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Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Define the nature of geology as a science.
2. Utilize Plate Tectonic Theory to summarize the relationships among the rock cycle, tectonic setting, volcanism and earthquake activity, and provide examples illustrating these relationships.
3. Describe the lithologies and formation of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
4. Use classification charts to identify major rock types and sub-types.
5. Classify and illustrate several types of volcanic features and locate volcanic features within California.
6. Explain the causes, effects, and measurement scales of earthquakes.
7. Summarize the history of the San Andreas Fault system.
8. Evaluate geologic hazards and their effect on humans.
9. Reconstruct the geologic evolution of California in relation to the geologic time scale.
10. Describe surface processes and identify the features associated with each process; give specific examples of locations in California exhibiting these landforms.
11. Give examples of geological resources currently tapped in California, identify their location, geological formation, and interpret future resource exploration opportunities in California. (optional)
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Topics will include, but are not limited to:
I. Introduction
A. Scientific Method
B. Plate Tectonic Theory
C. Structure of the Earth
D. Geomorphic provinces of California
II. Earth Materials
A. Minerals and rocks
B. The rock cycle and formation of rocks
C. Igneous Rocks
1. Processes, textures, and mineralogy
2. Classification
3. Plutonic rocks in California; the Sierra Nevada, Klamath, and Peninsular Ranges
4. Volcanoes, volcanic processes and hazards in California; the Cascades and Modoc Plateau
D. Sedimentary Rocks
1. Weathering and erosion
2. Processes, textures, and compositions
3. Classification
4. The Great Valley Sequence and sedimentary rocks in California
E. Metamorphic Rocks
1. Processes, textures, and mineralogy
2. Classification
3. The Coast Range and metamorphic rocks in California
III. Faults
A. Fault types
B. Plate movements and Plate Tectonic Theory
C. San Andreas Fault system
IV. Earthquakes
A. Elastic Rebound Theory
B. Seismic waves
C. Intensity and magnitude measurement scales
D. Seismic data interpretation for earthquake forecasting and
hazards/risk assessment
E. Epicentral location
F. Historically significant earthquakes in California
V. Geologic Time
A. Relative vs. absolute dating methods
B. Development of the geologic time scale
C. Paleontology and dating using fossils
D. Introduction to common fossils of California
VI. Geologic evolution and formation of California
A. Precambrian history
1. Precambrian rock units and fossils in California: Basin and Range and Mojave Desert
2. Changing continental margin
B. Paleozoic history
1. Paleozoic rock units and fossils in California: Basin and Range, Mojave Desert, Sierra Nevada, and Klamath Mountains
2. Changing continental margin
C. Mesozoic history
1. Mesozoic rock units and fossils in California: Sierra Nevada, Great Valley, and Coast Ranges
2. Orogenic events
3. California's major growth spurt
D. Cenozoic history
1. Cenozoic rock units and fossils in California
2. Extension in the Basin and Range
3. Rotation in the Transverse Ranges
4. Formation of the San Andreas Fault system
VII. Surface Processes and landforms
A. Coastal processes and California's coastline
B. Glacial processes and the glacial history and features of California
C. Desert processes and desert landforms in California
VIII. Geologic Resources located in California (at least 2 of the following topics)
A. Water
1. Water rights
2. Groundwater
3. Surface water
B. Rocks and minerals
C. Petroleum
D. Geothermal
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California Geology. Harden, Deborah R. Pearson Prentice Hall: 2004. (Classic)
Introduction To Water In California. Carle, David. University of California Press: 2004. (Classic)
Geology Of The San Francisco Bay Region. Sloan, Doris. University of California Press: 2006. (Classic)
Assembling California. McPhee, John. The Noonday Press: 1995. (historical text)
Cadillac Desert: The American West And Its Disappearing Water. Reisner, Marc. Penguin Books Ltd.: 1993. (Classic)
A Dangerous Place: California's Unsettling Fate. Reisner, Marc. Pantheon Books: 2003. (Classic)
Instructor Prepared Materials.