Planet Earth...and You!

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Planet Earth...and You!

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Description

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About this course: Earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain building, ice ages, landslides, floods, life evolution, plate motions—all of these phenomena have interacted over the vast expanses of deep time to sculpt the dynamic planet that we live on today. Planet Earth presents an overview of several aspects of our home, from a geological perspective. We begin with earthquakes—what they are, what causes them, what effects they have, and what we can do about them. We will emphasize that plate tectonics—the grand unifying theory of geology—explains how the map of our planet's surface has changed radically over geologic time, and why present-day geologic activity—including a variety of devastating…

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When you enroll for courses through Coursera you get to choose for a paid plan or for a free plan

  • Free plan: No certicification and/or audit only. You will have access to all course materials except graded items.
  • Paid plan: Commit to earning a Certificate—it's a trusted, shareable way to showcase your new skills.

About this course: Earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain building, ice ages, landslides, floods, life evolution, plate motions—all of these phenomena have interacted over the vast expanses of deep time to sculpt the dynamic planet that we live on today. Planet Earth presents an overview of several aspects of our home, from a geological perspective. We begin with earthquakes—what they are, what causes them, what effects they have, and what we can do about them. We will emphasize that plate tectonics—the grand unifying theory of geology—explains how the map of our planet's surface has changed radically over geologic time, and why present-day geologic activity—including a variety of devastating natural disasters such as earthquakes—occur where they do. We consider volcanoes, types of eruptions, and typical rocks found there. Finally, we will delve into the processes that produce the energy and mineral resources that modern society depends on, to help understand the context of the environment and sustainability challenges that we will face in the future.

Created by:  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Taught by:  Dr. Stephen Marshak, Professor and Director of the School of Earth, Society, and Environment

    Department of Geology
  • Taught by:  Dr. Eileen Herrstrom, Lecturer

    Geology
Level Beginner Commitment 5 weeks of study, 6-8 hours/week Language English How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.7 stars Average User Rating 4.7See what learners said Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a world leader in research, teaching and public engagement, distinguished by the breadth of its programs, broad academic excellence, and internationally renowned faculty and alumni. Illinois serves the world by creating knowledge, preparing students for lives of impact, and finding solutions to critical societal needs.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


Orientation
You will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course.


8 readings expand


  1. Reading: Welcome to Planet Earth...and You!
  2. Reading: Syllabus
  3. Reading: Google Earth Instructions
  4. Reading: Updating Your Profile
  5. Reading: Social Media
  6. Reading: About the Discussion Forums
  7. Reading: How Graded Discussions Work
  8. Reading: Discussion Rubric

Graded: Orientation Quiz

Week 1: Earthquakes!



In the lectures for this week, we will consider what an earthquake is, how it occurs, how we can record and measure its size, and what we can do to mitigate damage. Our first weekly assignment consists of reporting your own experience with earthquakes (if any). The Week 1 Lab gives you a chance to work with seismograms, locate an earthquake epicenter, and determine magnitude. Finally, the Week 1 Discussion addresses the balance between risks from quakes and costs of preventive measures.


18 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Reading: Week 1 Overview
  2. Video: 1.A.1 Introduction to Earthquakes
  3. Video: 1.A.2 Generation of Earthquake Vibrations
  4. Video: 1.A.3 Introduction to Faults
  5. Video: 1.A.4 Types of Faults
  6. Video: 1.A.5 Earthquake Waves
  7. Video: 1.B.1 The Intensity and Magnitude of Earthquakes
  8. Video: 1.B.2 Seismometers
  9. Video: 1.B.3 Interpreting Seismograms and Earthquake Magnitude
  10. Video: 1.B.4 Comparing Earthquakes
  11. Video: 1.C.1 Damage Due to Ground Shaking
  12. Video: 1.C.2 Other Consequences of Earthquakes
  13. Video: 1.C.3 Tsunamis
  14. Video: 1.D.1 The First Step in Predicting Earthquakes: Recognizing Where They Occur
  15. Video: 1.D.2 Earthquake Recurrence Interval
  16. Video: 1.D.3 Interpreting The Recurrence Interval
  17. Video: 1.D.4 Efforts to Prevent Earthquake Devastation
  18. Video: 1.D.5 Mitigating Earthquake Damage
  19. Video: Week 1 Lab: Triangulation Lab
  20. Discussion Prompt: Week 1 Discussion

Graded: Week 1 Quiz
Graded: Week 1 Assignment
Graded: Week 1 Lab

WEEK 2


Week 2: Plate Tectonics



In the early twentieth century, publication of the hypothesis on continental drift caused an uproar that soon died down. Data collected in mid-century led geologists to reconsider the idea that continents could move. During the 1960s and 1970s, old ideas were reworked into what is now called the theory of plate tectonics. As we will see, this robust theory encompasses many geological phenomena that appear to be unrelated at first glance: earthquakes and volcanoes, but also ice ages, fossils, and mountains. Today, plate tectonics provides an overarching framework for interpreting the Earth. We study its details in Week 2, but we will return to this theory again and again throughout the rest of this course.


