Course Syllabus

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GEOL 431 Field Methods and Regional Geology (4-credits)

Department of Geosciences, Yeah! - Eastern Washington University

Location and Meeting times

Location: ISC 006

Lecture: Monday, Wednesday, 11:00 to 11:50

**Bring ruler, calculator, pencil, eraser, and protractor to each class/lab 

Friday Lecture & Laboratory- ISC 006, Friday 11:00 to 3:50.  

Friday lectures and labs will be field based. If you drive yourself please understand that lab (EWU liability) will begin at the site.  There will be situations where walking on uneven ground or adverse conditions may be present. If you are allergic to something, please bring your medication with you into the field. 

**Please bring jacket, water, notebook, supplies and when needed - laboratory manual.  Please also bring work-gloves and safety goggles, if you will be breaking rocks with hammers – a hand lens and field notebook will be very helpful as well!

 

Instructor

Dr. Chad J. Pritchard, LG - Professor

Student Help Hours: Monday 10 to 10:50, or by appointment in PAT 129i or Zoom

Communication:  E-mail (cpritchard@ewu.edu), we can also setup a Zoom chat

Prerequisites: GEOS intro courses

Course Description

Transitioning from a continuation of an introduction to geologic structures from GEOL 430 to a more inclusive introduction to field methods and an exploration of the plate tectonic setting of geologic structures.  This course is an introduction to field study of geologic problems with weekly field trips that emphasize the collection and analysis of geologic field data to solve structural problems.  Weekly field trips and laboratory exercises are required.  

 Instructional Delivery Methods: In-Person Lectures and weekly field trips.

 Technical Requirements: Course material is provided through Canvas.  Some exercises may require digital platforms (tablet or computer), which can be checked out through IT.                                         

Required Text:

Rowland, Duebendorfer; Schiefelbein, 2007 (3rd Edition), Structural analysis and synthesis: a laboratory course in structural geology, Blackwell Publishing, ISBN 978-1-4051-1652-7

                Reference text:                Compton, Geology in the Field - Wiley

 

Week

Class Topic (Field locations subject to change)

1

Intro to class –  Saltese Upland (4/7)

2

Cross Section and mapping – SCD Mapping a quarry with a drone (4/14)

3

Complex Cross Section– Clear Lake (4/21)

4

Deformation & Microstructures – Magnison Butte (4/28)

5

Deformation & Microstructures –  Galena Mine, early leave - LONG day! (5/5)

6

Older Stratigraphy – Republic (5/12-13) or Waterfront Park @ Medical Lake (5/12) - democratic vote

7

Balanced Cross Sections – At your own pace, visit Riverfront Park for GSA field trip guide development

8

Balanced Cross Sections – HOLIDAY, At your own pace, visit Riverfront Park for GSA field trip guide development

9

HOLIDAY - Project development  - Metaline Falls (Friday and Saturday)

1:00, June 2nd tour of Boundary Dam, 4:00 tour of Gardiner Cave

10

Work on Project Presentations – Present Posters on June 9th

Schedule is subject to change…

 

Materials Needed in Class/ Lab

  1. Ruler (metric & English)
  2. Colored Pencils (at least 26 colors is requested for field camp)
  3. Graph Paper
  4. Tracing Paper
  5. Scientific Calculator (mostly trigonometry)
  6. Protractor (the ruler/protractor works well for field camp)
  7. Compass (for drawing circles)

Labs will consist of 2 to 3 people groups (doesn’t have to stay the same every week, but would be a lot easier if you didJ) submitting an RFP for each weeks lab.  Each RFP will include at least: You will work social distanced, if required

  1. Vicinity map (Shows the site location relative to a known regional area aka Spokane or Cheney),
  2. Site map with (data collected during reconnaissance), and
  3. 1-page report (front and back) summarizing the local geology and what you encountered and answering applicable questions/ problems. Some references may include DNR (interactive) geology maps, USDA soil survey, WA Dept. Ecology Water Well Reports (if available) and applicable journal articles (can be appended).  Each report should include a table using the following format submitted as an .xlsx document (submitted to cpritchard@ewu.edu).

Decimal Degrees (2-columns)      Strike Dip      Dip Direction             Rock Type

47.63824        -117.56384                125     30        W                    Quartzite, white, wx tan…..

Final Project : Pick a location (and applicable group) and make a detailed poster including:

  1. Regional Map (Geologic Area and Major Units),
  2. Site Map (orthophoto of the site) with all data collected by the class (to an extent) plotted on the map. The .xlsx files from each weeks RFP will be placed on Canvas or Google Drive. 
  3. Cross section of the site, or if not applicable - generalized regional cross section
  4. Annotated photos from the field.
  5. Stereonet and interpretation of structural data.
  6. Succinct and professional-level Geologic History, Structural Interpretations, and References in GSA format.

