Course Objectives and Activities

Field techniques

Geology 111A Spring 2009

Course objectives and activities This course is designed to provide upper division geology majors with the theory and techniques that will lead to basic geologic mapping skills. We will use a Brunton compass to estimate elevations, measure bearing, trend, strike and dip, resect, and triangulate. We will also use pace and compass techniques to construct simple maps, with emphasis on accuracy and closure. Several weeks will be spent learning how to assemble the basic components of a geologic report, including introduction and regional geology, location map, structural cross section, stratigraphic column, geologic map, map key, and geologic history. We will also use computer graphics packages (Powerpoint or similar) to make templates for some of the required figures.

Course format Lecture one hour per week, lab three hours per week. Many of our lab exercises will be outdoors, so dress for the weather. We will work outside in moderate rain if necessary.

Instructor Dr. Tim Horner, 1018 Placer Hall, (916) 278-5635, e-mail [email protected]. Office hours Tuesday 12:00-1:30 and Thursday 10:30 – 12:00 or by appointment.

Grading Grades will be based entirely on weekly assignments. All written assignments must be spell-checked and word-processed, with 1 inch margins, 12 or 13 point font, and appropriate captions for all figures or tables. Late projects lose 1 letter grade for each day late. Missed exercises without prior arrangement will be given a grade of zero. Academic misconduct will result in a grade of zero for that exercise, and may be reported to the Geology Department or the Dean of Student Affairs.

Equipment and supplies

You will need a variety of field equipment, drafting supplies and camping equipment for this class. A partial list includes the following materials:

Field notebook Clip board with cover Drawing pencils: HB, B, 2B, 4B Pouch or pack for field mapping supplies Drafting eraser 3 Fine-point drafting pens (felt tip is acceptable) Small triangle Ruler or engineering scale Set of at least 10 soft colored pencils Map scales: 20 and 30 scales with protractor

1 Text and reading

Compton, 1985, Geology in the field. Reading assignments will be given out each week

Schedule

Date Activity Week 1 Introduction, field equipment, topographic maps. Week 2 No class today!! UTM exercise: See the class web page for details. Week 3 Geologic maps, geologic structures. Week 4 Geologic map explanation, geologic map template. Week 5 Structural cross sections. Week 6 Structural cross sections, cont’d, cross section template. Week 7 Brunton Compass: parts, bearings and trends, resection, estimating heights. Week 8 Measure pace, pace and compass map. Week 9 Strike and dip exercise- construct a simple geologic map. Week 10 Elements of a geologic report, title page and index. Week 11 Geologic histories: using a block diagram to construct a geologic history. Week 12 Location maps, location map template. Week 13 Stratigraphic columns, estimating bed thickness. Week 14 Written sections: lithologic descriptions, geomorphology, Week 15 Prepare for field class.