Richard Harwood's Courses

Geology

Geography

Astronomy

Environmental Science

Image of Richard Harwood

Richard Harwood

Professor Emeritus

E-Mail: profharwood@icloud.com

 

 

 

 

 


Biography

Richard Harwood grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan and Wheaton, Illinois where he attended Wheaton North High School. He then attended Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs, Colorado, from 1982 to 1984. After two years in Colorado, he transferred to Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology in 1987. Richard remained at NAU where he completed a Master's of Science degree in Geology in 1989. His Master's Thesis is entitled, "Cinder Cone Breaching Events at Strawberry and O'Neill Craters, San Francisco Volcanic Field, Arizona."

After completing graduate work at NAU, Richard joined the U.S. Peace Corps and was assigned to serve for two years (1989-1991) in the Central American country of Honduras. He was assigned to work with the Geology Mapping Program in Honduras. This program is conducted under the combined direction of the Direccion General de Minas e Hidrocarburos (General Offices of Mines and Hydrocarbons) and the Instituto Geografico Nacional (National Geographic Institution). The overall project goal is to geologically map the country of Honduras. Mapping is conducted at a 1:50,000 scale. The host country agencies provided logistical and technical support while Richard conducted field mapping. He also provided geologic advice and training for agency personnel. The areas surrounding the towns of Ojojona and Yuscaran were geologically mapped during his service in the Peace Corps.

Upon his return to the U.S., Richard married Kristine Strenge. Kristine had also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras. In 1992, Richard attended Rutgers University in New Jersey and completed two additional years of graduate course work.

In 1994, Richard was hired by Black Hawk College to teach Geology, Geography and Astronomy. During his time at BHC, he was actively involved in developing presentation and online resources for his courses at Black Hawk College. Richard regularly gave presentations in the community as part of the BHC Speakers Bureau. In the spring of 2017, the president, administration and Board of Trustees of Black Hawk College, in violation of the College's Mission Statement and Core Values, announced that Earth Science was no longer a subject worth studying at BHC, and would no longer be offered to students. With that senseless and fatuous decision, and in violation of the contract with faculty, Richard Harwood, after 23 years of dedicated and exceptional service to the College and community, was fired, without cause, at the end of the spring semester. On November 27, 2017, the Board of Trustees, at the unanimous recommendation of the Natural Science and Engineering Department and Faculty Senate, voted to grant Richard the status of Professor Emeritus. Despite how he had been treated, Richard had returned to teaching at Black Hawk College on a part-time basis, in the hope that Earth Science programs would be reinstated. However, this has ended after the dean attempted to have Richard black listed from employment at Black Hawk College. The dean refused to give a reason for this action. This attempted black listing failed after intervention by the president. After this latest malicious treatment Richard has chosen not to offer his services to Black Hawk College.

October 1999, Richard and Kristine adopted a collie-husky mix dog from the Milan Humane Society shelter. They named her Cinder. After nearly 11 years, and after a very sudden, brief illness, she passed away in July of 2010. On October 22nd, 2010, Richard and Kristine adopted a retired greyhound racer from the Quad Cities Greyhound Adoption. Her professional racing name was Baby Lily, but she was known as just Lily once she was adopted. She was 7 years old at the time of adoption. She ran in 91 races during her racing career, and won 11 of those races, finished 2nd in 14 races and 3rd in 8 races. After 14.5 years of running and being a member of the family, Lily passed away on January 26th, 2018. On August 7th, 2014, their third dog was adopted from Rock Island County Animal Care & Control shelter. Her name is Luna and she is a malamute-husky mix.

Richard is a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. During his off time Richard likes reading science fiction, working on the computer, home improvement and woodworking.

Earth Science, Natural Science and Physical Science Courses Taught

Public Presentations

Richard Harwood is available for public speaking engagements for the topics listed below. All presentations require a minimum of one hour, and are designed for adult audiences, however requests for presentations for younger audiences are also welcome. If there is an Earth Science topic that is not listed below that you would like presented, please contact Richard to discuss the topic and to make arrangements for a presentation. Travel expenses and honorarium are expected and appreciated. For more information, or to request a presentation, contact Richard Harwood at profharwood@icloud.com.

