Course Proficiencies for G202 Geology--by Bob Reynolds
Assumed prerequisites:
Math:
Perform arithmetic calculations using a calculator and correctly manipulate and solve 3 variable algebraic equations.
Reading and Writing:
Read and understand English language as found in college level textbooks and spoken by the instructor and write in complete sentences using correct grammar.
Geography:
Be familiar with basic landforms and know the locations of major regional and global land marks.
Upon successful completion of this course students will have demonstrated competence in the following topics as evidenced by a cumulative score of 70% or more on exams, homework and lab exercises:
1. Use examples to discuss the nature of 3 types each of stress and strain
in rocks.
2. Describe the sources of stress in mt building
3. Discuss the concept of isostacy and its role in mt building.
4. Identify the following geologic structures on block diagrams and
geologic maps: normal fault, reverse fault, thrust fault, strike slip
fault, upright and plunging anticlines and synclines.
5. On a geologic map place 2 strike and dip symbols on the limbs of each
of all folds, together with plunge arrows on each of the folds and label
the specific type of folds shown.
6. Locate major provinces within Oregon where the following geologic
structures are concentrated, together with the age and rock types
affected by these structures: normal faults, strike slip faults, thrust
faults, plunging folds.
7. Describe the characteristics of the 4 main types of faults in terms of
movement, stress condition and changes crustal thickness.
8. What 2 general types of deformation (strain) that commonly occur in
rocks? Describe the factors that influence whether rocks will fault or
fold?
9. Describe (not just list) 3 different ways that mountain ranges can form.
10. Describe at least 4 different field evidences for faulting.
11. Discuss the importance of faults and folds.
12. Discuss strike and dip in terms of what it physically represents, how
it is measures and what it can tell you about rock deformation.
13. Discuss the specific types of faults associated with the 3 types of
plate margins.
14. Discuss with examples the origin of 3 basic types of mountain ranges
15. Construct and interpret a geologic cross section.
16. Interpret a topographic map and construct a topographic cross section.
17. Describe in detail the elastic rebound theory.
18. Describe 3 types of stress that can develop in the lithosphere.
19. Discuss the nature of seismic waves together with the characteristics
of the 4 main types of seismic energy waves.
20. Discuss in detail how earthquakes are located and Richter magnitudes
are measured.
21. Compare and contrast the Richter and Mercalli scales as measurements
of earthquakes.
22. Describe 4 different types of hazards associated with earthquakes.
for each, discuss the actions humans can take to mitigate the hazard.
23. Discuss specifically where earthquakes most commonly occur on and
within the planet and why this is so.
24. Use a set of seismograms to determine the epicenter and Richter
magnitude of an earthquake.
25. Discuss in detail the pattern and frequency of occurrence of
earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest.
26. Interpret a regional earthquake hazard map.
27. Discuss the specific evidence found along the Oregon coast that
supports past large earthquakes.
28. Discuss the 2 characteristic environments under which glaciers form.
29. Describe how and where glaciers form together with the 2 mechanisms by
which glaciers move.
30. Compare and contrast the 2 main types of glaciers in terms of their
size, landforms and deposits.
31. Describe in detail 5 different global and / or regional effects of the
onset and retreat continental scale glaciations.
32. Describe the frequency and duration of glacial periods throughout
geologic time.
33. Explain in detail 4 different possible causes for the onset of global
episodes of glaciations.
34. Identify on diagrams glacial erosion and depositional landforms
and/or glacial ice features related to continental and alpine glaciations.
35. Summarize the important glacial events in the PNW
36. Summarize importance of glaciers/glaciations.
37. Discuss 4 different evidences for past episodes of glaciations.
38. Discuss the 4 characteristics that define a coast.
39. Describe the characteristics of 4 different types of primary coasts in
terms of how they develop and the types of resulting land forms.
40. Describe the characteristics of 3 different types of secondary coasts
in terms of how they develop and the types of resulting land forms.
41. Discuss the main characteristics of beaches, together with an
explanation of where and how erosion and deposition occur along a
beach.
42. Compare and contrast the two different types of sand movement along
coasts.
43. Discuss the pros and cons of 3 different coastal modifications that
humans make to control sand movement along the coast.
44. Discuss in detail 3 different factors that influence long term global
changes in sea level.
45. On a map of a coast identify each of the numbered human and natural
coastal features by name.
Assuming that the human made structures were recently installed, place a
letter D near 3 areas where sand will be deposited in the future as a
result of installing them and a letter E near 2 areas where sand will be
eroded in the future as a result of installing them.
46. Compare and contrast the types of coastal landforms commonly found on
active and passive continental margins.
47. Discuss the specific evidence that indicates long term worldwide sea
level changes have occurred and interpret the evidence with regard to
what this evidence specifically indicates regarding sea level over the
past 40,000 years.
48. Describe in detail the location, and specific origin (primary /
secondary) of at least 4 specific regional landforms each associated with
the Oregon and Washington coasts.
49. Discuss 4 different sources of sediment in coastal regions and how
each is typically distributed.
50. Describe the reason why beaches are colored ,black, white, red or
green.
51. Identify on topographic maps the following coastal landforms: drowned
river, drowned glacial valleys, delta, coastal terraces, head, sea arch,
sea stack, barrier islands, spit, tombolo, jetty, groin, long shore beach,
offshore break water, pocket beach.
52. Discuss 5 characteristics that define a river.
53. Describe 3 characteristics of the long profile of a river.
54. Discuss the nature of flooding and how rivers naturally deal with
flooding?
55. Describe the 4 components of a river’s load.
56. What effect does damming a river have on the base level?
57. Discuss the pros and cons of damming a river?
58. Discuss in detail 3 different examples of human modifications to
rivers in terms of the good and bad consequences that may develop as a
result of the modifications.
59. Compare and contrast erosion on flat vs. steep terrains.
60. On topographic maps identify by name the following river landforms:
meanders, meander cutoffs, oxbow lakes, braided channel, point bar,
island bar, levees, flood plain, deltas, alluvial fan.
61. Calculate the following river parameters: gradient, velocity, discharge.
62. Construct and interpret a river hydrograph and a flood frequency plot.
63. Describe 4 different triggering events for mass movement.
64. Discuss the 5 different types of mass wasting in terms of size,
velocity and nature of movement.
65. Discuss 3 different actions that can be taken to reduce the possibility of
mass wasting.
66. Define mass wasting and describe the 4 factors that predispose an area
to mass movement (c)
67. Describe 2 different mitigation measures each that can be used to
lessen the severity of mass wasting in each of the 3 general zones of
mass wastage.
68. Identify on maps evidence for the extent and type of mass wasting event.
69. Define ground water in terms how much of it is there is and where it
comes from.
70. Discuss the 3 characteristics of the rock that are most important in
evaluating ground water reservoirs.
71. Discuss the concept of groundwater mining, together with the
consequences of mining water.
72. Discuss, in detail, 4 different water quality issues related to
groundwater.
73. Define the following groundwater terms: hydraulic gradient, recharge,
artesian flow, porosity, permeability.
74. Identify the following on drawings: saturated zone, zone of aeration,
aquifer, aquiclude, cone of depression, perched water table, water table.
75. Evaluate the porosity of 5 different rock and sediment samples.
76. Determine the hydraulic conductivity of a sediment sample.
77. Construct and interpret a simple flow net.