GenSci 102A
Environment: Earth
Lynn S. Fichter - Fichtels@jmu.edu 233 Miller Hall - phone 6531 About the Course
Environment: Earth
Lynn S. Fichter - Fichtels@jmu.edu 233 Miller Hall - phone 6531 About the Course
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GenSci 102A Environment: Earth Lynn S. Fichter - Fichtels@jmu.edu 233 Miller Hall - phone 6531 About the Course |
Quick Access to Course Subdivisions (Test Sections)
 Course Syllabus Part One - The Origins of Order Part Two - Minerals and Igneous Rocks Part Three - Sedimentary and Metamorphic Rocks Part Four - The Earth as a System Text Books: JMU Copy Center Lecture Notebook is the only requirement. There is no formal text book, but if you feel you need something to read for background see me or e-mail me (fichtels@jmu.edu) .
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Reading pdf files. Most files at this site are in Adobe pdf. If you are unfamiliar with them read about them here. Final Exam Time: Summer, 2003, Friday, June 13 Office Hours: Before and after class, and by appointment, but I am available any time I am in my office. |
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Study Guides and Sample Tests
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Supporting Pages
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Study Guide #1 This part of the course takes about 11 50-minute lectures. Sample Test #1> Key to Sample Test #1 |
Chaos/Complexity Computer Programs - We used a number of programs to illustrate chaos principles. All these programs are available on the Geology Computer Lab computers, Miller 224 and you are welcome to play with them. Click on the 'Alife' icon on the desktop and double click any of the program icons to open the program. This Chaos/Complexity link tells a little more about the programs we used. The World View of Newtonian Science (pdf) (new handout, Fall, 2002
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Study Guide #2 This part of the course takes about 14 50-minute lectures. Sample Test #2>Test Illustrations > Key to Sample Test #2 > Min/Rk ID Self Test from images |
Bowen's Reaction Series - illustrations and descriptions of the eight rock forming minerals - pdf version for better printing. Igneous Rock Classification - % abundance chart with rock pictures - pdf version for better printing. Igneous Rock Home Page - a page summarizing the classification and identification of igneous rocks with lots and lots of pictures. The Igneous Rock Home page also has lots of links to other igneous subjects covered in the course, such as phase diagrams, and the evolution of igneous rocks. Volcano Review - United States Geological Survey web link, but also check Igneous Rock Home page (bottom left) for other links to volcano pictures.
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Study Guide #3 This part of the course takes about 9 50-minute lectures. Sample Test #3>Metamorphic Map - the map showing locations for test questions. The map on the test will likely have different locations marked from this one. >Sedimentary Charts - pdf version >QFL-Met diagrams for last questions >Key to Sample Test #3 |
Simple Ideal Model for Evol. of Sed. Rks. Labeled Sediment Evolution Page Basic Metamorphic Concepts Metamorphic Data Key from homework Grades of Metamorphism Barrovian Metamorphism Table Slate, Phyllite, Schist, Gneiss transformations |
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Note that the fourth test is the final exam and it is not comprehensive. Just work from study guide #4. However, be sure you have mastered the Wilson Cycle, and the Tectonic Rock Cycle. I always want to get to the Gaia portion of the course since it is the most interesting of all we cover. It is the relationships between the evolution of life (an elaborating attractor) and the evolution of the earth (a fractionating attractor.) It is not only a fascinating saga, it has great implications for the ability of our species to survive on this planet in the immediate future. Unfortunately, semesters are short, so this may not have the time to do it. You should follow the study guides, but of course you are responsible only for what we actually cover. |
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Study Guide #4 This part of the course takes about 9 50-minute lectures. Sample Test #4> Cross Sections and Block Diagram - pdf version - > Structure Illustrations for test > Wilson Cycle Illustrations for test > Key to Test 4 |
Faulting Diagrams - solution to examples from lecture with dikes crossing faults at various angles. Key to Structure Block Diagram Plates - labeled diagram of plate boundaries WILSON CYCLE - the Wilson cycle is the most complicated idea we pursue all semester. It synthesizes and summarizes everything you have learned in one model. I develop the model in class but it frequently comes too fast. This page repeats the model in detail. Be sure to see self tests for review. Volcanic Arc labeled drawings. This link is to the tectonic page; go to bottom of tectonic page for links to rock type pages. Volcanic arcs are discussed at Stage E Continental Rift Model This model is discussed at Stages B, C, and D
Gaia Theory
Depending on the timing of the semester we do not always get a chance to discuss the Gaia Theory. But, when we do these links below are useful. Selected Influences of Life's Reactions On Atmospheric Gasses and the Rock Record
- color version with arrows - pdf file Archaean-Proterozoic Transition - Analysis of the Daisyworld model; pdf file. Gaia Theory - page of links; want to review or learn more about Gaia; these links are very good to excellent. |