Science 20 Geology Unit

Science 20 Text
Chapter 1: The Abyss of Time (pgs 292-327)
Chapter 2: Tropical Alberta (pgs 328-365)
Chapter 3: Changing Climates (pgs 367-393)

Geology Unit 1
 Introduction
• Geology is the study of changes to the
earth.
• Geological changes that will be examined
include: earthquakes, plate tectonics,
fossilization, glaciations, geological
characteristics through each era,
extinctions and climate change.
• What do you know about each of these
geological changes?

Geology Unit 2
Lesson 1.1: Beginning of
Earth

Geology Unit 3
Theory of Deep Time vs the Theory
of Creation
DEEP TIME CREATION
• Earth has a history of • Earth has a history of
development and development by a
change lasting billions change lasting
of years thousands or millions
• Earth was created of years.
from a giant explosion • Earth was created by
a superior being

Geology Unit 4
Layers of the earth

Geology Unit 5
Geology Unit 6
 THE CRUST /LITHOSPHERE:
• Low density layer; 0C to 1000C
• rigid outer layer of the Earth which includes
the ocean and continental plates
• It is 8 km to 300 km thick. (average =30 km)

Geology Unit 7
 The Mantle
• low to medium density; 1000C to 3700C
• About 2600 km thick
• Non-rigid (plastic) with circular currents (convection)
• Made up of the:
a. Asthenoshpere: low-density, semiplastic (or partially molten) rock
material which the lithosphere floats on. (75 + km below the crust)
b. Mesosphere: stiffer high pressure area with some melted rock.
(upto 2550 km thick)

Geology Unit 8
 The Core
• high density layers; 3700C to 4300C
• About 3500km thick
• Non rigid outer core and rigid inner core
• Made up of the:
a. Outer Core: By using seismic waves, scientists believe
that the outer core is liquid rock. (2260 km thick)
b. Inner Core: The inner core is under a lot of pressure and
therefore is solid. (1220 km thick)

Geology Unit 9
 Motion in the Mantle
• In the mantle there are convection currents
– hot magma (melted rock) expands, rises,
cools when it reaches the crust, and then
falls. This causes crustal plates to move.

Geology Unit 10
 Evidence of plate
tectonics
•Paleomagnetism (study of the magnetic properties) in trenches
•Mountains, Folded layers of soil & rock occur
•Volcanoes & hot springs occur
•Mid Oceanic ridges & ocean trenches occur

Geology Unit 11
Energy source of plate tectonics
• Most of the Earth's internal heat probably comes
from unstable elements that break down through
the process of natural radioactive decay.
Elements such as uranium and potassium
within the Earth generate enough heat to keep
the Earth's interior at a high temperature.
• Radioactive decay will be discussed more later.

Geology Unit 12
 Types of plates
• Divergent boundaries --
where new crust is
generated as the plates
pull away from each other.
Site of ocean ridges &
valleys (rifts).
• Convergent boundaries
-- where crust is destroyed
as one plate dives under
another. Site of mountain
ranges, valleys &
volcanoes
• Transform boundaries --
where plates slide
horizontally past each
other. Site of earthquakes
• Plate boundary zones --
broad belts in which
boundaries are not well
defined and the effects of
plate interaction are
unclear.
Geology Unit 13
 See What you know
1. Oceanic crust and the continental crust make up the layer of
Earth called the
A. asthenosphere B. lithosphere
C. mesosphere D. stratosphere
2. Which of the following creates pushes and pulls on Earth’s crust
that cause it to crack, tear, and move?
A. evaporation B. subduction
C. paleomagnetism D. convection currents
3. The least rigid part of the mantle is the
A. asthenosphere B. lithosphere
C. mesosphere D. inner core
4. The most dense layer of the earth is
A. The crust B. asthenosphere
C. Mesosphere D. Core
5. Draw a cross section of the earth and label the three main layers.
(Choices: Core, Crust & Mantle) For a BONUS provide the
approximate thickness (Choices: 250km, 2500km, 3500km)

