Extreme Geological Events (FutureLearn)

You’ll learn about the largest floods, tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and explore the impact they have had and will continue to have on our dynamic planet.

Finally, you’ll discuss the likelihood of extreme events happening in the future and how we can deal with the risks and hazards.

Syllabus

Week 1: Forming a habitable planet through extreme events

Week 2: The extreme events our planet experiences

Week 3: Humans and extreme events

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

- Identify key events that led to the formation of the Earth

- Discuss why the Earth is dynamic, able to support life and experience extreme geological events

- Explore the relationship between extreme events and the emergence of simple and complex life on Earth

- Identify the distinction between extreme geological events and the regular activity that occurs on our dynamic planet.

- Summarise the processes and triggers that lead to megaquakes, super eruptions, mega-tsunamis and megafloods.

- Explore how extreme events have shaped and impacted our planet

- Assess how evidence of extreme events from the past is gathered and evaluated

- Explore the difference between risk and hazard in relationship to extreme geological events

- Discuss the possibility of extreme geological events happening on our planet in the future and how we can mitigate the hazards they present us.