Geologic Field Methods

Catalog description

The Geologic Field Methods course focuses on commonly used geoscience and environmental field techniques and is conducted over the course of 8 consecutive days (one on Penn’s campus, and seven in the field throughout eastern Pennsylvania). The course will include training on the use of the pocket transit to perform surveying measurements and collection of strike and dip measurements of geologic beds. Other field methods will be studied, including traverse geologic mapping; sketching of geologic outcrops; and construction of geologic fold cross-sections using the Busk Method. The course will include opportunity for field study of metamorphic, sedimentary, and igneous rocks. Large- and small-scale geologic structures will be visited and studied. We will have the opportunity to use environmental monitoring equipment to measure contamination in soil, water, and air. Students should be aware that the course requires a great deal of walking and may include exposure to adverse weather conditions.