1. Introduction To Earth Science Pdf
2. Earth Science Skin Care
3. Earth And Space Articles
4. Earth Science Regents
5. Earth Science Reference Table

Discover Earth's Landforms and Surface Features through the fun, unique approach used in the Great Science Adventures Series. Organized around 24 lessons, each with a mini-book project, lab activity, and graphic organizer project, students will learn about the lithosphere, earthquakes, types of rocks & minerals, caves, glaciers, rivers, lakes, oceans, soil, deserts, and other features of the. Resources: Getting Started; Unit 1: Origin of the Universe and Our Solar System; Unit 2: Earth's Interior and Plate Tectonics; Unit 3: Landscapes and Surface Processes; Unit 4: Geologic History and Evolution of Life; Unit 5: The Earth-Sun-Moon System; Unit 6: Weather; Unit 7: Geography, Climate, and Human Cities; Unit 8: Review.

• Introduction to Earth Science

• Earth's Surface

• Minerals

• Rocks

• Earth's Energy

• Plate Tectonics

• Earthquakes

• Volcanoes

• Weathering and Formation of Soil

• Erosion and Deposition

• Evidence about Earth's Past

• Earth's History

• Fresh Water

• Oceans

• Atmosphere

• Weather

• Climate

• Ecosystems and Human Populations

• Human Actions and the Land

• Human Actions and Earth's Resources

• Human Actions and Earth's Water

• Human Actions and the Atmosphere

• Observing and Exploring Space

• Earth, Moon, and Sun

• The Solar System

• Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe

(formerly Geology and Geophysics)
POST 701
1680 East-West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-7640
Fax: (808) 956-5512
Email: earth-dept@soest.hawaii.edu
Web: soest.hawaii.edu/GG/

Faculty

*Graduate Faculty Free download program entombed uprising rapidsharebackuptype.

*P. Wessel, PhD (Chair)—plate tectonics, marine geophysics
*G. T. Apuzen-Ito, PhD—marine geophysics and geodynamics
*S. Coats, PhD—climate dynamics, paleoclimate
*H. Dulai, PhD—coastal hydrology and groundwater geochemistry
*R. A. Dunn, PhD—marine geophysics and seismology
*D. Eason, PhD—igneous petrology, volcanology, marine geology
*A. I. El-Kadi, PhD—groundwater and watershed hydrology
*C. H. Fletcher, PhD—coastal geology
*L. N. Frazer, PhD—modeling and Bayesian statistics
*E. J. Gaidos, PhD—geobiology, planetary science
*M. O. Garcia, PhD—igneous petrology, volcanology
*C. R. Glenn, PhD—coastal groundwater, environmental geochemistry, marine sediments
*J. E. Hammer, PhD—physical volcanology and experimental petrology
*B. F. Houghton, PhD—physical volcanology and volcanic hazards
*H. Janiszewski, PhD—seismology, volcanology, marine geophysics
*K. T. M. Johnson, PhD—geochemistry, petrology, marine geology
*J. G. Konter, PhD—solid earth geochemistry, volcano petrology
*S. J. Martel, PhD—engineering geology, structural geology, geomechanics
*G. F. Moore, PhD—exploration seismology, tectonics
*A. J. Pietruszka, PhD—igneous geochemistry
*B. N. Popp, PhD—isotopic biogeochemistry
*G. E. Ravizza, PhD—paleoceanography and marine geochemistry
*S. K. Rowland, PhD—volcanology, Hawaiian geology, remote sensing
*K. H. Rubin, PhD—geochemistry, environmental chemistry, volcanology
*T. Shea, PhD—physical volcanology
*B. R. Smith-Konter, PhD—crustal deformation and planetary tectonics
*B. Taylor, PhD—plate tectonics, geology of ocean margin basins

