Geology Notes!!
1. Introduction to Geology:
- Geology is the study of the Earth, its materials, processes, and history.
- It encompasses various sub-disciplines, including mineralogy, petrology, geomorphology,
and paleontology.
2. Earth's Structure:
- Core: Innermost layer composed of a solid inner core and a liquid outer core, primarily made
of iron and nickel.
- Mantle: Middle layer between the core and the crust, composed of semi-solid rock.
- Crust: Outermost layer divided into oceanic crust (denser and thinner) and continental crust
(less dense and thicker).
3. Plate Tectonics:
- Theory of Plate Tectonics: Earth's lithosphere is divided into rigid plates that move over the
semi-fluid asthenosphere.
- Types of Plate Boundaries: Divergent boundaries (plates move apart), convergent
boundaries (plates collide), and transform boundaries (plates slide past each other).
4. Earthquakes:
- Causes of Earthquakes: Movement along faults due to tectonic forces, volcanic activity, or
human activities such as mining.
- Seismic Waves: Energy released during an earthquake travels as seismic waves, including
P-waves (primary waves), S-waves (secondary waves), and surface waves.
- Measurement of Earthquakes: Richter scale and moment magnitude scale.
5. Volcanoes:
- Types of Volcanoes: Shield volcanoes, stratovolcanoes (composite volcanoes), and cinder
cone volcanoes.
- Volcanic Eruptions: Explosive eruptions (resulting from gas-rich magma) and effusive
eruptions (resulting from less viscous magma).
- Volcanic Hazards: Lava flows, pyroclastic flows, ashfall, lahars, and volcanic gases.
6. Rocks and Minerals:
- Rocks: Aggregates of minerals or mineraloids. Three main types: igneous, sedimentary, and
metamorphic.
- Minerals: Naturally occurring, inorganic substances with a specific chemical composition and
crystalline structure.
7. Geological Time Scale:
1. Introduction to Geology:
- Geology is the study of the Earth, its materials, processes, and history.
- It encompasses various sub-disciplines, including mineralogy, petrology, geomorphology,
and paleontology.
2. Earth's Structure:
- Core: Innermost layer composed of a solid inner core and a liquid outer core, primarily made
of iron and nickel.
- Mantle: Middle layer between the core and the crust, composed of semi-solid rock.
- Crust: Outermost layer divided into oceanic crust (denser and thinner) and continental crust
(less dense and thicker).
3. Plate Tectonics:
- Theory of Plate Tectonics: Earth's lithosphere is divided into rigid plates that move over the
semi-fluid asthenosphere.
- Types of Plate Boundaries: Divergent boundaries (plates move apart), convergent
boundaries (plates collide), and transform boundaries (plates slide past each other).
4. Earthquakes:
- Causes of Earthquakes: Movement along faults due to tectonic forces, volcanic activity, or
human activities such as mining.
- Seismic Waves: Energy released during an earthquake travels as seismic waves, including
P-waves (primary waves), S-waves (secondary waves), and surface waves.
- Measurement of Earthquakes: Richter scale and moment magnitude scale.
5. Volcanoes:
- Types of Volcanoes: Shield volcanoes, stratovolcanoes (composite volcanoes), and cinder
cone volcanoes.
- Volcanic Eruptions: Explosive eruptions (resulting from gas-rich magma) and effusive
eruptions (resulting from less viscous magma).
- Volcanic Hazards: Lava flows, pyroclastic flows, ashfall, lahars, and volcanic gases.
6. Rocks and Minerals:
- Rocks: Aggregates of minerals or mineraloids. Three main types: igneous, sedimentary, and
metamorphic.
- Minerals: Naturally occurring, inorganic substances with a specific chemical composition and
crystalline structure.
7. Geological Time Scale:
