MAIN TOPICS of GEOLOGY 111

Origin, composition and internal structure of the earth

•  process of the formation of the solar system

•  accumulation, heating and differentiation of the earth

•  composition and characteristics of the core, mantle and crust

•  seismic wave characteristics of the core, mantle and crust

Geological time, relative dating and radiometric dating

• age of the earth

• rates of geological processes

• relative dates based on cross-cutting relationships

• general principles of radiometric techniques for dating rocks

Evolution of the theory of Plate Tectonics

• Alfred Wegener’s theory and its reception in the early 20^th century

• contributions of Hess, Vine-Matthews-Morely and Wilson

• evidence in support of the theory, including: mantle convection, magnetic polar wandering, ocean floor bathymetry, sea-floor magnetic patterns, mantle plumes and the Hawaiian Islands

Plate Tectonics

• distribution and nature of the major plates and current plate motions

• geology of plate boundaries 

  • geological features and processes at spreading ridges

  • geological features and processes at subduction zones

  • the origin and nature of transform faults

• the plates of our region, their motion and boundaries

Minerals

• what is a mineral?  what is not a mineral?

• types of bonding in minerals

• mineral groups and their characteristics

• arrangement of tetrahedra in silicate minerals

• ferromagnesian versus non-ferromagnesian silicates

• ways in which minerals can form

The Rock Cycle

• how the rocks of the crust are continually being recycled through processes such as: uplift, erosion, transportation, deposition, burial, lithification, metamorphosis,  melting and cooling

Intrusive igneous rocks

• magma sources (mantle at spreading ridges, subduction, partial melting of crustal rocks)

• variations in magma compositions and evolution of magmas

• Bowen’s reaction series (significance to magma crystallization and to partial melting)

• types of plutonic bodies (dykes, sills, stocks etc.)

• emplacement of plutons

Volcanoes and volcanic rocks

• magma sources (mantle at spreading ridges, subduction,  mantle plumes)

• variations in magma characteristics (viscosity, gas content)

• types of volcanism (spreading ridge, mantle plume, subduction zone)

• types of volcanic rocks and deposits (lava, pyroclastic, lahar)

• the 1980 eruption at Mt. St. Helens  

• volcanism in BC

Sedimentary rocks

• weathering, erosion transportation, deposition, lithification parts of the rock cycle

• clastic versus chemical sedimentary rocks  

• continental versus marine sedimentary environments

• sedimentary structures (bedding, graded bedding, cross-bedding, ripples etc.)

• the Nanaimo Group (timing, depositional environment, rock types, deformation)

Metamorphic rocks

• agents of metamorphism (heat, pressure, water)

• regional versus contact metamorphism

• metamorphic textures (slaty cleavage, schistose, gneissic, marble etc)

• effects of different metamorphic grade on different protoliths

Earthquakes

• plate movement and elastic deformation

• earthquakes and plate tectonics

• Richter magnitude and Mercalli intensity

• significance of harmonic amplification and liquefaction

• earthquakes in B.C.

• the 1700 Juan de Fuca earthquake

Geology of British Columbia and Vancouver Island

• the passive margin of western North America from around 500 to around 200 m.y. 

• accretion of the Intermontane Super Terrane and formation of the Rocky Mountains  

• formation of the Coast Range Plutonic Complex

• steps in the development of the Insular Super Terrane  (specifically the Wrangellia Terrane)

• accretion of the Wrangellia Terrane including

• deposition of the Nanaimo Group

• accretion of the Pacific Rim and Crescent Terranes and deformation of the existing rocks