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Programs
(Select One)
- 1. Down to Earth
- Surface conditions of the planets Venus and Mars are compared with those of Earth, and
scenes of Earth's living landscapes lead into a discussion of how unique Earth truly is.
Major topics addressed in the series, including plate tectonics, natural resources,
seismology, and erosion, are introduced in this program.
- 2. The Restless Planet
- Early Greek astronomers believed that Earth was the center of the universe. However,
this notion changed dramatically over time, especially after the invention of the
telescope. This program traces the development of astronomical theory with discussions of
the discoveries of Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, and Newton. Unique characteristics of
Earth are also discussed.
- 3. Earth's Interior
- Oil wells do more than just produce oil — they serve as windows to Earth’s
interior. This program introduces the topic of geophysics, exploring methods of studying
what lies beneath Earth’s surface. Geophysicists use seismic wave studies, variations
in temperature, magnetic fields, gravity, and computer simulations to create models of
deep structures.
- 4. The Sea Floor
- The mysteries of the ocean floor lie hidden under enormous pressure and total darkness.
This program looks at the research submersibles and indirect methods used to study the
bottom of the sea, providing a glimpse of volcanic activity, formations such as the
continental shelf and mid-ocean ridges, and life forms that thrive at extreme depths.
- 5. The Birth of a Theory
- In the 1960s, earth scientists developed the theory of plate tectonics. This program
traces the development of plate tectonics, beginning with the contributions and methods of
geologist Alfred Wegener. Sea-floor spreading, continental drift, paleomagnetism, and the
primordial supercontinent Pangaea are some of the topics covered.
- 6. Plate Dynamics
- This program examines the movement and interaction of tectonic plates, which account for
a vast array of geologic formations and phenomena — from California’s San
Andreas Fault to the Rift Valley of eastern Africa. The program covers convergent
boundaries, subduction, hotspots, and the debate over what drives plate motion.
- 7. Mountain Building
- This program erodes the myth of the mountain as a solid, permanent structure. Animations
are used to illustrate the process of orogeny (mountain building) through accretion and
erosion, as well as the role of plate tectonics, the rock cycle, and how different types
of rock are formed in the course of mountain building.
- 8. Earth's Structures
- A visit to the Grand Canyon lays the foundation for this exploration of rock layers and
deformation. The program covers sedimentation, major structures, the methods used to
examine them, and how petroleum may be trapped inside them. It also looks at tectonic
force and the different types of stress involved in the formation of geologic structures.
- 9. Earthquakes
- Showing actual footage of earthquakes and their aftermath, this program discusses the
forces that fuel these massive events. Faults, waves, and the transfer of energy from the
epicenter are explained, and histories of the seismograph and Richter scale are presented.
The program also describes devices being developed to study — and eventually predict
— earthquakes.
- 10. Geologic Time
- To illustrate the immensity of geologic time, the entire span of Earth’s existence
is compressed down to a year. The timeline of major geologic events is superimposed onto
the year for a condensed view of Earth’s evolution. A relationship between this
timeline and that of life on Earth is established, with fossils and radiocarbon dating
playing a major role in the discovery.
- 11. Evolution Through Time
- The fossil record reveals much about the diversity and development of species. This
program examines the traces left by early plants, animals, and single-celled organisms and
follows the progression of life forms over time. Connections are drawn between atmospheric
gases, climate change, rock formation, biological functions, and mass extinctions.
- 12. Minerals: The Materials of Earth
- Minerals have been indispensable to human civilization. This program looks at the
variety of minerals, their atomic and crystalline structures, and their physical
properties such as hardness and luster. Petrologists’ methods of sectioning rocks are
shown, and gems, precious metals, ore excavation, and the value of silicates are
discussed.
- 13. Volcanism
- Volcanoes provide clues about what is going on inside Earth. Animations illustrate
volcanic processes and how plate boundaries are related to volcanism. The program also
surveys the various types of eruptions, craters, cones and vents, lava domes, magma, and
volcanic rock. The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens serves as one example.
- 14. Intrusive Igneous Rocks
- Most magma does not extrude onto Earth’s surface but cools slowly deep inside
Earth. This magma seeps into crevices in existing rock to form intrusive igneous rocks.
Experts provide a graphic illustration of this process and explain the types and textures
of rocks such as granite, obsidian, and quartz. Once again, plate tectonics is shown to be
involved in the process.
