ESC-10046 - Keele University
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Geography, Geology and the Environment

ESC-10046 : This is Planet Earth

The Earth in section This module focuses on the basic underlying geological principles and concepts associated with the origins, evolution and anatomy of the Earth, as well as providing an understanding of the processes that account for the changing shape of the Earth’s surface. Specific topics covered include:

  • the internal structure of the Earth and its development since the formation of the Solar System
  • the theory of plate tectonics, its manifestation on the Earth's current surface, and the consequences of its operation in the geological past;
  • the three major subdivisions of rocks and how they are formed;
  • how rocks and geological events may be dated, both relatively and in terms of the absolute time scale;
  • the divisions of the animal and plant kingdoms as represented by characteristic fossil examples and how they evolved;
  • the processes and geological features at or near the Earth's surface (e.g. volcanoes, earthquakes, etc)

This module also represents a “fresh look” at the geology of the solid earth via topical subjects (e.g. earthquakes, volcanoes, and the origin of life) and new concepts such as the Earth Systems approach. In addition, practical-based exercises will provide experience of a variety of geological data and phenomena, including the identification of minerals, rocks and fossils.