GE 430 GeomorphologyGE 430 Geomorphology

2005 edition... The premier!2005 edition... The premier!

Goals:Goals:

To be THE BEST course in your college careerTo be THE BEST course in your college career To create a tradition of excellence that will continue To create a tradition of excellence that will continue

for many yearsfor many years To explore regional geomorphology/understand To explore regional geomorphology/understand

geomorphic processes and READ the landscapegeomorphic processes and READ the landscape To build an ‘espirit de corps’ that will be the envy of To build an ‘espirit de corps’ that will be the envy of

everyone else on the UNA campuseveryone else on the UNA campus ““From this day to the ending of the world, we in it shall be remembered; From this day to the ending of the world, we in it shall be remembered;

we lucky few; we band of brothers...."we lucky few; we band of brothers...." -Henry V -Henry V

The Plan....The Plan....

Explore the Southeastern United States, Explore the Southeastern United States, exploring as many different exploring as many different landscapes/landforms and geomorphic landscapes/landforms and geomorphic processes as possible in slightly less than two processes as possible in slightly less than two weeks.weeks.

$... The same for everyone $268 is the amount $... The same for everyone $268 is the amount for everyone.for everyone.

Academic Assignments....Academic Assignments.... You will keep a daily field log describing where we You will keep a daily field log describing where we

have been and the more significant features/processes have been and the more significant features/processes observed.observed.

The field observations should be thorough, including The field observations should be thorough, including lat/long from a GPS (or other descriptive lat/long from a GPS (or other descriptive information), sketches and diagrams, photographs etc.information), sketches and diagrams, photographs etc.

These will be kept daily... Not put together after the These will be kept daily... Not put together after the trip is over based on what you remember.. When you trip is over based on what you remember.. When you get out of the rig, your notebook/camera is with you!get out of the rig, your notebook/camera is with you!

Each evening, I expect to see pencils on paper, maps Each evening, I expect to see pencils on paper, maps being marked etc.being marked etc.

Site profile....Site profile.... You will be divided into groups You will be divided into groups Each group will be responsible for creating a website Each group will be responsible for creating a website

that describes one of the sites we have visitedthat describes one of the sites we have visited The web sites will present photographs of the site, The web sites will present photographs of the site,

you will scan or link to appropriate publications. you will scan or link to appropriate publications. Your work will be ‘the definitive answer’ for Your work will be ‘the definitive answer’ for questions about the site.questions about the site.

Each group will be responsible for helping the Each group will be responsible for helping the professor (me) create successful links from a professor (me) create successful links from a geomorphology class home page to your pages.geomorphology class home page to your pages.

If you have not yet used ‘front page’ this will be your If you have not yet used ‘front page’ this will be your big chance!big chance!

Additional tasking...Additional tasking...

I have been tasked with creating a slideshow of I have been tasked with creating a slideshow of Alabama that will be cycling in the background of the Alabama that will be cycling in the background of the reception for the National Council for Geographic reception for the National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE) meeting in Birmingham in Education (NCGE) meeting in Birmingham in October of 2005.October of 2005.

As at least some of our trip will be in Alabama (and As at least some of our trip will be in Alabama (and places just over the border that LOOK like places just over the border that LOOK like Alabama)... I’m going to ask for your BEST frames Alabama)... I’m going to ask for your BEST frames so I can add them to the slideshow.so I can add them to the slideshow.

Final Presentation...Final Presentation...

In July, I will ask the group to come together for an In July, I will ask the group to come together for an evening at my home.... evening at my home....

