GEOL 100 ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCE FALL 2006 MEETING: PROFESSOR: OFFICE: PHONE: EMAIL: OFFICE HOURS: MWF 8:00­8:50 AM Steve Lundblad CH 119 933­3496 (stay tuned…it may change this semester) slundbla@hawaii.edu Mondays 9­10, Tuesdays/Thursdays 1­2:30 and by appointment TEXT: Environmental Geology by Carla Montgomery, 7 th edition COURSE GOALS. To understand the impact of naturally occurring geologic processes on humans and the effect of human activities on these processes. We will examine regional and global environmental issues such as earthquakes, floods, volcanic hazards, land use, and water supply though well­documented case­studies and will learn to evaluate environmental problems and potential solutions from a geologic and scientific perspective. EXAMS AND QUIZES: There will be bi­weekly quizes, 2 tests, and a final exam during the semester. No make­up exams or quizzes will be given. “QUESTION OF THE WEEK”: At least once a week, a “question of the week” or “two­ minute quiz” will be given. The answer to the question will be based on information outlined during class that day. These are a great way to make sure you understand the information we are discussing in class. Each student is required to write the answer to the question and hand it in at the end of that class period. No credit will be given for late assignments and you must attend lecture to get credit. QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK WILL NOT BE RETURNED. CURRENT EVENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCE: The purpose of these assignments is to make the connection between what we are learning about in class with what is happening in the world around us. Once per month you will be asked to turn in a short (1­2 paragraph) report connecting environmental geology with current events. The article must be from the month it is due and be from a “reputable” source (we’ll talk more about this in class). Each report must be accompanied by a copy of the source and the report must indicate how the article relates to things we have talked about in this course. Due on the last class day of each month. GRADES: Grades will assigned according to the following distribution (%) Quizes 20% Test 1 20% Test 2 20% Writing assignments (in­class, current events, etc.) 20% Final exam (2 “blocks”) 40% This distribution totals 120%. The lowest grade of these 5 blocks will be dropped. For this reason, no make­up exams or assignments will be given.
GRADING SCALE: Letter grades will be assigned on the following scale. There may be a “curve” for tests and quizes, but it will be best not to count on a change from this scale! Grade Percent Grade Percent A A­ B+ B B­ C+ 100­93 92­90 89­87 86­83 82­80 79­77 C C­ D+ D D­ F 76­73 72­70 69­67 66­63 62­60 Below 60 SOME TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL AND HAPPY SEMESTER (1) Do not miss a class, not one. Reading your text is NOT a substitute for attending lecture. Please come to class on time and wait until the end of class to leave. If, for some reason you need to arrive late or leave early, thank you for sitting next to the back door and doing so quietly. (2) Read your text assignments before class. Be ready to ask questions and participate in class. (3) Take good, complete notes. The more you write, the better. Write the information presented on the board, write the information presented during slide presentations, and write what I say during lecture. If you do not understand a concept or example, ASK. If I go too quickly, ask me to repeat the information. If you miss a lecture, get notes from fellow classmates and ASK me questions regarding information in them. (4) If you do not understand a concept we discuss in class, ask questions during class or come and see me. I am available during office hours and most other times during the day (unless I am otherwise teaching). The only way I can help you understand the material is if you ASK for help! (5) Take an active role in class. Ask questions! Have a comment on the current topic? Make it! This class will be more educational AND fun if we all get actively involved. We are all busy and sometimes this class will end up taking a back seat to other priorities, but…the more you invest in this class, the more you will receive in return. (6) Study for the tests by going over your notes, re­reading the information in the textbook, doing the review questions at the end of each chapter, and getting together with classmates to discuss the information on a regular basis. You will retain the information much better by revisiting it frequently. Don’t expect to cram everything we cover this semester into your head the night before a test or quiz. Try to synthesize the information we have been discussing. Make some connections between information covered in one class with that covered last time, last week, and last month.
