MAIN TOPICS of GEOLOGY

 

The main topics covered in GEOLOGY are summarized below.  You can expect that some of these topics, in whole or in part, will be included in the essay questions on the final exam.

Origin, composition and internal structure of the earth

•  process of the formation of the solar system

•  accumulation, heating and differentiation of the earth

•  composition and characteristics of the core, mantle and crust

•  seismic wave characteristics of the core, mantle and crust

Geological time, relative dating and radiometric dating

• age of the earth

• rates of geological processes

• relative dates based on cross-cutting relationships

• general principles of radiometric techniques for dating rocks

Evolution of the theory of Plate Tectonics

• Alfred Wegener’s theory and its reception in the early 20^th century

• contributions of Hess, Vine-Matthews-Morely and Wilson

• evidence in support of the theory, including: mantle convection, magnetic polar wandering, ocean floor bathymetry, sea-floor magnetic patterns, mantle plumes and the Hawaiian Islands

Plate Tectonics

• distribution and nature of the major plates and current plate motions

• geology of plate boundaries 

  • geological features and processes at spreading ridges

  • geological features and processes at subduction zones

  • the origin and nature of transform faults

• the plates of our region, their motion and boundaries

Minerals

• what is a mineral?  what is not a mineral?

• types of bonding in minerals

• mineral groups and their characteristics

• arrangement of tetrahedra in silicate minerals

• ferromagnesian versus non-ferromagnesian silicates

• ways in which minerals can form

The Rock Cycle

• how the rocks of the crust are continually being recycled through processes such as: uplift, erosion, transportation, deposition, burial, lithification, metamorphosis,  melting and cooling

Intrusive igneous rocks

• magma sources (mantle at spreading ridges, subduction, partial melting of crustal rocks)

• variations in magma compositions and evolution of magmas

• Bowen’s reaction series (significance to magma crystallization and to partial melting)

• types of plutonic bodies (dykes, sills, stocks etc.)

• emplacement of plutons

Volcanoes and volcanic rocks

• magma sources (mantle at spreading ridges, subduction,  mantle plumes)

• variations in magma characteristics (viscosity, gas content)

• types of volcanism (spreading ridge, mantle plume, subduction zone)

• types of volcanic rocks and deposits (lava, pyroclastic, lahar)

• the 1980 eruption at Mt. St. Helens  

• volcanism in BC

Sedimentary rocks

• weathering, erosion transportation, deposition, lithification parts of the rock cycle

• clastic versus chemical sedimentary rocks  

• continental versus marine sedimentary environments

• sedimentary structures (bedding, graded bedding, cross-bedding, ripples etc.)

• the Nanaimo Group (timing, depositional environment, rock types, deformation)

Metamorphic rocks

• agents of metamorphism (heat, pressure, water)

• regional versus contact metamorphism

• metamorphic textures (slaty cleavage, schistose, gneissic, marble etc)

• effects of different metamorphic grade on different protoliths

Earthquakes

• plate movement and elastic deformation

• earthquakes and plate tectonics

• Richter magnitude and Mercalli intensity

• significance of harmonic amplification and liquefaction.

• earthquakes in B.C.

• the 1700 Juan de Fuca earthquake.

Geology of British Columbia and Vancouver Island

• the passive margin of western North America from around 500 to around 200 m.y. 

• accretion of the Intermontane Super Terrane and formation of the Rocky Mountains.  

• formation of the Coast Range Plutonic Complex.

• steps in the development of the Insular Super Terrane  (specifically the Wrangellia Terrane).

• accretion of the Wrangellia Terrane including.

• deposition of the  Nanaimo Group accretion of the Pacific Rim and Crescent Terranes and deformation of the existing rocks.

By -Steven Earle