Geology Unit 14
Lesson 1.2: Early Life –
The Precambrian Era

Geology Unit 15
 Evidence of oceanic life in Alberta

• Sedimentary rock formations in

the Rocky mountains indicate
that several large rivers
deposited sand, clay and silt
into an ocean

Geology Unit 16
 Life Gets Started
1. Some scientists think that single
celled bacteria where the earliest
form of live (3.8 million years ago.)
Archaea bacteria, which can live in
water at 150 C are though to be the
relatives of this bacteria.
2. Next came the cyanobacteria
which deposited calcium carbonate
(limestone). They created
stromatolites (layered structures)
which we call trace fossils (remains
left by an organism.)
organism
Geology Unit 17
 Source of Oxygen
• Cyanobacteria contained chlorophyll
which traps the suns energy to make
glucose (food) and oxygen. This process
is called photosynthesis.
• PHOTOSYNTHESIS:
– Carbon Dioxide + Water -> Glucose + Oxygen
– 6 CO2 + 6 H20  C6H12O6 + 6 O2

Geology Unit 18
 Other evidence of oxygen
• Red & gray banded iron can be found in
sedimentary rock.
• Gray bands have
iron only.
• The red bands are iron (III) oxide which
must of reacted with oxygen. (see reaction
below.)

Geology Unit 19
 See What you know
1. What is a name of the layered limestone fossils made by
cyanobacteria?
A. ammolites B. Iron(III) oxide
C. strata D. stromatolites
2. The organisms responsible for producing much of Earth’s
atmospheric oxygen are
A. ammolites B. cyanobacteria
C. jellyfish D. stromatolites
3. Evidence of an oxygen-rich atmosphere is the presence of
A. cyanobacteria B. trace fossils
C. banded iron formations D. stromatolites
4. The reaction that the organisms used to produce oxygen is
A. Combustion B. cellular respiration
C. Photosynthesis D. hydrogenation
5. Write the reaction in question 4) using words or chemical formulas.
BONUS: Balance the chemical reaction

Geology Unit 20
 Lesson 1.3: Strange
Rocks
•Geologists & Geophysicists learn a lot about the
history of the earth by studying rock layers.
•The study of rock layers or strata is called
stratigraphy

Geology Unit 21
 Definitions
• stratigraphic sequence: a sequence of rocks that
provides a chronological record of a region’s
geological history
• relative dating: the process of placing rocks &
geological structures in the correct chronological order
• Absolute dating: the exact time that has elapsed
since an event occurred
• intrusion: a body of rock that forms from the invasion
of magma into a pre-existing rock formation. An
intrusion is younger than the pre-existing rock it
moved into.
• Extrusion: a rock the sticks out of the soil
Geology Unit 22
Formation of Sedimentary Rock
• Step 1: Rivers transport sediment which
contains fossils.
• Step 2: Over time additional strata are
added.
• Step 3: Sedimentary rock is exposed
when the sea floor is pushed up or by
erosion.

Geology Unit 23
 What are the 5 Principles used for
relative age?
1. The Principle of Uniformitarianism:
Uniformitarianism What is happening now,
happened in the past.
2. The Principle of original horizontality:
horizontality A new layer is
placed horizontally over an older layer. Folds or tilts indicate a
geological event.
3. The Principle of Superposition:
Superposition The layers become younger
as you move to the top. Layer A is the youngest.
4. The Principle of Cross-cutting:
Cross-cutting Disruptions (like intrusions
or faults) are younger than the layers they disrupt or cut
through.
5. The Principle of Faunal succession:
succession Layers of rock with
similar fossils or rocks are the same relative ages – the age in
terms of older or younger than. Well known fossils that lived a
short time are good for age of rock and are called index
fossils.
Geology Unit 24
What is the relative age of the strata?
•Youngest horizontal layer - original horizontality

