E-Leaning Courses
E-Learning Courses - by topic
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 resources**click large font to go direct to direct to whole topic page...
**click page small font to go directly to individual sub-topics...
Introduction
- 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
Minerals
- 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
Geologic Time
- 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
Glaciers
- 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 and their Margins
- The Oceans
- Ocean Circulation
- Ocean Tides
- Ocean Waves
- Shaping of Coasts
- Coastal Deposits and Landforms
- Coastal Evolution
- Coastal Hazards
- Protection from Shoreline Erosion
Deserts and Winds
- 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
Air Pollution
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
Coastal Environment
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
Pollutants
- 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
Sewage Treatment
- 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
- 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