Geologic Mapping Session

 

Geologic Mapping: Southern and southeastern Utah

 

What: Southern and southeastern Utah is dominated by the Colorado Plateau and canyonlands topography. This region has experienced a rich geologic history that includes Precambrian terrane amalgamations, prolonged Paleozoic and Mesozoic sedimentation, a bolide impact, and diffuse Late Cretaceous through Cenozoic tectonism and magmatism. We will be exploring as many of these geologic features as time permits. However, our goals for this session of field camp are; (1) to learn some basic field skills (e.g. map reading and use of a Brunton compass), (2) to learn how to collect complete and accurate field data (e.g. rock type and the attitudes of structures), (3) how to use collected observations to construct a geological map, and (4) how to do all of this while working independently in a breathtakingly beautiful setting.

When: Monday May 12 th through Friday May 23 rd

Why: Because studying field geology during springtime in Utah will be an event you will never forget

Who: All students in who have already taken courses in Structural Geology, Sed-Strat, and Mineralogy/Petrology

What to expect: The truth is you will feel like you are working very hard for two hours credit. Geologic mapping is intellectually and physically demanding. We will be mapping in difficult terrain. It will be hot, it might be cold, and the difficulty might get you down sometimes. The payoff is that you will learn a LOT of geology in a short period of time – and get to see some spectacular country.

Tentative Itinerary:

May 11 th Arrive in Salt Lake City

May 12 th 8:00 am depart SLC for Moab, UT, camping at Courthouse Rock…Introduction to Colorado Plateau stratigraphy.

May 13 th Finish stratigraphic review 1 st mapping project in Courthouse Rock/Moab fault zone.

May 14 th Continue mapping Courthouse Rock project.

May 15 th Finish mapping Courthouse Rock project, Start 2 nd project…Grid mapping.

May 16 th Finish grid mapping, Afternoon check into campsite in Moab (with showers) time work on maps.

May 17 th Finish working on maps, cross-sections and stereonets in camp in the morning. Trip to Arches National Monument in the afternoon. Move camp to Salt Valley.

May 18 th Third mapping project…Salt Valley Anticline

May 19 th Salt Valley Anticline continued.

May 20 th Finish Salt Valley Anticline in the morning. Drive to Wahweap Campground on the north shore of Lake Powell in the afternoon. Finish SVA map and cross-section in camp.

May 21 st Fourth mapping project…Trachyte Mesa or Horseshoe Mesa Sill complex and surroundings.

May 22 nd Finish Trachyte Mesa/Horseshoe Mesa sill project.

May 23 rd Show and tell tour through Capitol Reef National Monument. Drop off students going back to Tampa in SLC by 4pm. Those going to Las Vegas will continue on to St. George, Utah departing for LV in the morning of the 24 th.

What to Bring:

We are going to do geologic mapping on this trip. You will need to bring:

• Field book
• Fine tipped drafting pen
• Colored pencils
• Pencils
• Eraser (it is possible you will want one!)
• Brunton compass (provided by department)
• Acid bottle (provided by department)
• Hand lens (provided by department)
• Rock hammer (provided by department)
• water bottle (2)
• Day-pack size backpack

Gear:

• Tent (share with someone)
• Sleeping pad
• Sleeping bag
• Utensils (cup, spoon, knife)
• Water bottle
• Flashlight

Clothing:

• Rain jacket (gortex is preferred)
• Rain pants (gortex preferred)
• Field boots
• Some warm layers - such as sweater, fleece jacket/ vest
• Clothing for very hot weather (sun hat, sun glasses, shorts, light shirt)
• sun screen

Grading:

Grades in the course will be based on your performance on the several small mapping projects that you will complete and on your participation in the field. There will be no exams.