17 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Reading: Week 2 Overview
  2. Video: 2.A.1 Ideas before Plate Tectonics
  3. Video: 2.A.2 Alfred Wegener & Continental Drift
  4. Video: 2.A.3 Evidence for Continental Drift
  5. Video: 2.A.4 New Discoveries Leading to Plate Tectonics: Seafloor Bathymetry
  6. Video: 2.A.5 New Discoveries Leading to Plate Tectonics: Apparent Polar-Wander Paths
  7. Video: 2.A.6 New Discoveries Leading to Plate Tectonics: Evidence for Seafloor Spreading
  8. Video: 2.B.1 Discovering Plate Tectonics
  9. Video: 2.B.2 Earth's Internal Layers and the Concept of a Plate
  10. Video: 2.B.3 Three Types of Plate Boundaries: Divergent Plate Boundary
  11. Video: 2.B.4 Three Types of Plate Boundaries: Convergent Plate Boundary
  12. Video: 2.B.5 Three Types of Plate Boundaries: Transform Plate Boundary
  13. Video: 2.B.6 Continental Rifts and Continental Collisions
  14. Video: 2.B.7 Intraplate Earthquakes
  15. Video: 2.B.8 The Velocity of Plate Motion
  16. Video: 2.B.9 Plate Driving Mechanisms
  17. Video: Week 2 Lab: Plate Tectonics! Lab Part 1
  18. Video: Week 2 Lab: Plate Tectonics! Lab Part 2
  19. Discussion Prompt: Week 2 Discussion

Graded: Week 2 Quiz
Graded: Week 2 Assignment
Graded: Week 2 Lab
Graded: Weeks 1-2 Discussion Samples

WEEK 3


Week 3: Volcanoes!



This week, you will learn how and where rocks can melt, and what happens when molten material of various compositions bursts out of the ground. The lecture videos also cover different types of eruptions, as well as the rocks and mountains produced by them. In the lab, you will study details about the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens and the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in the year 79. The discussion forum gives you the opportunity to weigh risks to people living on or near volcanoes and what can be done to minimize damage and loss of life. The weekly assignment provides a place for you to share your own experiences with volcanoes or eruptions or, if you have never been near a volcano, your thoughts about such events.


23 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Reading: Week 3 Overview
  2. Video: 3.A.1 Introducing Volcanoes and the Concept of Molten Rock
  3. Video: 3.A.2 Where Does Molten Rock Come From?
  4. Video: 3.A.3 How Does Rock Melt?
  5. Video: 3.A.4 Forming Molten Rock; a Magma Composition
  6. Video: 3.A.5 Volcanoes Associated with Subduction
  7. Video: 3.A.6 Melting at Rifts and Mid-Ocean Ridges
  8. Video: 3.A.7 Melting at Hot Spots
  9. Video: 3.B.1 Introduction to Igneous Rocks
  10. Video: 3.B.2 What Are Igneous Rocks Composed Of?
  11. Video: 3.B.3 When Molten Rock Solidifies
  12. Video: 3.C.1 Types of Volcanic Eruptions
  13. Video: 3.C.2 Magma and Lava with Gas
  14. Video: 3.C.3 Eruption Materials
  15. Video: 3.C.4 Pyroclastic Debris
  16. Video: 3.C.5 Three Different Volcano Shapes
  17. Video: 3.C.6 Eruption Styles and Case Studies
  18. Video: 3.C.7 Case Studies of Volcanic Explosions: Pompeii, Present-Day Italy
  19. Video: 3.C.8 Super Volcanoes in the Geologic Record
  20. Video: 3.D.1 Volcanic Hazards, Part 1
  21. Video: 3.D.2 Volcanic Hazards, Part 2
  22. Video: 3.E.1 Predicting Volcanic Eruptions
  23. Video: 3.E.2 Dealing with Volcanic Hazards
  24. Video: Week 3 Lab: Volcanoes! Lab Introduction
  25. Discussion Prompt: Week 3 Discussion

