150 Multifaceted Nature of Oak Ridge and East Tennessee Regional Geology
Computers, Science, Tech | This program is completed
This course, giving an overview and history of east Tennessee regional geology, will have five class sessions and a field trip. The following topics will be discussed during the term:
Basic Geology Introduction (January 31)
Context of east Tennessee in Appalachians (February 7)
Appalachians compared to other mountain chains (February 14)
How old are the Appalachians, oldest in the world? (February 21)
Geologic hazards in east Tennessee. (February 28)
Field trip introduction (March 7)
Field trip in Oak Ridge area (caravan of personal vehicles) (March 11, Saturday)
Robert D. (Bob) Hatcher
Bob Hatcher has had a career of 50+ years as a field geologist but has used physical and chemical properties throughout to help understand the geologic processes in the context of deep time. His research focused on how continental crust has evolved during Earth history with the addition of mountain chains to help continents grow. Despite decades of research in the Appalachian Mountains, he has traveled extensively to other parts of North America, Europe, and Asia to "collect" other mountain chains to compare the most recent being the Brooks Range in Alaska.