GEO164 Earth System Processes (8)

CSU Discipline Area: Soil and Water Sciences (SOWAT)

Duration: One session

Abstract:

This subject presents an overview of the processes operating in Earth's lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere. Lithosphere topics include Earth's internal structure, plate tectonics and structural control of landforms. Hydrosphere topics include the hydrologic cycle, weathering and fluvial processes. Atmosphere topics include cloud and precipitation formation, synoptic charts, energy balance, global climates, El-Nino Southern Oscillation and climate change. Lectures and laboratory sessions (or residential school) integrate the theoretical and practical aspects of the subject and develop skills in map interpretation, synoptic and aero logical diagrams. The subject contains a total estimated workload of 145 hours.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Locations

Session 1
Internal	Albury-Wodonga
Distance *	Albury-Wodonga

*This subject offering contains a residential school. Please view following information for further details.

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: GEO164

Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

be able to:

demonstrate knowledge of the internal structure of the Earth, plate tectonic theory and the role of geological structure and the hydrologic cycle in landform development;
demonstrate knowledge of the main controls and processes of atmospheric phenomena and global climatology;
interpret topographic and basic geological maps, meteorological data and synoptic charts.

Syllabus:

The subject will cover the following topics:

Evolution of the universe and the solar system;
Internal structure of the earth;
Isostasy, continental drift, plate tectonics;
Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rock types;
Landform development, geomorphological processes;
Topographic maps and methods of geological mapping;
The hydrologic cycle;
Anthropogenic modification of the water cycle;
Fluvial geomorphology;
Weathering, mass movement and erosion;
Physical properties of water, air, radiation and heat energy flux;
Earth's heat budget, greenhouse effect, seasonality and albedo;
Laws of horizontal airflow, convection cells;
Atmospheric circulation models, pressure zones, wind belts and global climates;
Adiabatic processes, atmospheric stability and aerological diagrams;
Evaporation, atmospheric moisture, cloud and preciptation;
Air masses, fronts and synoptic meterology;
Intertropical convergence, monsoons, tropical cyclones;
El-Nino Southern Oscillation, ozone depletion, enhanced greenhouse effect and environmental consequences of climate change.

Residential School

This subject contains a compulsory 4 day residential school.

An intensive four day residential school covers the practical component of the subject and provides lectures and tutorials on selected topics. Lectures and laboratory sessions integrate the theoretical and practical aspects of the subject and develop skills in map interpretation, synoptic and aerological diagrams.

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