•older layer –superposition

Oil is younger than G, F, E – cross cutting

Oxygen was present

•Other strata with Albertosaurus are

the same age – faunal succession

Volcanos acted like they do today - uniformitarianism

Geology Unit 25
•oldest layer – original horizontality
 See What you know
1. The law of superposition states that
A. all rocks and fossils in a given area are the same age
B. a rock layer is younger than the rock layer beneath it
C. all rock layers consisting of the same type of rock are the same age
D. a sequence of rocks is the chronological record of a given region

2. Layer 2 in the diagram is younger than layers 3, 4, and 5, based on the

A. rock cycle B. principle of cross-cutting
C. principle of superposition D. principle of uniformitarianism
3. The correct order of the numbered layers from oldest to youngest is
A. 3, 4, 5, 2, 1 B. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
C. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 D. 3, 4, 5, 1, 2
4. The relative age of a fossil indicates
A. how long the organism lived B. the exact age of the fossil
C. how long ago the fossil was dug up D. how old it is compared to others
5. Explain or illustrate the law of Uniformatrism or the law of Faunal Succession. BONUS:
Describe or illustrate the Law of Original Horizontality.

Geology Unit 26
 Geological Time Scale
Geological time of earth is separated into three units:
1. ERAS: Large units of time determined by major
global environmental or geological changes.
There are four eras – Precambrian, Paleozoic,
Mesozoic & Cenozoic.
2. PERIODS: are units of time within each era
symbolized by regional changes.
3. EPOCHS: are the small units of time within the
Cenozoic Era which are based upon the rise and
fall of sea levels.

Geology Unit 27
 The Grand Record
• The Earths time scale is divided into
– 4 Eras: Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic &
Cenozoic
– the boundary between each era is marked by
massive disappearances of fossils and
appearance of new fossils.

Geology Unit 28
 Cenozoic Era
• extinction of non-avian dinosaurs to the
present.
• divided into two PERIODS:
– the Quaternary Period - “Age of Mammals &
flowering plants” - has two Epochs (Pleistocene
Epoch & Holocene Epoch – present day)
– the Tertiary Period - “Age of Fish & Birds”.

Geology Unit 29
 Mesozoic Era
• Dinosaurs alive; A time of great change in the
terrestrial vegetation
• Means "middle animals“
• Divided into three Periods:
– Cretaceous – dinosaurs become extinct
– Jurassic – dinosaurs thrive
– Triassic – introduction of dinasaurs

Geology Unit 30
 Paleozoic Era
• Multi-celled animals underwent a dramatic "explosion" in
diversity; Six continents experienced mountain building; It
ended with the largest mass extinction in history wiped out
approximately 90% of all marine animal species.
• Divided into six periods:
– Permian
– Carboniferous
– Devonian
– Silurian
– Ordovician
– Cambrian

Geology Unit 31
 Precambrian
• makes up roughly seven-eighths of the
Earth's history; the Earth formed, life
arose, tectonic plates moved,
cyanobacteria evolved, atmosphere filled
with oxygen, the first animals, evolved

Geology Unit 32
Geology Unit 33
 Tyrell Museum Field Trip
• Please be at the school between 8:15 and 8:30. We
hope to return before 4:30.
• Bus will be at the front of the school
• Please bring warm cloths, walking shoes, a lunch or
lunch money, camera, activity for the bus ride and a
pencil or pen.
• If you have a GOOD video or DVD to watch please
bring that as well.
• Click for WEBSITE

Geology Unit 34
 See What you know
1. The correct order for the eras from oldest to youngest is
A. Cenozoic, Mesozoic, Paleozoic, Precambrian
B. Mesozoic, Paleozoic, Cenozoic, Precambrian
C. Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic
D. Precambrian, Cenozoic, Mesozoic, Paleozoic
2. The era that spans the greatest number of years in Earth’s
geological history is the
A. Mesozoic B. Cenozoic
C. Precambrian D. Paleozoic
3. The era which is called the “Age of Mammals” which we live in know
is called
A. Mesozoic B. Cenozoic
C. Precambrian D. Paleozoic
4. The era when the dinosaurs lived is called the
A. Mesozoic B. Cenozoic
C. Precambrian D. Paleozoic
4. The era where multi-cellular organisms lived is called the
BONUS: Name the single-celled oxygen producing bacteria that lived
during the Precambrian era.

