Middlebury

GEOL 0350

Artic and Alpine Environments

Past, Present, and Future of the Mountain Critical Zone
The Critical Zone is the name given to the thin slice of the Earth from the treetops to the base of the soil where geology, biology, hydrology and climate all come together. This course will focus on topics germane to the Critical Zone in mountain environments including glaciers and permafrost, cold-climate weathering and landforms, ecosystem adaptations to cold environments, snow and snowpack hydrogeology, responses to contemporary climate change and projections for the future. The goal is to provide a strong scientific grounding through which contemporary issues involving mountain regions can be understood. Laboratory exercises will include analysis of datasets from mountain environments. (Formerly GEOL 0250) (any 0100-level GEOL or GEOG course, or by waiver) 3 hrs. lect., 3 hrs. lab
Subject:
Geology
Department:
Geology
Division:
Natural Sciences
Requirements Fulfilled:
DED SCI
Equivalent Courses:
ECSC 0350 *
GEOG 0350
GEOL 0250
GEOG 0250

Sections in Fall 2008