GEOLOGY: an ‘everything you NEVER wanted to know’ guide to… THE END OF THE WORLD!
We are living on borrowed time. Modern society has developed during an unusually quiet geological period in the earth’s history. But that must come to an end, and soon. But how? And when?
There are four REAL catastrophes lying in wait for us:
- A super volcanic blast powerful enough to devastate a continent and change the earth’s climate.
- A giant wave capable of destroying entire cities along the coastline of the Pacific or Atlantic.
- A cataclysmic earthquake that could destroy the world’s economy.
- An asteroid impact that would kill a billion people and take our civilisation back to the Dark Ages; like the one that did for the dinosaurs!
This is the stuff of our subject!
Studying GEOLOGY is like trying to read a book entitled:
“A HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO LIFE, THE EARTH AND EVERYTHING”
However, unlike most books, this one has seen better times; but having been around for the past 4,600,000,000 years it’s no wonder really! As a result, many of the early chapters have been lost (eroded) while many more are incomplete. And of the remaining chapters, some pages have been partly destroyed by heat (we call this metamorphism), are ripped (faulted) or severely screwed up (folded).
The result is that the story is very difficult to decipher and it is only by reading between the lines in the latter few pages (600-2 million years ago!) that we can get an idea of what might have gone on before. Its just like a “WHO DUN IT?” where we find the body but have to work out WHO did the crime. HOW and WHY!
So like all good detectives (or forensic scientists in this case) we go to the scene of the crime and look for clues (the rocks) and by using the skills drawn from physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology and geography we are able to piece together the evidence that enable us to establish the story of our planet.
“HOW IS GEOLOGY TAUGHT…?”
Like all “A” Level subjects there is an emphasis on self directed study and a number of computer assisted learning packages, CD ROM’s and videos are used to encourage students to work on their own. The seven/eight periods per week are given over to both theory and practical lessons although tutorials for students with difficulties and Oxbridge students are also arranged.
The course is MODULAR with students taking AS examinations at the end of the Lower Sixth before moving onto the A2 course in the Upper Sixth. Of great importance is the emphasis in the course on fieldwork and students spend at least a week studying the subject in the Lower Sixth as well as the odd trip in the Upper Sixth. In recent years fieldwork has been to Anglesey and in the Yorkshire Dales, with additional trips to the Peak District and local visits, e.g. Alderley Edge.
“WHERE WILL IT LEAD…?”
To be honest, most people take Geology because they think that it will be an interesting science subject to study as one of their “AS” Levels. However ,of the students who take the subject without any previous knowledge, a significant number go on to further studies at University. You have been warned!
IN CONCLUSION
The main reason for opting for Geology is because you THINK YOU MIGHT ENJOY IT. If you are still unsure or would like to look at some of the textbooks or computer software PLEASE ASK. Alternatively, why not ask some of the present Lower or Upper Sixth students what they think of the subject and course.
So that’s it. THE STORY OF THE EARTH starts again next September and I hope to have the opportunity of reading it with YOU… provided we’re all still here!
Mr Loader