GL 170 is an introductory course in physical geology.  It covers the processes that shape our planet: how mountains and oceans are formed, why earthquakes and volcanoes occur, and how rivers, glaciers, landslides, and coastal processes shape the surface of the earth.  The theory of plate tectonics provides a central theme to the class.  The landscape of Vermont has been shaped by a wide variety of geologic process, both ancient and modern, and GL 170 takes advantage of Middlebury's location through outdoor field labs.