Geology Based Humour.: Geology Based Humour. A power point.

Geology based humour.: Geology based humour. To Include: - An explanation for the geological phenomenon encountered within each humorous image presented. - A breakdown of each humorous image , detailing why it is funny.

Humorous Image #1: Humorous Image #1

Now that the fun part’s over…: The meaning of ‘geology’ Geology is an earth science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which they change. Geology can also refer generally to the study of the solid features of any celestial body . Yes, but why’s it funny? This comic makes light of geology as a profession, implying that it is mostly populated by alcoholics who don’t know what they are doing. This comic is not funny. Now that the fun part’s over…

Humorous Image #2: Humorous Image #2

Now that the fun part’s over…: Now that the fun part’s over… What are the three types of rock? In geology, there are three major groups of rocks. They are defined as: Igneous: Formed through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava . Sedimentary: Formed by the deposition of material at the Earth's surface and within bodies of water Metamorphic: Arises from the transformation of existing rock types , in a process called metamorphism , which means "change in form". Yes, but why’s it funny ? As is often seen in geological humour, this joke hinges on what is known as ‘word play’. What has been done here is instead of the word ‘rock’ being used in the geological sense, it has been used in the musical sense; the child has mistakenly written three different genres of ‘rock music’, instead of correctly stating the three pillars of petrology. This type of humour is also known as ‘bridging humour’, as it can be appreciated by both geologists and musicians alike (although it is unlikely that any further interaction will occur.)

Humorous Image #3: Humorous Image #3

Now that the fun part’s over…: Now that the fun part’s over… What is ‘quartz’? A hard mineral consisting of silica, found widely in igneous and metamorphic rocks and typically occurring as colourless or white hexagonal prisms. It is often coloured by impurities (as in amethyst, citrine , and cairngorm). Yes, but why’s it funny? Again we see another example of what it known as ‘word play’. However, whilst the previous comic relied on a misunderstanding to derive humour, this comic instead exploits the different possible meanings of the words ‘quartz’ and ‘course’. This is possible due to their sounding similar when spoken out loud. Still don’t understand? Try saying it out loud a few times! – you’ll soon catch on.

Humorous Image #4: Humorous Image #4

Now that the fun part’s over…: The meaning of ‘subduction’ Subduction is defined as the sideways and downward movement of the edge of a plate of the earth's crust into the mantle beneath another plate . Yes, but why’s it funny? S ubduction licenses do not exist, as the human body is not capable of forcing itself under the earths crust and into the mantle. This is beyond the limits of the human body. Additionally, the human body is also not capable of the huge amounts of uplift required to create mountains. This comic however ignores both of these truths, whilst at the same time drawing further humour by the inconveniencing of a nearby colleague. Now that the fun part’s over…

Thank you for viewing this presentation.: Thank you for viewing this presentation. It is my hope that this power point will serve to make the world of geological humour slightly more accessible to the general public.