Text: Pipkin, B. W., D. D. Trent, and R. Hazlett, 2005. Geology and the Environment, 4th edition. Brooks/Cole pub. 473 p.

The best way to study for an exam is to study continuously throughout the semester by re-writing the notes you take in class. While you are re-writing them, you can use the textbook to fill in any gaps in your notes. By gaps, I mean concepts you did not understand, or maybe could not take notes on because the professor was going too fast. (If you have questions on the material after doing that, then by all means come in and ask me or e-mail your question to me: gleasong@cortland.edu.)

To study for this exam, you must go over your lecture notes. The test will be based on both lecture notes and on the textbook.

Chap 1: Humans, Geology, and the Environment

Pages: 1-16

Figures: 1.7

Terms (some may not be in your textbook): doubling time, exponential growth, population growth rate, principal of environmental unity

Study Questions: 

Explain the difference between linear growth and exponential growth.

Describe an example of "environmental unity."

Given a population growth rate of 1%, how many years will it take a population to double?

What is the most-current population growth rate for the world, according to Table 1.2?

Chap 2: Getting Around in Geology

Pages: 17-21

Figures:

Terms: system, closed systems, open systems

Study Questions:

Explain how parts of the hydrosphere can be considered open systems while the whole hydrosphere of the earth is closed.

Is the Earth an open or closed sysem with respect to energy?

 

Figures: 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.8, 4.9, 4.11, 4.16, 4.17, 4.25, 4.26, 4.27., 4.28, 4.32, 4.33, 1.6, 4.35

Terms: aftershock, body wave, elastic rebound theory, epicenter, fault, focus, forecasts, intensity scale, liquefaction, Loma Prieta earthquake, longitudinal wave or compressional wave (or P-wave), magnitude, material amplification, Modified Mercalli Intensity scale, moment magnitude, normal fault, Northridge earthquake, P-wave, precursor, recurrence interval, reverse fault, Richter magnitude scale, seismic gap, seismic waves, seismograph, seismogram, seismometer, S-wave, strike-slip fault, surface wave, transverse wave or shear wave (or S-wave)

Study Questions:

Distinguish among magnitude, intensity, and ground acceleration. What does each measure?

Describe the two types of body waves discussed. Which can travel through liquids? Which can only travel through solids?

Which type of seismic wave is more damaging to buildings, body waves or surface waves?

How many seismic stations are needed to locate an earthquake?

What does material amplification mean?

Which type of geologic material is the most likely to undergo liquifaction?  crystalline bedrock, dry sediments or wet sediments?

How is a tsunami generated?

Chap 3: Plate Tectonics

Figures: 3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.10, 3.13, 3.14, 3.15, 3.16, 3.17, 3.18

Terms: asthenosphere, Benioff-Wadati zone, continental drift, convergent boundary, crust, divergent boundary, Gutenburg discontinuity, hot spot, hypothesis, lithosphere, magnetic anomaly, mantle, mantle plume, Mohorovicic discontinuity (Moho for short), paleomagnetism, Pangea, plate tectonics, scientific method, spreading center, subduction, transform boundary

Study Questions: 

What are the major layers of the earth based upon chemical composition? Based on mechanical behavior (i.e., strength)?

What are the lithosphere and asthenosphere?

What is a tectonic plate? What are the three types of plate boundaries? What features can you expect to find at each type?

What type of plate boundary is the Mid-Atlantic ridge?  the Himilaya mountains?  the San Andreas fault?

What are the basic steps in the Scienctific Method?

How do density differences cause movement in fluids? In your own words, describe heat transfer by convection currents, giving some illustrations from everyday life.

How does the Hawaiian Island chain support the Theory of Plate Tectonics?

How did Vine, Matthews, and Morley explain the formation of Magnetic Anomalies?

 Why is there a greater chance of having an earthquake in California than in New York?

Chap 2: Getting Around in Geology (Minerals)

Pages: 21-25, and Case Study 2.1 (pp.39-40)

Figures: 2.5, 2.6, 2.7

Terms: amphibole-structure, asbestos, "blue" asbestos, chrysotile, crocidolite, halite, double-chain silicate, mineral, sheet silicate, silica tetrahedron, silicate minerals, tremolite, vermiculite,  "white" asbestos

Study Questions:

What is the definition of a mineral?

What is the building block of all silicate minerals? What elements are in it? What is its charge?

What is the definition of asbestos?    

What are the two structures of asbetos minerals? Which is known to cause cancer?

Since vermiculte is a sheet-silicate and does NOT cause cancer, why are we worried about the vermiculite-containing house insulation material sold as "Zonolite"?

  That's it for Friday's test!

Useful links:

Syllabus Fall 2008

GLY 160: Environmental Geology web page