Cooperating Graduate Faculty

D. Bottjer-Wilson, PhD—biogeochemistry
J. Bradley, PhD—analytical electron microscopy in materials and astromaterials science
B. Bruno, PhD—planetary volcanology and geoscience education
R. Butler, PhD—seismology
B. Chen, PhD—mineral physics, mineralogy, petrology, and geochemistry
P. Dera, PhD—mineral physics, mineralogy, petrology, crystallography
M. H. Edwards, PhD—marine geology and geophysics
P. Englert, PhD—nuclear chemistry, planetary geoscience, remote sensing
S. A. Fagents, PhD—planetary volcanology
L. Flynn, PhD—remote sensing of fires and volcanoes
J. Foster, PhD—marine, volcano, tectonic geodesy, GPS meteorology
P. B. Fryer, PhD—marine geology, petrology, tectonics
M. A. Garcés, PhD—infrasound, wave propagation, volcanology
J. Gillis-Davis, PhD—planetary geosciences, remote sensing
N. Grobbe, PhD—(hydro-)geophysics, seismic, electromagnetic, volcanoes, groundwater, inverse problems
E. Herrero-Bervera, PhD—paleomagnetism, geomagnetism
R. N. Hey, PhD—marine geophysics and tectonics
G. R. Huss, PhD—cosmochemistry, early solar system chronology
H. Ishii, PhD—cosmochemistry, small solar system bodies, electron microscopy
A. N. Krot, PhD—meteorites, planetary geosciences
N. Lautze, PhD—water and geothermal resources; physical volconology
P. G. Lucey, PhD—planetary geosciences, remote sensing
M. H. Manghnani, PhD—high-pressure geophysics, mineral physics
F. Martinez, PhD—marine geophysics
F. W. McCoy, PhD—marine geology, sedimentology
A. Misra, PhD—LIBS and fluorescence, material science
P. J. Mouginis-Mark, PhD—planetary science, remote sensing
K. Nagashima, PhD—ion microprobe analysis, cosmochemistry
K. Ruttenberg, PhD—biogeochemistry, marine geochemistry
S. K. Sharma, PhD—Raman and IR spectroscopy in geochemistry
D. Thomas, PhD—groundwater and hydrothermal systems
D. Trang, PhD—planetary geomorphology, planetary remote sensing
Y. Tsang, PhD—ecohydrology
R. Wright, PhD—volcanology

Affiliate Graduate Faculty

J. Becker, PhD—oceanography
C. Bina, PhD—mineralogy
R. J. Carey, PhD—physical volcanology
C. P. Conrad, PhD—geodynamics, marine geophysics
S. Izuka, PhD—hydrology, groundwater
D. Oki, PhD—hydrology
P. Okubo, PhD—seismology, geophysics
T. Orr, PhD—volcanology
M. Patrick, PhD—volcanology
D. Pinti, PhD—noble gas geochemistry
K. Rotzoll, PhD—groundwater, hydrogeology
D. A. Swanson, PhD—volcanology
J. Taddeucci, PhD—volcanology
G. J. Taylor, PhD—planetary geosciences
R. Whittier, MS—hydrologic modeling, ground water

Degrees Offered: BA in environmental earth science with a track in earth science education, BS in earth sciences (including minor), MS in earth and planetary sciences, PhD in earth and planetary sciences