Some intended Student Outcomes for Geology 100 ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü Understand the scientific basis for how the earth works Know the distribution of population on earth and how it might change in the future Know the basic rock and mineral types of the earth Understand what plate tectonic theory is and how it best explains earth processes Understand where why and how earthquakes occur Know the hazards from earthquakes and how they can be minimized Describe scientist’s ability to predict earthquakes Describe the different types of volcanoes Understand why some volcanoes are more dangerous than others Know all of the volcanoes on the island of Hawaii Describe the distribution of volcanoes on earth and in the Hawaiian islands Describe the hydrologic cycle Understand why and when flooding occurs Describe how man’s influence on rivers changes their dynamics Be able to construct and use a flood frequency plot. Describe how beaches are formed and how they are dynamic systems Describe the pros and cons of beach replenishment Understand where and how hurricanes form Describe the effects of hurricanes Understand how the climate on earth has changed over its history Describe the factors which influece the earth’s climate Describe how the earth’s climate might change in the future Describe how groundwater is formed and moves Explain the effects of excessive surface and groundwater use Explain how petroleum resources are formed and concentrated Know the current known use, distribution, and reserves of oil and natural gas Explain the pros and cons of alternative fuels Describe the effects of burning fossil fuels Describe techniques to improve air and water quality once polluted Describe what the “Superfund” is Any student with a documented disability who would like to request accommodations should contact the University Disability Services Office ­ Hale Kauanoe A Wing Lounge, 933­0816 (V), 933­3334 (TTY), shirachi@hawaii.edu ­ as early in the semester as possible.
CLASS SCHEDULE GEOL 100: Environmental Earth Science Schedule Fall 2006 Date Lecture Topic Aug 21 Introduction to the Earth Aug 23 Population and Growth What makes the Earth? Aug 25 Introduction to Rocks and Minerals Aug 28 Plate Tectonics Aug 30 Plate Boundary Interactions Sep 1 Quiz #1. Current Events Report Due Earthquakes and Plate Motions Sep 4 Labor Day Holiday Sep 6 Earthquake “prediction” Sep 8 Case Studies: Indonesia and Hawaii: Tsunami Sep 11 Case Studies: Loma Prieta, CA and Kobe, Japan Sep 13 Volcanoes and their products Sep 15 Mantle Hotspots and Volcanoes: Yellowstone and Hawaii Sep 18 Quiz #2. Volcanic Hazard Case Study: Cascade Mts. Washington and Oregon Sep 20 Volcanic Hazard Case Study: Hawaii Sep 22 Living with Volcanoes in Hawaii Sep 25 TEST #1 Sep 27 Rivers and Streams Sep 29 Flooding and Flood Frequency Curves Current Events Report Due Oct 2 Living in the Flood plain…A good idea? Oct 4 The Mississippi River and Flooding Oct 6 Quiz #3. Coastal Processes Reading Asignment p. 2­12 p. 12­20 p. 23­40 p. 42­53 p. 54­62 p. 64­78 p. 78­89 p. 92­108 p. 108­118 p. 112­114 p. 120­130 p. 130­134 p. 134­143 p. 146­154
Date Lecture Topic Oct 9 Hurricanes and their effects Oct 11 Beach Erosion and Stabilization Oct 13 Glaciers and Glaciation Reading Asignment Oct 16 Deserts and Desertification Oct 18 The Climate Record and Ice Ages Oct 20 Climate Change and the Greenhouse Effect p. 200­208 p. 208­212 Oct 23 Quiz #4. Groundwater Oct 25 Water Quality and Pollution p. 228­239 Oct 27 Groundwater Use and Pollution p. 154­166 p. 193­200 p. 212­221 p. 240­247; 394­411 p. 412­421 Oct 30 Water Use in the American Southwest Current Events Report Due Nov 1 Dams­Pros and Cons Nov 3 TEST #2 p. 249­256 Nov 6 Energy Resources­Oil and Natural Gas Nov 8 Coal and other Fossil Fuels Nov 10 Veteran’s Day Holiday p. 306­315 p. 319­328 Nov 13 Where should we get our oil? Nov 15 Oil spills and remediation Nov 17 Alternative Power Sources: Nuclear p. 312­313 p. 316­319 p. 332­340 Nov 20 Quiz # 5. Solar and Wind Power Nov 22 Hydroelectric Power and Dams Nov 24 Thanksgiving Holiday p. 340­44; 350­52 p. 347­350 Nov 27 Air Pollution Nov 29 Acid Rain and Clean Air Standards Current Events Report Due Dec 1 Solid Waste Disposal p. 423­436 Dec 4 Sewage Treatment and Liquid Waste Dec 6 Nuclear Waste Dec 11 Final Exam 7:30­9:30 AM
p. 490­493 436­447 p. 358­372 p. p. 375­380 p. 380­390