GEOSCIENCES 342
Evolution of the Earth, Ocean, and Atmosphere
Instructors: Joellen Russell & Peter Reiners
Fall Semester 2009
GEOS 342 introduces students to the evolution and dynamics of Earth reservoirs, from the solid
Earth to the oceans and atmosphere, with an emphasis on geochemical approaches. This class
provides both historical and Earth systems perspectives, and provides training in simple
quantitative analysis and modeling of Earth systems.
GEOS 342 is a required course for undergraduate students in the Earth Systems Science Track of
the Geosciences Major (GEOS BS ESS). It also satisfies majors credits for the Geology Track of
the Geosciences Major (GEOS BS GEO).
This class will assume some familiarity with basic geology, chemistry, and a little simple
calculus. As such it’s prerequisites are: GEOS 251 (Physical Geology), CHEM 103a/104a,
MATH 124, or equivalents. Concurrent registration allowed: CHEM 103b/104b.
Class meetings: MWF 11:00-11:50 a.m., Gould-Simpson 213. There is no lab.
Problem Sets: There will be about 10 problem sets during the semester. These will emphasize
material that will be covered on the exams. Most of the exercises will be based on concepts from
class meetings and readings. Many of the problem sets will require use of Excel spreadsheets.
We will provide an optional tutorial on using Excel during the first week.
Final Paper and Presentation: Students will prepare a final paper and make a short (10-15
minute) presentation on an Earth-systems-related topic of their choosing at the end of the term.
The instructors will help students choose an appropriate topic. Proposals for topics should be
received no later than 13 November. The instructors will provide tips for effective scientific
presentations.
Exams: There will be two exams, in class, on 9 Oct and 4 Dec.
Attendance: Come to every class and take good notes
Grades: Grading will follow this formula: Problem sets: 30%; Exams: 30%; Final Paper and
Presentation: 20%; In-class presentations and participation: 20%. Grades will be assigned
according to the following percentage scheme: A = >89.5%; B = 79.5% to 89.4%; C = 69.5% to
79.4%; D = 59.5% to 69.4%; E = <59.5%. Grading will be reported on D2L.
Office Hours:
Pete Reiners: Mondays 1:00-2:30 pm, GS 521
Joellen Russell: Tues 2-3:30, GS 309
GEOSCIENCES 342
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE, AS OF 17 AUG ‘09
Lecture
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
Date
8/24
8/26
8/28
8/31
9/2
9/4
9/7
9/9
9/11
9/14
9/16
9/18
9/21
9/23
9/25
9/28
9/30
10/2
10/5
10/7
10/9
10/12
10/14
10/16
10/19
10/21
10/23
10/26
10/28
Subject
Introduction
Origin of the Solar System
Origin of the Solar System
Large-Scale Earth Evolution
Large-Scale Earth Evolution
Large-Scale Earth Evolution
Labor Day; no class
Tectonics
Tectonic-scale Geochem Cycles
Tectonic-scale Climate Dynamics
Origin of Life
Origin of Life
Rise of Oxygen
Rise of Oxygen
Joellen & Pete gone; no class
Overview of Earths’ Climate
Ocean Chemistry I
Ocean Chemistry I
Ocean Chemistry II
Ocean Chemistry II
EXAM 1
Ocean Circulation
Ocean Circulation
Ocean Circulation
Climate Excursions I: Snowball Earth
Climate Excursions I: Snowball Earth
Climate Excursions I: Snowball Earth
Atmospheric Circulation
Atmospheric Circulation
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
10/30
11/2
11/4
11/6
11/9
11/11
11/13
11/16
11/18
11/20
11/23
11/25
11/27
11/30
12/2
12/4
12/7
12/9
Atmospheric Circulation
Climate Excursions II: The PETM
Climate Excursions II: The PETM
Climate Excursions II: The PETM
Modern Paleoclimate Proxies
Veteran’s Day; no class
Modern Paleoclimate Proxies
Ice and Glaciation
Ice and Glaciation
Ice and Glaciation
The Anthropocene
The Anthropocene
Thanksgiving break; no class
Final presentations
Final presentations
EXAM 2
Final presentations
Final presentations
NO Final Exam
Required Text:
• The Earth System, Kump, Kasting, and Crane, 1999, Prentice Hall, 351 pp.
We will also make use of the following resources:
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Bill White’s On-line Geochemistry Book:
http://www.geo.cornell.edu/geology/classes/geo455/Chapters.HTML (Note: you can download each
chapter, in PDF versions, of this text from this page. Eventually this text will be published by Johns
Hopkins University Press.)
How to Build a Habitable Planet, by Broecker, W.S., 1998, Eldigio Press, 291 pp.
Early Earth Systems, by Rollinson, H., 2007, Blackwell, 285 pp.
The Chemical Evolution of the Atmosphere and Oceans, by Holland, H.D., 1984, Princeton University
Press, 582 pp.
Geochemistry: Pathways and Processes, 2nd Ed., McSween, Richardson, and Uhle, 2003, Columbia Univ.
Press, 363 pp.
Earth’s Climate: Past and Future, Ruddiman, W.F., 2001, WH Freeman and Co., 465 pp.
Global Biogeochemical Cycles, by Butcher et al. (Eds), Academic Press, 379 pp.
Global Environment: Water, Air, and Geochemical Cycles, by Berner, E.K., and Berner, R.A., 1996,
Prentice-Hall, 376 pp.
Geochemistry: An Introduction, by Albarède, F., 2003, Cambridge, 248 pp.
Introduction to Geochemistry, 3rd Ed., by Krauskopf and Bird, 1995, McGraw-Hill, 637 pp.
The Geochemistry of Natural Waters: Surface and Groundwater Environments, 3rd Edition, by Drever, J.I.,
1997, Prentice-Hall, 436 pp.
Geochemistry, 2nd edition, by Brownlow, A.H., 1996, Prentice-Hall, 580 pp.
Principles and Applications of Geochemistry, 2nd ed., by Faure, G., 1998, Prentice-Hall, 600 pp.