UC Santa Cruz Summer Field Camp

Projects & Goals—188A

This course will require completion of several tasks relating to the structurally, tectonically and paleoecologically fascinating Deep Springs Valley.  Field exercises will take place in three areas and will result in the following products:

Little Poleta

1) a ‘warm-up’ geologic map (on topographic base map) and cross section

2) a stratigraphic column of the Poleta Formation, including rock descriptions and depositional environment interpretations

Big Poleta

1) a large scale geologic map (on topographic base map) of the Poleta Folds field area

2) three geologic cross sections of portions of the field area

3) a geologic report

Birch Creek (and Tungsten Hills?)

1) a geologic map (on aerial photo base maps) of intrusive contacts between the Joshua Flat Pluton and Manolo Formation and Mule Spring Limestone

2) a presentation

 

In order to successfully complete these exercises you will use and build on the basic geologic field skills you acquired in EART 109 (or a similar introductory field course), to wit:

• the ability to systematically observe, describe, and measure geologic information "in the wild"
• the ability to interpret geologic information, intelligently and creatively, using sound geologic principles and multiple working hypotheses
• the ability to construct a logical geologic history of a field site using your observations, interpretations, and knowledge of regional geologic and tectonic history

You should remember that none of the above skills or tasks stands alone.  Developing skills in one area will lead to increase in skills in another.  In particular, taking detailed, systematic field notes will make you think harder about geologic processes.  This in turn will encourage you to look at the outcrop even more carefully, helping you to focus your observations and see more features.  This will result in a better description and interpretation of the outcrop.  As those of you who have taken EART 109 know, improving your field skills is an endless and lifelong process.  EART 188 offers you an opportunity to develop a better, more systematic approach to understanding geology at the source. 

Specifically, we hope you will:

1) Gain experience using a topographic base map to accurately locate yourself, locate geologic features and analyze geologic features and structures.

2) Learn to use stereo-pair aerial photographs to enhance your field mapping.

3)  Learn to use petrographic microscopes and stereonets to analyze rocks and structural data,

respectively.

4) Develop good field habits, such as taking accurate field notes, working neatly, measuring attitudes correctly, working neatly, inking in your map data each night, working neatly, and planning your map.

5) Develop your observational skills, your ability to make correct interpretations in the field, and your ability to use multiple working hypotheses while mapping.

6) Develop your ability to identify and interpret sedimentary depositional environments.

There will be no final exam in this class!  The goal is to use this opportunity to learn and improve your practical geological skills as much as possible.  Keep in mind that the Poleta Fold Belt is made of rocks that were forming during the "Cambrian Explosion" - arguably the most dramatic biologic event in earth history and certainly the defining event of the Phanerozoic – and that deformation and intrusion of those sedimentary rocks occurred deep in the crust even as dinosaurs dodged lava bombs at the surface. 188 is your chance for a three week excursion into tropical deep time!