Geology Modules
Southwestern Geology | Erosion and Land Use | Dinosaurs!
During this excursion into the desert of the southwest, we will explore how the basin and range formed. Each stop will highlight different processes that have occurred during the past 300 million years. We will focus on volcanic activity during the Cenozoic. The only prerequisite for this module is Introduction to Geology (GL 100/101) or permission from the instructor. There is a additional $25 fee for this module.
We will examine rocks units in:
Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona
Morenci, Arizona
Chiricahua, Arizona
San Carlos Indian Reservation (World famous peridot location)
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During this excursion we will explore the beautiful landforms of the southwest and discuss how they formed and how we use them. Each stop will highlight the geologic processes and forces that shaped the land. There will be several long hikes in these modules, no prerequisites are required.
During this module we will visit:
Page, Arizona, Lake Powell and slot canyons
Bryce Canyon, Utah
San Rafael Swell, Utah
Arches National Park
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Click here to view photo SlideshowBy examining bones in dinosaur quarries, trace fossils of dinosaurs, and museum collections, you will learn about the ecology of these ancient giants.
During this module, we will visit:
Two sites in the Moab, UT area that contain extraordinary dinosaur footprints
Mill Canyon dinosaur quarry, at which you will see a wide variety of bones, still in the outcrop
An active dinosaur quarry near Moab, UT
The Cleveland-Lloyd Quarry, the most prolific dinosaur quarry in the world (private tour)
The wonderful dinosaur display at College of Eastern Utah Prehistoric Museum.
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image
Click here to view photo Slideshow
In the geology modules, you will use "hands on" observations and field discussions to address cutting-edge questions regarding the geological history of the Southwest and how this history addresses humans' place in nature. (Click on the titles to the left to see descriptions of each module.) And, while addressing these questions, you will have backdrops like this:
