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The World's Most Fascinating Geologic Events

Experience geology as a living force that continues to direct the course of world history in these 24 captivating lectures.
Guidebook
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Rated 5 out of 5 by from One of My Favorite Courses Dr. Wysession brought together a tremendous amount of research in multiple disciplines to present this fantastic journey through Earth's geologic events. The relationship of these events to human history fascinated me. Dr. Wysession broke down complex geological processes, explaining them in a highly understandable way. His passion for this subject comes through in his engaging presentation style. I have been studying The Great Courses for more than thirty years and rate this course at the very top. After completing this course, I began to immediately notice concepts I had just learned being covered in news stories. Before completing this course, I would not have thought through causes for recent developments such as the destructive glacial melt in Nepal and recent earthquakes in Venezuela. This is truly a Great Course!
Date published: 2026-09-06
Rated 5 out of 5 by from A Masterwork of Geologic Events This course is a masterwork of scientific storytelling: visually stunning, intellectually rich, emotionally resonant, delivered by one of the finest geology educators of our time. Dr. Michael Wysession structures the course like a journey through the planet's memory. Each lecture is a window into a moment when Earth changed, violently, gradually, mysteriously or catastrophically. The scope is breathtaking. I have enjoyed well over 1200 Great courses lecture sets since 2002, and Dr. Wysession is a science and especially geology, exemplar. Every lecture makes geology feel alive, connecting Earth's physical processes to human history. Professor Wysession course/s are built around Earth's physical processes, the forces that shape continents, oceans, climate, and life. The course especially, emphasizes Plate tectonics and Earth structure, mantle convection, core mantle boundary and seismic waves. Dr. Wyseesions review of El Niño/Las Nina is very comprehensive and thorough. Volcanism and earthquakes is highlighted with focus on Tambora, Krakatoa, New Madrid and Japan's megathrust zones. The visuals are National Geographic level, crisp, immersive, and scientifically accurate. Every eruption, flood, climate shift, and tectonic event is supported by detailed geological diagrams, time lapsed reconstructions, and archival photography and historical illustrations. this is a cinematic science experience. This course is comprehensive and science dense, visually rich, and deeply explanatory. Offering so much information that one viewing isn't enough. This is a FIVE STAR course delivered by a FIVE STAR professor! The Very Best to Dr. Wysession while he faces a difficult life challenge.
Date published: 2026-08-31
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Extraordinary Course! My husband and I have watched more than 150 courses from The Great Courses, and we both found this to be one of the very best. The detailed and very clear explanations of geological processes (with outstanding use of graphics) are greatly enhanced with fascinating descriptions of their impact on the planet and human beings. Definitely recommended.
Date published: 2026-08-28
Rated 3 out of 5 by from Wrongly titled The professor is clearly fascinated more by interconnecting historical events so this is actually a history course. There's really very little focus on geologic events themselves. And thus the title claim is misleading. I happen to like and enjoy history but I wanted a focus on geological events.. That focus is missing.
Date published: 2026-08-27
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Incredible Breadth and Integration In this amazing course, Dr. Wysession draws from and integrates the history of our Earth's geology and the history of the human race, describing in fascinating detail a wide range of geologic events and their impacts on human endeavors and human history across the ages. I have thoroughly enjoyed every Great Course by Dr. Wysession, and this one is no exception. I highly recommend it!
Date published: 2026-08-26
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Superb synthesis of geology, history and more I've listened to several of Dr. Wysession's other courses and enjoyed them immensely, but this one is the very best so far. Thought provoking and traversing much more than just geology to explain so many incredible events in Earth's history. Watch until the very end, and you will get a great appreciation for his work and his humanity. I wish him the best.
Date published: 2026-08-22
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Such a quality job - and it's not just geology In fact, I would suggest that it's not even primarily about geology. What it's really about is human history and how astronomical bodies influence earth science, which has powerful impacts on world history. Everyone these days knows that the Roman Empire finally collapsed from a confluence of repeated deadly epidemics (smallpox, measles, plague), and a climate catastrophe (caused by astro events and geology) that drove the deadliest steppe people westward, desperately seeking grass for pastoralism and rain for agriculture. Dr. W links the geological fascinating events to what was happening in human history in the same way. Full disclosure: I know a lot about these things, the geology, the astronomy and the history, so I was not expecting a lot of major reveals. But a lot of fun 'extra stuff' - details that I didn't know about flood stories in Asia, for example - adds up to much more fun than I expected. [I think he was too understanding about the geologists who adamantly refused to look at the solid data for catastrophism. After all, Dr. Snow's data on cholera was just as solid and medical men held on to miasma explanations for decades, killing thousands of citizens, and so many other examples. I think a general human insistence on "I'M not wrong!!!" is the more parsimonious explanation. In general, thinking in terms of a spectrum of causality options - is (bravo for saying so) the best choice for scientists.] The class is very dense with learning, so having as much visual support as possible is critical. Dr. W is very dynamic but a talking head is not as good as a diagram. So bravo. Dr. W is also greatly changed for the better, compared to an earlier class I saw. I reviewed that highly for the content and visuals, but in this class, he is able to sit, he is allowed to dress casually and the constant 'arrogant' vibe that set my teeth on edge, is entirely gone. THIS Dr. W you can binge watch! Joyfully. I can't say enough positives about this class and I hope the producers use this as a model for other science programs.
Date published: 2026-08-19
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Professor Wysession always delivers. If was only a few short days ago that I had decided that I was going to cancel my membership to TGC+. It was also a few short days ago that I saw that Professor Wysession was hosting a brand new course about his passion and his profession, Geology. At the end of this entire process, it was ultimately decided that there was no way in ____, that I could possibly cancel my membership now. If TGC+ had a way to add gratuity after finishing a course this would be the place to start. Furthermore, if ever I'm given the chance to buy this man a drink, he will be getting the entire bottle. As he does every single time, Professor Wysession out did him self to an absurd extent. Strong work sir. Strong work. Full stop.
Date published: 2026-08-18
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The World's Most Fascinating Geologic Events

