GEO 155 - Geology of the Cascades Field Trip

1 Credits

How did the Cascade Mountains form? On this one-day field trip to the Cascade Range, you will examine rock outcrops that illustrate the history and formation of the mountains of Pacific Northwest. Class includes a full day field trip and classroom instruction before the trip.

Course Note This class may require navigating steep or uneven terrain, climbing stairs and/or walking distances up to a mile on dusty, uneven and unpaved trails. Bathrooms may be limited and rustic.
FeesRG SC

Quarters Typically Offered
Summer 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 20210403T10:08:57

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

Science

Course Outline

The formation of the Cascades Rock types in the Cascades
The plate tectonic setting of the Pacific Northwest Basic field techniques
Erosional Processes in an active mountain range
Principles of relative dating

Student Learning Outcomes
Student will describe the geologic history as recorded by geologic deposits in the Eastern Washington area that show the Earth changes over time from dynamic surface processes operating at a range of time scales as a result of their participation.

Student will observe 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 recognize characteristic rock and sediment units formed by volcanic and other geologic processes.

Student will use the principles of relative dating to determine the geologic history of the Cascades.

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 Cascades.

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.