2007 Handbooks

This is a unit recommended for all geologists, geographers, biologists and others seeking an integrated view of the Planet Earth. The unit deals with the Earth as a dynamic system tracing both the origins and workings of the solid earth, the atmosphere, the oceans and the biosphere. The Earth's internal structure and tectonic processes (earthquakes, volcanism and plate movements), atmosphere and oceans, landforms, surface processes and the role of the biosphere are investigated.

Models for the genesis of life are considered and patterns of evolution and extinction are traced through fossils and other evidence. Wherever possible interactions (for example between landscape and climate, atmosphere and life, plate movements and landforms) are examined to develop a unified model of the global system. Special lectures are included to illustrate the human significance of the models examined.