GES 190 Field Research

Students are required to complete at least six weeks of field research, and there are many opportunities to fulfill this requirement through GES 190 and GES 112. You will need to complete three sessions of 190 (one may be 112) to graduate, or substitute an approved equivalent. See past courses.

Need field supplies?
For a hammer, hand lens, or field notebook, try one of the following sites:
Geology Outfitters
Kooter's Geology Tools and Supplies

The following options are currently available to fulfill the field requirement:

Winter Quarter 2007-08
GES 112: Mapping the Geologic Environment

Introduction to geological mapping tools and techniques. Practical training in the field is offered with GPS and laser ranging tools. Extensive data sets are taken from modern surveying and mapping campaigns employing lab and field-based laser scanning, field-based total stations, airborne photography and laser swath mapping (ALSM), the satellite Global Positioning System (GPS), and 3D seismic reflection surveys. These data are described and analyzed using elementary differential geometry. MATLAB is introduced and used as the computational and graphics engine. Prerequisites: GES 1, MATH 51, 52
Instructor: Dave Pollard

Late Summer 2008
Aug. 25 - Sept. 15, 2008: Quaternary faults of the Surprise Valley - combining geological and geophysical field methods

The Surprise Valley in northwestern California is a geologically active environment with Holocene fault scarps and hot springs. This two-week course will involve mapping of fault scarps using GPS and aerial photographs. In addition, we will use detailed gravity and magnetic field measurements to image these structures in the subsurface. More information
Instructors: Anne Egger and Jonathan Glen (USGS)

Back to top