GEOLOGY OF THE PIKES PEAK REGION
SUMMER B-BLOCK
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Professor Jeff Noblett |
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Palmer 6, x6516 |
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The class is an introductory physical geology course that will be taught primarily in the field. In this course you will learn to recognize minerals, rocks, and fossils in outcrops; to observe and interpret combinations of these to reveal ancient environments; to record this data on maps; to unravel folds and faults that change these patterns.
Because of the setting of Colorado Springs over subsiding coalmines, in flood plains, on expansive soils and landslides, with mountain basin pollution, the course includes a component of environmental concerns. As usual at CC, we also emphasize learning natural history on these trips and include some ecology. Such interconnectedness is crucial to the understanding of Earth Systems we try to convey by the end of the class. This class will have no traditional tests, but you will be evaluated on the basis of your ability to observe, analyze, and interpret geology in the field.
Texts: Press and Siever, Understanding Earth
Hamblin and Howard, Exercises in Physical Geology
Field notebook
Hand lens (10x), acid bottle
Geology pick (optional)
Field Trips: These are the heart of this class and attendance is mandatory. Most trips will start at 8:00 a.m. and return between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. The five lectures will be used to consolidate information, but I expect that you will use evenings to read your texts and re-work your field notes in attempting to maximize your level of understanding of geology.
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Grading: |
Small group projects (labs, stream work) |
10 |
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Field quizzes |
5 |
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Uintah Street report |
10 |
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Fault project |
10 |
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Loveland map |
25 |
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Final mapping project/report |
40 |
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100 |