S369 The Geological Record of Environmental Change
USC Sequence Stratigraphy Web
Sedimentary Geology on the Colorado Plateau
NASA Asteroid and Comet Impact Hazards
Flood Basalts, Mantle Plumes and Mass Extinctions
Living Earth: Earth and Moon Viewer
Quaternary Palaeoenvironments Group
NASA Visible Earth
Human Evolution
Institute for Ice Age Studies
Back to OU
I had intended to study this course in 2007, to finish off my honours degree. However, I already had my BSc Hons, thanks to a surprising scraped pass in S330. So, I didn't need to do it. But I registered anyway, as I thought I might regret not doing it. However, I changed my mind and cancelled the course - regretted doing that and tried to re-register, but they said 'no'... So now I have to wait until 2009.
Summary
This course comprises three books with study commentaries, videos, CD-ROMs and a returnable kit of rock specimens. Book 1 explores the sedimentary sequences produced by changes of relative sea level and the likely role of climatic and tectonic processes in producing these changes. Book 2 looks at the greenhouse world of the Cretaceous, examining tropical/subtropical marine environments; high latitude terrestrial environments; the extent and effect of large igneous provinces and meteorite impacts on the environment; and the mass extinction event at the end of the period. Book 3 documents the Ice Age, offering possible explanations for the natural climatic changes during the last 2.6 million years.