INTRODUCTION TO GEOLOGY

Geology 11
Astrid Korina S. Gabo DPSM, CAS, UP Manila

1. Define geology and identify some of its branches 2. Differentiate uniformitarianism vs catastrophism 3. Appreciate the role of geology in society

WHAT IS GEOLOGY?
Greek , g, "earth" and , logos, "study"

Geology is the study of the Earth, its origin, history, composition, structures and physical properties, the processes that shape it, and the resources that could be obtained from it.
http://geology.about.com/od/nutshells/a/whatisgeology.htm

GEOLOGY AS A DISCIPLINE
1. The relevance of time 2. The issue of scale 3. The complexity of replicating natural systems and phenomena in the laboratory

GEOLOGY AS A DISCIPLINE
1. The relevance of time

www.ruf.rice.edu/~leeman/GeoTimeSpiral.gif

GEOLOGY AS A DISCIPLINE
2. The issue of scale
0.1 mm

GEOLOGY AS A DISCIPLINE
3. The complexity of replicating natural systems and phenomena in the laboratory

MAIN BRANCHES OF GEOLOGY

1. PHYSICAL GEOLOGY

- Deals with the materials that comprise

the Earth and the processes that affect it
2. HISTORICAL GEOLOGY

- The study of the origin and evolution of

the Earth through time

PHYSICAL GEOLOGY
1. Volcanology
The study of volcanoes and volcanic activity

2. Seismology
The study of earthquakes and the mechanical properties of the earth

3. Mineralogy
The study of minerals and its properties

PHYSICAL GEOLOGY
4. Petrology
The study of rocks and the conditions under which they are formed

5. Geomorphology
The study of landforms and the processes that shape them

6. Geophysics
The physics of the Earth and its environment in space

PHYSICAL GEOLOGY
7. Geochemistry
The study of the chemical composition and processes of the Earth and other planets

8. Planetary Geology
Concerned with the geology of celestial bodies

9. Environmental Geology
The use of geologic information to manage our environment

PHYSICAL GEOLOGY
10.Engineering Geology
The application of geologic information to engineering problems

11.Mining Geology
Deals with the applications to mining

12.Petroleum Geology
Refers to application of geology to the search of hydrocarbons

HISTORICAL GEOLOGY
1. Paleontology
The study of prehistoric life as represented by fossils

2. Stratigraphy
The study of rock layers and layering (stratification)

3. Geochronology
Deals with the determination of the age of the Earth and its materials

BASIC CONCEPTS IN THE HISTORY OF GEOLOGY

1. Catastrophism 2. Uniformitarianism

CATASTROPHISM
- Proposed by Baron Georges Cuvier
- Sudden, worldwide catastrophes are the agents of change that alter the physical features of the Earth over time - Widely accepted by theologians in the early 1800s due to similarity with Biblical events such as Noahs Flood

UNIFORMITARIANISM
- Proposed by James Hutton
(The Father of Modern Geology) - The present is the key to the past. - The present is the key to the future. -Advocates the idea that the Earth is continuously modified by geologic processes that have always operated throughout time (at different rates), and that by studying them we can understand how the Earth has evolved through time
www.physicalgeography.net

James Hutton, 1726-1797

GEOLOGISTS AT WORK
What geologists do

RELEVANCE TO DAILY LIFE

MINERAL DEPOSITS

RESOURCE EXPLORATION

GEOHAZARDS
Earth processes that cause life and property loss: Flooding Earthquake Volcanic Activity Landslide Mudflows
www.pinoytutorial.com

www.pinoyvote.info
By Lauro Naranjo, 2007

By Dwi Obli, Reuters

http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/1997/fs114-

If we intend to live on and with this planet, we truly need to understand how it works and to understand the many components that make up the Earth