We will look at the web site for each group and We will look at the web site for each group and collectively make suggestions to make them ‘perfect’collectively make suggestions to make them ‘perfect’

At this time I’d like to have individual slide shows At this time I’d like to have individual slide shows available for viewing...and story telling etc. (I available for viewing...and story telling etc. (I anticipate a month away from each other should be anticipate a month away from each other should be sufficient to make us want to be together again, at sufficient to make us want to be together again, at least for a couple of hours)least for a couple of hours)

Day to day management...Day to day management... MOST campgrounds will have showers...MOST campgrounds will have showers... As it looks like we will have multiple rigs... I request As it looks like we will have multiple rigs... I request

everyone switch/shuffle every day or two. The team everyone switch/shuffle every day or two. The team is a unit, not little groups inside the unit.is a unit, not little groups inside the unit.

Timelines... When it is time to roll, we need to roll... Timelines... When it is time to roll, we need to roll... We are not going to be splitting up because people We are not going to be splitting up because people are sleeping late etc. This is not a military campaign, are sleeping late etc. This is not a military campaign, but neither is it an undisciplined ramble across the but neither is it an undisciplined ramble across the country.country.

Aquatic sampling... Fine, as long as it doesn’t Aquatic sampling... Fine, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the business of the class.interfere with the business of the class.

Management contd.Management contd.

Smokers... Not in the van! Smokers... Not in the van! We reserve the right to splash you down with air We reserve the right to splash you down with air

freshener if you climb back on board with smoke freshener if you climb back on board with smoke clinging to your clothesclinging to your clothes

We reserve the right to toss individuals into a body of We reserve the right to toss individuals into a body of water who fail to take advantage of showers when water who fail to take advantage of showers when available.available.

Be cautious of taco bell’s $.99 bean burritos and other Be cautious of taco bell’s $.99 bean burritos and other such... We are living in close quarters!such... We are living in close quarters!

Alcohol...Alcohol...

NONE in the vehicles! Ever, under no NONE in the vehicles! Ever, under no circumstances!circumstances!

NONE till the work is done!NONE till the work is done! MODERATION... Act stupid, and you will find MODERATION... Act stupid, and you will find

yourself sitting on a pile of your gear beside the road yourself sitting on a pile of your gear beside the road with your thumb out in the wind! (don’t test me... with your thumb out in the wind! (don’t test me... Remember my goals of this course, its hard to have Remember my goals of this course, its hard to have this be THE BEST if I am dealing with stupidity, this be THE BEST if I am dealing with stupidity, chemically induced or not!)chemically induced or not!)

Camping...Camping... Each student will provide their own gear**Each student will provide their own gear** ** If you do not have gear of your own, and cannot borrow or rent the ** If you do not have gear of your own, and cannot borrow or rent the

gear, please visit with the instructor and we will try to make arrangements gear, please visit with the instructor and we will try to make arrangements for you.for you.

YOU WIL NEED:YOU WIL NEED: Personal gear (soap,towel,toothbrush,sunglasses,etc.)Personal gear (soap,towel,toothbrush,sunglasses,etc.) Sleeping Bag/PadSleeping Bag/Pad Personal Tent (if you have one)Personal Tent (if you have one) Rain GearRain Gear Field NotebookField Notebook Camera (not required but highly recommended)Camera (not required but highly recommended) Insect repellent/sunscreenInsect repellent/sunscreen flashlightflashlight FOODFOOD

FOOD...FOOD...

you will be providing your own supplies. you will be providing your own supplies. We will have stoves and a limited suite of utensils for We will have stoves and a limited suite of utensils for

group use. group use. This is also the heavily settled east... its hard to get This is also the heavily settled east... its hard to get

out of sight of some form of eating place.... do not out of sight of some form of eating place.... do not plan on being able to stop all the time, but I am not plan on being able to stop all the time, but I am not adverse to occasionally stopping at ‘fast food’ places. adverse to occasionally stopping at ‘fast food’ places.

We will also plan on group ‘social eating’ events (e.g. We will also plan on group ‘social eating’ events (e.g. Lamberts in Gulf Shores)Lamberts in Gulf Shores)

Forms...etc.Forms...etc.