Presentations will be made during class on June 4th.  Posters Session.

 

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Develop the conceptualization of three dimensions in the field

Construct cross sections and calculate subsurface orientations of planes and lines at depth from data obtained in the field.

  1. Develop efficient and effective use of geological tools

Use a Brunton to measure orientations of bedding and faults, present these data on a map.

  1. Develop an understanding and appreciation of local geology

Produce maps from different locations and make interpretations from maps.

  1. Calculate the amount (percent) shortening or lengthening of the crust using defendable methods

Using field and or literature data, produce reconstruction diagrams and estimate % shortening/ % lengthening.

  1. Communicate geologically complex geologic processes using data obtained in the field

Give a presentation to class and interested folks regarding in depth analysis of field data obtain from research.

 

Evaluation:

Grading: Your course grade will be based on class participation, laboratory exercises, assignments/quizzes, two exams, and a “research” paper/presentation.  Attendance is mandatory. Notify me prior to class if you must miss class.  If you miss an assignment, quiz, or test due to an unexcused absence(s), the assignment, quiz, or test cannot be made up.  To maintain fairness and timely grading, late assignments will not be accepted.  You must earn a 2.0, or higher, to count towards graduation with an EWU Degree.

 

DISTRIBUTION

Class Participation                                            10%

Lab Exercises                                                     35%       

Class assignments                                            30%       

Final Project and Presentation                       25%       

Total                                                                  100%

 

 

Grading Scale

Final % Grade

Numeric Grade

Letter Grade

100-93

4

A

93-90

3.7

A-

89-87

3.3

B+ 

86-83

3.0

B

82-80

2.7

 B-

79-77

2.3

C+ 

76-70

2.0

C

69-68

1.7

C-

67-66

1.3

D+

66-60

1.0

D

59-56

0.7

D-

55-0

0.0

F

 

 

Class participation is a weekly grade based upon their positive participation in class, such as asking questions, answering questions, and contributing to relevant discussions.  Please feel free to question authority, but please also attend, contribute, and maintain a positive attitude during this course.  Attendance in class without any participation is considered average (75%).

Academic Integrity

Academic Integrity is the corner stone of the university. Any student who attempts to gain an unfair advantage over other students by violating the Academic Integrity policy may be reported to the university and may receive a sanction up to and including XF for the course, suspension, or expulsion from the university. This policy is on the EWU web site.https://sites.ewu.edu/policies/policies-and-procedures/wac-172-90-student-academic-integrity-3/

 Emergency Information

Campus-wide emergency response procedures can be found here: https://access.ewu.edu/police/comprehensive-emergency-management-plan/emergency-response. In the event of the following dial 911: Life/property in immediate danger, smoke or fire, crimes in progress, rescue or emergency medical assistance is needed.

 ADA Statement

Your ability to succeed in this class is important to me. If you already have an accommodation plan through Student Accommodations and Support Services (SASS) and would like to use your approved accommodations in this class, please let me know as soon as possible. If you do not have an accommodation plan but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that may require an accommodation, please contact SASS at sass@ewu.edu or 509-359-6871. You can also visit their website at https://inside.ewu.edu/sass/ 

Equal Opportunity Statement

Eastern Washington University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, age, marital status, families with children, protected veteran or military status, HIV or hepatitis C, status as a mother breastfeeding her child, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, as provided for and to the extent required by state and federal laws. 

Affirmative Action Statement

Eastern Washington University adheres to affirmative action policies to increase the number and retention of students and employees from historically underrepresented groups.

Title IX and Mandatory Reporting

Eastern Washington University recognizes the inherent dignity of all individuals and promotes respect for all people. Sexual misconduct will NOT be tolerated at EWU. If you have been subjected to sexual misconduct, we encourage you to report this matter promptly.  As a faculty member, I am interested in promoting a safe and healthy environment, and should I learn of any sexual misconduct I must report the matter to the Title IX Coordinator.  Should you want to report to a confidential source you may contact the following:

  • Sexual Assault Family Trauma (SAFeT) – 509-624-7273 – 24 hours
  • YWCA Domestic Violence Crisis Line – 509-326-2255 – 24 hours
  • Suicide and Mental Health – 509-838-4428 – 24 hours
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – 360-407-9490 (employees)
  • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) – 509-359-2366 (students)

 

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due