Earth and the Environment

4 units

Introduction to the study of the Earth as a dynamic, evolving planet. Emphasis on how internal and surface processes combine to shape the environment. Themes: Earth's interior as revealed by seismic waves; Earth history and global tectonics shown by changes to ocean floors, mountain-building, formation of continents, earthquakes, and volcanism; climate history and global biogeochemical cycles, influenced by circulation of atmosphere and oceans, ice ages, and human activity. Composition and structure of rocks and minerals. Part of the introductory sequence of courses for all Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences and Environmental Studies majors. Three class hours and one two-hour lab a week.