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Nature of Earth: An Introduction to Geology

Nature of Earth: An Introduction to Geology consists of 36 lectures given by Professor John J. Renton, providing an introduction to physical geology, the study of Earth's minerals, rocks, soils, and the processes that operate on them through time. The course begins with a look at the formation and early evolution of the universe and our solar system. Then it looks at the evolution of Earth's surface and how processes shape the land - based on plate tectonics. The course explains the formation and classification of minerals before it explores a variety of topics in physical geology: volcanism, mass wasting, weathering and soils, the sculpting of the land, groundwater, rock deformation and geologic structures, earthquakes, mountains, and the economic geology of coal and petroleum.

01. Origin of the Universe 19. Streams - the Major Agent of Erosion
02. Origin of the Solar System 20. Sculpting of the Landscape
03. Continental Drift 21. Stream Erosion in Arid Regions
04. Plate Tectonics 22. Ice Sculpts the Final Scene
05. The Formation of Minerals 23. Groundwater
06. Classification of Minerals 24. The Production of Groundwater
07. The Identification of Minerals 25. Karst Topography
08. Kinds of Rocks 26. Groundwater Contamination
09. Sedimentary Rocks 27. Rock Deformation
10. Metamorphic Rocks 28. The Geologic Structures
11. Volcanic Activity 29. Faults and Joints
12. Phases of Volcanic Activity 30. Earthquakes
13. Hawaiian Islands and Yellowstone Park 31. Damage from Earthquakes
14. Mass Wasting - Gravity at Work 32. Seismology
15. Mass Wasting Processes 33. The Formation of Mountains
16. Weathering 34. Orogenic Styles
17. Soils and the Clay Minerals 35. Economic Geology of Coal
18. Climate and the Type of Soils 36. Economic Geology of Petroleum