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Center for Isotope Geochemistry, UC Berkeley and LBNL
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Donald J. DePaolo, Instructor

UC Berkeley • Class of 1951 Professor of Geochemistry, Dept of Earth and Planetary Science

475 McCone Hall
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-4767

T • (01) 510/643-5064
F • (01) 510/642-9520

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Lectures

Introduction - Sierra Nevada field trip themes
(5.9mb/pdf)

Lecture - Volcanoes (9.8mb/pdf)

Lecture - Geologic time and climate change (7.1mb/pdf)

Lecture - Field trip preview (2mb/pdf)

Lecture - CO2 Sequestration and Nuclear Waste Storage (4.3mb/pdf)

Lecture - Grand Research Questions in the Earth Sciences (4.3mb/pdf)

 

 

 

Earth & Planetary Science 39A, F2007

Introduction to California Geology and Environment
Freshman Seminar - 2 units

Geological Influences in California Society Today

This course discusses the geology of California and how it relates to life in California, how it has influenced California's past, and how it relates to current global issues such as climate change and water resources.

The main feature of the course is a 4-day field trip to the Sierra Nevada. During the trip we will see first hand several important features of California's landscape, and use the opportunity to learn about geological processes and the way that scientists approach understanding the natural world.

The field trip involves tent camping at relatively high elevation, plus a considerable amount of driving and walking.

Field trip dates: Thursday Sept 13th (8AM) to Sunday Sept. 16 (7PM)

The remainder of the course comprises 7 lecture/discussion meetings, a short exam, and the submission of a short term paper on a topic related to the course subject material.

There will be lectures on the following days (Mondays and Wednesdays):

August 27 and 29
September 5
September 10 and 12
September 17 and 19
September 24 (exam day)

The term paper is due WEDNESDAY, October 17 at 5 PM.

This course uses no textbook. You are provided with websites to consult (see below for partial list), presentations posted on this website after lecture, and a comprehensive field trip guide with plenty of material on topics of interest.

Term Paper Assignment

Papers due Monday, October 17 at 5 PM.

Papers can be turned in any time before then either at 307 McCone Hall (Department Office) or at 475 McCone Hall (DePaolo office).

Instructions:

Choose one of the listed topics. Write a succinct 4-5 page (single spaced, with a blank line left between paragraphs) term paper that addresses the questions posed, plus any other issues that you feel are important for that topic.

Each paper must have (in addition to the 4-5 pages of text):

  1. At least two figures (map, graph, original diagram) that are essential to the presentation of ideas and facts. Each figure must have a caption. Original diagrams or graphs will get extra credit.
  2. At least five references that are books, journal articles, or other printed material. Websites can be listed and used in addition (but don't download the text into your paper; I am familiar with the websites).

Important - With your term paper you must also turn in the instructor evaluation form (2 page pdf). The instructor won't see it; be sure that you are credited with turning one in when you drop off the paper.

Topics

  • Climate and the Sierra Nevada
    What is the current climate of the Sierra Nevada? How does it change from west to east, and how is it different from the Great Basin province to the east? What factors determine the current climate (e.g., ocean currents, atmospheric circulation, topography, etc.)? How was the climate different during the last ice age? What is the evidence for the ice age climate? What factors were responsible for producing the ice age climate?
  • Bristlecone Pines
    What has been learned from the study of Bristlecone tree rings? Why and how have they been important for studies of past climates, archeology, radiocarbon dating, etc.? How are records created that extend over time periods that are much longer than the lifetime of an individual tree?
  • Mono Lake
    What are the issues concerning the use by the city of Los Angeles of the mountain stream water that otherwise would flow into Mono Lake? Why did Mono Lake shrink over the 50-year period beginning in the 1940's? What are the consequences of the shrinking lake? Is it possible to increase the size of the lake again? What ruling was made in 1996 about the use of Mono Basin water by LADWP? What have been the consequences of this ruling for the lake and for LA? Explain the details of the ruling and what it is supposed to accomplish.
  • Owens Valley Aqueduct
    Explain how the LADWP was able to obtain the water rights to most of Owens Valley. What have been the consequences of the Owens Valley aqueduct project for Owens Valley and for LA? How might the Owens Valley have developed if it still controlled its own water? How might LA be different if the project had not been completed? If LA were to embark on a similar project today, how might the process be different? Why?
  • Volcanic features and hazards of the Long Valley - Mono area
    What is the evidence that the Long Valley area is still active volcanically? What types of eruptions have occurred in the past, and what are the most likely scenarios for future eruptions? What are the hazards associated with the possible eruption types, and what areas would be affected? What precautions have been taken to insure the safety of area residents?
  • The chemistry of alkaline lakes
    What is the chemical composition of the water in Mono Lake? How does it differ from the chemistry of the water that flows into the lake? Describe the processes that account for the chemistry of the lake water. Explain how tufa forms. How does the lake water chemical composition change during times of high precipitation when the lake volume is increasing and in times of low precipitation (or man-made diversions) when the lake volume is decreasing?
  • Columnar joints in solidified lava flows
    Using diagrams (and perhaps even equations) as necessary, explain how hexagonal joint columns form in cooling, solidifying lava flows. Why are the columns typically vertical? Under what conditions are they not vertical?
  • Vertical structure of the atmosphere
    Using diagrams and equations, explain how the temperature, pressure and water content of the atmosphere change as a function of height above the earth's surface. Compare the situation in summer versus winter. Explain how the concentration of CO2 and other minor gases in the atmosphere control the surface temperature of the Earth (ie. the greenhouse effect). Why is the Earth's surface presently cold in the polar regions?

Some references that might be useful (but you can find many more):

 
Link to CIG homeLink to CIG peopleLink to CIG LabsLink to CIG ResearchLink to CIG PublicationsLink to CIG ResourcesLink to Earth Sciences Division, LBNLLink to Earth and Planetary Science, UCB