Trailer

The Volcanic Eruption of Tambora

01: The Volcanic Eruption of Tambora

Your course opens with a bang: a volcanic eruption that changed the world. Step back to 1815 in Indonesia to witness the explosion of Mt. Tambora and trace the effects of "the year without summer" (1816) and "the year of famine" (1817). This case study introduces the relationship between geologic events and human history.

Solar Cycles and the Little Ice Age

02: Solar Cycles and the Little Ice Age

The Little Ice Age was a 600-year period of cooler global temperatures, which profoundly reshaped the modern world from the 13th through the 19th centuries. Discover how volcanic eruptions and solar minima triggered centuries of cold, famine, and upheavals from wars to mass migrations.

Cold Climates and Settling North America

03: Cold Climates and Settling North America

Study the Little Ice Age, with both its impact on the Columbian Exchange and how this Exchange, in turn, changed the climate. European settling of North America was largely driven by the beaver fur trade to make hats and coats for cold Europeans. But deaths from diseases brought to the New World caused a reforestation of North America, in turn lowering temperatures.

Solar Storms and Their Impact on Technology

04: Solar Storms and Their Impact on Technology

In this lecture, Professor Wysession shifts from long-term decreases in sunlight a to sudden, violent solar outbursts. With examples from the 1859 Carrington Event, a 1989 solar storm that knocked out power grids, and a series of Miyake superstorms, he traces the threat that the sun's terrifying power poses to humanity's power grid.

Sea Level Rise and the Great Flood

05: Sea Level Rise and the Great Flood

At the end of the last Ice Age--more than 10,000 years ago--rising temperatures flooded the world, altered coastlines, and displaced early human populations. See how this period may have inspired stories such as Noah's Flood and the Expulsion from Eden--and how the Persian Gulf Oasis hypothesis may have sparked the birth of civilization.

The New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811–1812

06: The New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811–1812

Shift your attention from rising seas to shaking lands. From 1811 to 1812, four major shocks hit the Bootheel of Missouri, and Americans felt the tremors across the eastern US. Learn about the underlying causes of these massive earthquakes and explore how they affected Native American tribes and the outcome of the War of 1812.

