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Geology R1031 and R5061
Summer Session II, 1996
Instructor:
Paul W.
Weiblen
Office Hours:
10:30 - 11:30 Monday through Friday
118 Pillsbury
Hall, Tel: 625-3477
email: pweib@maroon.tc.umn.edu
Assistant:
Tatiana Vislova
Office Hours:
10:30 - 11:30 Monday through Friday
125 Pillsbury
Hall, Tel: 624-6860
email: visl0001@tc.umn.edu
Course Overview:
Initial lectures will provide an introduction
into all the subfields of geology. This background will be used
to explore the interactions of the Earth's lithosphere, hydrosphere,
atmosphere, biosphere, and human activity. The study of these
system interactions will focus on their role in production of
the Earth's energy and mineral resources, and changes in the Earth's
climate and global ecosystem. Reading assignments in Skinner and
Porter have been schedulted to enable the student to read the
entire text during the five week term. Material in the text that
will be covered in the exams will be specified.
Textbook:
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The Blue Planet,
Skinner B.J. and Porter, S.C.,
1994, 493 pp., John Wiley
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Supplementary Textbook:
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Minnesota's Geology,
Ojakangas, R.W. and Matsch, C.L.,
1982, University of Minnesota Press, 255 pp.
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Lectures:
| Date |
Topics |
Reading Assignments
Skinner and Porter |
| 7/18 |
Introduction and The Earth in the Solar System |
1 - 67 |
| 7/19 |
Minerals and Rocks |
90 - 111 |
| 7/22 |
The Earth's Interior |
68 - 89 |
| 7/23 |
Volcanism |
112 - 135 |
| 7/24 |
The Earth's Evolving Crust |
158 - 191 |
| 7/25 |
The Principles of Plate Tectonics |
136 - 157 |
| 7/26 |
The World Ocean |
192 - 223 |
| 7/29 |
Water on Land |
224 - 249 |
| 7/30 |
Snow and Ice |
250 - 275 |
| 7/31 |
Changes in the Earth's landscape |
276 - 309 |
| 8/1 |
The Earth's Atmosphere |
310 - 335 |
| 8/2 |
The Desert Environment |
336 - 359 |
| 8/5 |
The Earth's Climate System |
360 - 387 |
| 8/6 |
Dynamics of the Global Ecosystem |
388 - 413 |
| 8/7 |
Evolution of the Biosphere |
414 - 441 |
| 8/8 |
Review |
| 8/9 |
Midterm Exam |
| 8/12 |
Mineral Resources |
442 - 458 |
| 8/13 |
Energy Resources |
458 - 469 |
| 8/14 |
The Ozone Shield |
470 - 472 |
| 8/15 |
Global Change |
470 - 472 |
| 8/16 |
Time Scales of Geologic Processes and Human-Induced Changes |
472 - 477 |
| 8/19 |
Global Warming |
477 - 493 |
| 8/20 |
Review |
| 8/21 |
Final Exam |
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Field Trips
The field trips are an integral part of the course. There will be lecture and discussion
sessions on Friday and Saturday evenings on Minnesota Geology and how it illustrates the
material presented in class lectures and the reading assignments in Skinner and Porter.
Appropriate material in Ojakangas and Matsch will be assigned prior to each trip. Field
exercises will be assigned at specific geologic sites. The exercises will be completed during
the trip and will be comparable in scope to the laboratory requirements in the regular
geology 1000 level courses.
Two Field Trips required; Third Trip optional (assigned
exercises in lieu of trip)
| 1st Trip: |
The Minnesota River Valley -July 20 and/or July 21
Pleistocene Glaciation, Cretaceous Weathering, Earth's Oldest Rocks
Ojakangas and Matsch, pp. 22-33 and 222-231 |
| 2nd Trip: |
Lanesboro and Southeastern Minnesota - July 27-28.
Paleozoic Sedimentary Rocks, Karst Topography, Rivers and Streams
Ojakangas and Matsch, pp. 62-95 and 232-243 |
| 3rd Trip: |
Northern Minnesota and the Iron Range - August 2-4
Early Continents and Oceans, Origin of Iron Formation
Ojakangas and Matsch, pp.34-45 and 176-197 |
| 4th Trip: |
Duluth, North Shore, Gunflint Trail - August 9-11
The Midcontinent Rift, Precambrian Iron Formations and fossil algae,
ocean floor volcanism, and formation of granitic crust.
Ojakangas and Matsch - pp. 34-61 and 159-176 |
Special Assignments for R5061
A term paper or research project must be arranged with the instructor
during the second week of class.
Tentative Grade Breakdown:
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R1031:
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R5061:
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- Lecture - 60%
- Midquarter - 25%
- Final - 35%
- Field Trips / Exercises - 40%
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- Lecture - 50%
- Midquarter - 20%
- Final - 30%
- Field Trips / Exercises - 35%
- Term paper - 15%
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