GEO 220 - Pacific Northwest Geology

5 Credits

To give the student an understanding of the geologic history of the Pacific Northwest by including the influence of plate tectonics upon the mountain building and microcontinent plate collisions; includes several overnight field trips which gives geologic field evidence emphasizing physical and biological records of rock strata and structure.

Pre-requisite(s) GEO 101 or GEO 105 with min 1.0 and MATH 081 or higher with min 2.0
Placement Eligibility Math 091 or higher
Course Note Includes several overnight field trips, camping, and walking over uneven terrain
FeesRG SC

Quarters Typically Offered
Designed to Serve This course is designed both for general transfer students and students that desire an understanding of the natural history of the Pacific Northwest
Active Date 20210403T10:09:03

Grading Basis Decimal Grade
Class Limit 20
Contact Hours: Lecture 33 Lab 44
Total Contact Hours 77
Degree Distributions:
AA

Science
Science Lab

Course Outline

The geologic framework of Cordilleran landscapes
Columbia and the Rocky Mountains
North Cascades
Central and Western British Columbia
San Juan Islands
Coast Range Province
Cascade Range of Oregon and Southern Washington
Cascade volcanoes
Blue Mountains Province
Southeastern Oregon
Volcanic highland
Snake River Country
Columbia Plateau
Puget-Willamette lowlands
The geologic history of these diverse regions are correlated to develop an integrated history of the Pacific Northwest through the theme of plate tectonics.

Student Learning Outcomes
Student will be able to explain how plate tectonics produced a mosaic of microcontinents through plate collisions.

Student will apply knowledge of concepts and processes learned in a classroom to the interpretation of outcrops and fieldwork.

Student will identify common rocks and rock-forming minerals in various Pacific Northwest field settings.

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

Student will present a relevant scientific interpretation of key field data from select field sites in the Pacific Northwest.

Student will sketch and describe their observations in the field to recognize characteristic rock and sediment units and interpret those observations to create hypotheses about the geologic history of the Pacific Northwest.

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

Student will be able to discuss the general geologic history for the major geologic regions of the Pacific Northwest.