The Puzzle of the Channeled Scablands

07: The Puzzle of the Channeled Scablands

Some of the most visually striking and scientifically puzzling geologic formations in the United States are the Channeled Scablands in eastern Washington state. How were these bizarre, barren landscapes formed? How did they pose a challenge to scientific dogma? And what can they tell us about Earth's dynamic history?

The La Brea Tar Pits and Giant Mammals

08: The La Brea Tar Pits and Giant Mammals

Hop over to Los Angeles, where today you can encounter mammoths, saber-toothed cats, dire wolves, and giant ground sloths preserved in the mysterious La Brea Tar Pits. These asphalt seeps have preserved millions of fossils, giving us one of the richest Ice Age records on the planet. See what we can learn from this urban geologic formation.

El Niño and the Great Famine of 1876–1879

09: El Niño and the Great Famine of 1876–1879

In the first of a two-part lecture on the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Professor Wysession examines a disruption in the east-west ocean currents of the Pacific. He connects the 1876-1879 disruption--which produced one of the worst global droughts in 800 years--with some of history's worst famines.

La Niña and the Flu Pandemic of 1918

10: La Niña and the Flu Pandemic of 1918

In the second of a two-part lecture on the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Professor Wysession delves into the cold phase, also known as La Niña. You'll see how this Pacific cooling event altered bird migration patterns, helped trigger the deadly 1918 avian flu pandemic that killed 50 million people, and changed the world following World War I.

Hurricanes and the Destruction of Galveston

11: Hurricanes and the Destruction of Galveston

The Galveston Hurricane of 1900 is the deadliest natural disaster in US history. Despite earlier storms, the barrier island of Galveston was unprepared for the Category 4 hurricane and its massive storm surge. Dive into this story of devastation and resilience and trace the lasting consequences of natural disasters.

Monsoons and the Rise of Rome

12: Monsoons and the Rise of Rome

Climate patterns have a strong connection to human history. As you will learn in this lecture, warmer temperatures and consistent rainfall contributed to the rise of the Roman Empire during the Pax Romana. This period--the Roman Climate Anomaly--benefited from the negative phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation as well as reliable Nile monsoons.

Volcanoes, Plagues, and the Demise of Rome

13: Volcanoes, Plagues, and the Demise of Rome

Just as a warm climate allowed for the rise of Rome, geologic catastrophes contributed to its demise. From volcanic eruptions to rapid cooling, famines, plagues, and economic collapse, this lecture deepens your understanding of the intricate relationship between geologic activity and human society.

The Powerful Earthquakes of Japan

14: The Powerful Earthquakes of Japan

Japan lies in the Pacific's Ring of Fire, where four tectonic plates meet, resulting in frequent and sometimes catastrophic earthquakes. Survey some of the major geologic events over the past century and investigate how Japan's early-warning systems, strict building codes, and culture of preparedness have saved countless lives.

The Catastrophic Start of the Little Ice Age

15: The Catastrophic Start of the Little Ice Age

After centuries of stable, warmer conditions, the onset of the Little Ice Age in the 13th century triggered upheavals such as the Great Famine of 1315. Relentless rains devastated Europe, causing massive crop failures and more than a million deaths. Trace the climate events, volcanic eruptions, and solar weather behind this period of disruption.

The San Francisco Earthquake of 1906

16: The San Francisco Earthquake of 1906

Witness the earthquake that remade California. Early in the morning April 18, 1906, the booming city of San Francisco experienced a Magnitude 8.0 earthquake along the San Andreas Fault--an event that destroyed much of the city but marked the beginning of American seismology.

Revolution at the End of the Little Ice Age

17: Revolution at the End of the Little Ice Age

One of the most iconic events in modern history was the French Revolution. While political, economic, and social factors were primary drivers, unusually harsh weather amplified the tensions in an already fragile society. Delve into the connections between failed harvests, soaring bread prices, the 1783 eruption of Iceland's Laki Volcano, and Marie Antoinette's apocryphal suggestion to "Let them eat cake."

