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Fundamentals of Geology II: Surface of the Earth
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:38:08
Abstract
The surface of the Planet Earth, main processes and formation of Sedimentary rocks in various environments. Time in Geology, stratigraphy and fossils, relative and absolute ages. Surface processes, water in the surface and subsurface, Ice and glaciers. Climate systems, Carbon cycle. Impact of human activities, anthropogenic climate change. Geobiology and early history of Planet Earth.
Objective
Understanding the processes and environments of Planet Earth. The peculiar way of reading the fossil record in Geology: understanding stratigraphy and time in the frame of the actual sedimentary environments. Mineral/life interactions and the impact of anthropic activities.
Content
Chapters 6, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 22 of the Book: Understanding Earth (8th Edition, 2020), By John Grotzinger and Thomas Jordan. CH 6 SEDIMENTATION: ROCKS FORMED BY SURFACE PROCESSES Surface Processes of the Rock Cycle Sedimentary Basins: The Sinks for Sediments Sedimentary Environments Sedimentary Structures Burial and Diagenesis: From Sediment to Rock Classification of Siliciclastic Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks Classification of Chemical and Biological Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks CH 12 THE CLIMATE SYSTEM What Is Climate? Components of the Climate System The Greenhouse Effect Climate Variation The Carbon Cycle CH 13 CIVILIZATION AS A GLOBAL GEOSYSTEM Growth and Impact of Civilization Fossil-Fuel Resources Alternative Energy Resources Our Energy Future CH 14 ANTHROPOGENIC GLOBAL CHANGE Rise of Carbon Dioxide in the Atmosphere: The Keeling Curve Types of Anthropogenic Global Change: Chemical, Physical, and Biological Climate Change Ocean Acidification Loss of Biodiversity Managing the Carbon Crisis CH 15 GLACIERS: THE WORK OF ICE Types of Glaciers How Glaciers Form How Glaciers Move Isostasy and Sea Level Change Glacial Landscapes Glacial Cycles and Climate Change CH 16 EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDSCAPE DEVELOPMENT Controls on Weathering Chemical Weathering Physical Weathering Soils: The Residue of Weathering Erosion and Formation of Stream Valleys Mass Wasting Classification of Mass Movements Geomorphology and Landscape Development CH 17 THE HYDROLOGIC CYCLE AND GROUNDWATER The Geologic Cycling of Water Hydrology and Climate The Hydrology of Groundwater Erosion by Groundwater Water Quality Water Deep in the Crust CH 18 STREAM TRANSPORT: FROM MOUNTAINS TO OCEANS The Form of Streams Where Do Channels Begin? How Running Water Erodes Soil and Rock How Currents Flow and Transport Sediment Deltas: The Mouths of Rivers Streams as Geosystems CH 19 COASTLINES AND DESERTS Coastal Processes The Shaping of Shorelines Hurricanes and Coastal Storm Surges Desert Processes Windblown Sand and Dust The Desert Environment Tectonic, Climatic, and Human Controls on Deserts CH 20 EARLY HISTORY OF THE TERRESTRIAL PLANETS Origin of the Solar System Early Earth: Formation of a Layered Planet Diversity of the Planets What’s in a Face? The Age and Complexion of Planetary Surfaces Mars Rocks! Exploring the Solar System and Beyond CH 22 GEOBIOLOGY: LIFE INTERACTS WITH EARTH The Biosphere as a System Microorganisms: Nature’s Tiny Chemists Geobiological Events in Earth’s History Evolutionary Radiations and Mass Extinctions Astrobiology: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Semesterly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| revision course / private study |
Fundamentals of Geology II: Surface of the Earth
Self-study course. No presence required.
Please contact the subject advisor Dr. Vincenzo Picotti (Major Geology) for further information.
|
No time listed | 90 h semesterly |
Offered In
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Course Units for Additional Admission Requirements (The courses below are only available for MSc students with additional admission requirements.)
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