GEOL 107 - Geologic Catastrophes

5 CR

Explore the science behind our restless earth. This class examines the geologic disasters that face human society, including volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunami, landslides, floods, meteorite impacts and global climate change. In addition, we will examine ways that we can better prepare our society and ourselves for when disaster strikes.

Course Outcomes
Discuss basic terminology, principles, concepts and theories of geology that apply to natural disasters. Illustrate a scientific understanding of the causes, processes and effects of geologic hazards, including earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunami, flooding, mass wasting and meteorite impacts. Analyze and assess recent and historical geologic disasters, their impact on human society, and how they help us better prepare for future hazards. Demonstrate methods to prepare for, mitigate, and recover from geologic hazards, from a personal to a societal scale. Apply critical thinking, observation and problem solving skills to assessing potential risk, and analyzing the cost and benefits of potential solutions. Describe how human activity has amplified the impact of natural hazards and how it has created new potential hazards (e.g., mining, climate change).

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