GEO 153 - Ice Age Geology Field Trip

1 Credits

Explore the Pleistocene Ice Age in Washington State! This one-day field trip examines the glacial history of the Puget Sound lowlands. We will look at field evidence that shows the advance of a large ice sheet into our area and the unique geology that those massive glaciers left behind. The class includes a full-day field trip and classroom instruction before the field trip.

Course Note A field class that may require navigating steep or uneven terrain including soft sand and cobblestone beaches with walks of about 2 miles.
FeesRG SC

Quarters Typically Offered
Winter Weekend
Designed to Serve Students who are interested in the course content and want to learn about local geology in a field based class.
Active Date 20210403T10:08:56

Grading Basis Decimal Grade
Class Limit 20
Contact Hours: Lecture 5.5 Lab 11
Total Contact Hours 16.5
Degree Distributions:
AA

Science

Course Outline

Glacial geology and the last Ice Age.
Glacial processes and landforms.
Shoreline processes/changing Puget Sound coastlines

Student Learning Outcomes
Student will describe the geologic history and deposits of Puget Sound that show the Earth changes over time from dynamic surface processes operating at a range of time scales as a result of their participation in the field trip.

Student will practice map reading skills by locating stops on a local map.

Student will observe and describe the actual scale of geologic features and materials as compared to pictures in books or other media.

Student will sketch or describe their observations in the field to identify landforms, rock, structures, and sediments formed by glaciers and other geologic agents.

Student will sketch or describe their observations in the field to identify landforms, rock, structures, and sediments formed by glaciers and other geologic agents.

Student will create geologically reasonable hypotheses based on learned knowledge to explain observations of rocks and features

Student will use their observations as evidence to interpret changes in the local landscape over geologic time and understand the geologic history of the Puget Sound basin

Student will describe the geologic hazards associated with the glacial history of Puget Sound and the effect of coastal processes on its steep bluffs to understand the relationship between geology and society.

Student will use verbal and writing skills to synthesize and clearly present their research on geologic information to a targeted audience using appropriate terms and vocabulary.

Student will practice safety in geologic fieldwork by fully participating, following safety protocols, paying attention, and following directions of the trip leader(s) at all times.