cyber earth science
Certificate Course "The Earth And Beyond"
Contents for Entire Course
Introduction Minerals Igneous Rocks Metamorphic Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks Deformation of Rock Geological Time Mass-Wasting
Streams and Drainage Systems Global Change Glaciers
Groundwater Earthquakes and the Earth's Interior
Deserts and Winds Weathering and Soils
Acid Rain Air Pollution Alternate Energy Sources
Coal and Gas Hydrate Resources Coastal Environment
Fossil Fuels Global Warming and the Greenhouse Effect
Health Risks and Environmental Pollution Hydrology Mineral Resources
Nuclear Power The Oceans and their Margins Plate Tectonics
Pollutants Resources of Minerals and Energy Sewage Treatment
Soil Solid Wastes Water Quality Tsunami
Meteorites and Extinctions
adapted to HTML from lecture
notes of Prof. Stephen A. Nelson Tulane University
with links to other Earth Science Australia resouurces
- Geology, What is it?
- Why Study the Earth?
- Earth Materials and Processes
- Principle of Uniformitarianism
- Energy
- Heat Transfer
- Geothermal Gradient
- The Earth -- What is it?
- Internal Structure of the Earth
- Surface Features of the Earth
- Plate Tectonics
- Definition of a Mineral
- Atoms
- Structure of Atoms
- Crystal Structure
- Ionic Substitution (Solid Solution)
- Composition of Minerals
- Properties of Minerals
Igneous Rocks
- Kinds of Igneous Rock
- Types of Magma
- Eruption of Magma
- Origin of Magma
- Origin of Basaltic Magma
- Origin of Granitic Magma
- Origin of Andesitic Magma
- Magmatic Differentiation
- Bowen's Reaction Series
- Volcanoes and Volcanic Rocks
- Plutons
Metamorphic Rocks
- Definition of Metamorphism
- Grade of Metamorphism
- Retrograde Metamorphism
- Factors that Control Metamorphism
- Responses of Rock to Increasing Metamorphic Grade
- Metamorphism of Basalts and Gabbros
- Metamorphism of Limestone and Sandstone
- Types of Metamorphism
- Metamorphic Facies
- Metamorphism and Plate Tectonics
Sedimentary Rocks
- Introduction to Sedimentary rocks
- Clastic Sediments
- Textures of Clastic Sedimentary Rocks
- Chemical Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks
- Biogenic Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks
- Features of Sedimentary Rocks That Give Clues to the Environment of Deposition
- Stratification and Bedding
- Sedimentary Facies
- Common Sedimentary Environments
Deformation of Rock
- Stress and Strain
- Stages of Deformation
- Brittle-Ductile Properties of the Lithosphere
- Deformation in Progress
- Evidence of Former Deformation
- Fracture of Brittle Rocks
- Normal Faults
- Horsts and Gabens
- Half-Grabens
- Reverse Faults
- Thrust Fault
- Strike Slip Faults
- Transform-Faults
- Evidence of Movement on Faults
- Folding of Ductile Rocks
- Monoclines
- Anticlines
- Synclines
- Geometry of Folds
- Classification of Folds
- The Relationship Between Folding and Faulting
- Folds and Topography
- Relative and Absolute Age
- Principles of Stratigraphy
- Breaks in the Stratigraphic Record
- Angular Unconformity
- Disconformity
- Nonconformity
- Variation of unconformities
- Stratigraphic Classification
- The Geologic Column
- Absolute Geologic Time
- Potassium - Argon (K-Ar) Dating
- Radiocarbon (14C) Dating
- Absolute Dating and Geologic Time Scale
- The Age of the Earth
Mass-Wasting
see
also Mass
Movement
- Gravity
- The Role of Water
- Mass-Wasting Processes
- Mass-Wasting in Cold Climates
- Triggering of Mass-Wasting Events
Streams and Drainage Systems
- Streams
- Geometry and Dynamics of Stream Channels
- Changes Downstream
- Channel Patterns
- Erosion by Streams
- Stream Deposits
Global Change
- Solar Radiation and the Atmosphere
- Ozone (O3)
- Greenhouse Gases
- Volcanic Effects
- Carbon Dioxide in the Atmosphere
- Methane
- The Carbon Cycle
- Global Warming
- Effects of Global Warming
- Global Warming in the Past
- Mid-Cretaceous
- Eocene
- Definition of a glacier
- Mountain Glaciers
- Ice Sheets: (Continental glaciers)
- Ice Shelves
- The Formation of Glacial Ice
- Changes in Glacier Size
- Movement of Glaciers
- Glaciation
- Glacial Deposits
- Glacial Ages
- Causes of Glacial Ages
Groundwater
- The Water Table
- Movement of Groundwater
- Porosity
- Permeability
- Movement in the Zone of Aeration
- Movement in the Saturated Zone
- Recharge Areas and Discharge Areas
- Discharge and Velocity
- Springs and Wells
- Aquifers
- Changes in the Groundwater System
- Water Quality and Groundwater Contamination
- Geologic Activity of Groundwater
Earthquakes and the Earth's Interior
- Earthquakes
- Origin of Earthquakes
- Seismology, The Study of Earthquakes
- Types of Seismic Waves
- Location of Earthquakes
- Magnitude of Earthquakes
- Earthquake Risk
- Earthquake Damage
- World Distribution of Earthquakes
- The Earth's Internal Structure
- Seismic Wave Velocities in the Earth
- Layers of Different Physical Properties
- Gravity Anomalies and Isostasy
- The Oceans
- Ocean Circulation
- Ocean Tides
- Ocean Waves
- Shaping of Coasts
- Coastal Deposits and Landforms
- Coastal Evolution
- Coastal Hazards
- Protection from Shoreline Erosion
- Wind as a Geologic Agent
- Sediment Transportation by Wind
- Wind Erosion
- Wind Deposits: Ventifacts Yardangs
- Sand Dunes:
- Deserts
- Surface Processes in Deserts
- Desertification
Weathering and Soils
- Physical Weathering
- Chemical Weathering
- Types of Chemical Weathering Reactions
- Weathering of Common Rocks
- Weathering Rinds, Exfoliation, and Spheroidal Weathering
- Factors that Influence Weathering
- Soils
- Soil Erosion
Acid Rain
Alternate Energy Sources
- Solar Energy
- GeoThermal Energy
- Hydro Energy
- Tidal Power
- Wind Energy
- Biomass
- Biogas
- The Atmosphere
- Focus in the Future
Coal and Gas Hydrate Resources
Fossil Fuels
Global Warming and the Greenhouse Effect
- Are Greenhouse gasses responsible for changing the Earth's temperature?
- Climate Variations
- Consequences of Greenhouse Warming
Health Risks and Environmental Pollution
Hydrology
Mineral Resources
- Reserves vs. Resources
- Factors involved in deciding whether to mine a potential ore body
- The Rise of Recycling
- Environmental Problems associated with various aspects of Mining
Nuclear Power
- Ionizing Radiation
- Examples of Radiation Risk
- Nuclear Energy Fission
- Fusion of Hydrogen to make Helium
- Environmental Effects of Various Energy Sources - Comparison
- Chernobyl, Ukraine
- Radioactive Waste Repositories
Plate Tectonics
- Tectonic Theories
- The Earth's Magnetic Field and Paleomagnetism
- Sea-Floor Spreading
- Plate Tectonics
- Types of Plate Boundaries
- Divergent Plate Boundaries
- Convergent Plate Boundaries
- Persistant Pollutants
- Water Pollution and How it Occurs
- Flow of Pollutants
- Selected Water Pollutants
Resources of Minerals and Energy
- Mineral Resources
- Origin of Mineral Deposits
- Mineral Deposits and Plate Tectonics
- Energy Resources
- Solar Energy
- Nuclear Energy
- Fossil Fuels
- Formation of Petroleum
- Oil Traps
- Distribution of Petroleum
- Oil Shale and Tar Sands
- Coal
- Methods of treating sewage
- Sources of Household sewage
- Composition of Household Wastewater
- Septic Tank System
Soil
- Soil
- Chemical Reactions
- Biological Effects
- Carbon in the Soil
- Time to develop soil
- Soil Erosion
- Soil Pollution
Solid Wastes
- Disposal Methods
- Historical Patterns in Waste Disposal
- Sanitary Landfills Site Selection
- Pollution from Sanitary Landfills
- Incineration
- Source Reduction
Water Quality
- Environmental Law
- Benefical Uses of Water
- Major Elements that make up living tissue
- Other important, minor elements
- Karst Topography
- Residence Time
- Water Quality
Tsunami
- What does "tsunami" mean?
- Physical Characteristics of Tsunamis
- How do earthquakes generate tsunamis?
- 4 Stages in Tsunami Formation
- How do tsunamis differ from other water waves?
- How do landslides, volcanic eruptions, and cosmic collisions generate tsunamis?
- How Tsunamis are Generated
- Mitigation of Risks and Hazards
- Tsunami Safety Rules
- Tsunami movie clips
Meteorites and Extinctions
...see also Meteorites
...see also Minerals in Meteorites
...see also Identifying Meteorites
...see also Meteorite Cratering on Earth
...see also Tektites - Australia's unusual meteorite
...see also The Tunguska Event - eyewitness reports translated into English
- Definitions
- Composition and Classification of Meteorites
- Origin of Meteorites
- Impact Events
- Cratered Surfaces
- Meteorite Impacts and Mass Extinctions
- Geologic Record of Mass Extinction
- Human Hazards
- Torino Scale