The Academic Program

Introduction To Earth Science Pdf

The Department of Earth Sciences (ERTH) (formerly Geology and Geophysics (GG)) is dedicated to the scientific study of the exterior and interior of the Earth and other planetary bodies. Sub-disciplines within the department are many, and offer rich opportunities for multidisciplinary study of problems of great intellectual and practical importance. Coastal geologists study processes such as sedimentation and beach erosion, reef growth and degradation, and sea level change. Hydrologists and Hydrogeochemists study the cycling of fresh water between the atmosphere, land, and ocean. Of particular emphasis is how climate change impacts this cycle; how fresh water supplies are impacted by human activities, including land-use practices and the introduction of contaminants into surface and groundwater; and how climate, hydrologic, and terrestrial processes impact the ocean and its ecosystems by way of surface water and submarine groundwater discharge. Structural geologists study the physical features produced in rock units bydeformational processes such as mountain building, rifting, and earthquakes. Engineering geologists provide geotechnical recommendations affecting the design, construction, and operation of engineering projects based on Earth material properties, geological structures, and processes such as faulting, landslides, erosion, and flooding. Mineralogists and petrologists examine the temperature, pressure, and environmental conditions that influence the formation of minerals and rocks. Geochemists specialize in the chemistry of Earth materials to understand a very broad range of subjects including the make-up of the deep Earth, the formation of the seafloor, the origin of volcanoes, as well as past and present changes in Earth’s climate, ocean environment, and life. Volcanologists study how gas, fluid, and magma interact to create different types of volcanic eruptions, and address hazard mitigation. Geophysicists use seismic waves, potential fields, sonar, radar, and GPS for studying earthquakes, Earth’s surface and internal structure, land deformation, and plate tectonics. They also use mathematics, continuum mechanics, and high performance computing to model Earth and planetary processes. Planetary scientists examine how the Earth and Solar System formed, study past and present active processes on planetary bodies, search for extrasolar planets, and explore planetary conditions needed for life.

Undergraduate and graduate students in the department are instructed and advised by world-class researchers in a variety of the above sub-disciplines. Students participate in a diverse course curriculum involving in-class instruction, laboratory activities, fieldwork, and shipboard exercises. They have access to state-of-the-art facilities including a number of different types of mass spectrometers, an electron microprobe, an X-ray diffraction laboratory, and high-performance computing facilities. Field trips take students to volcanoes in Hawai‘i and other islands, as well as geologic settings on the U.S. mainland and around the world. Students also participate on research cruises onboard one of several research vessels that are operated by SOEST. Students who are involved in research projects regularly present their findings in scientific conferences and journal publications. These varied activities allow students to take full advantage of Hawai‘i’s unique geographic location and its rich geologic and environmental setting

Students graduate from the Department of Earth Sciences with an in-depth understanding of the relevance of the geosciences to society, especially in Hawai‘i and on Pacific islands, as well as the ways human civilization impacts the Earth and environment. Students are able to use skills in math, physics, chemistry, and biology as well as technical knowledge in computer applications, laboratory methods, and field techniques for solving real-world problems in the geosciences. Graduates know how to ethically apply the scientific method and can use basic principles in geoscience for explaining natural phenomenon. Our graduates develop proficiency in communicating their knowledge in oral presentations and in writing professional documents. As a result, Our majors are very successful in obtaining jobs in fields within or closely related to the geosciences. These fields include environmental assessment and remediation, engineering, geotechnical consulting, oil, natural gas and mineral resources development; water resource management; science education; as well as applied and basic research.

Advising

Earth Science Skin Care

Students contemplating a major or minor in geology and geophysics should contact the SOEST Director of Student Services in HIG 135 (808) 956-8763. The two undergraduate advisors can be contacted through the department office (808) 956-7640, earth-dept@soest.hawaii.edu. Graduate students are appointed a faculty advisor upon admittance into the program.

Undergraduate Study

BA in Environmental Earth Science

Requirements

The BA degree in environmental earth science is appropriate for students interested in Earth Science but not necessarily intending to pursue graduate school. It is more flexible than the BS program. The BA degree requires completion of 120 credit hours of course work, the equivalent of four years of full-time study. A minimum grade of C (not C-) must be achieved in each class in the major and in all support classes.

The Environmental Earth Science BA is geared toward students who plan to enter the environmental and geotechnical fields upon graduation. It includes a combination of traditional geology topics such as field methods and sedimentology, as well as more applied topics such as hydrogeology, geospatial information, and environmental geochemistry.

The BA requires 27 credits in the earth sciences curriculum. This includes one introductory level ERTH course with a lab, six non-introductory ERTH courses, a two-credit seminar, and at least 15 additional credits of approved electives in ERTH or other departments. With the advice and consent of an undergraduate advisor, courses in other natural sciences, mathematics, or engineering may be substituted as electives. Required support classes include physics, chemistry, biological sciences, and one semester of college calculus; these total 24-25 credits and should be taken as early as possible.

