GEOL 310

Historical Geology

This course explores the origin and geologic history of Earth and the evolution of its plant and animal inhabitants. Plate tectonic theory is used to explain changes in composition and structure of rocks in Earth's crust from the formation of Earth to the present. Emphasis is placed on the formation of sedimentary rocks for the purpose of understanding how they and the fossils contained within them record changes in Earth environment and processes. Evolution and extinction are studied to understand how they reflect environmental changes in Earth's ocean, atmosphere, and surface. Present day Earth processes are used as a model to understand past activity. (C-ID GEOL 110)

Units: 3.0

Hours: 54 hours LEC