Geology 303                                            Natural Disasters                                      Spring 2013

Instructor: Kevin Marty, Office at IVC (room 2776 science bldg)

Website: www.imperial.edu/kevin.marty  Email: kevin.marty@imperial.edu

Phone: 760-355-5761 (office #)             Hours/Day: Thursdays 5:30-8:10 pm

Class Text Book: Natural Disasters, 8th edition, P.L. Abbott 

Description of this Course:

Natural hazards are caused by geological phenomena over which we have little or no control, and can dramatically affect life on Earth.  This course will look at current scientific theories in geology, geophysics, meteorology, climatology, and oceanography which explain the causes of earthquakes, volcanoes, severe storms, floods, droughts, landslides, forest fires, etc. We will examine the organizational structures that humans have created to cope with natural disasters--systems to predict and warn, to mitigate, and to repair damage. Finally, we will examine global changes caused or exacerbated by human population growth.

subscribe to Earthquake Notification Service (ENS) at the USGS website...link is https://sslearthquake.usgs.gov/ens/; I subscribe and receive emails when earthquake events happen around the world (6.0 magnitude or greater); if you sign up, I recommend not opting for notification of earthquake events below 6.0 in magnitude (or you will receive a lot of notifications!).

you will find some of these links in the table above; they are also found in the table below for your convenience

Syllabus: The syllabus is interactive, all of the Powerpoints and assignments are linked to the table (above).  Please note that not all chapters are scheduled to be covered at this time.  However, as the class progresses reading assignments may change and other assignments not currently required may be given (for example, is a natural disaster occurs somewhere in the world during our class you might be assigned a short write up on this event).  You are responsible for keeping up with any changes announced in class.  If you cannot attend a meeting, please find out from a classmate (or me) if any changes have been made to the syllabus.  Also, notice on test days we currently have videos assigned; a short lecture may be substituted in place of a video to cover sections of the book not currently assigned.  Again, please keep up on activities in class and any changes made to the syllabus.  

Grading: ...Test and Assignments: Three tests, one quiz and two assignments (a natural disaster tracking paper) will make up the bulk of your course grade.  Please note due dates should not change, but if we get behind on the syllabus changes will be announced in class (such as changing an assignment due date, etc). As mentioned above, you are responsible for keeping up on material covered in class, including any changes in the syllabus and homework assignments even if you miss a class during the semester. 

Test/Quiz Schedule:    Quiz 1 (Jan 24)    Test 1 (Feb 21)     Test 2 (Mar 28)     Test 3 (May 9)

There are 3 scheduled tests and one quiz (non-comprehensive) worth 50 points each (with exception of Quiz 1 worth 10 points; also, there is no chance for making up tests!).   

There are 2 assignments required in this course- finding disaster information on the Web and a Natural Disaster Tracking paper (40 points).  The first assignment (25 points) will help you find natural disaster information on the web and will also help you get started on the tracking paper.  These assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date; late submittals are automatically 50% off.

Assignment Due Dates: Assignment 1 (Feb 28)     Assignment 2 (May 2)

All work will be weighted equally.  Therefore, I will add up your total points and determine where you are percentage-wise to the total points possible.  The grading scale is as follows: 90-100%=A; 79-89%=B; 68-78%=C; 57-67%=D

there are approximately 225 points possible in this course, 160 from tests/quiz (~70% of your grade) and 65 from assignments including your natural disaster tracker paper (30% of your grade); throughout the course there may be other possible points from sources such as pop quizzes and/or short homework assignments (so the above percentages are estimates that might change as the course goes on)...extra credit may be available (we will discuss this in class).  Please note again, the points are variable above depending on if other assignments (such as short papers; critical thinking problems) are given.

COURSE OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS

1. This class is intended for upper division non-science majors. Three units of lower division physical science are required. There is no need for advanced mathematics, although basic algebra is required for material comprehension.

2. The first objective is to understand current scientific theories related to the natural disasters we experience today, and the disasters of the geologic past.

3. The second objective is to examine the organization of disaster preparedness

Important Dates/Deadlines:

See academic calendar for important dates.

