Course Proficiencies for GS 106: Physical Science - 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. Describe and cite examples from each of the broad range materials,
scales and processes that the science of geology encompasses.
2. Discuss the major driving forces responsible for geologic change.
3. Explain the unique characteristics that define a mineral
4. Understand the components of an atom including the fundamental parts,
types of charged atoms and the various ways that atoms bond..
5. Describe the 3 aspects of an atom that are important to the formation
of minerals.
6. Discuss several different reasons why minerals are important to mankind.
7. Know the 8 most abundant mineral forming elements in the crust. Which
form cations and which form anions?
8. Use the silicate mineral group to describe in detail the two main
reasons for chemical variation in minerals.
9. Describe in detail at least 4 different factors responsible for the
macroscopic shape of a mineral.
10. Discuss the atomic explanation of color. Describe 4 different specific
causes of color in minerals.
11. Summarize the concept of polymerization using the silicate mineral
group as examples.
12. Use a mineral key to identify 24 common minerals
13. Demonstrate understanding of the common physical properties used in
hand specimen identification of minerals.
14. Define rocks in context of the rock cycle
15. Define igneous rocks.
16. Compare and contrast the two main classes of igneous rocks in terms of
conditions of formation, rock types, and resulting land forms.
17. Compare and contrast the characteristics of the two main types of
eruptive products.
18. Discuss in detail the characteristics of the 4 different types of
volcanoes in terms of their morphology, eruptive products and typical
eruptive behavior.
19. Know the 3 regions of the Earth's lithosphere where volcanoes are
usually found, together with the specific types of volcanoes normally
associated with each of these regions.
20. Discuss in detail the 4 main ways in which magmas are thought to
change.
21. Describe in detail 7 different types of volcanic hazards in terms of
distribution (distance, thickness, location), rate of movement, specific
effects on natural and cultural features, and possible mitigation
techniques.
22. Discuss the main process by which magmas form in terms of the 3
important factors in forming a magma.
23. Define the following terms: volcano, eruption,
24. Summarize the basic information needed in order to evaluate and
monitor a volcano’s hazards and associated risks.
25. Compare and contrast the 3 different kinds of magmas in terms of their
chemical and physical properties.
26. Identify on maps major types of volcanic and plutonic igneous
landforms.
27. Use a igneous rock key to identify the most common igneous rocks,
igneous rock textures and common eruptive products.
28. Describe the basic factors that influence explosive eruptions vs. non
explosive eruptions
29. Describe the basic steps involved in moving magma to the surface.
30. Discuss at least 3 different reasons why igneous rocks are important.
31. Define sedimentary rocks and discuss the 4 processes involved in
forming sedimentary rocks.
32. Summarize the geologic information that size, shape and sorting of
detrital grains provide.
33. Discuss 3 different types of large scale sedimentary rock textures in
terms of what they look like and what information they can provide about
the environment in which they formed.
34. Outline at least 3 different reasons why sedimentary rocks are
important.
35. Discuss the location and characteristics of 3 different marine and 3
different terrestrial deposition environments
36. Discuss the occurrence and significance of pore space in sedimentary
rocks.
37. Compare and contrast the geologic occurrence of "carbonates" and
"silica"
characteristic of specific sedimentary rock types (ex: sandstone, shale,
limestone, chert, breccia, conglomerate).
38. Identify in hand specimen cross bedding, ripple marks, mud cracks and
graded bedding.
39. Using a sedimentary rock key identify in hand specimen common
sedimentary rocks.
40. Use example rock types to compare and contrast the characteristics and
origin of the two major categories of sedimentary rocks.
41. Locate and identify on a geologic map of Oregon important occurrences
and geologic ages of of sedimentary rocks.
42. Discuss the nature of metamorphism in context of the primary 4
conditions required to metamorphose a pre-existing rock.
43. Describe what geologic interpretations are possible from examining
metamorphic mineral and textures and how can we use this information to
solve geologic problems.
44. Discuss metamorphic grades.
45. Draw a pressure temperature diagram showing the location of the 5
metamorphic common grades.
46. Explain how metamorphism fits into the theory of plate tectonics.
47. Describe the characteristics of the 5 different types of metamorphism.
48. Use examples to discuss the concept of index minerals in terms of what
information they provide concerning the process of metamorphism.
49. Using a metamorphic rock key identify in hand specimen common types of
metamorphic rocks and their textures.
50. Locate and identify on a geologic map of Oregon important occurrences
and geologic ages of metamorphic rocks.
