INSTRUCTOR: J. M. Rhodes, Morrill IV, Room 163
(Phone 545-2841; E-mail jmrhodes@geo.umass.edu)
(Office hours, Tues, Thurs 9:00 - 11:00 am)
TEACHING ASSISTANT: Joe Collette,
Morrill IV, Room 256 (E-mail collette@geo.umass.edu)
(Office hours - Wed, Fri 10:00 - 12:00 am)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The earth is a dynamic planet, constantly creating oceans and mountain ranges, accompanied by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. This course explores the ideas that led to the scientific revolution of plate tectonics; how plate tectonics provides a comprehensive theory explaining how and why volcanoes and earthquakes occur; and the hazards that they produce and their impact on humans. Emphasis is placed on current earthquake and volcanic events, as well as on momentous events from the past, such as the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, the 79 A.D. eruption of Vesuvius that destroyed Pompeii, and the more recent eruptions of Mount St. Helens (Washington), Pinitubo (Philippines) and Kilauea (Hawaii).