Earlham College Ealrham College
Department of Geosciences
Itinerary Images "I" Witness Accounts Geology Intangibles

  Twilight on the North Rim near Angel's Window

The Natural Geologic Laboratory of the American West
Earlham Geosciences Department
2004 Off Campus May Term Course

May 12-June 2, 2004

 

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© 2004, Ron Parker, Earlham College Geosciences
Last Revised June 21, 2004

E-mail comments or questions to Ron Parker

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Participants

Anna Best
Kate Burgess
Jess Castleberry
Gabe Fuson
Tim Graves
Nathan Henderson
Heather Hoey
Andy Parker
David Peake
Ron Parker
Tess Passey
Nathan Scott

These web pages are intended to be a virtual reality field trip to chronicle the amazing geology that we investigated on our whirlwind tour of Colorado, Arizona and Utah over 20 days in May.

Who went?

Ron Andesite Anatexis Katespar Jessper Gabbro Gravesite Natite Hoeyite Tessite Peakeite Scottite Tayloalbite

 

 

Where did we go?
(click for narrative descriptions and pics)

The Drive to Colorado [PHOTOS]

Boulder and the Flatirons  [PHOTOS]

Red Rocks   [PHOTOS]

Dinosaur Ridge    [PHOTOS]

Colorado Springs with Paul Myrow (CC)   [PHOTOS]

Mueller State Park and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument   [PHOTOS]

San Luis Valley   [PHOTOS]

The Ghost Cabin   [PHOTOS]

The Summitville Attempt    [PHOTOS]

Wolf Creek Pass   [PHOTOS]

Mesa Verde   [PHOTOS]

The Road from Carlos to Page  [PHOTOS]

The Raplee Anticline near Mexican Hat  [PHOTOS]

The Goosenecks of the San Juan  [PHOTOS]

Monument Valley   [PHOTOS]

Floating Glen Canyon   [PHOTOS]

Lone Rock Beach, Lake Powell [PHOTOS]

Grand Canyon NP   [PHOTOS]

North Kiabab Trail   [PHOTOS]

Toroweap Valley   [PHOTOS]

Vulcan's Throne   [PHOTOS]

The Coscksomb Ridge - Cottonwood Canyon Road  [PHOTOS]

Kodachrome Basin State Park   [PHOTOS]

Bryce Canyon NP  [PHOTOS]

Capitol Reef NP and Waterpocket Fold   [PHOTOS]

Goblin Valley State Park   [PHOTOS]

San Rafael Swell Uranium   [PHOTOS]

Canyonlands NP: The Needles District and the Joint Trail  [PHOTOS]

Delicate Arch and Arches NP  [PHOTOS]

Dinosaur Museum and Bone Hunting [PHOTOS]

Glenwood Springs, Aspen, Leadville and Climax via Independence Pass  [PHOTOS]

The Drive Home [PHOTOS]

 

 

 

 

Geology is a highly visual science and there is truth in the sentiment that "the best geologists are those that have seen the most rocks." There is no better method for teaching about geology than by visiting rocks in the field and there is no better place in the world to see rocks than in the American West.

The geology of the American West is dramatic and awe-inspiring. Because of a combination of relative geologic youth and a semi-arid setting, much of the geology in the American West is exposed to view. Many of the classical concepts foundational to sedimentology, igneous petrology, mineralogy, structural geology and tectonics have been developed from study of the American West. The objective of this May term is to effectively utilize the stunning visual impact of geologic exposures in the American West to introduce and reinforce fundamental geologic concepts. This objective will be met by hands-on learning in scenic locations in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. This trip should indelibly alter geology students.

Jumping in the Needles District

 
15 mile float trip from Glen Canyon Dam to Lee's Ferry  Field Trip Particulars
Top 50 list
The initial idea for this May Term was spawned as an afterthought to viewing the "Geologist's Lifetime Field List" web page (a list of places every geologist should visit before they die.)

CAmping at Kodachrome Basin State Park near Henriesville, Utah

Camping rules!
Why would we want to spend time in luxurious accomodations when we could really get to know the character of a place by wearing a film of its regolith on our skins? We adopted the philosophy of eschow (eschew the shower, that is).

An unbelievable meal at Hell's Backbone Grill, Boulder, Utah

Local flavor only!
We decided not to spend time cooking ourselves. Rather than contribute to the coffers of the fat and sugar feed chains, we decided that it would be much better to take meals in the out-of-the-way, back alley greasy spoon restaurants. Was that wrong?

Preserved oscillation ripples along the Dakota Hogback, Dinosaur Ridge, Morrison, Colorado

Contributors all!
In order to prosecute the directive of capturing (a bit of) the geological essence of a place, every student was assigned a day to describe and record the events and phenomenon visited by the group. Narrative write-ups for each day have been assembled into a running collective journal.

Snowstorm at Independence Pass, 12095 feet above sea-level

Who's Having Fun?
Never let it be said that "you can't pursue serious scientific inquiry and have fun too." In fact, if science isn't fun, why do it? Did we have fun? You betcha!

© Ronald L. Parker, 2004
Last modified June 21, 2004
If you have questions or comments about this web page, please contact Ron Parker via e-mail at parkero@earlham.edu

 Lorum • Ipsum • Dolor • Sic Amet • Consectetur