51. Discuss the importance of metamorphic rocks.
52. Describe the components of the theory of plate tectonics and cite at
least 4 reasons why plate tectonics is important.
53. Discuss in detail 7 different evidences that support the theory of
plate tectonics.
54. Describe the characteristics of a typical subduction zone
55. Describe the characteristics of a typical mid oceanic ridge or
spreading center
56. Describe the characteristics of a typical volcanic island arc
57. Describe the characteristics of a typical volcanic hot spot
58. Explain how and why plates move.
59. Describe in detail the 2 major types of tectonic plates and 3 main
types of plate margins and their associated landforms.
60. On a map of the Pacific northwest identify and label by name the 3
major tectonic plates. and with symbols label 3 different plate margins
(D = diverging, C = converging, T = transform) and any major landforms by
name (volcanic arcs, trenches, ridges, fracture zones). Draw large
arrows on each plate showing the movement direction of each plate
61. Using examples from the Pacific Northwest discuss the nature of exotic
terranes.
62. Label on a map of the world the major tectonic plates.
63. Identify passive and active continental margins of North and South
America
64. Discuss the various evidences that provide information regarding the
structure and composition of the interior of the Earth.
65. Describe in detail the characteristics each of Earth’s major layers.
66. In a general cross sectional diagram of the Earth identify by name
landforms and features associated with plate tectonics.
67. On a map identify the passive and active continental margins of North
and South America
68. Discuss the various evidences that provide information regarding the
structure and composition of the interior of the Earth.
69. Describe in detail the characteristics each of Earth’s major internal
layers.
70. Discuss in detail the concept of absolute radiometric age
determinations including a description of at least 3 different
radiometric age determination schemes and their most common
applications.
71. Discuss 3 advantages and 3 disadvantages associated with absolute
dating.
72. In a diagram reconstruct the geologic history of an outcrop by
sequencing of each of the labeled rock units in their proper position in
the spaces provided next to the diagrams below. In addition, be sure to
identify by name each of the specific types of unconformities on the
diagrams.
73. Describe the basic concept behind absolute dating of geologic
materials.
74. Discuss the advantages and problems associated with absolute geologic
dating.
75. Compare and contrast absolute and relative age dating of geologic
materials.
76. Discuss the principles involved in interpreting the stratigraphic
record
77. Compare and contrast the 3 types of unconformities.
78. Determine the age of a core sample by identifying and correlating
overlapping species of microfossils contained in the core
79. Complete s lateral correlation diagram of a sequence of 4 different
outcrops and interpret the geological significance of the compiled
correlation.
80. Define the following: atoms, elements, stable isotopes, unstable
isotopes, radioactive decay, half life.
81. List the 3 major eons of time and the 3 major eras of the Phanerozoic
eon with their absolute age boundaries.
82. Describe in detail the elastic rebound theory.
83. Describe 3 types of stress that can develop in the lithosphere
84. Discuss the nature of seismic waves together with the characteristics
of the 4 main types of seismic energy waves
85. Discuss in detail how earthquakes are located and Richter magnitudes
are measured.
86. Compare and contrast the Richter and Mercalli scales as measurements
of earthquakes
87. Describe 4 different types of hazards associated with earthquakes.
For each, discuss the actions humans can take to mitigate the hazard.
88. Discuss specifically where earthquakes most commonly occur on and
within the planet and why this is so.
89. Use a set of seismograms to determine the epicenter and Richter
magnitude of an earthquake
90. Discuss in detail the pattern and frequency of occurrence of
earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest.
91. Interpret a regional earthquake hazard map
92. Discuss the specific evidence found along the Oregon coast that
supports past large earthquakes.
93. Discuss the 2 characteristic environments under which glaciers form.
94. Describe how and where glaciers form together with the 2 mechanisms by
which glaciers move.
95. Compare and contrast the 2 main types of glaciers in terms of their
size, landforms and deposits.
96. Describe in detail 5 different global and / or regional effects of the
onset and retreat continental scale glaciation.
97. Describe the frequency and duration of glacial periods throughout
geologic time.
98. Explain in detail 4 different possible causes for the onset of global
episodes of glaciation.
99. Identify on diagrams glacial erosional and depositional landforms
and/or glacial ice features related to continental and alpine glaciation.
100. Summarize the important glacial events in the PNW
101. Summarize importance of glaciers/glaciation
102. Discuss 4 different evidences for past episodes of glaciation