Mesa State College School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences P.O. Box 2647 Grand Junction, Colorado 81502 (970) 248-1354
2002 Summer Field Geology Program
Mesa State College School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences P.O. Box 2647 Grand Junction, Colorado 81502 (970) 248-1354
| The Department of Physical and Environmental
Sciences at Mesa State College offers a dynamic, state-of-the-art, field-studies
course (GEOL 380). This six week course allows upper-level geology, environmental
geology, and earth science majors to fulfill their requirements for geologic
field camp with six semester hours
of upper-level undergraduate credit.
Mesa State College is located in one of the most geologically diverse areas of North America. World-class study areas, such as the Uncompahgre Plateau, Book Cliffs, Grand Mesa, Canyonlands, San Juan Mountains, Henry Mountains, and Paradox Basin, are a short drive from campus. |
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Each of the six-week course has a different emphasis, including development of basic field skills, air-photo mapping, plane-table and alidade mapping, GPS mapping, analysis of geologic structures, stratigraphic analysis, and environmental problems.
Tentative Schedule, May - June, 2002
Week 1: Basic field methods (section measuring, map location, compass-and-pace mapping, data-collection procedures, sampling; near Grand Junction).
Week 2: Topographic base mapping of classic laccolith features in the Henry Mountains, Utah.
Week 3: Detailed topographic base mapping of brittle faults and ductile structural fabrics in Colorado National Monument (near Grand Junction).
Week 4: Detailed topographic base mapping of ductile structural fabrics in the Precambrian rocks of Unaweep Canyon (near Grand Junction).
Week 5: Geological field techniques associated with environmental and engineering geology (near Grand Junction).
Week 6: Field excursion to San Juan Mountains and Paradox Basin, Colorado, including exercises dealing with ore deposits, Paleozoic stratigraphy, geomorphology, salt tectonics, volcanic processes, and Precambrian basement rocks.
Faculty for 2002 include:
| Logistics
Much of the course fieldwork is within a 50-mile radius of Grand Junction. This allows students to return to campus at day's end. Portions of the course are conducted at distant field locations, where camping is required. Students will need to arrange local housing during during those periods when the Summer Field Camp is in the Grand Jucntion area. On-campus housing may be available; however, as of the date of this brochure, arrangements have not been finalized. Off-campus housing (apartments, room rentals, motels) is abundant. For more information contact one of the participating faculty members. |
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For those periods of time that the course operates in remote locations, students and faculty camp out, usually in BLM or Forest Service campgrounds. Participants must provide their own camping gear and meals during these periods. A list of required equipment is provided approximately three weeks prior to beginning of the camp. Transportation during field excursions will be provided by Mesa State College. Students may also take their personal vehicles, if approved in advance by the faculty.
Students must proved their own field gear (e.g., boots, day pack, rock hammer, hand lens, basic drafting materials, calculator, etc.). Surveying and mapping equipment (compasses, tapes, GPS units, etc.) are provided by the program.
Tentative Costs
Tuition for GEOL 380 is approximately $588 for Colorado Residents and $1,824 for non-residents (plus a $200 lab fee). This fee pays for expendable supplies, field transportation, and program overhead. Expenses associated with lodging and food are in addition to the tuition.
Students using plane table and alidade to prepare geologic map |
Students use a jacob staff to measure thickness of a rock sequence |
Prerequisites for GEOL 380 include: Physical Geology, Historical Geology, Earth Tectonics (Structural Geology), Mineral Studies (Mineralogy), and Petrology. A background in stratigraphy, sedimentology and field methods is highly recommended.
How to Apply
Students wishing to participate in the 2002 program must apply by late April. Students applying from outside educational institutions must include an official transcript(s) with the application form. Application materials can be obtained by contacting Dr. Verner C. Johnson at the address listed above.
Mesa State College
Current enrollment at Mesa State College is approximately 5,200 undergraduate students. The campus is within the city limits of Grand Junction, which has a population of about 50,000 and lies at an elevation of approximately 4,500 feet. The late-Spring and early-Summer climate is generally mild and dry, with daytime temperatures ranging between 70 and 90 degrees F. Scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities abound. Hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, fishing and river-running are favorite summertime activities. The Colorado National Monument lies only a few miles from campus. Four other national parks or monuments (Arches, Canyonlands, Dinosaur, Black Canyon) are a two-hour drive from campus.
