
1) Saturday,
February 24, 2007, to Raleigh, North Carolina, and the western flank of the
Wake-Warren anticlinorium and Deep River Mesozoic basin in the eastern Piedmont
physiographic province;
2) Wednesday
through Sunday, April 11 - April 15, 2007, to Marlinton/Huntersville and
Costs: The
5 day field trip to
In
addition, you will provide the following information:
1) proof
of medical coverage (i.e. a photocopy of your medical insurance card);
2) information
concerning food allergies, medical allergies, or food problems, and any health
challenges because the field trips will require some moderate exercise;
3) contact
information in the event of an emergency;
4) filled-in copy of
the GLY 171 General Release Form.
Supplies: You
will need to purchase a hardback field book in which to maintain your field
notes and any appropriate field lecture notes.
This field book will be used as your field/working copy; it would be
wise to develop a digital backup file of your field notes, which will be used
as your desk copy. These
"notebooks" must be kept up to date throughout the course. They may be requested at any point in time,
with one lecture notice, for examination during the semester. Field notes will be taken in pencil or
waterproof drafting ink.
A mechanical pencil, eraser, tracing paper, set of colored pencils, and
drafting pens will be needed for this course.
You will also need to purchase a 10X hand lens. A transparent ruler-protractor combination, Brunton compass, and Majicboard
will be provided by the instructor. A
good quality pair of hiking boots is essential on the field trips. A rock hammer and a camera are not yet
required, but you will find them useful in this course and a hammer will be
required in future courses. I will
provide information on where and how to purchase these items.
Grading: Your grade is based upon your lecture and lab
performance during the completion of the following activities: 1) weekly quizzes on textbook reading
assignments-10%; 2) two lecture mid-term exams-20%; 3) lab assignments (type
written where applicable)-30%; 4) Raleigh field trip assignment-5%; 5) field
notebook-5%; and 6) final map, cross section, and report-30%. All lab assignments must be turned in to me
or given to the department secretary to be placed in my mailbox no later than
5:00 PM on the due date assigned. Do not slip assignments under my office door. Be aware of your responsibilities.
ACADEMIC CODES
UNCW is committed to the proposition that the pursuit of truth requires
the presence of honesty among all faculty, staff, and students involved. It is this institution's stated policy that
no form of dishonesty will be tolerated.
Although all members of the University community are encouraged to
report occurrences of dishonesty, each individual is principally responsible
for his or her own honesty.
UNCW practices a
zero-tolerance policy for violence and harassment of any kind. For
emergencies contact UNCW CARE at 962-2273, Campus Police at 962-3184, or
TENTATIVE
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
01/10: Introduction to Applied Physical Geology; Marshak, Prelude
01/11: Earth
in the Solar System;
01/16: Seismospherical View of Earth’s Interior;
01/17: Lab 1: Minerals as Earth
01/18: The
Scientific Method; Articles by T. C. Chamberlin and Moores and Twiss
01/23: Drifting
Continents and Spreading Seas I;
01/24: Lab 2: Rocks and Me
I-Magmatism-Marshak, Chapter 6; Compton,
01/25: Drifting
Continents and Spreading Seas II;
01/30: Plate
Tectonics I;
01/31: Lab 3: Rocks and Me
02/01: Plate
Tectonics II; Marshak,
02/06: Plate
Tectonics III; Marshak,
02/07: Lab 4: Rocks and Me
02/08: The
Rock Cycle I; Marshak,
02/13: The Rock
Cycle II; Marshak,
02/14: Lab 5: The Brunton Compass-Compto,
02/15: The Rock Cycle
III; Marshak,
02/20: Exam I
02/21: Lab 6: Deformation and
02/22: Deformation
and Structures I;
02/24:
02/27: Deformation
and Structures II;
02/28: Lab 7: Geologic
03/01: Earthquakes
and Seismicity I; Marshak
03/03-11: SPRING BREAK!!!
03/13: Earthquakes
and Seismicity II; Marshak
03/14: Lab 8: Earth’s Surface
03/15: Geologic
Time I;
03/20: Geologic
Time II; Marshak,
03/21: Lab 9: Geologic Map and
Cross Section
03/22: Biography
of Earth I;
03/27: Biography of Earth II;
03/28: Lab 10: Library Science and Internet Technology
03/29: Exam II
04/03: Geology
of
04/04: Lab 11: Field Trip Preparation; Stratigraphy of the
Virginia-West Virginia Field Areas
04/05: State
04/10: Introduction
to Southern Appalachian Geology
04/11-15: Field Trip -
04/17: Presentation
of Geologic Data;
04/18: Lab 12: Well Logs and
Subsurface Correlation
04/19: Graphic
Arts;
04/24: Written
Skills and Professional Reports;
04/25: Lab 13: GEO Petrology
Preparation Laboratory
04/26: Communication Skills and Professional
Presentations; Compton,
Ch. 1
05/01: READING DAY
05/08: Final Map Projects Due,
9:00 AM
Applied Physical Geology Field
Groups, 2005 and 2006