GEOL 201 offers a look into the study of the earth and its history, Earth's place in the universe and solar system, the evolution, composition and structure of the earth. Students will learn about minerals, igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Students will gain an understanding of the survey of geological processes acting at the surface of the earth such as wind, rivers, glaciers, ground water and the sea; introduction to internal processes regarding plate tectonics theory and growth of mountains. Societal implications of geological processes are emphasized throughout the course. (On Demand)

• CoRequisite: GEOL 201L
• Semester Hours: 3

Links:

• Report on radioactive fallout from above ground nuclear testing
• Water on Mars - Mars Odyssey news conference webcast
• Water on Mars - CNN News report
• Radioactive fallout report from CNN
• Michigan Tech Volcanoes Page
• Hawaii Volcano Observatory
• Smithsonian Global Volcanism Homepage (monthly report of worldwide eruptions)
• Earthquakes! (real time reports, background info, death and destruction)
• NASA Daily Press Reports (lots of stories on recent accomplishments)
  • Report: Earth's warming may be related to holes in the Sun's Corona
  • Recent Images from the Mars Observer Camera!
  • Galileo Homepage - Photos of Jupiter's Moons, including Io and Europa

Example Exam Questions

Test 1 Physical Geology Sample Questions and Answers (in bold)

Respond to each question with a CLEAR and CONCISE answer. Work efficiently because you have approximately 3 minutes to answer each question.

1.  What effect does increased pressure have on atoms? (1 point)
   Increased pressure forces atoms to pack together more tightly.
   
2. What are the two factors that determine the strength of gravitational attraction? (2 points)
   Gravity is the force of attraction between 2 objects with mass. The strength is dependent upon the mass of the two objects and the distance between them.
   
3. Why are gas-rich, viscous silicic magmas more likely to explode than gas-rich, fluid mafic magma? (1 point)
   Although both mafic and silicic magmas contain approximately 5% gas prior to eruption, the high viscosity of the silicic magma prevents volatiles from escaping as magma rises to the surface. Since gas cannot escape, it builds pressure within the magma, eventually ripping the magma apart in an explosion.
   
4.  List two major differences between the 1872 Mining Law and the 1977 Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. (2 points)
   There are a number of important differences including
   1.  the 1977 law does not pertain to "hard rock" or "metals" mining, whereas the 1872 does
   2.  the 1977 law does not allow for patented land, whereas the 1872 law does
   3. the 1977 law requires companies to pay the government royalties, the 1872 doesn't
   4. the 1977 law requires companies to return mining areas to "pre-mine topography", and they must also return the groundwater carrying capacity of an area. The 1872 law does not require reclamation.
      
5. Briefly describe the "doomster" and "boomster" views of the effect of exponentially growing population (2 points).
   Doomsters believe that increasing population will have an adverse affect on the supply of useable natural resources. Boomsters believe that increased population will result in an increased supply of resources. Boomsters believe that more people result in more ideas that will increase technology and allow us to continue to solve problems as they pop up.