Summer Field Course: Northern New
Mexico
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Taos, New Mexico
May 25 to July 2, 2010Department of Geological
Sciences
University
of Alabama
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Essentials
of Field Geology: Outcrop description; Introduction to geologic
mapping; Interpretation of Sedimentary, Metamorphic, & Igneous rocks; and
Structural Analysis.
The first exercises teach the use of a compass, writing geological notes, use of topographic maps, map making, traversing, and an introduction to the geology of the Rio Grande Rift and Sangre de Cristo Mountains. A series of increasingly complex exercises follow: 1) mapping undeformed sedimentary strata, 2) measuring sections of Mesozoic sedimentary rocks, 3) mapping simply deformed Mesozoic sedimentary rocks, 4) mapping complexly folded and faulted Paleozoic sedimentary strata, and 5) mapping complexly deformed Precambrian metamorphic rocks. There will be excursions to examine Tertiary volcanic rocks in the Valles Caldera, Front Range faults of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, sand dunes in the San Luis Valley, radial dikes at Spanish Peaks, and altered volcanic rocks at Red Mountain, CO.
Mapping exercises
incorporate global positioning system (GPS) for locations and digital mapping
skills with geographic information system (GIS) software.
Course information: GEO
495, six semester credits.
Prerequisites: Igneous and
metamorphic petrology; structural geology; and stratigraphy, sedimentology, or
sedimentary petrology.
Fees: Approximately $3,706 (Alabama resident) or $6,856 (nonresident). Includes all transportation, round-trip
from Tuscaloosa AL to Taos NM, accommodations and food in Taos, and
tuition. This amount does not
include medical insurance (required) and food when away from Taos (16 days),
field gear, and personal items. A $100 nonrefundable deposit (checks to
University of Alabama) must be paid to Debbie Frank, Department of Geological
Sciences by April 1. Remaining
course fees and tuition must be paid to University of Alabama Student
Receivables in May.
Lodging: Class
is based at the Austing Haus -- 9,000Õ elevation in the spectacular Taos Ski
Valley [see http://www.austinghaus.net/]. About 16 days will be
spent camping in beautiful northern New Mexico and southern Colorado.
Contact information:
Ms. Debbie Frank
Dept. of Geol. Sciences
Box 870338, 202 Bevill
University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
Dr. Harold Stowell Field Course Director 205 348 5095
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University of Alabama Student Receivables 105 Student Services Building Box 870120
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
205 348 5350
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