Geology Unit 35
Lesson 1.4: Getting a handle
on time – The Rock Cycle

Geology Unit 36
 What are minerals & rocks?
• Minerals: A mineral is a pure natural
substance (element or compound)
• Rocks:is a natural substance that
contains one or more minerals held
together. The 3 types of rocks that cycle
are:
1. Igneous
2. Sedimentary
3. Metamorphic

Geology Unit 37
 What are igneous rocks?
• Igneous rocks are formed when
magma from Earth's core rises,
cools, and solidifies forming crystals
(called crystallization).
– Magma that moves out of the crust and
cools quickly is called extrusive
igneous rock (pumice). These
igneous rock have small crystals.
– Magma that never reaches the surface
and cools slowly is called intrusive
igneous rock (obsidian). These
igneous rock have large crystals.

Geology Unit 38
 What are sedimentary rocks?
• Sedimentary rocks are made
up of sediments eroded or
weathered from igneous,
metamorphic, other
sedimentary rocks, and even
the remains of dead plants
and animals. These materials
are deposited in layers, or
strata, and then are squeezed
and compressed into rock
(called lithification).
– Most fossils are found in
sedimentary rocks.
Geology Unit 39
 What are metamorphic rocks?
• Metamorphic rocks
are produced when
sedimentary or igneous
rocks are transformed
by heat and/or
pressure.
– The word "metamorphic"
comes from the Greek
language, which means
"to change form."

Geology Unit 40
 What is the rock cycle?

• The rock cycle below shows the life cycle

of the three rocks and how they are
related to each other.

Geology Unit 41
Geology Unit 42
 See What You Know
1. Rock that forms when molten magma from the mantle
intrudes into the crust and solidifies is
A. igneous rock B. metamorphic rock
C. sedimentary rock D. none of the above
2. The rock cycle is a process in which rocks are
A. crushed and ground into soil
B. continuously changing from one type to another
C. melted and evaporated into the atmosphere
D. uplifted to form mountains
3. In a stratigraphic sequence, an intrusion must be
A. older than the rock layers it cuts into
B. younger than the rock layers it cuts into
C. the same age as the rock layers it cuts into
D. none of the above
4. What type of rock is formed under pressure and heat? ___________
5. What type of rock are fossils usually found in? ____________
BONUS: Draw or explain or illustrate the rock cycle.
Geology Unit 43
Lesson 1.5: Pinpointing
Time

Geology Unit 44
 What is radioactivity?
• Marie Currie discovered radioacitivity – the emission
of energy from the nuclei of unstable atoms as the
change to become more stable.
– eg) Uranium-238  ENERGY + lead -206 + other nuclei
• Radioactive decay – the breaking down of the nuclei
into a stable nuclei and particles. Eg) carbon-14
– 14 C  147N + 0-1e- (See databook pg 8 for other decays)
6

• Half-life – time it takes for half of the original nuclei

(parent) to break into the stable nuclei (daughter).
– Carbon-14 has a half life time of 5.72x103 a or 5720 years
• Mass spectrometer – instrument used to detect the
amount of atoms present in a sample

Geology Unit 45
How do nuclei decay?

50%

25%

Decay of Carbon-14
14 C  14 N + 0 e
6 7 -1

Geology Unit 46
12.5%
 What is radioactive dating?
• Scientists can use radioactive elements and decay
curve to predict the date of a sample. (pg 8 of your
databook)
1. Write out the decay reaction using pg 8. Parent 
Daughter + particles + energy
2. If necessary determine the percentage of parent
remaining by subtracting from 100
3. Use the decay curve to determine the half-lives
4. Multiple the half-lives by the years in one half life (pg. 8)
to determine the absolute age
Absolute age = half lives x approx. half-life years

Geology Unit 47
 Page 8 of the databook
Daughter

years

parent  daughter
1st half life 50%  50%
2nd half life 25%  75%
age = (# of half lives)(approximate half-life years) 3rd half life 12.5%  87.5%
4th half life 6.25%  93.75%

Geology Unit 48
 An example on finding the age
• A zircon rock has 30% of lead
206
1. 238 92 U  206 82 Pb + part.
2. 70% + 30% = 100%
3. 0.5 half lives from decay curve
4. Age = half lives x years
Age = 0.5 x 4.47E9
Age = 2.24E9 years old 0.5

Geology Unit 49
 An example on finding the ½ life

• Parent – Daughter activity

• Atomic Clock activity
You may use these activities for your MI
project or come up with your own activities
using your own MI strengths.