Astronomy Goes to Hollywood
Can the North Star be seen in Manhattan? What's wrong with the Buick commercial? Does Sandra Bullock know orbital maechanics? Can a space station be open to space? Is Jupiter really a failed star? Find out as we take a look at astronomy and science as portrayed in five popular Hollywood films and one television commercial: Elysium, Regarding Henry, 2010: The Year We Make Contact, Gravity, and Interstellar.

Australia: A Travelogue
Want to know what kangaroo, crocodile and emu taste like? Or, what it's like to scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef? This presentation will share the sights and stories from trips to Australia in 1996 and 1998.

Chile: Volcanoes, Deserts and Glaciers
The geology and geography of the South American country of Chile are described and shown. The volcanoes and landforms of the Andes Mountains, the glaciers and fjords of Tierra del Fuego, and the Atacama Desert are included in this presentation.

Energy: Sources and Suppliers
From fossil fuels to nuclear power to wind power, what are the sources of energy in the United States that powers our lights, moves our cars, provides our heat, and charges our cell phones? From where does this energy come and how is it produced? Can the United States meet its oil needs and become "oil independent"? The answer isn't what the politicians have been telling you! This presentation will give a brief overview of the various sources of energy that we use, how much we use, and who is supplying that energy.

From Shit to Truth: And Other Crappy Thoughts
A humorous and educational look at fecal matter and how scientists sift through a world full of BS to find the scientific truth. (Warning: this presentation contains foul language.)

Geography Goes to Hollywood: Weathering the Storm in Film
Tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning, weather forecasting, Monsoons, and extreme weather - Does Hollywood portray these weather phenomenon correctly? Find out as we take a look at weather and science as portrayed in five popular Hollywood films: Key Largo, Back to the Future, Forrest Gump, Groundhog Day, and The Day After Tomorrow.

Geology Goes to Hollywood: Volcanoes, Earthquakes and Dinosaurs, Oh My!
Could a volcano really erupt in downtown Los Angeles? Would Tyrannosaurus rex really go chasing after jeeps? Could the Earth's core really stop spinning and spell doom for the human race? Is a tsunami going to wipe out New York City? Find out as we take a look at geology and science as portrayed in five popular Hollywood films: Jurassic Park, Superman, Volcano, The Core, and The Day After Tomorrow.

Geology Goes to Hollywood: Volcanoes, Glaciers and the End of the World! Part 2
Why didn't the world end in 2012? Are those really the Rocky Mountains? Can Mars be terraformed into a habitable planet? What do rocks and geology have to do with a prison break? Find out as we take a look at geology and science as portrayed in five popular Hollywood films: Cliffhanger, 2012, The Chronicles of Riddick, Total Recall, and The Shawshank Redemption.

Global Warming: Evidence and Causes
Is global warming real? What does the evidence show? What are the natural and human-induced causes of global warming? What climate changes will occur in the next century? These and other questions will be examined to provide a basic understanding of climate science, and insight into the issues surrounding global warming.

Honduras: A Peace Corps Perspective
An overview of the country of Honduras from the perspective of a Peace Corps Volunteer who lived there from 1989-91. The presentation also includes an explanation of the Peace Corps, its goals, and what it is like to be a Peace Corps Volunteer.

Natural Hazards: Questions and Answers
We live on a dangerous planet. There are hazards all around us. Avalanches, floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, tornadoes, landslides, volcanic eruption and asteroid collisions can all have a devastating impact on human life and property. This presentation will briefly introduce the Earth science of how each of these hazards operates, then address questions and concerns regarding these hazards from the members of the audience. Are you in danger of an earthquake in your area? Ask and find out!

A Geologist's View of the National Parks
Planning a visit to a national park or monument? Want to learn more about what you have already seen in a recent visit? This presentation is designed to provide a look at these national treasures from the perspective of a geologist. What does a geologist see when he looks at the Grand Canyon? Geologic features of parks from the United States, Canada, Chile and Australia will be examined.

