4 hours. 3 hours lecture and 3 hours lab per week.
Surficial and Near-Surficial Processes
Course Description
Surface processes; geohydrological, geochemical cycles; and surface geological structures of the Earth.
Athena Title
Surficial Near-Surficial Proc
Non-Traditional Format
Field Trips Required
Prerequisite
(GEOL 1121 and GEOL 1121L) or GEOL 1250-1250L
Pre or Corequisite
(GEOL 1122 and GEOL 1122L) or GEOL 1260-1260L
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will learn to critically evaluate scientific data and theories related to geomorphological, geochemical, and geohydrological processes by analyzing landforms, climate interactions, and environmental changes before forming conclusions about Earth’s surface dynamic.
Students will learn to apply scientific reasoning and problem-solving skills to interpret surficial processes, assess the impact of weathering, erosion, and hydrological systems, and develop solutions to real-world environmental challenges such as soil erosion, pollution, and climate change.
Students will be able to analyze landforms both qualitatively and quantitatively by applying field observations to assess landform evolution, stability, and environmental implications.
Students will be able to communicate concepts of Earth surface dynamics effectively through written, oral, and visual formats, constructing well-supported arguments about landform evolution, geologic hazards, and human interactions with surficial processes.
Students will be able to analyze the interdependence of human activity and Earth surface processes by evaluating the effects of resource use, environmental pollution, soil fertility, and climate change on landform stability and ecosystem health.
Students will be able to integrate and synthesize knowledge from multiple disciplines by combining principles of geomorphology, hydrology, and geochemistry to develop innovative approaches to environmental management, hazard mitigation, and land use planning.
Students will be able to collaborate effectively in scientific inquiry and problem-solving by engaging with peers, sharing diverse perspectives, and applying collective strengths to investigate surficial processes and propose sustainable solutions for Earth surface challenges.
Topical Outline
1. Landforms
2. Weathering and soils
3. Climate
4. Surface and groundwater hydrology
5. Fluvial processes
6. Aeolian processes
7. Glacial processes
8. Coastal processes
9. Tectonic and ignous landforms
10. Chemical weathering and water chemistry
11. Rivers
12. Lakes
13. Estuaries and oceanic processes
14. Landforms and humans
Textbooks: Easterbrook, D.J.,1993, "Surface Processes and Landforms,"
Macmillan Pub. Co, New York.
Berner, E.K., and Berner, R.A., 1996, "Global Environment: Water,
Air and Geochemical Cycles." Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River,
NJ.
Plus additional readings on various topics.
Week 1. Landforms-geologic structures and processes. Easterbrook,
Chap. 2, Video "Earth Structures".
Week 2. Weathering and soils-mechanical and chemical: controls and
rates of weathering effects. Lab Aerial photographs of landforms,
soil/sediment profiles in cores. Easterbrook, Chap. 2
Week 3. Climate-The air and ocean heat engine; atmospheric and
oceanic circulation; the Pleistocene glaciations - forcing mechanisms;
Holocene changes - man and weather. Berner, Chap 1-3, Videos
"Mammoths of the Ice Age" and "The Climate Puzzle Part I"
Week 4. Surface and ground water hydrology -basic concepts: porosity,
permeability and flow; the water table; aquifers. Esterbrook,
Chap. 7, Video "Groundwater." Exercise on measurement of soil-water
interactions.
Week 5. Fluvial processes-drainage patterns; landform and cycles.
Exercise in fluvial geomorphology in Greene County. Easterbrook,
Chap. 6.
Week 6. Glacial processes-glacial formation; theory and facts;
types of movement of glaciers. Easterbrook, Chap 12 and video,
"Glaciers" Freeze-thaw cycles and weathering experiment.
Week 7. Coastal processes-shoreline-erosion and deposition; waves
and currents; reefs and estuaries. Lab exercise on currents,
drift, erosion, and deposition. Field trip to Skidaway Institute
of Oceanography. Easterbrook Chap. 15.
Week 8. Tectonic and igneous landforms-Plate tectonics;
volcanoes-types and effects. Easterbrook, Chap 8 &11, Video
"The Alps" "Volcanism."
Week 9. Chemical weathering and water chemistry-biogeochemical
cycles in forests; chemical weathering-silica, carbonates and
sulfide weathering; groundwater and weathering. Berner, Chap. 4
Week 10. Rivers-major rivers and characteristics; solids,
sediments, and chemicals in runoff; organic carbon and dissolved
oxygen demands; mass-balance consideration. Field trip to Oconee
River at Scull Shoals, exercise on history and base-levels.
Week 11. Lakes and limnology-thermal regimes; models and processes;
acidity and eutrophication. Man and lake systems-Oconee, Baikal,
and Neuchatel. Lab exercise on aspects of lake structure and
dynamics. Field trip to Lake Oconee. Berner, Chap. 6.
Week 12. Estuaries and oceanic processes-chemistry, ecology, and
equilibria. Berner, Chap 7&8, video "Spirit of Sapelo."
Week 13 through 15. Landforms and humans-Impacts of humans on
landscapes. "old vs. new lands," technolgoy and high-risk
landform; geological hazards, changing rates of surficial processes
and cycles. Lab exercises on Atlanta and the Chattahoochee, Athens
and the Oconee. Multiple readings on environmental hazards and
human interactions.