Earth Science and Other Courses

• Required Courses (27 credits)
  • ERTH 101 Dynamic Earth (3), or 102 Quantifying Global and Environmental Change (3), or 103 Geology of the Hawaiian Islands (3), or 104 Volcanoes in the Sea (3), or 106 Humans and the Environment (3), or E130 Geologic Hazards, or 170 Physical Geology (4)
  • ERTH 101L Dynamic Earth Laboratory (1) (unless ERTH 170 is taken)
  • ERTH 200 Geological Inquiry (4)
  • ERTH 305 Geological Field Methods (3)
  • ERTH 309 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (4)
  • ERTH 325 Geochemistry (3), or 425 Environmental Geochemistry (3)
  • ERTH 410 Undergraduate Seminar (2)
  • ERTH 455 Hydrogeology (4)
  • ERTH 461 Geospatial Information (3)
• Upper Division Science Electives (12 credits)
  • ERTH 300 Volcanology (3); 301 Mineralogy (4); 302 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (3); 303 Structural Geology (3); 304 Physics of Earth and Planets (4); 312 Advanced Mathematics for Scientists and Engineers I (3); 325 Geochemistry (3); 395 Undergraduate Internship (V); 399 Directed Reading (V); 402 Hawaiian Geology (3); 406 Natural Disasters (3); 407 Energy and Mineral Resources (3); 413 Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis (3); 420 Beaches, Reefs, and Climate Change (3); 423 Marine Geology (3); 425 Environmental Geochemistry (3); 444 Plate Tectonics (3); 450 Geophysical Methods (4); 451 Earthquakes and Crustal Deformation (3); 454 Engineering Geology (3); 460 Geological Remote Sensing (4); 466 Planetary Geology (3); 499 Undergraduate Thesis (3); GEO 388 Introduction to GIS (3); OCN 320 Aquatic Pollution (3); TPSS 304 Fundamentals of Soil Science (4)
• Required Support Courses (23 credits)
• General Chemistry (CHEM 161, 161L, 162, 162L)
  • Calculus I (MATH 215 or 241)
  • College Physics (PHYS 151, 151L, 152, 152L)
  • Biological Sciences (BIOL 171 or BOT 101, MICR 130, OEST 103, or ZOOL 101)
• The College Experience (OEST 100)

For information on a Bachelor Degree Program Sheet, go to programsheets/.

BA in Environmental Earth Science, Earth Science Education Track

The Earth Science Education track is for students who want to become excellent middle school and high school Science teachers. The curriculum includes required topical course work for Earth Sciences certification by the Hawai‘i State Department of Education, including courses in earth sciences, meteorology, oceanography, astronomy, biology, chemistry, and physics. If students in the Earth Science Education track enroll in the College of Education’s Post-Baccalaureate certificate program after they earn the BA, they will be certified as Earth Science teachers in Hawai‘i.

Earth And Space Articles

This BA track requires 41 credits in the earth sciences, oceanography, and/atmospheric sciences curriculum, including introductory level ERTH and ATMO courses with labs, eight non-introductory ERTH, ATMO, and OCN courses, a two-credit seminar, an upper-division teacher education course, and at least 5 credits of approved upper division electives. With the advice and consent of an undergraduate advisor, courses in other natural sciences, mathematics, or engineering may be substituted as electives. Students are strongly encouraged to take a mainland summer field course as an elective. Required support classes include physics, chemistry, biological sciences, and one semester of college calculus; these total 28 credits and should be taken as early as possible.

