GEOLOGY
106 – Earthquake Country Spring, 2005
Time/Place: Lecture: Mon., Wed., & Fri. - 10:00AM, FH118
office: Founders Hall 21
email - schwab@humboldt.edu
phone: 826-3950
office hours: MWF 11:00-12:00, Mon.
2:00-4:00 PM; or by appointment
Course URL: http://www.humboldt.edu/~bes21/geol106.html
Blackboard login: http://blackboard.humboldt.edu
- lecture materials & assignments.
First time login username: first part of your humboldt e-mail, i.e.,
“bes21” for me; initial password is your University id number (SSN), no dashes.
Required
Text: GEOL
106 Reader available from the Geology Club.
Geology
is an incredible subject! It is
literally the study of the Earth, but includes everything from the formation of
the universe to the development of the life we know today. It is arguably the most inter-disciplinary
science, incorporating chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, as well as
human sociology, psychology, and history as we contemplate our place on the
planet. I am excited about the subject
and I hope you will be too as we focus our attention on seismology
(study of earthquakes), tectonics (earth movements), volcanoes,
and tsunamis.
I want this class to be fun, enlightening and productive for you and
me. We can achieve this goal by
cooperating and working as a team. Let
me know of concerns, problems, as well as successes in the class. Please
come prepared to ask questions. Please
do not hesitate to email, call, or stop by my office hours with questions or
comments. I will make every effort to
be in my office during my posted office hours or will otherwise post a note
indicating where I can be found. I am
happy to arrange other meeting times if you have a conflict.
This course satisfies the lower division general
education “Physical Universe” (Area B) requirements. You will work some numerical problems on exams and homework (high
school Algebra background required), we will look at how earthquakes and
volcanoes affect society, and learn how the science of earthquakes has led to a
greater understanding of the Earth.
Grades for the course will be based 75% on (5)
lecture exams, 10% on in-class quizzes, and 15% on in-class and take-home
“homework” assignments. Obviously, you
cannot do well in the class if you do not show up or complete the take home
assignments. You are responsible for
keeping up with the assigned reading and you should make every effort to READ
THE APPROPRIATE ASSIGNMENT BEFORE COMING TO CLASS! Lectures will be based on the reading
assignments, but will be designed to supplement the text. In other words, we may not discuss in
lecture everything you read, but you are still responsible for the
material. Quizzes can happen anytime
and will be based on the reading material and the previous lectures, so come
prepared! You are responsible for completing
your own, independent work.
There will be no make-up for
missed work or exams, nor will credit be given for late assignments. I understand that sometimes emergencies arise and if for some compelling
reason you must miss class or lab, you must make arrangements with me PRIOR
to the scheduled meeting. I do not
consider missing a flight, a flat tire or illness an acceptable reason for
missing an exam. Cheating, of any kind, will not be tolerated.
Because we all learn from each other, exams in this
class will be structured a bit differently than is typical. The multiple-choice exams will consist of
two parts to take advantage of the collaborative nature of science and
learning. The first part will be done
individually and turned in for 75% of the exam score. The second part will include a mix of old and new questions and
can be done collaboratively. In other
words, you will have the opportunity to answer questions again after
consulting your classmates. This
second part of the exam will constitute 25% of the exam grade. Because of the large class size and the
logistical challenges of this format it may take some getting used to, but I
think it will be worthwhile in the end.
Be patient as we work through any kinks. This format will provide you the opportunity for “instant
feedback” by working with small groups of your peers and consequently, you will
learn more. However, don’t mistakenly
think that you can coast on the hard work and preparation of your
classmates. You cannot do well on the
exam if you are not prepared…75% of the grade is all you!
Students
with Disabilities
If you have a documented disability and would
like to discuss academic accommodations, please contact me as soon as
possible. Our campus Student Disability
Resource Center (SDRC) can assist you with the accommodation process and can be
reached at (707) 826-4678, (707) 826-5392 (TDD). The SDRC is located in House 71 (Little Apartments) off Library
Circle.
Class
Conduct
Students who display unprofessional conduct
during class will be asked to leave the class.
Unprofessional conduct includes, but is not limited to, activities such
as reading newspapers, talking while someone has the floor, shouting at people,
and lack of respect for others with differing opinions. The class starts on the hour, do not be
late, it distracts others. In addition, turn off cell phones and
pagers.
This is a course in which
events can cause changes in the syllabus!
Keep track of geologic events during the term. A seismograph is on display on the ground floor of Van Matre Hall
(just outside of VM 108) and notable earthquake seismograms are posted on the
wall. We have a seismic information 'hot line' recording of local and regional
seismic events, which can be reached at 826-6020. A TENTATIVE outline follows. The schedule is subject to change and you
are responsible for any changes or deviations we may make.
If you hear of something or
read something you think is relevant to the class - bring it up at the
beginning of lecture, drop a note in my box in the geology dept. office or send
me a note via e-mail.
TENTATIVE Schedule
|
Week |
Week of: |
Topics |
Reading |
|
1 |
17-Jan |
Introduction,
Indonesian Tsunami |
|
|
2 |
24-Jan |
Tsunamis;
Cascadia & North Coast |
p.83-101;
54-57 |
|
3 |
31-Jan |
EQ
basics, Stress and Strain, Elastic Rebound |
p.1-15;
58-59 |
|
4 |
7-Feb |
Types of
Faults; Exam 1 - Wed., Feb. 9 |
p. 60-65;
67-69 |
|
5 |
14-Feb |
Geologic
Time, Earth Structure |
p. 16-44 |
|
6 |
21-Feb |
Plate
Tectonics |
p. 45-50 |
|
7 |
28-Feb |
Plate
Tectonics; Exam 2 - Fri., Mar. 4 |
|
|
8 |
7-Mar |
Seismographs,
EQ waves |
p. 75-82 |
|
|
14-Mar |
SPRING
BREAK - yeee
haaa! |
|
|
9 |
21-Mar |
EQ
location & size |
p. 70-74 |
|
10 |
28-Mar |
EQ
Behavior; Exam 3 - Wed., Mar. 30 |
p. 66 |
|
11 |
4-Apr |
EQ
prediction |
p.
132-143 |
|
12 |
11-Apr |
EQ
hazards; magmas - Introduction |
p.
102-131 |
|
13 |
18-Apr |
Volcanoes
& Magmas; Exam 4 - Fri., Apr. 22 |
online/handouts |
|
14 |
25-Apr |
Volcanoes |
|
|
15 |
2-May |
Volcanic
Hazards |
|
|
|
13-May |
Final
Exam - Exam 5 10:20 AM |
|