GLY3163: Geology of American National Parks

Fall 2009

Professor: David Foster, dafoster@ufl.edu

Office hours, M, W 1:50-2:50 PM, Williamson Hall 366

Helper: Misty Stroud, stroud@ufl.edu

Office hours, T, Th 10:00-11:30 PM, Williamson Hall 367

Lecture: M, W, F period 6 (12:50-1:40 PM), WH 202

Purpose

The objective of this course is to provide an overview of the geology of American National Parks and adjacent regions in the context of geodynamic and geomorphologic processes. National Parks reveal dramatic landscapes and geological features in nearly every type of plate tectonic setting known. We will use the geology of the Parks to better understand the materials the make up the crust of the earth and the processes involved in forming and modifying landscapes in the surface environment. The geology of the National Parks will be related to cultural aspects and environmental issues. We will also study geological hazards including volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and landslides.

Texts (optional):

Geology of National Parks, 6^th edition, by Ann G. Harris, Esther Tuttle and Sherwood Tuttle

Kendal/Hunt Publishing 2004 (recommended)

Parks and Plates; The Geology of Our National Parks, Monuments, and Seashores, by Robert J. Lillie

WW Norton, 2005

Assessment

Three exams worth 75% of your grade

Homework assignments worth 25%

Normal university percentage scale for letter grades

Exams will be based on material presented in the lectures and associated material from the homework. Not all of the material covered in class is in the text(s) so that attendance in lecture is essential.

Web page: http://plaza.ufl.edu/dafoster

The class web page will include a schedule of lectures and exams along with lecture notes. Changes or announcements will be posted on the web page so you will need to check it regularly. I will provide lecture notes in outline form that should make taking notes in class easier and serve as an outline for review before exams. These notes will not be complete so you should not use them as a replacement for attending class.

Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the Instructor when requesting accommodation.

Schedule

August 24-28

Introduction and overview

Review of geologic concepts

Tectonics review, tectonic setting of parks

August 31 to September 18

Parks of the Colorado Plateau

Plateau stratigraphy

Grand Canyon For more information take the photo tours on the USGS web site click here. For an excellent summary of Grand Canyon geology on the NPS web site click here.

**HOMEWORK 1 (due Sept 18)

Zion Bryce Arches Canyonlands Dinosaur

exam 1, Sept. 23

September 21 – October 2

Parks in continental rift settings

Death Valley

Grand Teton

October 5-30

Convergent margins

Olympic For a great photo tour of Olympic NP on the USGS web site click here.

Cascade volcanoes: Mount Rainier & Mount Saint Helens

Mount Saint Helens USGS web site