FRS 002Z —
Sec. 001 —
(2 unit) — CRN 65552 — W 5:10-6:30pm — 175A Phys/Geo
Shaking It: Earthquakes in Human and California
History
Instructor: James McClain, Department of Geology, College of Letters
and Science
Description: Earthquakes have played an essential
role in human
history. This is certainly true in our own State, where earthquakes
affect California's
history, its scenic beauty, and its economic growth. We will explore the how,
where, and why of earthquakes around the world but with particular emphasis on
large historical events in California. We will compare earthquakes in fiction
and reality, and how earthquakes in the State compare with those in other parts
of the country and world. We will also examine how we can prepare for
earthquakes,
and mitigate their impact. The goals of this seminar will be to
provide new college
students with an appreciation of the role earthquakes in shaping
philosophy, economics,
and history. Particular emphasis will be on the historical
earthquakes of California
and their role in California's growth and development. Students gain
an appreciation
for physical and geological processes active in the Earth. It is
hoped that they
will be more aware of the threat of earthquakes, and how to prepare
for that threat.
Also, it is expected that students will develop skills in the presentation of
materials to their peers, and how information is displayed on the web and / or
on posters.
Format: The seminar will require that the students participate
in a discussion for 1 1/2 hours per week for 8 weeks and an 8 hour field trip
to Pt. Reyes to examine faults and the effects of earthquakes.
Students will not
be required to purchase texts, but, they will be required to use the
library (reserve
room) and the web to find information for discussion, as well for
their presentation.
Students will be required to choose a historic earthquake in the United States
that took place before 1989. They will undertake a research project where they
examine the earthquakes geological and historic effects. Students will make an
oral presentation, and a written presentation consisting of a poster
or web page.
Temporary space will be provided on the Department of Geology web
site. The students
will also participate in a field trip. During the trip we will examine faults
in the Winters area (responsible for the 1892 Vacaville-Winters earthquakes),
in Green Valley, in Napa County, and finally at Pt. Reyes where the San Andreas
Fault is so prominent. Grading: Grading will be based
on participation in discussions in the class and on field trips (40%), on the
oral presentation of their research project (30%), and on their
written presentation
of their research project (30%).
About the Instructor: Dr. Jim McClain is a
seismologist and geophysicist
in the Department of Geology. He uses geophysics to study processes acting in
the Earth such as volcanoes, seafloor spreading, and continental
collisions. Over
the past 20 years, he and his students have studied earthquakes under the sea
and in California. He teaches introductory physical geology, marine
geology, oceanography,
and graduate classes in seismology.