Introduction
Lecture 1 of the course “Introduction to Geology”
1. Subject Matter
Geology investigates the composition, structure, origin, and evolution of the Earth, with
the Lithosphere (from Greek lithos - stone; sphaira - sphere) serving as its primary object
of study. Geological processes are classified into two main categories:
A) Endogenic processes - these occur within the Earth’s interior and are driven by the
planet’s internal energy. They manifest through tectonic movements, magmatism, and
metamorphism.
B) Exogenic processes - these take place on the Earth’s surface under the influence of
solar energy. They are expressed through changes in the composition and structure of
rocks, the weathering (denudation) of rock material, its transport by natural forces, and
the subsequent formation of deposit through sedimentation and lithification.
2. Objectives
The objectives of geology are to study the composition and structure of the Earth, clarify
the processes occurring on the Earth’s surface and within its interior, identify the forces
that cause them, and determine the regularities of the development. This also involves
reconstructing the course of the evolution and development of the Earth, the Earth’s
crust, rocks, and organic world throughout the geological past.
3. System
A) sciences studying the composition of the Earth and the material of which the Earth’s
crust is build: Geochemistry, Crystallography, Mineralogy, Petrology, Sedimentology m
B) sciences studying the structure of the Earth: Geomorphology, Structural Geology,
Geotectonics.
C) sciences studying the processes of the Earth’s crust and lithosphere: Seismology,
Glaciology, Volcanology.
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Lecture 1 of the course “Introduction to Geology”
1. Subject Matter
Geology investigates the composition, structure, origin, and evolution of the Earth, with
the Lithosphere (from Greek lithos - stone; sphaira - sphere) serving as its primary object
of study. Geological processes are classified into two main categories:
A) Endogenic processes - these occur within the Earth’s interior and are driven by the
planet’s internal energy. They manifest through tectonic movements, magmatism, and
metamorphism.
B) Exogenic processes - these take place on the Earth’s surface under the influence of
solar energy. They are expressed through changes in the composition and structure of
rocks, the weathering (denudation) of rock material, its transport by natural forces, and
the subsequent formation of deposit through sedimentation and lithification.
2. Objectives
The objectives of geology are to study the composition and structure of the Earth, clarify
the processes occurring on the Earth’s surface and within its interior, identify the forces
that cause them, and determine the regularities of the development. This also involves
reconstructing the course of the evolution and development of the Earth, the Earth’s
crust, rocks, and organic world throughout the geological past.
3. System
A) sciences studying the composition of the Earth and the material of which the Earth’s
crust is build: Geochemistry, Crystallography, Mineralogy, Petrology, Sedimentology m
B) sciences studying the structure of the Earth: Geomorphology, Structural Geology,
Geotectonics.
C) sciences studying the processes of the Earth’s crust and lithosphere: Seismology,
Glaciology, Volcanology.
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