GEO142 Course Syllabus
The Geology of Pacific Northwest Volcanoes, Mountains and Earthquakes
(4 credits)
Winter 2015 Lecture CRN 79191, Lab CRN 79192
Monday 2:00-5:00 PM
Chemeketa Community College
Woodburn Campus
120 East Lincoln Street
Woodburn, OR 97071
Instructor: Jason Robert Patton
email: jason.patton@chemeketa.edu
Course Website: http://www.science.earthjay.com/?page_id=1694
Course Title: The Geology of Pacific Northwest Volcanoes, Mountains and Earthquakes
Total Instructional Hours, for Course, per Term:
33 Lecture Hours
= 3 Credit(s)
33 Laboratory Hours = 1 Credit(s)
Prerequisite: None
Term(s) Offered: Fall __ Winter __ Spring __ Summer __ Offered as needed _X_
Required Text(s): Tarbuck, Lutgens, Tasa, Essentials of Geology, Prentice-Hall, 12th edition.
Bring your text to class for every class.
Required Supplies: three ring binder for class handouts including blank paper for drawing
illustrations and notes during class; colored pencils for making illustrations, calculator
Contact: Please don’t hesitate to email me with any questions, comments, or concerns. I
welcome any feedback or suggestions. The best way to contact me for any reason is by sending
an email directly to my Chemeketa Community College email jason.patton@chemeketa.edu
Course Description:
Studies plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, mountain-building processes, and
geologic hazards, with emphasis on the Pacific Northwest. Includes plate tectonic theory, types
and effects of volcanism and other geologic activity on humans, seismic waves and faults,
accreted terranes, geologic maps, and Oregon’s geomorphic provinces.
Statewide General Education (AAOT) Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Science course, students should be able to:
1. Gather, comprehend, and communicate scientific and technical information in order to
explore ideas, models, and solutions and generate further questions.
2. Apply scientific and technical modes of inquiry, individually, and collaboratively, to
critically evaluate existing or alternative explanations, solve problems, and make
evidence-based decisions in an ethical manner.
3. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of scientific studies and critically examine the
influence of scientific and technical knowledge on human society and the environment.
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GEO142 Course Syllabus
The Geology of Pacific Northwest Volcanoes, Mountains and Earthquakes
(4 credits)
Winter 2015 Lecture CRN 79191, Lab CRN 79192
Monday 2:00-5:00 PM
Performance Based Learner Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
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Describe how scientists developed the theory of plate tectonics and what kinds of
data it explains.
Define tectonic plates and the types of plate boundaries.
Discuss the relationship of tectonic plates to Pacific Northwest volcanoes,
earthquakes and mountain belts.
Identify Oregon’s major geomorphic provinces.
Contrast Pacific Northwest volcanic landforms and associate their origin to magma
characteristics and the types of eruptive materials produced.
Discuss volcanic effects in the Cascade Range and elsewhere and recognize the
influence of volcanic activity on human culture.
Describe the extent and characteristics of the Columbia River Basalts in
construction of Oregon and Washington, including in the Blue Mountains,
Deschutes-Columbia Plateau, Columbia Gorge, Willamette Valley, and Coast Range.
Define an earthquake and distinguish how different types of seismic waves travel
through Earth’s interior, including how seismic waves are used to distinguish Earth’s
layers.
Explain how a seismograph works and locates the epicenter of an earthquake.
Identify geologic hazards of the Pacific Northwest and analyze their comparative
risk, including the causes and dangers of tsunamis.
Describe mountain-building processes, including folding, faulting, and
metamorphism. Recognize structures associated with compression and extension.
Contrast earthquake faults and associated stresses in Earth’s crust.
Define “exotic terranes” and discuss the geology and geologic history of the Blue
Mountains, and Klamath Mountains.
Discuss the evolution of the Coast Range and the Willamette Valley in relationship
to plate tectonics.
