Here is the Earth…

Don’t spend it all at once!

WHAT IS GEOLOGY?WHAT IS GEOLOGY?• The study of rocks?• NO! • Much more than just

the study of rocks

Geology is the scientific study of the Earth, its processes

& products

WHAT IS GEOLOGY?WHAT IS GEOLOGY?

• Chemistry• Physics• Biology • Geography• All subjects it

combines particularly well with at AS/A2 level

•Geology is truly interdisciplinary, including elements of:

WHAT IS GEOLOGY?WHAT IS GEOLOGY?The many wide & varied topics studied in geology were united by the development of Plate Tectonic theory in the 1960’s.

This milestone in geological thought was equivalent in significance to the theory of evolution in biology

WHAT IS GEOLOGY?WHAT IS GEOLOGY?Plate Tectonic theory led to greatly increased understanding of Earth Systems, processes & products

Introduction to Earth SystemsIntroduction to Earth SystemsEarth: a complex,

dynamic system

Atmosphere

Biosphere

Lithosphere

Hydrosphere

Mantle

Core Energy & matter are exchanged & recycled among these sub-systems.

The problem of experimentsThe problem of experiments•Geologists are interested in systems that are very big (hundreds of km)•That have evolved over long periods of time (millions of years)•So it is difficult to conduct controlled experiments.•They must observe the results of Nature’s experiments that are already complete.

WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?• Because Geology is

all around us• Everything we use

comes from the Earth• ‘If you can’t grow it,

you have to dig it up!’

GEOLOGY IN THE NEWSGEOLOGY IN THE NEWS

WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?

• ‘Civilisation exists by geologic consent, subject to change without notice’

- Will Durant

HAZARD GEOLOGY

WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?

• Identify risk• Predict where & when• Evacuate• Reduce impact

HAZARD GEOLOGY

WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?

• Earthquakes

HAZARD GEOLOGY

WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?

• Volcanoes

HAZARD GEOLOGY

WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?

• Landslides

HAZARD GEOLOGY

WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?

• Dams

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?

• Buildings

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?

• RoadsGEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

Engineering GeologyEngineering Geology

WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?

• Waste Management

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?

• Resource management

SUSTAINABILITY

WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?

• Global warming

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?• So, if, after 5 years of studying

the same old subjects you like the idea of trying something new & exciting…

• Something with real relevance to the world around you on local, international & global scales….

• Take Geology:• It’s Great!• It rocks!

WHAT WILL YOU STUDY IN GEOLOGY?WHAT WILL YOU STUDY IN GEOLOGY?

• Be prepared to get your head around mind boggling concepts of time and space:

• From events that took seconds & happened this morning

• To events that took millions of years to happen hundreds of millions of years ago

Geologic Time & UniformitarianismGeologic Time & Uniformitarianism• Unformitarianism enables us to interpret features in rocks formed millions of years ago –demonstrated by mud cracks formed by desiccation of sediment today

““The present is the key to the past.”The present is the key to the past.”

WHAT WILL YOU STUDY IN GEOLOGY?WHAT WILL YOU STUDY IN GEOLOGY?

• Be prepared to get your head around mind boggling concepts of time and space:

• From Earth Structure & Plate Tectonics to the atomic structure of minerals

WHAT WILL YOU STUDY IN GEOLOGY?WHAT WILL YOU STUDY IN GEOLOGY?

• Minerals• The processes & products of the rock cycle• Fossils & Geological time• Earth structure & Plate Tectonics• Geological Hazards• Geotechnical engineering

HOW WILL YOU STUDY GEOLOGY?HOW WILL YOU STUDY GEOLOGY?

Lessons using: • Textbooks• Videos• Powerpoint presentations• Internet

HOW WILL YOU STUDY GEOLOGY?HOW WILL YOU STUDY GEOLOGY?• Practical lessons• Observing• Testing• Measuring• Describing• Identifying• Interpreting: • Specimens • Geological

photographs• Geological maps

HOW WILL YOU STUDY GEOLOGY?HOW WILL YOU STUDY GEOLOGY?

• Practical laboratory investigation lessons:

• Planning• Observing• Measuring• Presenting data• Analysing data• Evaluating

investigations

HOW WILL YOU STUDY GEOLOGY?HOW WILL YOU STUDY GEOLOGY?

• Practical fieldwork investigations:

• Planning• Observing• Measuring• Presenting data• Analysing data• Evaluating

investigations

HOW WILL YOU BE ASSESSED IN GEOLOGY?HOW WILL YOU BE ASSESSED IN GEOLOGY?

WJEC Specification

AS• GL1 Foundation• GL2 Investigative geology• GL3 Geology & the Human Environment

HOW WILL YOU BE ASSESSED IN GEOLOGY?HOW WILL YOU BE ASSESSED IN GEOLOGY?

WJEC Specification

A2• GL4 Extension geology• GL5 Geological Themes• GL6 Coursework

Laboratory investigations

Fieldwork investigations

WHAT DO I NEED TO STUDY GEOLOGY?WHAT DO I NEED TO STUDY GEOLOGY?

• Interest• Enthusiasm• Ability to develop study skills• Good background in Science at GCSE

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH GEOLOGY?WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH GEOLOGY?

• Huge range of Careers in Geology• Potential for global travel & big salaries!

GEOLOGY: IT’S GREAT!GEOLOGY: IT’S GREAT!GRAVELCRUNCHINMARSBARMUNCHIN

HAMMERTAPPINFEATUREMAPPINROCKBASHINMINERALTESTINFOSSILKILLINNEVERLATEIN

FIELDWORKINALWAYSRAININMUDWALLOWINWELLYWEARIN

EXAMPASSIN..MONMOUTH GEOLOGISTS!

GEOLOGY:IT ROCKS!If you are interested in studying AS/A2 Geology see Mr Church in room 54 (the room with a rock on the door)….you won’t regret it!