Geology Unit 50
See What you know

Geology Unit 51
 Lesson 2.1: Cambrian
Explosion - fossilization

Fossilization: life  death  burial 

preservation  discovery  recovery

Geology Unit 52
What are the two processes that
form fossils?
There are two processes that form fossils.
1. Petrification occurs when organic remains turn
to stone. Petrified wood & bones are examples
of petrification, where the wood & bones are
completely replaced by agate rock.
2. Carbonization occurs when pressure causes a
thin carbon film to form around the organism.
Preservation of soft bodied organisms like
jellyfish is an example of carbonization.

Geology Unit 53
What are the four types of fossils?
Fossils are usually found in limestone, shale or
sandstone (sedimentary rock). Paleontologist
classify fossils into four types:
1. Fossil remains: dinosaur bones
2. Imprint or mould fossils: leaf prints
3. Cast fossils: mouth cavity filled with sediment
4. Trace fossils: tracks/foot prints or burrows.

Geology Unit 54
How do shark teeth become
fossils?

Geology Unit 55
 The Burgess Shale Story –
Cambrian-age rock in the Rockies
• The burgess shale is full of fossils from
warm-shallow water and deep-water
creatures that lived in a reef.
• 1 theory: A large mud avalanche buried
the creatures
• SEE NEXT
2 SLIDES FOR
FOSSILS
Geology Unit 56
Examples of Marine Fossils

Geology Unit 57
Geology Unit 58
Geology Unit 59
Lesson 2.2: A billion-dollar
reef – petroleum

Petroleum: hydrocarbons (coal, oil & gas) which

formed millions of years ago from the remains of
ancient organisms.

Geology Unit 60
How is petroleum
made?

Geology Unit 61
What are the mineral deposits in
Alberta?

Geology Unit 62
 How is petroleum found?
• Geologists use drill-cores (cylinder
samples of rock) to look for oil

Geology Unit 63
How do they tell if there is oil?
• Well 1: Would not
have oil because
there was no
reef.
• Well 2: Would
have oil because
of the fossil in the
reef layer

Geology Unit 64
 How are seismic waves used?
• A seismic wave (waves that
travel through earth) can be
used to suggest where traps
might be located.
• Geophones detect seismic
waves that bounce back at
different speeds; This is
converted into a pattern
which shows the strata.
• They look for oil pockets.

Geology Unit 65
Geology Unit 66
Lesson 2.3: Earthquakes

Geology Unit 67
 Earthquakes
• Earthquakes occur when tectonic plates inside
the earth move against each other. These areas
are called faults.
• Push your hands together tightly. Try to move
the hands past each other. You should notice
that there is friction and heat. This is what
happens in earthquakes to a larger degree.

Geology Unit 68
 Earthquakes Terms
• Seismology: study of earthquakes
• Seismograph: instrument that detects earthquake
waves
• Seismogram: drawing made by seismograph
• Focus: the spot in the earth where the earthquake
started (see next slide)
• Epicenter:The spot on the surface of the
earth above the focus (see next slide)
• Longitudinal waves/ P (primary) waves: vibrate
parallel to the direction of wave motion
• Transverse waves/S(secondary) waves: vibrate
perpendicular to the direction of wave motion
• Surface waves or L (long) waves:
vibrate on the surface

Geology Unit 69
 Topic One: Earthquakes

S - waves

Geology Unit 70
Geology Unit 71
 Information about the earth’s
interior from seismic waves?
• Waves slow down and change direction
when the move from solid to liquid to solid.

