printer friendly pageESS 111: Biology and Global Change (BIO 117, EARTHSYS 111)
The biological causes and consequences of anthropogenic and natural changes in the atmosphere, oceans, and terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. Topics: glacial cycles and marine circulation, greenhouse gases and climate change, tropical deforestation and species extinctions, and human population growth and resource use. Prerequisite: Biology or Human Biology core or graduate standing.
Terms: Win
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
ESS 117: Earth Sciences of the Hawaiian Islands (EARTH 117, EARTHSYS 117)
Progression from volcanic processes through rock weathering and soil-ecosystem development to landscape evolution. The course starts with an investigation of volcanic processes, including the volcano structure, origin of magmas, physical-chemical factors of eruptions. Factors controlling rock weathering and soil development, including depth and nutrient levels impacting plant ecosystems, are explored next. Geomorphic processes of landscape evolution including erosion rates, tectonic/volcanic activity, and hillslope stability conclude the course. Methods for monitoring and predicting eruptions, defining spatial changes in landform, landform stability, soil production rates, and measuring biogeochemical processes are covered throughout the course. This course is restricted to students accepted into the Earth Systems of Hawaii Program.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: WAY-SMA
Instructors:
Cina, S. (PI)
;
Erickson, A. (PI)
;
Fendorf, S. (PI)
...
more instructors for ESS 117 »
Instructors:
Cina, S. (PI)
;
Erickson, A. (PI)
;
Fendorf, S. (PI)
;
Maples, S. (PI)
;
Petterson, R. (PI)
;
Reineman, D. (PI)
;
Vitousek, P. (PI)
;
Francis, E. (TA)
ESS 151: Biological Oceanography (EARTHSYS 151, EARTHSYS 251, ESS 251)
Required for Earth Systems students in the oceans track. Interdisciplinary look at how oceanic environments control the form and function of marine life. Topics include distributions of planktonic production and abundance, nutrient cycling, the role of ocean biology in the climate system, expected effects of climate changes on ocean biology. Local weekend field trips. Designed to be taken concurrently with Marine Chemistry (EESS/
EARTHSYS 152/252). Prerequisites:
BIO 43 and
EESS 8 or equivalent.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 3-4
| UG Reqs: WAY-SMA
Instructors:
Mills, M. (PI)
;
Selz, G. (TA)
ESS 152: Marine Chemistry (EARTHSYS 152, EARTHSYS 252, ESS 252)
Introduction to the interdisciplinary knowledge and skills required to critically evaluate problems in marine chemistry and related disciplines. Physical, chemical, and biological processes that determine the chemical composition of seawater. Air-sea gas exchange, carbonate chemistry, and chemical equilibria, nutrient and trace element cycling, particle reactivity, sediment chemistry, and diagenesis. Examination of chemical tracers of mixing and circulation and feedbacks of ocean processes on atmospheric chemistry and climate. Designed to be taken concurrently with Biological Oceanography (EESS/
EARTHSYS 151/251)
Terms: Spr
| Units: 3-4
| UG Reqs: WAY-SMA, WAY-AQR
Instructors:
Casciotti, K. (PI)
ESS 155: Science of Soils (EARTHSYS 155)
Physical, chemical, and biological processes within soil systems. Emphasis is on factors governing nutrient availability, plant growth and production, land-resource management, and pollution within soils. How to classify soils and assess nutrient cycling and contaminant fate. Recommended: introductory chemistry and biology.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 3-4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
ESS 156: Soil and Water Chemistry (EARTHSYS 156, EARTHSYS 256, ESS 256)
(Graduate students register for 256.) Practical and quantitative treatment of soil processes affecting chemical reactivity, transformation, retention, and bioavailability. Principles of primary areas of soil chemistry: inorganic and organic soil components, complex equilibria in soil solutions, and adsorption phenomena at the solid-water interface. Processes and remediation of acid, saline, and wetland soils. Recommended: soil science and introductory chemistry and microbiology.
Last offered: Winter 2016
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
GEOPHYS 20N: Predicting Volcanic Eruptions
Preference to sophomores. The physics and chemistry of volcanic processes and modern methods of volcano monitoring. Volcanoes as manifestations of the Earth's internal energy and hazards to society. How earth scientists better forecast eruptive activity by monitoring seismic activity, bulging of the ground surface, and the discharge of volcanic gases, and by studying deposits from past eruptions. Focus is on the interface between scientists and policy makers and the challenges of decision making with incomplete information. Field trip to Mt. St. Helens, site of the 1980 eruption.
Last offered: Spring 2014
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-AQR, WAY-SMA
GEOPHYS 60N: Man versus Nature: Coping with Disasters Using Space Technology (EE 60N)
Preference to freshman. Natural hazards, earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, hurricanes, and fires, and how they affect people and society; great disasters such as asteroid impacts that periodically obliterate many species of life. Scientific issues, political and social consequences, costs of disaster mitigation, and how scientific knowledge affects policy. How spaceborne imaging technology makes it possible to respond quickly and mitigate consequences; how it is applied to natural disasters; and remote sensing data manipulation and analysis. GER:DB-EngrAppSci
Terms: Aut
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER:DB-EngrAppSci, WAY-SMA
Instructors:
Zebker, H. (PI)
GEOPHYS 70: The Water Course (EARTHSYS 104)
The pathway that water takes from rainfall to the tap using student home towns as an example. How the geological environment controls the quantity and quality of water; taste tests of water from around the world. Current U.S. and world water supply issues.
Last offered: Winter 2016
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-AQR, WAY-SMA
GEOPHYS 90: Earthquakes and Volcanoes (EARTHSYS 113)
Is the "Big One" overdue in California? What kind of damage would that cause? What can we do to reduce the impact of such hazards in urban environments? Does "fracking" cause earthquakes and are we at risk? Is the United States vulnerable to a giant tsunami? The geologic record contains evidence of volcanic super eruptions throughout Earth's history. What causes these gigantic explosive eruptions, and can they be predicted in the future? This course will address these and related issues. For non-majors and potential Earth scientists. No prerequisites. More information at:
https://stanford.box.com/s/zr8ar28efmuo5wtlj6gj2jbxle76r4lu
Terms: Spr
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: GER:DB-EngrAppSci, WAY-SMA, WAY-AQR
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