Nature of Earth: An Introduction to Geology
Nature of Earth: An Introduction to Geology consists of 36 lectures given by Professor John J. Renton, providing an introduction to physical geology, the study of Earth's minerals, rocks, soils, and the processes that operate on them through time. The course begins with a look at the formation and early evolution of the universe and our solar system. Then it looks at the evolution of Earth's surface and how processes shape the land - based on plate tectonics. The course explains the formation and classification of minerals before it explores a variety of topics in physical geology: volcanism, mass wasting, weathering and soils, the sculpting of the land, groundwater, rock deformation and geologic structures, earthquakes, mountains, and the economic geology of coal and petroleum.