Earth Science Regents

Earth Sciences and Other Courses

Earth Science Reference Table

• • • Required Courses (39 credits)
      • ERTH 101 Dynamic Earth (3), or 102 Quantifying Global and Environmental Change (3), or 103 Geology of the Hawaiian Islands (3), or 104 Volcanoes in the Sea (3), or 106 Humans and the Environment (3), or 130 Geologic Hazards, or 170 Physical Geology (4)
      • ERTH 101L Dynamic Earth Laboratory (1) (unless ERTH 170 is taken)
      • ATMO 101/101L Introduction to Meteorology/Lab (4)
      • ERTH 105 Voyage through the Solar System (3) or ASTR 110 Survey of Astronomy (3)
      • ERTH 200 Geological Inquiry (4)
      • ATMO 200 Atmospheric Processes and Phenomena (3)
      • OCN 201, 201L Science of the Sea (4)
      • ERTH 300 Volcanology (3)
      • ERTH 305 Geological Field Methods (3)
      • OCN 310 Global Environmental Change (3)
      • ERTH 406 Natural Disasters (3)
      • ITE 401 Engaging the Adolescent Learner (3)
      • ERTH 410 Undergraduate Seminar (2)
    • Upper Division Science Electives (5 credits)
      • See listing under the BA in Environmental Earth Sciences
    • Required Support Courses (23-24 credits)
  • • • General Chemistry (CHEM 161, 161L, 162, 162L)
      • Calculus I (MATH 215 or 241)
      • College Physics (PHYS 151, 151L, 152, 152L)
      • Biological Sciences (BIOL 171, 171L)

  For information on a Bachelor Degree Program Sheet, go to programsheets/.

  BS in Earth Sciences

  Requirements

  This BS degree is designed for students interested in pursuing graduate work or employment in the geosciences. It provides essential grounding in computational, analytical, and observational skills needed in Earth Sciences. The program is interdisciplinary and emphasizes the integration of biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics in the study of the Earth.

• A total of 37 credits are required in the earth sciences curriculum, including one introductory level geology course with a lab, nine ERTH courses, a two-credit research seminar, and eleven credits of ERTH electives. With advice and consent of an undergraduate advisor, courses in other natural sciences, mathematics, or engineering can also be taken as electives. Students are strongly encouraged to take a summer field course as an elective. An undergraduate thesis is also encouraged but not required. The required supporting science classes (28-29 credits) include physics, chemistry, biological science, and college calculus, and should be taken as early as possible. A minimum grade of C (not C-) must be achieved in each class of the major and in all support classes.
• Earth Sciences Courses
  • • • Required ERTH Courses (37 credits)
        • ERTH 101 Dynamic Earth (3), or 103 Geology of the Hawaiian Islands (3), or 170 Physical Geology (4)
        • ERTH 101L Dynamic Earth Laboratory (1) (unless ERTH 170 is taken)
        • ERTH 200 Geological Inquiry (4)
        • ERTH 250 Scientific Programming (3)
        • ERTH 301 Mineralogy (4)
        • ERTH 302 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (3)
        • ERTH 303 Structural Geology (3)
        • ERTH 304 Physics of Earth and Planets (4) OR ERTH 450 Geophysical Methods (4)
        • ERTH 305 Geological Field Methods (3)
        • ERTH 309 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (4)
        • ERTH 325 Geochemistry (3)
        • ERTH 410 Undergraduate Seminar (2)
      • Upper Division Science Electives (11 credits). See listing under the BA.

  With advice and consent of an undergraduate advisor, courses in other natural sciences, mathematics, or engineering may be substituted as electives.

  • • • Required Support Courses (28 credits)
        • Chemistry (CHEM 161, 161L, 162, 162L)
        • Calculus I and II (MATH 241 and 242)
        • Physics (PHYS 170, 170L, 272, 272L)
        • Biological Sciences (BIOL 171, BOT 101, MICR 130, or ZOOL 101)

  For information on a Bachelor Degree Program Sheet, go to programsheets/.

  BS Track Emphasizing Basic Science and Research

  This alternate BS track allows for a more flexible course work program that is tailored to the student’s individual goals. It requires the student to work with an advisor on a research thesis.

