Field Excursions for Stratigraphy
Geo
231/231Z
2
credits
Fall 2008
Class meetings: ES 309 F 1.40-3.40pm (labs - only on days before
trips); Sat, Sun 8.30-5.30
(field
excursions)
September 6 and 7; September 13 and 14;
September 20; October 18 and 19
[or October 25 and 26 if rained out on earlier dates]
Instructor: W.
Kidd ES 315 442-4477
TA’s: J. Gillen (ES339C); Matt Daigneault (ES );
office hours: Gillen -- ; ; Daigneault
--
Objectives: This class provides the first significant encounter for Geology and Earth Science majors with real geological exposures. The emphasis is on students developing their observational and logical skills on the outcrop in the subject areas covered in GEO 230, stratigraphy, sedimentology, paleontology, and introductory geological mapping. Students are required to take full notes in the field, and to write extended illustrated reports on these observations, and thus the development of professional writing skills is also a primary goal of this course.
Course topics: Stratigraphic section
construction
and correlation
Sedimentology of carbonate and clastic strata
Invertebrate paleotology; including environmental interpretation, and
geological
time significance
Geological field mapping techniques
Interpretation of maps and aerial photographs
Writing and illustration of geological reports
Geological field observation and methods
Regional geology and tectonics of E. New York-W. New England
Reading/study materials: No text required. The Geological Highway Map of New York State is recommended. A small number of readings from journal articles and/or short extracts from books may be assigned.
Grading: Three written,
illustrated
reports on observations from weekend day field trips
90%
Field notebook made during the
trips/mapping
10%
Attendance Policy: Attendance on field trips and in labs is
required.
Field Trip photos