FOREWORD

This website is far from complete, it will never be complete, it will always be under construction. The English version is always more complete, and I will try and make the Portuguese version available soon. Other languages will follow.

Motivation

This website is dedicated to everyone interested in understanding how their planet works, and in the beauty of putting together Geology and Physics to make Geosciences. It is especially dedicated to students of all grades, from primary to university, and their teachers.

Rationale

Both the directives of the Portuguese Ministry of Education and the school textbooks have suffered, for many years, from serious problems, such as the lack of scientific correction, outdatedness, and the absence of an intimate link between Geology and Physics. The programs are too long and tedious, and the textbooks are too unappealing despite the profusion of images. Priority is given to memorization over understanding, and there is no stimulating true experimental activity (testing of variables and parameters).

The explanation of all geological processes must come from Physics, and, with few exceptions (e.g. Thermodynamics and Magnetism), the fundamental Physics (Mechanics) that can explain a good part of the Earth’s dynamics is accessible to those who have a minimum of knowledge and interest in understanding how our planet works. Paradoxically, in Portugal, Geology is taught in the almost total absence of the relevant Physics, either in Basic and Secondary Education or in University Education.

The teacher should avoid, at all costs, going to the classroom and orally reproducing what is written in textbooks. Youngsters can memorize everything as long as it is of their interest, they do not need a teacher for that. They can memorize all songs and singers (but they do not know the Physics of sound waves), or the names of all soccer players and match results (but they do not know the Physics of motion or Human Physiology), or the names of all car brands and models (but they do not know the mechanics of an engine or a suspension). The true role of the teacher is to lead the youngster to acquire valuable knowledge, and to understand how things work. Remember that knowledge is not transmitted, it is acquired. Ultimately, a teacher aims to transform pupils into students.

Methods

Here, the most basic equations will be used in the explanation of fundamental geological processes. These equations are of the type Y = kX, and most have been derived experimentally. Therefore, they can, and should, be reproduced in the classroom or at home. This is the case, for example, of elasticity (Hooke’s Law) and friction (Amontons’ Law) equations.

Throughout the text, questions will be raised about the most fundamental processes and equations. It is essential that the reader tries to find the answers by himself. That is the way knowledge is built.

In all fields of knowledge related to nature (e.g. Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, …), drawing is fundamental. In Geology, in particular, one can make gross mistakes by not drawing what is being observed. In all pages on this site you will be urged to draw on the supplied images. By drawing you will discover how much we can learn about the observed rocks and structures, and how much drawing can help in analysing (questioning) what we observe. Ultimately, you will learn how to find problems, which is the foundation of research.

Target audience

This space is intended to stimulate and help curious people, especially teachers and students, who want to understand Geology, in its most basic and fundamental aspects, even though there is still much to be explained in Geology. That is why research in Geosciences is still very active.

You cannot be a good geologist, or just enjoy properly a landscape or an outcrop, if you are not a good observer. If you want to enjoy nature to the fullest, you have to improve your observation skills.

I have always taught my students that:

“The eyes see what the brain is educated to see”

(Fernando Ornelas)

Below, an image of the amazing coast of SW Portugal illustrates what I mean.