The parks and monuments that are included in the presentation:
Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho
• North Cascades National Park, Washington;
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah
Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Yosemite National Park, California
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Death Valley National Park, California
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Zion National Park, Utah
Great Sand National Monument, Colorado
White Sands National Monument, New Mexico
• Dinosaur National Monument, Utah/Colorado
• Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
• Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
• Uluru National Park, Nambung Australia
• Daintree National Park, Australia
• Otway National Park, Australia
• Warrumbungle National Park, Australia

Other National Parks and Monunments that may be mentioned:
Arches National Park, Utah
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado
Bryce Canyon and Cedar Breaks National Park/Monument, Utah
Capulin Volcano National Monument, New Mexico
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
Colorado National Monument, Colorado
Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
Mount St. Helens National Monument, Washington
Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah
Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Sunset Crater National Monument, Arizona

Museum Displays

Museum Displays: Information on some of my materials that are being used in museums.

Rock Island County Fair

Rock Island County Fair Awards: Information on some of my award winning entries in the local county fair.

Images and Descriptions of Recent Trips and Special Events

Tectonic Plates Visited

QCA Underfoot

Recommended Reading

Juggling Machetes

Favorite Quotes

• "Never under estimate the power of human stupidity"
         - Robert Heinlein, Time Enough For Love

• "Hypocrisy is folly. It is much easier, safer and pleasanter to be the thing which a man appears, than to keep up the appearance of what he is not."
         - Richard Cecil, in Remains of the Rev. Richard Cecil, M.A., by Joseph Pratt.

• ". . . the more technically developed a nation or race is, the more cruel, ruthless, predatory, and commercialized its systems tend to become . . . all because we continue to think like animals and have not learned how to think consistently like human beings."
         - A.E. van Vogt, The World of Null-A

• "Pay no attention to Caesar. Caesar doesn't have the slightest idea what's really going on."
         - Kurt Vonnegut, Cat's Cradle

• "Beware of the man who works hard to learn something, learns it, and finds himself no wiser than before."
         - Kurt Vonnegut, Cat's Cradle

• "Is it not a pleasure to learn and to repeat or practice from time to time what has been learned."
         - Confucius 1:1

• "And so, my fellow Americans...ask not what your country can do for you...ask what you can do for your country."
         - John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961

• "Lo único que se puede aprender de la historia de la humanidad es que no hay nada más peligroso que una utopía."
         - Juan José "Pepe" Rojo, Ruido Gris

Supported Organizations

Gerad Meteyer Foundation
The Gerad Meteyer Foundation (GMF) is a volunteer-run, federally recognized tax-exempt charity that provides camperships to send underprivileged diabetic children to Camp Midicha.


Sigma Nu Fraternity Educational Foundation
The mission of the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation is to secure and provide enduring resources in support of the Fraternity's educational and charitable initiatives.


Ronald C. Blakey Scholarship Fund for Graduate Research
A scholarship for graduate students in earth sciences and environmental sustainability, or in geology who is conducting research in area of sedimentary research.


Kiva.org
Kiva's mission is to connect people, through lending, for the sake of alleviating poverty. Kiva empowers individuals to lend to an entrepreneur across the globe. By combining microfinance with the internet, Kiva is creating a global community of people connected through lending.

Below are the loans and projects that are being currently supported. Also listed are the loans that have been supported and repaid. Click on the picture to learn more about the projects.

