Earth Sciences (ERTH)

This course is a study of the principles of physical geology, the composition and structure of the earth, and the processes shaping the earth’s surface. We’ll study geology as it affects our lives and shapes our landscape including volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other processes such as weathering and mountain building that evolve or act over extremely long time periods. The course also explores the very nature of science and scientific inquiry through the unifying theory of plate tectonics, a dramatic example of how new evidence and understanding can revolutionize a scientific discipline.

This course explores basic procedures of geologic investigations into the structure and properties of Earth and its geologic processes. Field trips may be required.

This introductory course covers the causes of, and effects from, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, landslides, rockfalls, and other natural phenomena.

This four-day field trip course on the island of Kaua‘i studies the volcanological evolution and continuing geological history of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau volcanoes. Students traveling from other islands are responsible for air and ground transportation, meals, and lodging.