Attendance: Regular class attendance is important for students to accomplish the work necessary to successfully complete this course.  You are responsible for all material presented in class even if you miss for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, family emergency, etc.).  Please notify me in advance if you cannot attend, and arrange to get class notes from another student if needed.  The scheduled tests cannot be made up if missed.  You will be dropped from this class if you accumulate three unexcused absences!  Also, if you need special accommodations for any reason (such as a disability) please let me know so we can make arrangements to meet your needs.

Contact and Office Hours: I can be reached by my office phone: 760-355-5761 or by email: kevin.marty@imperial.edu.  If you need to contact me outside of class, feel free to email or call me.  We can arrange an in-person meeting if needed (the hour prior to or following class would work the best).  

Cell Phones: use not allowed while you are in the classroom.  If an emergency comes up, please step out of the room to use your cell phone (and not disrupt the class).  If you use your cell phone for any reason in the classroom during class hours you will be asked to leave the room (and not come back that day).

Computers: Computer use not allowed during lectures.  Computer use is allowed in the classroom when you are working in groups or during breaks, etc., but not while the lecture is going on.

SEMESTER TASK SUMMARY:

Test 1-3 and Quiz 1: 160 pts (70%)

Assignment 1: 25 pts (10%)

Assignment 2: 40 pts (20%)

225 pts total

Links to Natural Disaster Websites; if you are having problems using the links in the table above, please try the links below.  This information is from Tulane University, Natural Disaster Webpage.

Below is not applicable to this class this semester...-----------------------------

Chapter 6 Part II

Discuss: Chapter 16 (The Great Dyings)

Discuss: Chapter 11 (Weather Principles and Tornadoes)

Discuss: Chapter 9 (Volcano Case Histories: Killer Events)

Discuss: Chapters 6 (Some Earthquakes in Western North America; Reading-skip pages 142-143; 146-151 and write-up on Landers Earthquake, portion of pages 153-154)

Discuss: Chapter 5 (Tsunami) 

Discuss:  and   Chapter 7 (partial coverage: More U.S. and Canadian Earthquakes)

Chapter 10 and Chapter 10 Part II (mass movements; at this time, not being covered this semester)

Discuss: Chapter 14 (Floods)

Chapter 14 Part II

Chapter 1 (Natural Disasters and the Human Population; Powerpoints if you want to review them).

Discuss: Chapter 15 (Fire)

Answer QFR page 504, #9.

Research Paper: One research paper is required for this class over the great dyings. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This report must be typewritten,

with references and appropriate visual attachments (such as maps and diagrams) if needed, 

at minimum, the paper must be 4 pages (double spaced),

and answer the following questions for full credit: 1) describe 5 causes of mass extinctions and discuss how each cause affects other components of Earth's systems (the Earth's systems being the atmosphere; hydrosphere; biosphere and geosphere...you may also discuss a fifth component: the exosphere which includes the Sun and space); these affects on other components may amplify or lessen the original event (positive or negative feedback mechanisms, you can read about this on page 401).  (20 points)

-For example, if you describe a hotter Sun during sunspot activity as a cause of mass extinction, how does this affect other systems such as the hydrosphere (water on Earth)?; or the Atmosphere (gases surrounding the Earth)? or the Geosphere (the solid Earth)?  Be thorough in your analysis for full credit.  Ultimately, you are concerned with how these changes will lead to negative impacts on the Biosphere (all life on Earth). 

and 2)  what do you believe will eventually lead to the mass extinction of life on Earth today? Pick one cause and briefly discuss how this could wipe out life on Earth today? (5 points)

Please note, for this research paper there may not be any known answers; I am looking for analysis and conclusions from logical reasoning, showing that you understand how components of the Earth's systems are linked and perturbed by events that can influence all systems; how do these systems recover (do they cross a 'tipping point' (see page 352) of no return (positive feedback mechanisms), or do they eventually return to equilibrium (negative feedback mechanisms).    

NOTE: there should be no two papers that look alike, and the paper must be written in your own words (if you do use a short quote or sentence from the book or other source please cite correctly). If you do not do your own work, you will not get credit.  -------------------------------------------------------------

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