Geology

Contents:

Welcome to Lancaster High School's Geoscience 1 Class

What is Geology?

Geology is the study of the earth and the process that have shaped it.

Course Description

Geoscience 1 examines the disciplines within geology and oceanography, including major concepts of seismology, volcanology, hydrology, paleontology, mineralogy, and petrology. By examining the composition, structure, process and dynamics of these systems, students gain a clearer understanding of their planet.

Geoscience 1 is a college-preparatory course fulfilling the laboratory science requirement for admission to the University of California system. You can expect this course to rigorous and challenging.

Rationale for taking Geology

An understanding of Earth systems is a practical pursuit. The informed citizen must recognize the causes and implications of natural hazards such as earthquake fault zones, volcanic regions, and flood zones. Knowledge of the mechanisms behind such hazards allows the citizen to plan and make educated decisions affecting their economic and personal well-being. By exploring our planet, we also gain a clearer understanding of the capabilities of our technological society and of the natural resources that sustain it.

Click here to view the remainder of the course description along with the course objectives.

Most of the following pages are in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader or other similar program for viewing. Get Acrobat Reader here.

Lost your Syllabus? Print out a new copy and keep it in the front of your notebook.

Current Year Activities:

Online Assignments can be found here for each chapter.

Vocabulary Squares: Flashcards for the year's vocabulary and directions can be found here.

Semester 1

Chapter 1

Power Point Presentation for Chapter 1
Chapter 1 Objectives and Key Terms
Handout: Geologic Time Scale
Handout: The Rock Cycle
Rock Cycle Game Activity
Geologic Time Scale Lab
Every Rock Tells a Story
Chapter 1 Questions for Review--Check your answers online here...
Chapter 1 Study Guide

Chapter 2

Minerals Chapter outline in PowerPoint handout
Atomic Structure Lecture
Chapter 2 Vocabulary List
Notes on Mineral Groups and the supplemental handout of Silicate structures
Crystal Form Lecture
Introduction to Mineral Crystals Lab and the Crystal Cutouts necessary to complete the lab
Notes on Luster, Color and Streak
Luster, Color and Streak Lab
Hardness Lecture
Mohs Hardness Scale Lab
Specific Gravity Lecture
Specific Gravity Lab
Notes on Cleavage and Fracture
Supplement to Properties of Minerals Used for Identification Notes: Cleavage Structures
Cleavage and Fracture Lab
Mineral Identification Lecture
Mineral Identification Chart
Mineral Identification Lab
Crystal Structure Lab--You can do this for extra credit, it was not done in class this year.
Minerals Study Guide--this will help you to prepare for the Chapter test and the Final Exam

Chapter 3

Rock Collection Assignment

Chapter 3 Vocabulary List
Notes: Introduction to Igneous Rocks
Notes: Igneous Textures
Igneous Texture Identification Activity
Notes: Igneous Compositions
Igneous Composition Analysis Activity
Notes: Naming Igneous Rocks
Igneous Rocks Lab
Igneous Rocks PowerPoint Presentation (Review)
Igneous Rocks Identification Chart
Chapter 3 Practice Test
Mt. St. Helens; a pictorial presentation

Chapter 6

Lecture Notes on Sedimentary Rocks and Metamorphic Rocks (Prepared for Earth Science Class but still applicable to this class.
Chapter 6 Outline
Lecture Notes: Introduction to Sedimentary Rocks
Lecture Notes: Types of Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary Rock Identification Chart
Sedimentary Rock Identification Lab
Sedimentary Rocks Lab
Lecture Notes: Sedimentary Environments
Chapter 6 Study Guide
Sedimentary Rocks Practice Test

Chapter 7

Chapter 7 Outline
Lecture Notes: Introduction to Metamorphic Rocks
Lecture Notes: Agents of Metamorphism
Lab 5; Part 1-Metamorphic Rocks, Processes and Resources
Lecture Notes: Textural and Mineralogical Changes
Lab 5; Part 2-Metamorphic Rocks, Processes and Resources
Lecture Notes: Common Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphic Rock Identification Chart
Lab 5; Part 3-Metamorphic Rocks, Processes and Resources
Changes in Rocks Lab
Metamorphic Rocks Study Guide

Rocks Study Guide Use this to help you study for the fall Final.

Semester 2

Chapter 4

Lecture Notes: The Nature of Volcanic Eruptions
Lecture Notes: Materials Extruded During an Eruption
Lecture Notes: Volcanic Structures and Eruptive Styles
Lecture Notes: Intrusive Igneous Activity
Internet Activity: Ranking Hazardous Volcanos
PowerPoint Presentation on Mt. St. Helens
Chapter 4 Study Guide (in the form of a test)

Chapter 14

Lecture Notes: What is an Earthquake?
Lecture Notes: Seismology
Video Accompaniment "Earthquakes"--video notes and questions
Lecture Notes: Locating the Source of an Earthquake
Lab Worksheet: Locating an Epicenter
From the Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology: Chapter 13 Earthquake Hazards and Human Risks
Lecture Notes: Earthquakes at Plate Boundaries
Lecture Notes: Earth's Layered Structure
Study Guide for Ch. 14 You may print this and keep it in your notebook.

Chapter 15

Lecture Notes: Introduction to Plate Tectonics
Plate Boundaries Map Activity
Lecture Notes: Divergent Boundaries
Plate Tectonics Video Questions and the accompanying PowerPoint Presentation.
Lecture Notes: Convergent Boundaries Part 1
Lecture Notes: Convergent Boundaries Part 2
Lecture Notes: Transform Fault Boundaries
Plate Tectonic Laboratory Experiment
Chapter 15 Study Guide You may print this and keep it in your notebook.

Chapter 17

Lecture Notes: Deformation
Lecture Notes: Mapping Geologic Structures
Lecture Notes: Folds
Folding; Critical Thinking Activity
Lecture Notes: Faults and Fractures
Faulting and Folding Video Questions
Lecture Notes: Introduction to Mountain Building, Continental Collisions and Crustal Fragments
Chapter 17 Study Guide You may print this and keep it in your notebook.

Chapter 8

Lecture Notes: Controls and Triggers of Mass Wasting
Lecture Notes: Mass Wasting Processes
PowerPoint Presentation: Notes on Mass Wasting
Landslides Lab
Mapping a Landslide
Study Guide

Chapter 9

Lecture Notes: Hydrologic Cycle
Lecture Notes: Stream Characteristics
Lecture Notes: Reviewing Valleys and Stream-Related Features
Notes on Surface Water: Running Water, Profile of a River and River Erosion

Chapter 10

Lecture Notes: Importance and Distribution of Groundwater
Lecture Notes: Springs and Wells
Groundwater and Drinking Water Lab
Chapter 10 Practice Test

Study Guide for the Final Exam 2009 Second Semester.

UPDATED 5/24/10 2010 Second Semester Study Guide

Second Semester Alternative Final Exam Project

Here are some sites that may help you build a website:
How to build a website
Convert a Word document to a Web page
How to Make / Create a Website: The Beginner's A-Z Guide
Search Google for free software to use in the design of a webpage: Search Here

Student Websites

Links to Past Year's Activities

Dichotomous Key Activity
Age of the Earth Notes in PDF. Disclaimer: Understand that this is a two-part lecture where the history of geologic thought is discussed and the origins of the creation movement are discussed. In no way is this lecture meant to persuade or influence the beliefs of an individual. Biblical quotes are used merely for the benefit of understanding the teachings of Ussher and Lightfoot.
Weathering and Soils Notes on Ch. 5

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