Landels-Hill Big Creek Reserve

01 May, 10 AM - 03 May, 08 AM

I have run this exercise annually since taking over the spring offering of EART 109. The students will make and out crop map of three different lithologies: (1)Jurassic-Cretaceous Franciscan greenstone; (2) Sur Series igneous and metamorphic rocks; and (3) Jurassic-Cretaceous Franciscan melange. Ultimately, the outcrop distribution will be used to test hypotheses about the origin of the Big Creek "Salinian Enclave" One model promoted by Hall (1991) suggest the Salinian Enclave is part of a folded thrust sheet. Another posed by Norris (1985) suggests strike-slip duplication is responsible for development of the outcrop pattern. Bounding fault geometry is key to discriminating between these two hypotheses. Unlike other exercise in this course, the Big Creek exercise teaches students to map rocks in "suboptimal" outcrop condition. Here students are challenged to see through landslide, vegetation and deep weathering to map the bedrock outcrop pattern. Further this exercise teaches students to use subtle changes in landscape and vegetation to help draw geologic contacts. Finally, Big Creek is a treasure and students appreciate the opportunity to experience its beauty while learning how to become geologists.

Visit #17075 @Landels-Hill Big Creek Reserve

Approved

Under Project # 19428 | Class

Big Creek Salinian Enclave Mapping Exercise

faculty - University of California, Santa Cruz

Reservation Members(s)

Group of 5 Faculty May 1 - 3, 2009 (3 days)
Group of 25 Undergraduate Student May 1 - 3, 2009 (3 days)

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Highlands Camp 30 May 1 - 3, 2009