GEO 1111 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Seismic Hazard, Geologic Time Scale, Cryosphere

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Geology
• Course: GEO 1111
• Professor: David Schneider

Document Summary

Explain the meaning of the earth as a system + give an example. To view the earth as a whole, rather than separating into different disciplines like chemistry, physics, biology and geology, we integrate these and investigate their interrelationships with the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere. Example: volcanic eruption + the transport of ash through the atmosphere and the effect of this on climate and weather. What is a global seismic hazard map: probability an earthquake occurs in a particular region (same geological event) . Science that pursues understanding of earth and assumes that the natural world is consistent and predictable: how geology differs from other sciences. Deals with large spatial scales + complex systems. Deals with time scales immense compared to human life. Theory (a well-tested & widely accepted view) Law (high degree of confidence (does not always explain why it happens)