Geology Unit 72
Earthquakes – parts of a
longitudinal wave.

Geology Unit 73
 Earthquakes-Reading a
Seismogram
magnitude

20mm

2.2 s

Geology Unit 74
 Earthquakes – locating
epicenter & magnitude
1. Find three or more seismograms from three
different seismic stations.
a) Find the difference in time between when the P
wave arrives and the S wave arrives (S-P time) for
each seismogram. (units: s)
b) Find the highest magnitude of the S wave for each
seismogram. (units: mm)
CONTINUED ON NEXT SLIDE

Geology Unit 75
 Earthquakes – locating
epicenter & magnitude
2. Using the magnitude
chart, draw a line between
the amplitude and the S-P
time for each seismogram.
Where all the lines cross
is the magnitude.
Eg) 3.0
CONTINUED ON NEXT
SLIDE

Geology Unit 76
 Earthquakes – locating
epicenter & magnitude
3. Using the distances on
the left of the magnitude
chart as a radius, draw
a circle (to scale) for
each seismogram.
Where the three +
circles intersect is the
epicentre of the
earthquake.
Geology Unit 77
Geology Unit 78
 Earthquakes – Richter Scale
1. Not felt -- or, except under especially favorable circumstances.
2. Felt indoors by few, especially on upper floors, or by sensitive or
nervous persons.
3. Felt indoors by several, motion usually rapid vibration.
4. Felt indoors by many, outdoors by few.
5. Felt indoors by practically all, outdoors by many or most: outdoors
direction estimated.
6. Felt by all, indoors and outdoors.
7. Frightened all -- general alarm, all ran outdoors.
8. Fright general -- alarm approaches panic.
9. Panic general.
10. Cracked ground, especially when loose and wet, up to widths of several
inches; fissures up to a yard in width ran parallel to canal and stream
banks.
11. Disturbances in ground many and widespread, varying with ground
material.
12. Damage total -- practically all works of construction damaged greatly or
destroyed.
Geology Unit 79
 See what you know Quiz
1. What is the difference between the focus and
epicentre of an earthquake?
2. What are the names of the three types of
waves created by an earthquake?
3. Draw a wave and label the wavelength and
amplitude
4. How many seismograms do you need to
accurately locate the epicentre?
5. What two values do you need to determine the
magnitude
BONUS: What is the lowest value on the Richter
scale (1 to 12) that causes extreme damage?
Geology Unit 80
Lesson 2.4: Raising the
Rockies

Geology Unit 81
 Locating
plate
boundaries?

• The places
where
volcanoes,
earthquake
&
mountains
are located
are plate
boundaries Geology Unit 82
 Theories of Geological change
• The theory of plate tectonics states that the
Earth's outermost lithosphere is built out of a dozen
or more crustal plates that are moving relative to
one another as they ride on the asthenoshpere.

Geology Unit 83
 Theories of
change
• In the early 1900's
Alfred Wegener
introduced the
continental drift
theory. It stated that
a super continent
called Pangaea
(meaning "all lands"
in Greek) began to
break up about 225-
200 million years
ago, eventually
fragmenting into the
continents as we
know them today.

Geology Unit 84
 What caused the massive
extinctions in Earth’s history
• Asteroids, volcanoes,
ice ages and floods

Geology Unit 85
What caused the mountains to form
• Oceanic plates hit the Precambrian shield,
compressed the rock and pushed it up

Geology Unit 86
 Volcanoes (Optional)
• A volcano is a
spot that releases
magma & heat
• There 3 types of
volcanoes:
– Subduction zone:
– Hot spot:
– Rift zone:

Geology Unit 87
Geology Unit 88
Lesson 3.1: The Great
Cooling

Geology Unit 89
Geology Unit 90
Lesson 3.2: The Icy Epoch

Geology Unit 91
Geology Unit 92
 Lesson 3.3: Explaining &
Predicting Climate Change

Geology Unit 93
Geology Unit 94
Current
Levels

Geology Unit 95