- 15. Weathering and Soils
- The Cleopatra’s Needle obelisk in New York City’s Central Park is severely
weathered after only 75 years, whereas the dry climate of Egypt has preserved similar
structures in that country for millennia. This program shows how weather, climate,
chemicals, temperature, and type of substrate factor into rock and soil erosion.
Environmental connections are also considered.
- 16. Mass Wasting
- Anyone undertaking a building project must understand mass wasting — the downslope
movement of earth under the influence of gravity. Various factors in mass wasting,
including the rock’s effective strength and pore spaces, are discussed, as are
different types of mass wasting such as creep, slump, and landslides. Images of an actual
landslide illustrate the phenomenon.
- 17. Sedimentary Rocks: The Key to Past Environments
- This program returns to the Grand Canyon: its exposed layers of sedimentary rock allow
scientists to peer into the geologic past. The movement of sediment and its deposition are
covered, and the processes of lithification, compaction, and cementation that produce
sedimentary rocks are explained. Organic components of rock are also discussed.
- 18. Metamorphic Rocks
- The weight of a mountain creates enough pressure to recrystallize rock, thus creating
metamorphic rocks. This program outlines the recrystallization process and the types of
rock it can create — from claystone and slate to schist and garnet-bearing gneiss.
The relationship of metamorphic rock to plate tectonics is also covered.
- 19. Running Water I: Rivers, Erosion and Deposition
- Rivers are the most common land feature on Earth and play a vital role in the sculpting
of land. This program shows landscapes formed by rivers, the various types of rivers, the
basic parts of a river, and how characteristics of rivers — their slope, channel, and
discharge — erode and build the surrounding terrain. Aspects of flooding are also
discussed.
- 20. Running Water II: Landform Evolution
- The Colorado River is a powerful geologic agent — powerful enough to have carved
the Grand Canyon. This program focuses on how such carving takes place over time, looking
at erosion and deposition processes as they relate to river characteristics and type of
rock. The evolution of rivers is covered, along with efforts to prevent harmful
consequences to humans.
- 21. Groundwater
- Approximately three-quarters of Earth’s surface is covered by water. But most fresh
water comes from underground. Topics of this program include aquifers, rock porosity and
permeability, artesian wells, the water table, cave formation, sinkholes, and how
groundwater may become contaminated.
- 22. Wind, Dust and Deserts
- Land in arid climates is shaped in particular ways. This program shows how deserts are
defined by infrequent precipitation and how desertification relates to proximity to the
equator, proximity to mountains, and ultimately plate tectonics. Images of landscapes
illustrate how wind creates features such as dunes, playas, blow-outs, and even oases.
- 23. Glaciers
- Many of the world’s most beautiful landscapes were made by glaciers. This program
shows how, explaining glacial formation, structure, movement, and methods of gouging and
accumulating earth. The program provides images of glaciers and glacial landforms such as
moraines, and discusses how study of glaciers may help us understand ice ages and the
greenhouse effect.
- 24. Waves, Beaches and Coasts
- This program shows the dynamic interaction of two geologic agents: rocky landmasses and
the energy of the ocean. Aspects of waves — their types, parts, movement, and impact
on the shore — are illustrated. The program also covers shoreline characteristics,
currents, sea barriers, tides, and how the greenhouse effect could impact sea level and
coastal lands.
- 25. Living With Earth, Part I
- Scenes of San Francisco before the Loma Prieta earthquake introduce this program
addressing how humans are learning to cope with earthquakes. Various groups and agencies
are studying the San Andreas Fault and the damage caused along its path to better
understand how earthquakes ravage the land. Methods of studying earthquakes are reviewed.
- 26. Living With Earth, Part II
- Since the nineteenth century, humans have turned to the Earth for energy sources to fuel
their industry. This program discusses where oil comes from, how it is extracted, and how
it is converted into energy. The effects of oil drilling and the burning of fossil fuels
are also addressed, and the potential of alternative energy sources is considered.
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About This Course
This is a video instructional series on geology
for college and high school classrooms and adult learners. There are 26 half-hour video
programs.
Free sign up required for first-time
users. To hear the sound and view video, you should have Windows Media Player,
DSL, a cable modem, or a LAN connection to a T1 line or greater, and have Javascript
enabled.
You can download a free copy of the player from
here:
Acknowledgements
Video for Earth Revealed and the
individual program descriptions are provided courtesty of Annenberg/CPB.
This site is not affiliated with nor
endorsed by Annenberg/CPB
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