Historical Geology – Introduction
GLY-1102
Introduction to Historical Geology
Dr. Hageman
Historical Geology – Introduction
GLY-1102
Introduction to Historical Geology
Dr. Hageman
Hay - gah - man
Historical Geology – Introduction
Historical Geology
Historical Geology – Introduction
Interesting topics?
Historical Geology – Introduction
Interesting topics?
I think so.
Historical Geology – Introduction
Course Goals
Historical Geology – Introduction
Course Goals
• Fulfills Core NATURAL SCIENCE
• Develop critical thinking.
• Life long awareness.
Historical Geology – Introduction
Many new terms.
Historical Geology – Introduction
Many new terms.
• Keep it simple.
• Ask me!
• Do not accept undefined jargon.
Historical Geology – Introduction
facts vs. concepts
Historical Geology – Introduction
facts vs. concepts
• Information
Historical Geology – Introduction
facts vs. concepts
• Information
• Principles
Historical Geology – Introduction
facts vs. concepts
• Information
• Principles
• Synthesis
Historical Geology – Introduction
facts vs. concepts
• Information
• Principles
• Synthesis
• Application
Historical Geology – Introduction
Historical Geology differs from
many other fields of science
Historical Geology – Introduction
"Hard Sciences”
e.g. Chemistry and Physics
Deductive reasoning:
Predicts results from known causes
Historical Geology – Introduction
Historical Geology
Interpretive Science
Inductive reasoning:
Interpretation of ancient causes
from observable historical results
Historical Geology – Introduction
Historical Geology
Interpretive Science
• No equation for mountains.
• No formula for extinction of dinosaurs.
• Historical Geology is like CSI.
Historical Geology – Introduction
Historical Geology
Interpretive Science
Based on:
• observations (clues) and
• your knowledge of physical geology
and biological concepts
Historical Geology – Introduction
Historical Geology
Interpretive Science
• you reconstruct a sequence of events
that occurred over geologic time;
• then develop an explanation of events
that account for object you are studying.
Historical Geology – Introduction
Historical Geology
Interpretive Science
note: inductive reasoning does not
absolve us from quantification
Historical Geology – Introduction
Fields of Geology
Petrology: study of the formation of rocks.
Sedimentary, Igneous, & Metamorphic.
Sedimentology: environments, depositional process & rocks.
Stratigraphy: relationships of strata in time and space.
Structural Geology: how rocks are deformed during stress.
Mountain building and Plate Tectonics.
Paleontology: study of ancient life.
Historical Geology – Introduction
Fields of Geology
Geochemistry & Geophysics: application of
chemistry and physics to the study of the earth.
Field Geology: application of all to the interpretation
of rocks "in the wild".
Historical Geology – Introduction
Appalachian students at Hutton’s Unconformity, Siccar Point, Scotland
Historical Geology – Introduction
Historical Geology
Vastness
of Geologic Time
Metaphor
4.6 billion years
= 1 calendar year
origin of the Earth = Jan 1
today = Midnight Dec 31
bacteria
bacteria
bacteria
bacteria
Cambrian
Before Midnight
1 min. 9 sec. Dawn of Civilization
10,000yr
3.4 sec.
Columbus
~500yr
14/100 sec.
ASU Student
~20 yr
How to calculate your own
Geologic Time Scale Metaphor
1. Choose your metaphor:
Football Field = 100 yards
Age of Earth = 4,600,000,000 yrs
How to calculate your own
Geologic Time Scale Metaphor
2. Calculate Years per Metaphor Unit:
100 yards ÷ 4,600,000,000 yrs
= 2.2 x 10-8 yards/year
= 0.000000022 yards/year
How to calculate your own
Geologic Time Scale Metaphor
3. Pick your key events and dates:
• First Dinosaur = 215,000,000 yrs
• Dinosaur Extinction = 65,000,000 yrs
How to calculate your own
Geologic Time Scale Metaphor
4. Multiply by your unit conversion:
• First Dinosaur = 215,000,000 * 0.000000022 yards/year
= 4.7 yard line
• Dinosaur Extinction = 65,000,000 * 0.000000022 yards/year
= 1.4 yard line
origin of the Earth is 98.6 yards away
Historical Geology – Introduction
Business
CourseWebPage
http://www.acs.appstate.edu/%7Ehagemansj/GLY1102.html
Your grade in GLY-1102 is based on your performance in:
Lecture 75%
Two lecture exams (20% ea.)
One cumulative final exam (30%)
Participation 5% (~10 open-note quizzes at end of lecture, random)
Lab 25%
Historical Geology – Introduction
Business
Grades on a 90-80-70-60 scale.
Only curved if there is systematic error on my part.
Attendance is required.
Historical Geology – Introduction
Business
Everyone should know the following.
Ability to recognize and classify common minerals.
(rxs & min. sets in library)
Ability to recognize common igneous, sedimentary &
metamorphic rocks.
Geographic positions of states within the United States.
General familiarity with world geography including
continents and oceans.
Historical Geology – Introduction
Business
• All Lab Sections will meet this week.
• You MUST bring the lab exercise book to lab.
• 11-O-X Field trip
April 12-13th
Historical Geology – Introduction
Questions?