• To apply for this track, the student must have a minimum combined GPA of 3.0 in 30 credits of the required support courses (see below) plus in ERTH 170 (or 101 and 101L), 200, and 250. The application will consist of a one-page statement of the student’s objectives and research interests, presented to an earth sciences departmental undergraduate advisor and the proposed faculty thesis advisor. Acceptance into the research track requires the approval of both the faculty advisor and the proposed thesis advisor.
• The thesis must be carefully planned and meet departmental requirements. A thesis supervisor and topic should be identified when a student enters the program. The thesis work requires at least 6 (but not more than 9) credit hours of ERTH 499 Undergraduate Thesis. The thesis research is presented in writing, following the style of a scientific article, and orally in a public seminar. The thesis is evaluated by both the research supervisor and a departmental undergraduate advisor.
• Course Requirements
  • • • Required ERTH Courses (22 credits)
        • ERTH 170 Physical Geology (4) (or 101 Dynamic Earth (3), or 103 Geology of the Hawaiian Islands (3) and 101L Dynamic Earth Laboratory)
        • ERTH 200 Geological Inquiry (4)  ERTH 250 Scientific Programming (3)
        • ERTH 410 Undergraduate Seminar (2)
        • ERTH 413 Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis (3)
        • ERTH 499 Undergraduate Thesis (6)
      • Upper Division ERTH Electives (25 credits, see above) See listing under the BA in Environmental Earth Sciences.
      • Required Support Courses (33 credits)
        • Chemistry: CHEM 161 (3), 161L (1), 162 (3), 162L (1)
        • Calculus I and II: MATH 241 (4) and 242 (4)
        • Physics: PHYS 170 (4), 170L (1), 272 (3), 272L (1)
        • Biology: BIOL 171 (3), 171L (1), 172 (3), 172L (1)
        • The College Experience (OEST 100)

  Minor

  The minor requires ERTH 101 or 103 or 170, 101L (unless 170 is taken), 200, and 11 credits of non-introductory courses at the 300 level or higher. A 2.0 GPA is required in these courses. The minor is flexible and can provide either an introductory survey of earth sciences or emphasize areas of particular interest to the student. A student interested in a minor in earth sciences should consult with an advisor from the department to tailor a plan best suited to the student’s interest.

  Graduate Study

  Admission Requirements

  All applicants must take the GRE General Test. All students are urged to have completed a course in a computer programming language before entrance. All applications are due by January 15 for admission in the fall semester or by August 15 for the spring semester.

  Any undergraduate deficiencies will be determined from the student’s transcripts and intended field of study, and a plan to address them will be devised at a preliminary conference. ERTH 611 is intended for students entering from a nongeoscience field to prepare them for graduate studies in the geosciences.

• The department offers two master’s degrees. The research MS (Plan A) degree emphasizes research and culminates in the public defense of a written thesis. The course work MS (Plan B) degree involves a research project but does not require a thesis. Applicants who are unsure about which MS program to apply should consult with the department prior to applying.
  

  Master’s Degree

  Candidates are accepted from undergraduate majors in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering. Incoming students normally are expected to have completed at least one year each of college mathematics, geology, physics, and chemistry. The adequacy of each applicant’s additional preparation will depend on the particular branch of geology and geophysics being pursued. At the time of application the student should state the field in which he or she intends to study.

  Requirements

  For MS students, the graduate chair will determine the suitability of a Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (non-thesis) pathway at a preliminary conference. Plan A requires a minimum of 30 credits, including 6 credits of ERTH 700 Thesis Research and at least 24 credits of course work (as many as 6 course work credits may be in ERTH 699). Plan B requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of course work and a final project.

  Doctoral Degree

  Requirements

  PhD candidates are accepted with either a BS or MS degree. Students without an MS degree must pass a qualifying examination given at the beginning of their second semester in residence. All PhD candidates must pass a comprehensive examination no later than the end of the fourth semester of residence (for students without an MS degree). The comprehensive exam includes oral and written parts that cover subjects in-depth within the student’s field of interest as well as relevant general information from geology, geophysics, and other disciplines. A final defense of the dissertation is required. Space and financial aid for the PhD program are limited, and each student’s progress will be reviewed annually.

