UNR Geology Field Camp: May 28 - July 9
Summer Geology Field Course Objectives:
Our geology field course is a capstone course that exposes students to a wide variety of geologic mapping and map interpretation exercises, including:
- projects at a variety of scales (from 1:120 to 1:24,000)
- using topographic maps, digital images, and air photos
- using both GPS and map interpretation to locate data points
Topics to be addressed include:
- mapping strategies
- field study of sedimentary, metamorphic,
volcanic & plutonic rocks, glacial geology - measuring stratigraphic sections
- structural analysis
- fault slip analysis
- preparing clear & complete field notes
- digital photography
- sampling
- data interpretation and integration
- constructiing geologic cross sections
- drafting using Adobe Creative Suite CS3
- writing technical reports
- report preparation using Word
We believe that students taking a summer geology field course gain the most from geologic field studies emphasizing basic rock identification skills, field measurements, observations, note-taking, map location skills, data synthesis, interpretation, and report writing. Some geology field courses emphasize digital mapping and computer technology, but we think these skills and techniques, although useful, cannot be taught effectively in a six-week geology field program without sacrificing important time and effort that should be devoted to the study of the rocks.
Students in our summer field geology course carry out exercises using both conventional location techniques and GPS. We teach computer drafting skills, but field work is carried out with paper maps and aerial photos, rather than digital media. Our field sites and projects give students field experience with plutonic and volcanic rocks, cratonal and miogeoclinal stratigraphy, Quaternary surficial deposits, and a variety of structural features, including foliations, folds, and faults.
Placed in the context of a geologic transect from the western margin of the craton to the active continental margin of northern California, the field exercises we carry out will provide students both mapping experience in classic localities and a first-hand understanding of crustal evolution of western North America. This truly qualifies as a capstone course in geology!
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University of Nevada, Reno
Last Modified: 12/19/2007