SEMINARS SPRING 2009
HONR 228X Introduction to the Earth-Life System
Monday/Wednesday 10:00-11:15 am
Prof. Raghu Murtugudde, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science
Much is known about the geologic evolution of planet Earth and evolution of life on Earth. Putative linkages have been made along the way between the two evolutions and their co-dependencies with the far extreme view being represented in Gaia, a view that the geosphere and the biosphere are closely coupled with regulation of one by the other. The Goldilocks syndrome of why Earth differs from other planets can not be answered without considering the Earth-Life system together. The energy from the Sun is absorbed by the Earth's air-conditioning and heating systems to produce a temperature pattern that has supported a carbon-based life form that has shown resilience at the smallest scales but high vulnerability at the largest scales. The biodiversity has, however, shown a monotonic increase through time emanating out of close interactions between plate tectonics, climate, and life. The emergence and persistence of life even when Earth was at its extremes in terms of an icehouse world, meteor impacts, greenhouse world, and so on provide a unique opportunity to link the Earth-Life System from former worlds of prokaryotes to the empire of the eukaryotes through the carnival of animals. Are there any rules to the evolutionary game? What are the possible worlds as the anthroposphere begins to create the new anthropocene by adding new dimensions to the interactions of the biosphere and the geosphere? What can we learn from the former worlds? How can we prepare ourselves for the new Earth-Life system evolution and the 2nd Copernican Revolution? Can Earth reach a runaway cooling of Mars or a runaway warming of Venus with the help of the anthroposphere?
This course will start with the basics of the habitable planet and the carbon-based life to introduce the connections between plate tectonics, climate, life, mountains, and climate change. The emergence and persistence of life will be studied in the context of the mat world and life in the Phanerozoic, the Young Sun paradox, and conclude with the Earth at Extremes and possible worlds.
Assessments for this seminar will include: papers, exams, presentation, final paper? (Your choice. I recommend you ask for a short writing assignment early in the term so they know your expectations early. Please give me a call if you are uncertain about assessments.)
Reading:
Not all of the texts need to be purchased. The first one is the most
relevant. An Introduction to the Earth-Life System Edited by
Charles Cockell. Cambridge University Press.
ISBN: 9780-5217-2953-6
The Earth System by L. R. Kump, J. F. Kasting, and R. G. Crane.
Pearson Prentice Hall.
ISBN: 0-13-142059-3
Earth System Science by M. C. Jacobson, R. J. Charlson, H. Rodhe,
and G. H. Orians.
Academic Press. ISBN: 0-12-379370-X
And a number of scientific articles to be provided.
CORE: Physical Sciences, non-lab [PS]
