Introduction to Physical Geology

Introduction:

Geology is the scientific study of planet Earth, which includes its composition, structure, physical properties, history, and the processes that shape it.

Who needs Geology

Supplying things we need: Depend on planet for raw materials and energy. For example, resources needed to make a pencil include: eraser (petroleum), brass (copper & zinc), iron (machinery to shape the pencil), lead (clay & graphite) Fig 1.1, p5.

Heavily Dependent on foreign oil, resulted in part to Gulf Wars in 1991 and 2003.

Increasing demand for energy and metals in the past, resulted in the extraction with very little regard for our environment.

Protecting the Environment: Study of our planet helps us reduce or prevent further damage to our environment and may be used to find important resources.

Petroleum and metal deposits (copper) – nonrenewable resources.

Avoiding geologic hazards – for example earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, floods and tsunamis are potentially very dangerous and destructive geologic hazards.

Understanding our surroundings: I am hoping that once you have completed this course you will be able to better understand and appreciate our planet, especially when you travel to somewhere of interest like for example the Grand Canyon.