  Areas of Interest

  The areas of interest listed below are active fields of faculty and graduate research in the department. For each, a brief description and the required undergraduate preparation are listed. Students with backgrounds other than these may be accepted in a field if their records and recommendations are strong, but advancement to candidacy may be delayed. A complete statement of the courses and other work in each field necessary for the MS or to prepare for the PhD comprehensive examination will be given to the entering student.

• The department can provide additional information on research opportunities and financial aid in each of the areas of interest. Many research efforts in the department involve participation in extensive fieldwork and oceanographic expeditions. Graduate students are encouraged to participate in these opportunities as a part of their career training.
• Geophysics and Tectonics (GT). Studies in geophysics and tectonics at UH Manoa are interdisciplinary and include experimental and theoretical developments, field-based observations, and computer simulations. Together, they provide students with a background that combines both geology and geophysics for technical and professional work at industrial, governmental, and academic institutions. Subtopics in GT include: (a) Plate Tectonics–rift propagation and plate break-up; initiation and evolution of continental margins and back-arc basins; relative and absolute motion of plates; thermomechanical properties of oceanic lithosphere; mantle convection and the driving forces of plate tectonics; and hot spot and intraplate volcanism; (b) Seismology–theory and analysis of seismic waves from active and passive sources; ocean-bottom geophysical instrumentation; multichannel seismic imaging of subduction zones, accretionary prisms, and submarine volcano flanks; (c) Geophysical Fluid Dynamics–mantle convection and plume-plate interaction; ocean/shore dynamics and nonlinear waves; (d) Rock Fracture Mechanics–field, theoretical, and laboratory analyses of the mechanics of fault growth, rock fracture, dike propagation, landslides, and crustal deformation; these topics are relevant to plate tectonics, structural geology, and engineering geology.
• Entrance may be through majors in geophysics, geology, mathematics, physics, or engineering. Students need a background in geology (which can be obtained in graduate school) together with supporting mathematics and physics.
• Marine and Environmental Geology (MEG). The Marine and Environmental Geology (MEG) program is focused on the dynamic physical, biological, and chemical interactions that characterize Earth’s surface terrestrial and marine environments and also the history of these interactions over the course of geologic time. Researchers work on problems ranging from those of pure scientific curiosity about global phenomena to seeking solutions to practical environmental problems. Faculty and students of the MEG group work throughout the Hawaiian Islands and travel to field sites all over the world to study processes and interactions between water, atmosphere, submarine groundwater discharge, sediments, and living organisms and their tissues. Research also extends backward through deep time, integrating the biological and physical aspects of Earth history through the study of rocks and fossils. Instruction is designed to provide students with hands-on exposure to the most exciting, contemporary issues in environmental science, particularly on topics where the fields of geology and oceanography overlap with other environmental sciences. Laboratories use the newest biogeochemical technologies and instrumentation in order to assess the health and integrity of coastal system environments, to reconstruct past climates and life forms, to characterize the movement of precious water resources, and to understand the chemical cycling of both organic and inorganic components of the ocean. MEG research topics have important implications and benefits for the sustainability of fresh water resources and reserves, agriculture, coastal and marine ecosystems, fisheries, Hawai‘i’s beaches and economy, and other topics of immediate societal concern.
• The MEG program is multidisciplinary with cooperating faculty and courses from several other departments including civil engineering, geography, oceanography, and soil sciences among others. The diverse research and teaching interests of the faculty make it possible to tailor graduate degree work to fit the needs and desires of the student. Requirements for admission typically include an undergraduate major in geology or one of the other natural sciences, along with basic courses in physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Students often study a combination of geology, geophysics, oceanography, biology, civil engineering, and/or geochemistry, as appropriate for his or her optimum intellectual development.
