GEOL2318 - Field mapping

 
 

This is the web page for GEOL2318 the field school run for geology students at the end of their second year. Photos of previous years can be found here. The main objective of this course is to teach students the basic skills needed to make a geological map. These include:

  • Using a Brunton compass
  • Measuring strike and dip
  • Identifying rock types
  • Logging drill core
  • Using a GPS

Schedule

Day 1

TBD - Learn to use the Brunton Compass, Exercises on campus. Meet at 9 am in CB2019.

Day 2

TBD - Drill Core exercises. Meet at 9 am at the MNDM drill core Library off of James St.

Day 3

TBD - Learn to use a GPS. Mapping exercise along the Current River. Meet at 9 am in the parking lot at the top end of Boulevard Lake.

Day 4

TBD - Mapping exercise in Centennial Park. Meet at 9 am at the parking lot by the river in Centennial Park (at the end of the paved road which runs north from Arundel east of the Current River bridge.

Day 5

TBD - Mapping exercise in Centennial Park. Meet at 9 am at the parking lot by the river in Centennial Park (at the end of the paved road which runs north from Arundel east of the Current River bridge. 

Day 6

TBD = Map drafting in CB2019. I will be in from 10:30 am until 1 pm.

 

Things you will need

The department will loan you a compass, GPS and any safety equipment you need. You will need to provide the following:

  • Field notebook (an actual notebook is best but loose leaf paper and a clipboard will work)
  • Hand lens & hammer
  • Waterproof outerwear (you will still have to map in the rain)
  • Sunscreen (never hurts to be optimistic)
  • Lunch

In order to draft your maps in the evening you will need:

  • Drafting materials (ruler, protractor, coloured pencils, etc.)

Downloads

Links

General Mapping Sites

The USGS has an excellent web site that discusses the basics of geological mapping.

This website contains information about the International Standard for colouring geological maps, topographic map symbols and how to read geological maps.

Geological map of Canada

GPS

For your convenience, I have included some of the links originally provided by John Scott of the MNDM. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has made available an extension to ArcView that will allow you to upload Garmin files. The EasyGPS, Touratech, Oziexplorer and Fugawi software packages are alternative methods for getting data in and out of your GPS unit.

A more general overview is available here

Other resources

Winchester, S, 2001. The Map that Changed the World. Viking, Penguin Books. This book is a particularly good read. It tells the story of William Smith who made the first geological map and the controversy surrounding it. In addition, the Geological Society has some interesting facts and figures about William Smith.