Graded: Week 3 Quiz
Graded: Week 3 Assignment
Graded: Week 3 Lab

WEEK 4


Week 4: Rocks and Mineral Resources



As part of the Week 4 Assignment, you will take a close look at your daily surroundings to identify Earth resources. The video lectures for the week examine various aspects of finding, extracting, and using resources such as metals and stones. For the lab, you will utilize Google Earth to examine several mining sites around the world. In the discussion, you will weigh the pros and cons of mining operations, as many communities have had to do already. This week also includes peer grading discussions, as explained on the How Graded Discussions Work page. Finally, we provide an optional assignment for those who would like to identify some common minerals.


19 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Reading: Week 4 Overview
  2. Video: 4.A.1 Basic Classes of Earth Materials
  3. Video: 4.A.2 Origin of Earth Materials
  4. Video: 4.A.3 Defining Minerals
  5. Video: 4.A.4 Clues for Identifying Minerals
  6. Video: 4.B.1 Introducing Classes of Rocks
  7. Video: 4.B.2 The Nature of Igneous Rocks
  8. Video: 4.B.3 Different Types of Sedimentary Rocks
  9. Video: 4.B.4 Formation of Clastic Sedimentary Rocks
  10. Video: 4.B.5 Primary Sedimentary Structures and Sedimentary Basins
  11. Video: 4.B.6 Carbonate Sedimentary Rocks
  12. Video: 4.C.1 How Rocks Can Change
  13. Video: 4.C.2 Metamorphic Rocks Part 1
  14. Video: 4.C.3 Metamorphic Rocks Part 2
  15. Video: 4.C.4 The Rock Cycle
  16. Video: 4.D.1 The Practical Uses of Rocks
  17. Video: 4.D.2 The Nature of Metal Ore Deposits
  18. Video: 4.D.3 Global Steel Usage
  19. Video: 4.E.1 Non-Metallic Minerals – Concrete and Crushed Rock
  20. Video: 4.E.2 Other Non-Metallic Resources – Brick, Gypsum, Dimension Stone
  21. Discussion Prompt: Week 4 Discussion

Graded: Week 4 Quiz
Graded: Week 4 Assignment
Graded: Week 4 Lab
Graded: Weeks 3-4 Discussion Samples

WEEK 5


Week 5: Energy Resources



The video lectures for this week cover various aspects of energy usage by modern civilization, especially our utilization of fossil fuels. The Week 5 Lab sends you on a Google Earth tour of energy-producing sites around the world, places where both conventional and alternative forms of energy are being generated. The Week 5 Assignment gives you a chance to survey your own personal use of energy – where does it come from and how much do you use – and then to share the information with others in the class. During the Week 5 Discussion, you will consider the implications of how society uses the energy of fossil fuels and the implications for the local environment and global climate.


18 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Reading: Week 5 Overview
  2. Video: 5.A.1. Energy Resources from the Earth
  3. Video: 5.A.2. Human Use of Energy Over Time
  4. Video: 5.B.1. Sources of Energy: Coal Part 1
  5. Video: 5.B.2. Sources of Energy: Coal Part 2
  6. Video: 5.B.3. Sources of Energy: Coal Part 3
  7. Video: 5.B.4. Problems Associated with Coal Mining
  8. Video: 5.B.5. Problems Associated with Coal Use
  9. Video: 5.C.1. Formation of Hydrocarbons: Oil and Gas
  10. Video: 5.C.2. Conventional vs. Non-Conventional Hydrocarbons: Conventional Reserves
  11. Video: 5.C.3. Exploring and Drilling for Oil
  12. Video: 5.C.4. Transporting and Refining Oil
  13. Video: 5.C.5. Where Does Oil Occur, and Why?
  14. Video: 5.D.1. Non-Conventional Hydrocarbons: Tar Sands and Oil Shale
  15. Video: 5.D.2. Natural Gas
  16. Video: 5.D.3. Obtaining Shale Gas: Hydrofracturing
  17. Video: 5.D.4. Challenges Associated with Obtaining Shale Gas
  18. Video: 5.E.1. Some Hazards of Oil Production
  19. Video: 5.E.2. Alternative Energy Resources
  20. Discussion Prompt: Week 5 Discussion

Graded: Week 5 Quiz
Graded: Week 5 Assignment
Graded: Week 5 Lab
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