• Volcanology, Geochemistry, and Petrology (VGP). UH Manoa is uniquely situated to study all major aspects of volcanic systems. Active Hawaiian volcanoes are natural laboratories of intraplate volcanism and hydrothermal activity; eroded fossil volcanic systems on other islands provide windows into deeper volcanic structures, moreover, Hawai‘i is at the center of the Pacific “Ring of Fire.” Collectively, the VGP group has active field programs that are global in scope. The group studies submarine volcanoes with research vessels based at UH Manoa and other institutions, investigates terrestrial volcanoes around the world, and participates in remote monitoring of volcanoes on Earth and other planets using ground-based and space-borne observatories. Faculty of the VGP group operate a wide range of modern, well equipped, state-of-the-art analytical laboratories that provide data on the chemical composition and physical properties of rocks and minerals. In addition, VGP covers basic courses in Hawaiian geology, geologic hazards, geochemistry, optical mineralogy, petrology, volcanology, geological field methods, remote sensing, and GIS techniques.
• Specialized topics that members of the group study include (a) geometry and dynamics of mantle flow; melt generation and magma chamber processes at submarine volcanoes from petrologic, geochemical, and isotopic variations at mid-ocean ridges and back-arc basin spreading centers; active volcanism at submarine volcanoes; geochronology of submarine volcanism; and volcano interactions with the submarine environment; (b) physical processes at volcanoes giving rise to degassing, and fragmentation of magma in conduits; transport and deposition from volcanic plumes and pyroclastic density currents; the eruption and emplacement of lavas; caldera volcanoes and ignimbrites; volatile degassing and crystallization in magma storage zones and transport networks; environmental impact and social consequences of eruptions and volcanic processes on extraterrestrial bodies; (c) geochemical and isotopic tracing of mantle composition and evolution; geochemical cycling; geosphere-hydrosphere exchanges; (d) petrologic, geochemical, isotopic, and geologic evolution of Hawaiian and other oceanic islands and seamounts; petrologic, seismic, and geodetic monitoring of magmatic systems at active Hawaiian volcanoes; satellite monitoring of volcanic hazards and eruption clouds; and remote-sensing observation of extraterrestrial volcanoes.
• Entrance through majors in geology or chemistry is most typical. Students need a background in geology (which can be obtained in graduate school) together with supporting mathematics and physics.
• Planetary Geoscience and Remote Sensing. This program relies heavily on cooperating graduate faculty based in the Hawai‘i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology (HIGP), as well as faculty members based in our departments. It studies the geology and composition of objects (planets, asteroids, moons, and meteorites) in the Solar System to understand their origin and evolution. Faculty members are on the science teams of multiple planetary missions. The program involves research in planetary and terrestrial geology, cosmochemistry, volcanology, planetary astronomy, and scientific instrumentation. Current research areas include: (a) research on extraterrestrial materials from asteroids, the Moon, and Mars as records of processes in the solar nebula; alteration processes; the effects of shock; igneous processes; and planetary crustal compositions and evolution; (b) remote sensing and petrology of the moon, Mars, and Mercury to understand planetary formation, differentiation, and weathering of planetary crusts, volcanic processes, and the mode of formation of impact craters; (c) terrestrial remote sensing using spacecraft, aircraft, and ground observations to study the flux of magma through volcanic systems, eruption precursors, forest fires worldwide and more; (d) developing instruments for use in studying global and regional problems in Earth and planetary science, such as hyperspectral thermal infrared imagers for use in lithologic mapping, the analysis of temperature anomalies, the flux of sulfur dioxide from volcanoes, an infrasonics array for a global monitoring system for the detection of atmospheric disturbances, and lidar systems for the measurement of atmospheric aerosols and rock compositions.
• Typically, an undergraduate major in geology, astronomy, chemistry, physics, or engineering, accompanied by basic courses in chemistry, physics, and mathematics, provides a sufficient background for entrance. The student should be prepared to commence or continue course work in whatever combination of geology, geophysics, geochemistry, planetary science, spectroscopy, radar science, or remote sensing is appropriate for optimum development in the field and to satisfy requirements in the Department of Earth Sciences.