Current Loans
Samuel
Samuel
Electrical Goods
Kenya
Harriet
Harriet
Retail
Vanuatu
Miguel De Los Angeles
Miguel De Los Angeles
Cobbler
Nicaragua
Vincent
Vincent
Spare Parts
Kenya
Firuza
Firuza
Embroidery
Tajikistan
Maposhoane
Maposhoane
Home Energy
Lesotho
Anonymous
Anonymous
Energy
Myanmar
Víctor Jesús
Víctor Jesús
Personal Housing Expenses
Panama
Claude
Claude
Secretarial Services
Rwanda
Edward
Edward
Home Energy
Zambia
Ruben
Ruben
Manufacturing
Bolivia
Safaa
Safaa
Printing
Israel
Francisco
Francisco
Entertainment
Puerto Rico
Repaid Loans
Aida
Aida
Livestock
Kyrgyzstan
Soknov
Soknov
Motorcycle Repair
Cambodia
Edgar Dario
Edgar Dario
Vehicle Repairs
Paraguay
Alaa
Alaa
Machine Shop
Jordan
Jose Uriel
Jose Uriel
Jewelry
Nicaragua
Pampa Redonda Group
Pampa Redonda Group
Clothing Sales
Bolivia
Ilknur
Ilknur
Clothing Sales
Turkey
Joyce
Joyce
Grocery Store
Papua New Guinea
Edgar
Edgar
Electronics Repair
Philippines
Makereta
Makereta
Fruits & Vegetables
Fiji
Jenny
Jenny
Clothing
Solomon Islands
Nicolas De La Cruz
Nicolás De La Cruz
Metal Shop
El Salvador
Blendi
Blendi
Cleaning Services
Albania
Shoira
Shoira
Sewing
Tajikistan
Adjo Catherine
Adjo Catherine
Construction Supplies
Togo
Teuila
Teuila
Clothing
Samoa
Rachel
'akosita
Textiles
Tonga
Rachel
Rachel
Fish Selling
Liberia
Matthew
Matthew
Cosmetics Sales
United States
Defaulted
Tadi
Tadi
Weaving
Thailand
Dipika
Dipika
Motorcycle Transport
India
Antonio Jesus
Antonio Jesus
Personal Medical Expenses
Mexico
Dumitru
Dumitru
Farming
Moldova
Alberto
Alberto
Education provider
Timor-Leste
Mirlanbek
Mirlanbek
Retail
Kyrgyzstan
David
David
Shoe Sales
Ghana
Defaulted
Ndamyo
Ndamyo
Mobile Transactions
Malawi
James Junior
James Junior
Food Market
Haiti
Adamu
Adamu
Primary/secondary school costs
Nigeria
Nahida
Nahida
Animal Sales
Azerbaijan
Defaulted
Fortunee
Fortunee
Education
Rwanda
Ahmad
Ahmad
Grocery Store
Egypt
Dorine
Dorine
Beverages
Cameroon
Demetrio
Demetrio
Taxi
Paraguay
Nang Tedeng Len Group
Nang Tedeng Len Group
Bricks
Indonesia
Bajram
Bajram
Agriculture
Albania
Mulheres Independentes Group
Mulheres Independentes Group
Food Production/Sales
Brazil
Fati
Fati
Food Production/Sales
Burkina Faso
Liana Hanitra
Liana Hanitra
Butcher Shop
Madagascar
Saingleng
Saingleng
Cattle
Cambodia
Sewa Group
Sewa Group
Cereals
Mali
Elsa Paola
Elsa Paola
Arts
Ecuador
Cristo La Fuente 1,3,4,5 Group
Cristo La Fuente 1,3,4,5 Group
Cafe
Dominican Republic
Mohammad
Mohammad
Auto Repair
Jordan
Yeny Maritza
Yeny Maritza
Entertainment
Colombia
Defaulted
Ivette Elizabeth
Ivette Elizabeth
Bookstore
Nicaragua
Gulnoza
Gulnoza
Bakery
Tajikistan
For Say Group
For Say Group
Beauty Salon
Sierra Leone
Vyagizimana Group
Vyagizimana Group
Barber Shop
Burundi
Jerusha
Jerusha
Personal Use
Kenya
Sherif
Sherif
Furniture Making
Kosovo
Zosima
Zosima
Transportation
Philippines
Hashim
Hashim
Quarrying
Tanzania
Catarina
Catarina
Housing
Mozambique
Ivan Dario
Ivan Dario
Carpentry
Colombia
Intelligent Group
Intelligent Group
Recycling
Zimbabwe
Boaz Group
Boaz Group
Pharmacy
D.R. Congo
Yousef
Yousef
Blacksmith
Palestine
Ahmad
Ahmad
Furniture Making
Lebanon
Exitosas Group
Exitosas Group
Crafts
Bolivia
Arayik
Arayik
Furniture Making
Armenia
Cecilio
Cecilio
Furniture Making
Honduras
M. Saeed
M. Saeed
Furniture Making
Pakistan
Yensi
Yensi
Furniture Making
Costa Rica
Namuun-Aizam
Namuun-Aizam
Furniture Making
Mongolia
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio
Woodworking
El Salvador
Kassim
Kassim
Timber Sales
Uganda
Viktor
Viktor
Furniture Making
Ukraine
Mouhamadou
Mouhamadou
Furniture Making
Senegal
Gocha
Gocha
Furniture Making
Georgia
Elmer Eduardo
Elmer Eduardo
Construction
Peru
Jorge Aquiles
Jorge Aquiles
Home Products Sales
Honduras
Heyssell Sarai
Heyssell Sarai
Catering
Honduras
Somos Catrachos Group
Somos Catrachos…
General Store
Honduras
Aida Esperanza
Aida Esperanza
General Store
Honduras
Margaritas De Xesampual Group
Margaritas De…
Clothing Sales
Guatemala
Nguyen Thi
Nguyen Thi
Poultry
Viet Nam
Martina
Martina
Clothing Sales
Honduras

