GO 547 Field Geology
ES 747 Field Studies
in Earth Science

Emporia State University
Kansas, U.S.A.

Professor: James S. Aber
E-mail: jaber@emporia.edu

Lecturer: Susan W. Aber. E-mail: saber@emporia.edu
GTA: Scott Smith. E-mail: ssmith3@emporia.edu


Table of Contents
Description Materials
Weekly schedule Outcomes
Requirements Localities

http://academic.emporia.edu/aberjame/field/geology.htm

Course blog and field pictures.

Base all your work on the reality of the field; there lies the truth if you are clever enough to extract it.
Prof. Douglas Shearman (1958). Quoted by John Dewey in GSA GeoTales (2004).

Course description

Geologic field studies in Kansas and southern Colorado. Basic techniques in geologic mapping, field observations, and specimen collection. Identification of sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks. Investigations of stratigraphy, minerals, sedimentology, and structural geology. Recognition of erosional and depositional landforms; examination of alluvial, glacial and aeolian geomorphology.

Meets certification requirements for teaching Earth/Space science. Prerequisite: GO 325 (Earth History) or consent of instructor. Special fee: $650 for transportation, lodging, and food (tuition not included). Scholarships may be available on a competitive basis.

See Fees and scholarships (updated Nov. '08).

GO 547 is a five-credit course for undergraduate or graduate students. ES 747 is for graduate students only; section A is for two credits, and section B is a four-credit course. All students should enroll for these courses through the normal on-campus procedure.

Course materials and conditions

Course notes, topographic maps, aerial and space photographs, satellite imagery, surveying compass, global positioning system (GPS) receiver, hard-hat, and field-radio (all supplied by instructor). Students provide their own hand lens, rock hammer, field notebook, sample containers, day pack and luggage, canteen, first-aid kit, camera, binoculars, field clothing, appropriate footwear, and other personal gear. A personal laptop computer is recommended. Students are encouraged to print out course webpages for reference in the field.

 This course is physically demanding. Students will walk and climb over rough terrain carrying their personal supplies and field equipment. Plan on hiking 5-10 miles per day in temperatures ranging from 45° to 95°F. We will work in rain, unless a severe storm threatens. Our living quarters in Colorado are situated at 9000 feet elevation, and we will work from 9000 to over 13,000 feet. Each student must be in excellent physical condition to undertake this activity. Students are advised to begin some kind of aerobic exercise--walking, swimming, jogging, or bicycling--start now!

Each student should make or acquire a Jacob's staff. This is a simple measuring pole that also serves as a walking stick. The typical Jacob's staff is five feet (1.5 m) long and is marked in one-foot (30 cm) intervals; it may be wood (closet rod) or plastic pipe, but not metal. This staff is used to measure strata thickness. In this example, the Jacob's staff stands on limestone and shale beds of the Neva Limestone, Chase County, Kansas.

Each student is required to submit a standard physical examination, signed by a physician, with approval for "strenuous activity." Furthermore, each student must present proof of health insurance coverage--company and policy number. No student will be allowed to participate in this course without these items on file. Any student who is unable to meet these medical conditions may be allowed to substitute other field-based courses upon written recommendation of the student's physician. All medical information will be kept confidential.

All field activities will be conducted with the team method, in which groups of 3-4 students will work together. Safety is the primary consideration for teamwork in the field. The team approach extends to food preparation, kitchen cleanup, and other activities.

Activities & weekly schedule, 2009

Flint Hills field-trip guidebook.

Living arrangements.

Rocky Mountain field-trip guidebook.

Student outcomes

Through course experiences, students are expected to learn and demonstrate techniques for basic field observations, measurements, and identifications sufficient to create geologic maps of bedrock, surficial sediments, and landforms. Meeting these outcomes will be evaluated on the basis of geologic maps and reports prepared by students.

Course requirements GO 547

  1. Daily attendance and participation in all field excursions and related activities, as listed in weekly schedule. 10% of total grade.

  2. Individual geological map and report for Lake Kahola vicinity, Flint Hills, KS. 10% of total grade.

  3. Individual geological map and report for Matfield Green vicinity, Flint Hills, KS. 10% of total grade.

  4. Individual stratigraphic chart and report for Elmdale and Kahola vicinity, Flint Hills, KS. 10% of total grade.

  5. Individual geologic map and report for Cordova/Cucharas Pass vicinity, Colorado. 15% of total grade.

  6. Individual geologic map and report for Blue/Bear Lakes vicinity, Colorado. 15% of total grade.

  7. Report/maps of independent field study chosen by each student in consultation with the instructor. Nature and location of field projects may vary considerably depending on interests of students. Laboratory and/or literature research may be integrated with the field study. 30% of total grade, GO 547 only. This report may satisfy the capstone requirement for the B.S. in Earth Science degree.

Notes:
Geologic maps and reports.
Go to course grading scale.


Field Localities in Colorado, 2009
  • Spanish Peaks -- double intrusion with spectacular dikes--see Spanish Peaks.
  • La Veta Pass -- complex faulting and intrusions--see La Veta.
  • Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve -- see Great Sand Dunes.
  • San Luis Valley -- part of the Rio Grande Rift system--see San Luis.

    • This course is presented by the Earth Science department for the express use and benefit of students enrolled at Emporia State University. Anyone else may view and enjoy the information here. All photographs and course curriculum © by the author (2009).

    Please send your comments to the course instructor.
    E-mail: jaber@emporia.edu.
    Last update: May 2009.