Lisbon Is Leveled on All Saints' Day

18: Lisbon Is Leveled on All Saints' Day

In the 18th century, Portugal controlled much of global trade, and Lisbon was one of Europe's busiest ports. Then, in 1755, a tremendous earthquake (and fires and tsunami) leveled Portugal's capital city. Here, Professor Wysession takes you inside the causes and consequences of the earthquake, as well as the debates on God, nature, and science that it inspired.

The Eruption of Krakatau and the Modern Age

19: The Eruption of Krakatau and the Modern Age

One of the most powerful geological events of the modern age was the eruption of Krakatau in 1883. Although not the largest volcanic eruption in this course, the rise of mass communications made this one of the most well-documented disasters in world history, and the news marked a turning point for Indonesia, modern science, and the world.

Unusual Extreme Weather Events in History

20: Unusual Extreme Weather Events in History

In this lecture, you will tour the world to survey some of the most extreme weather on the planet. From the temperature extremes of Antarctica and Death Valley to the winds of Mount Washington to the Kamikaze typhoons, Professor Wysession catalogs the phenomena and then traces their historical impacts.

Deep Freeze: The Snowball Earth Hypothesis

21: Deep Freeze: The Snowball Earth Hypothesis

Step back hundreds of millions of years when much of Earth's surface was frozen. The two major "Snowball Earth" episodes altered Earth's atmosphere and life, first allowing the evolution of oxygen-breathing life (which would eventually evolve into animals) and then allowing the explosions of multicellular life in the Ediacaran and Cambrian Periods.

The World Just before Human Civilization

22: The World Just before Human Civilization

Continue your study of the world before human civilization in this lecture about the mysterious Younger Dryas period, a thousand-year cold snap that began nearly 13,000 years ago. Unravel the hypotheses for what caused this period--and reflect on the scientific methodology surrounding these ideas.

Are We Living in the Anthropocene Epoch?

23: Are We Living in the Anthropocene Epoch?

Following the Younger Dryas period, the world entered the Holocene Epoch--a stable, warm period that enabled the rise of human civilization. Is it possible we recently entered a new period marked by humanity's impact on the planet? Have we entered a period of acceleration called the Anthropocene?

Discovering the Origins of Our Moon

24: Discovering the Origins of Our Moon

In this final lecture, Professor Wysession travels back to one of the most dramatic moments in Earth's history: the giant impact that formed the Moon approximately 4.5 billion years ago. The story of the Moon highlights the role of pure chance in Earth's history--and with it the improbability of all we know of life today.

Overview Course No. 10630

The Earth is a restless planet. Volcanoes explode, continents drift, oceans rise and fall, and the ground beneath our feet can shake without warning. For most of human history, these forces felt like the wrath of gods or random chaos. Today, we understand them as dynamic processes that have shaped the story of humanity, from where our civilizations developed to the migrations driven by famine and plague.

The World’s Most Fascinating Geologic Events takes you on a journey around the world and across time to explore the volcanic and seismic activity, dramatic shifts in climate, and superstorms that have inspired terror and awe over thousands of years. Taught by esteemed Professor Michael E. Wysession at Washington University in St. Louis, these 24 captivating lectures reveal the inseparable links between geologic phenomena and human affairs.

Today, thanks to advancements in the science of geology coupled with history, anthropology, and archaeology, we can take a fresh look at some of the most riveting natural events ever recorded: volcanoes, earthquakes, climate shifts, and other catastrophes that have captured imaginations and changed the course of human history.

In addition to unraveling the science of geologic events, Professor Wysession makes dazzling connections between these events and the human impact, from famines and pandemics to mass migrations and the rise and fall of civilizations. Packed with scientific insights and vivid storytelling, this course offers a grand tour of humanity’s story on our dynamic planet.

About

Michael E. Wysession
Michael E. Wysession

The more you know and understand the natural world, the greater will be your love and appreciation for it.

INSTITUTION
Washington University in St. Louis

Michael E. Wysession is Professor of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, where he also serves as the executive director of the Center for Teaching and Learning. He earned his PhD in Geophysics from Northwestern University. An award-winning teacher and leader in university education reform, he has coauthored more than 100 research papers and 35 science textbooks. He is a frequent guest on different media platforms as an expert on earthquakes and many other geoscience topics.

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The World's Most Fascinating Geologic Events

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