Course Description

This course provides an overview of the physical processes at work on and in the earth as a result of igneous, tectonic, and seismic activity and the effects of water, ice, wind, and gravity in shaping the earth’s surface. The effects of volcanoes, earthquakes, waves, glaciers and many other factors will be studied in the context of Ohio, the National Parks, and locations worldwide. The course finishes with the theory of Plate Tectonics, the unifying theory in Geology as is Evolution for Biology.

FIELD TRIP INFORMATION

Pahoehoe Lava in Hawaii.  USGS Photo.

Important Course Documents:

Syllabus MW

Syllabus TR

Lab Syllabus 11 am Tuesday

Term Paper Assignment and Guidelines

Geologic Time Scale Walk Assignment

See resources on Reserve at KSU Stark Library

Youthful stream in Bucegi Mountains, Romania.  Photo by R. Feldmann.

Earth Dynamics Field Trip

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Students observe sedimentary rocks and structures and weathering and erosion processes at the Ledges, starting from the Happy Days Visitor Center on Route 303 near Peninsula, OH.  See the syllabus for time and date. Photo by S. McCoy.