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since 27-JAN-97

Welcome to GEOS 102 Homepage!

We live on a dynamic Earth -- a fact, emphasized in Geos. 101. Has the Earth changed since it formed? If so, how much, how fast, and what can we expect in the future? How did the Earth form? How old is the Earth? How did life evolve? Is life a geological force? How do mountains form? Have there always been continents? If not, how does continental crust form? Given your newly acquired knowledge of Earth materials, geologic processes and the plate tectonic model for the dynamic crust, we can now explore these questions by learning more about how geoscientists reconstruct Earth's geologic and life history by "reading" the rock and fossil record. T. S. Elliot said,

"We shall not cease from exploration. The end of all our exploration will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time."

The rock and fossil record allows us to "time travel" through much of Earth's history. The record is by no means complete. Nor has what we found, so far, been completely deciphered. Nevertheless, the way we perceive our planet has undergone some revolutionary and very exciting changes. To explore the past, we will need to better understand how Earth's processes operate today. As Earth's history becomes clearer, we can better appreciate what may be in store for us in the future. This is one of the fundamental themes for this course:

THE PRESENT IS THE KEY TO THE PAST . . .
THE PAST IS THE KEY TO THE FUTURE!

Undergraduates in geosciences have organized a very active and friendly geology club (Society of Earth Science Students - SESS). Membership in SESS and participation in club-sponsored field trips and activities is open to undergraduates campus-wide. You don't have to be a geology major. We'll announce club meetings in class but you can also check for announcements on the glass-covered bulletin board across from the lab room (Gould-Simpson 201) or stop by the SESS club room (Gould-Simpson 214).

We are looking forward to having a great semester together.

"To see a world in a grain of sand,
and Heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your
hand, an eternity in a hour."
 
 --W. Blake

If you experience any problems with Geos102 pages, please contact:
Mark Powers (mpowers@geo.arizona.edu) (mailbox or office 517)