Notes on Planet Earth - An Introduction to Geology

Quartz: SiO₂

Preface

Welcome to Notes on Planet Earth (version 2.0) (Geological Sciences 100)! During the summer 2007, I completed a major revision of the CD and added a complete set of video lectures (screencasts). In addition, I am currently updating all of the practice exams. I should have that update completed by the end of September. All updated exams will contain in their titles the phrase "revised 2007".

To obtain maximum use of this web site you must have the Flash and Shockwave plug-ins installed on your computer. If you do not, then when accessing a module or scene you will be directed to the Adobe (Macromedia) download site where you can obtain the necessary plug-ins. Please note that they are free and that some files will take several minutes to download. In such cases a loading bar showing what percent of the download has been completed will be displayed on your screen. After you have completed the original download the time required to access the file during later study sessions will be significantly faster. If you know that you do not have the Shockwave and Flash plug-ins installed on your computer, then please download them now by clicking on the following links.

All other web documents for Notes on Planet Earth were written using Adobe Dreamweaver 8. They have been tested using variously configured PCs and Macintosh computers with Mozilla Firefox 1.0.4 - 2.0.0.6 and Internet Explorer 6.0 - 7.0. If you are using a browser that predates these, then I can not guarantee you that my pages will display well on your computer. Please note that Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer are free and downloadable, and that the web site works best using Mozilla Firefox, my preferred browser. You can download Firefox or Internet Explorer by clicking on the links at the bottom of this page. I have not tested the new Netscape browser (8.0 or 9.0). If you use either of these browsers and have problems, then please let me know about them.

As you can see from the Table of Contents displayed on the left side of this page the Notes on Planet Earth web site consists of a series of modules/chapters that cover standard lecture (Geological Sciences 100) content. In order to reach a given module first click on Contents to expand the Contents menu, and then move your mouse over the module/chapter of your choice and then click the left mouse button. In addition, you can find here videos of my lectures (screencasts) and laboratory material for Geology 101. All laboratory materials are provided as pdf files. Students enrolled in Geology 101 are expected to download and bring printed copies of each laboratory file to class.

If you are a teacher or student at another college and are interested in purchasing a copy of a CD containing all of the materials presented here, then please contact

Montezuma Publishing,
San Diego State University
(619-594-7552)
(orders@montezumapublishing.com).

or click on the following link: Montezuma Publishing.

All material shown on this web site can be printed and accessed directly from the CD.

I am continuing to work hard at providing you an efficient way to study and learn about the geological sciences. If you have constructive ideas about how I can further improve this course, then please let me know about them. Happy learning!

For additional information contact:
ggirty@geology.sdsu.edu