Interpret a geologic map, relating map symbols to structures
Course Content Outline
I. Plate Tectonics- Evolution of the Theory
II. Mechanics of Plate Tectonics
III. Volcanic Landforms and Associated Intrusive Igneous Activity
IV. Pacific Northwest Volcanoes
V. Columbia River Basalts
VI. Other Geologic Hazards of the Pacific Northwest
VII. Earthquake Anatomy and Case Histories
VIII. Seismic Waves and Interior of the Earth
IX. Mountain-Building and Accretionary Tectonics
X. Geological Maps, Symbols, and Structures.
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GEO142 Course Syllabus
The Geology of Pacific Northwest Volcanoes, Mountains and Earthquakes
(4 credits)
Winter 2015 Lecture CRN 79191, Lab CRN 79192
Monday 2:00-5:00 PM
Tentative Class Schedule*
Time
Week 1
Face-to-Face
Lecture 1: Intro to Geology
Lab/Quiz 1: Geologic Time Scale
Online/Activity
Introduction
OA 1: Geologic Time
Reading
1 & 18
Week 2
Lecture 2: Plate Tectonics
Lab/Quiz 2: Plate Tectonics
Plate Tectonics
OA 2: Plate Rates
2
Week 3
Lecture 3: Volcanoes
St. Helens Video
Lab/Quiz 3: Mt. Saint Helens
OA 3: Mt. St. Helens Eruption
Sunday Field Trip 4/19/15: Mt. St. Helens and Columbia River Gorge
5
Week 4
Lecture 4: Columbia River Basalt
Lab/Quiz 4: Radiometric Ages
CRB Videos
OA 4: CRB Discussion
5
Week 5
Midterm
Lecture 5: Mountain Building
Geomorphic Provinces of Oregon
Lab 5: Accreted Terranes
Geodesy Animations
OA 5: GPS (peer review)
11
Week 6
Lecture 6: Earthquakes
Lab 6/Quiz 5: Earthquake Magnitude
Plate Boundary Faults
OA 6: Fault Types
9
Week 7
Lecture 7: Seismology
Lab 7/Quiz 6: Earthquake Location
Seismology Animations
OA 7: Name the Wave
9
Week 8
Lecture 8: Tsunamis & Landslides
Tsunami Hazards
Lab 8/Quiz 7: Tsunamis
OA 8: Natural Hazards
Sunday Field Trip 5/17/15: Coast of Oregon
Week 9
Class Holiday (Memorial Day)
Week 10
Lecture 9: Topo & Geologic Maps
Lab 9/Quiz 8: Geologic Maps
Week 11
Final Monday 6/08/2015 from 2:00 – 3:50 PM
12
Topographic Maps Video
OA 9: Mt. St. Helens Map
* Note: Instructor reserves the right to make changes to course schedule as deemed
necessary.
# Note: The bonus readings will be provided as electronic documents via the internet.
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GEO142 Course Syllabus
The Geology of Pacific Northwest Volcanoes, Mountains and Earthquakes
(4 credits)
Winter 2015 Lecture CRN 79191, Lab CRN 79192
Monday 2:00-5:00 PM
Grading
Your final grade will be comprised of:
Summary
Points
Participation
100
Course Notes and Illustrations
100
Nine Labs
180
Nine Online Labs
180
Field Trip Silver Falls
100
Quizzes
40
Mid Term
100
Field Trip Reports and Labs
100
1 Final Exam
100
Total
1000
There are 1000 points available and grades are assigned by the percentage of total points as follows:
1000-940=A
939-900=A899-870=B+ 869-830=B
829-800=B799-770=C+
769-700=C
699-670=D+
669-600=D <599=F
Classroom Conduct
Side conversations among classmates are disrespectful and disruptive to the instructor and
your fellow students. Questions or comments about the course material are welcome at all
times but should be approached in a respectful manner.
The use of cell phones, iPods, or other items that may distract you, your instructor, or your
classmates are not permitted during class. All such devices must be turned off.
You may not leave the room during an exam or quiz unless you are ready to turn in your
finished exam.
Academic Honesty
You are encouraged to work together to review notes from lectures, to work on problems from
the text, and to formulate ideas for any take-home assignments. However, all work you turn in
must be your own independent, original work.
In the event that any work is copied from another student, zero credit will be given to all
students involved (regardless of who copied from whom).
Any sources of information used in your written work must be referenced (regardless of
whether the material was copied word-for-word). This includes your text book and all internet
sources (reference these by including the name and URL). Any work including un-referenced
material from another source (regardless of whether it was copied word-for-word) will be given
zero credit.
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GEO142 Course Syllabus
The Geology of Pacific Northwest Volcanoes, Mountains and Earthquakes
(4 credits)
Winter 2015 Lecture CRN 79191, Lab CRN 79192
Monday 2:00-5:00 PM
More information is available at:
http://www.chemeketa.edu/catalog/academichonesty/index.htm
Academic Misconduct: Cheating, plagiarism, collusion, abuse of resource materials, computer
misuse, fabrication or falsification, multiple submissions, complicity in academic misconduct,
and/ or bearing false witness will not be tolerated. Violations will be dealt with according to the
procedures and sanctions proscribed by the College of the Redwoods. Students caught
plagiarizing or cheating on exams will receive an “F” in the course.
College of the Redwoods is committed to equal opportunity in employment, admission to the
college, and in the conduct of all of its programs and activities.
Disability
If you have a disability and need an accommodation, please make arrangements to meet with
me outside of class. Chemeketa students requesting accommodations must provide
documentation of disability and work with the Office for Students with Disabilities.
Disability Services
Bldg. 2, Student Center, 1st floor
503.399.5192 (V/TTY)
diability@chemeketa.edu
www.chemeketa.edu/earncertdegree/advising/disability
Advising and Counseling
Recent research indicates that community college students who seek out academic advising are
more likely to meet their educational goals. Meeting with an advisor can help:
• clarify your academic and life goals
• choose classes that prepare you for a career
• ensure whether your credits will transfer to another institution
Advising and counseling appointments are available by making an appointment at the Salem
campus, 503.399.5120. In addition, you may want to explore My Game Plan, an electronic
educational planning system at http://my.chemeketa.edu
Instructors are also available to discuss class, degree, and career options. Start planning now.
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