Geology 103- Field Trips in Geology
Spring 2001
Please see the NEW updated info on the May 19th trip <UPDATE INFO LINK>
IN short- we have a van for May 19.
Dear Geology 103 student,
Welcome to the Field Trip Course! This letter will give you basic information of the field trips. Updated information will be posted on my web page if needed. The address is at the bottom of the letter
The primary purpose of the field trip course is to explore the geology of this great Pacific Northwest. I hope that you will find it interesting and that you can apply some of the things you have learned in Geology 101 and other geology classes to the field course.
Schedule
Vantage area Saturday, May 12 (7:30 AM - about 7:00PM)
We will drive to the Vantage area to look at evidence of the Ice Age Channelled Scablands. We will also examine some of the basalt outcrops composing the Columbia River Flood basalts.
Blewett Pass Saturday, May 19 (7:30AM - about 7:00PM)
This trip is mainly a “van trip” in which we make several stops to exam road cuts over Blewett Pass. We will examine the geological history of the area by studying the rocks and their geological structures. Using this information, we will complete a cross-section across the pass.
North Cascades Saturday, June 2 (7:30 AM - about 7:00PM)
We will be looking at the metamorphic rocks of the the North Cascades and learning the geological history of the area based upon them. We will also see alot of glacial features and talk about there formation.
Please note that the return times are approximate. Please do not schedule events following the trips because the return times may vary !
• We will meet in the parking lot (Lot G) behind the SMT building. Please be prompt.
Things to bring:
Lunch, water, raincoat (even if the weather forecast indicates sunny weather), sweater or coat ( it will be colder in the mountains than it is in this area), and good footwear (boots are preferred, but running/tennis shoes will be sufficient). Please bring something to write on and write with on the trips. You may also bring a camera and/or binoculars if you like. We will stop for lattes and ice cream on the trips, so if this is of interest to you, you will want to bring a few $.
Grading
This class is graded on a Pass/No credit basis. To receive a pass you must attend two of the three field trips and complete a journal of our activities and any other assignments during the field trips.
More than a "regular" classroom-type class, each person will gain a little different information as a result of this field trip class. Given this assumption, it is appropriate to evaluate this class based on the knowledge you have gained rather than having a "standard" exam. These are the reasons that I am requiring a "journal" of two of the field trips for a Pass grade in this class.
My hope is that the journal will be something that you will want to keep to remind yourself of what you learned on the field trip. The journal which you will construct should have the following :
1. During the trip I will be giving you questions to think about. I will expect to see a discussion of the questions in your journal. You should also include the handouts from the trip.
2. I will expect to see some general narrative on the activities of the day, such as "We drove through Enumclaw and observed..."
3. I will expect to see some reflective statements from you, noting your own observations and/or feelings about the areas we visit.
The following are optional items for the journal:
1. Photographs (if you want to add pictures for your own benefit, please do, but do not feel obligated to add pictures to the journal!)
2. Sketches of places that you observe
3. Information from outside readings
The journals will be due no later than June 7.
Notes
Activities credit
Prior to the Spring 1996, this class counted as an “Activities” credit. It no longer does so.
Special Needs
If you need course adaptations or special accommodations because of a disability, or if you have emergency medical information, please contact me at my extension 324, or come see me at my office, SMT 235. If you use an alternate medium for communicating please let me know before the meeting so that appropriate accommodations can be made.
If you have questions involving the information we discussed on the trip or anything related to the field trips, please call me.
Michael McCormick
Office - SMT 235
GRCC phone # ext. 4980
Voice mail # ext. 4651
Home phone # (253) 564-8375 (no later than 7:00 pm please)
e-mail : mmccormi@greenriver.edu
WWW: http://www.instruction.greenriver.edu/mccormick