Kiva Loan Recipient Countries

 

Publications

2012, Mineral and Rock Identification Atlas; 2nd Edition; Lulu Press, 87 p.

2012, The Peace Corps, A Mentor's Advice and the Leasons Learned; Art Fusion magazine, Black Hawk College Art Department, p. 8-9.

2002, A Geologist's Travels in Chile; Illinois State Univ. Geology/Geography magazine Glacial Deposits. November 2004

1998, Geologic map of the Ojojona quadrangle; Instituto Geográfico Nacional Tegucigalpa, Honduras, scale 1:50,000.

1996, Geologic map of the Yuscarán quadrangle; Instituto Geográfico Nacional, Tegucigalpa, Honduras, scale 1:50,000.

1992, Geology of the Yuscarán quadrangle, Francí­sco Morazán, Honduras; Instituto Geográfico Nacional, Tegucigalpa, Honduras, scale 1:50,000. [in Spanish]

1991, Geology of the Ojojona quadrangle, Francí­sco Morazán, Honduras; Instituto Geográfico Nacional Tegucigalpa, Honduras, scale 1:50,000. [in Spanish]

1989, Reconstruction of cinder cone breaching events: an example at Strawberry Crater and O'Neill Crater, Arizona; Journal of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science, v. 24, p. 42-43.

1989, Analysis of breach azimuths for cinder cones in the San Francisco volcanic field, Arizona; Journal of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science, v. 24, p. 43.


LINKS

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Recommended Reading/Apps


Professor

Richard Harwood
Prof. Richard Harwood


Short Subjects

Global Warming
SI - Metric Units
Geologic Time Scale
Periodic Table of Elements
Longitude and Latitude
Orbital Eccentricity
Countries of the World
Why Geography Matters
Atlas of Igneous Rocks
Atlas of Sedimentary Rocks
Atlas of Metamorphic Rocks
How to Succeed in Class


World Population

U.S. Population

U.S. Oil Usage

July, 2016 Daily Average:
     20.238 million barrels

The U.S. uses approximately 21% of world's daily oil production.


Global Average Temperature

2016: 14.78°C
2015: 14.83°C
2014: 14.69°C
2013: 14.59°C
2012: 14.63°C
2011: 14.50°C
2010: 14.47°C
2009: 14.61°C
2008: 14.43°C
2007: 14.48°C
2006: 14.54°C
2005: 14.59°C
2004: 14.43°C
2003: 14.54°C
2002: 14.46°C
2001: 14.40°C

Source: NOAA NCDC