GEOLOGY
171: APPLIED PHYSICAL GEOLOGY
SPRING 2009
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;
Teaching Assistant: Patti Mason; Rm 200 Deloach Hall; Main Office:
(910) 962-3490; Email: .
Office Hours: Tuesday
Text: Exploring Geology by Reynolds,
Johnson, Kelly, Morin, and Carter (2008), 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 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 field trips during the semester:
1)
2) Wednesday
through Sunday, April 1 -
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.
It 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-2.5%; 5) field
notebook-2.5%; and 6) final map, cross section, and report-35%. 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
01/08: Introduction to Applied Physical Geology;
01/08: Lab 1: Laboratory
Discussion and the Rock Lab Tour
01/13: Seismospherical View of Earth’s Interior;
01/15: The
Rock Cycle;
01/15: Lab 2: Minerals as Earth
Materials -
01/20: Earth
in the Solar System;
01/22: The
Scientific Method; Chapter 2
01/22: Lab 3: Magmatism -
01/27: The
Scientific Method;
01/29: Plate
Tectonics I;
01/29: Lab 4: Sedimentation -
02/03: Plate
Tectonics II
02/05: Earth
Materials;
02/05: Lab 5: Metamorphism -
02/10: Igneous
Environments;
02/12: Volcanoes;
02/12: Lab 6: Deformation and
Structures -
02/17: Sedimentary
Environments;
02/19: Exam I
02/19: Lab 7: Strike and Dip, the Brunton
Compass, and
Pace -
02/21:
02/24: Sedimentary
Environments;
02/26: Deformation
and Metamorphism Ch. 8
02/26: Lab 8: Earth’s Surface
Topography -
03/03: Deformation
and Metamorphism II;
03/05: Relative
Geologic Time;
03/05: Lab 9: Geologic Mapping -
03/07-08: SPRING BREAK!!!
03/17: Absolute
Geologic Time;
03/19: The
Seafloor;
03/19: Lab 10:
Geologic Map and Cross Section
Analysis -
03/24: Continental
Margins;
03/24: Mountains, Basins, and Continents I;
03/26: Mountains,
Basins, and Continents II;
03/26: Lab 11: Field Trip
Preparation; Stratigraphy of the Virginia-West Virginia Field Areas
03/31: Field
Trip Preparation
04/01-05: Field Trip -
04/07: Earthquakes and Seismicity
I;
04/09-12: State
04/14: Earthquakes
and Seismicity II;
04/16: Exam II
04/16: Lab 12: Library Science and Internet Technology
04/21: Mineral
Resources;
04/23: Mineral
Resources;
04/23: Lab 13: Well Logs and Subsurface Correlation
04/28: READING DAY
05/08: Final Map Projects Due, by
11:00 AM
Applied Physical Geology Field
Groups,
2005, 2006, 2007, 2008