UNA Liability formUNA Liability form Rafting Liability FormRafting Liability Form

Stupidity is frowned upon.Stupidity is frowned upon. First Aid will be applied by the instructor, or First Aid will be applied by the instructor, or

whoever is handy... Look around, do you want whoever is handy... Look around, do you want these people responsible for your care after an these people responsible for your care after an accident?... Be safe!accident?... Be safe!

Logistics....Logistics.... Vehicles/people/gearVehicles/people/gear RadiosRadios Maps/GPSMaps/GPS # of camping spots (usually limited to 8 people/site)# of camping spots (usually limited to 8 people/site) ResupplyResupply laundrylaundry Sharing gearSharing gear

StovesStoves TentsTents Cooking suppliesCooking supplies Other?Other?

Day by day...Day by day...

Day 1. Monday 16 May Depart UNA ~0800 Day 1. Monday 16 May Depart UNA ~0800 drive to New Madrid Seismic zone/Reelfoot Lake (drive to New Madrid Seismic zone/Reelfoot Lake (http://http://

quake.ualr.edu/public/nmfz.htmquake.ualr.edu/public/nmfz.htm). Observe landforms and ). Observe landforms and surface features associated with neotectonic activity. surface features associated with neotectonic activity.

First ‘site’ to be profiled by a groupFirst ‘site’ to be profiled by a group Drive across the upper end of the Mississippi Embayment to Drive across the upper end of the Mississippi Embayment to

Johnson’s Shut Ins State Park in Missouri. (Johnson’s Shut Ins State Park in Missouri. (http://http://www.mostateparks.com/jshutins.htmwww.mostateparks.com/jshutins.htm). Wade in the creek, ). Wade in the creek, observe fluvial processes in igneous rocks.observe fluvial processes in igneous rocks.

Igneous rocks of the St. François Mountains are the second Igneous rocks of the St. François Mountains are the second ‘site’ ‘site’

“...Waters of the Black River became confined, or "shut-in," to a narrow channel. Water-borne sand and gravel cut deeply into [extrusive] igneous rock , swirling, churning…carving potholes, chutes and spectacular canyonlike gorges....”

..”[A]t Elephant Rocks State Park. About 1.5 billion years ago, hot magma cooled forming coarsely crystalline red granite, which later weathered into huge, rounded boulders.”...

Day 2. Tuesday 17 May Day 2. Tuesday 17 May (longest driving day before the end of the trip)(longest driving day before the end of the trip)

Elephant Rocks SP Missouri, observe Elephant Rocks SP Missouri, observe weathering patterns in igneous rocks. Cross weathering patterns in igneous rocks. Cross the Mississippi Embayment, over “Crowley’s the Mississippi Embayment, over “Crowley’s Ridge” (Ridge” (http://www.scsc.k12.ar.us/BorneC/newpage9.hhttp://www.scsc.k12.ar.us/BorneC/newpage9.htmtm) arriving at the Tom Bevill visitors center on ) arriving at the Tom Bevill visitors center on the Tennessee-Tombigee waterway, the Tennessee-Tombigee waterway, Pickensville AL. Observe and discuss fluvial Pickensville AL. Observe and discuss fluvial processes in a constructed waterway.processes in a constructed waterway.

Day 3. Wednesday 18 MayDay 3. Wednesday 18 May

Drive across the piedmont/gulf coastal plain of Drive across the piedmont/gulf coastal plain of Alabama to Gulf State park, Gulf Shores AL. Alabama to Gulf State park, Gulf Shores AL. Stop and explore the ‘Selma Chalks” as Stop and explore the ‘Selma Chalks” as possible, and observe residual storm damage possible, and observe residual storm damage from Hurricane Ivan.from Hurricane Ivan.

Night... camp Gulf State park (or other Night... camp Gulf State park (or other location to be determined)location to be determined)

Day 4. Thursday 19 MayDay 4. Thursday 19 May

Exploring the barrier islands morphology and change Exploring the barrier islands morphology and change (and beach). Sediment transport, coastal damage (and beach). Sediment transport, coastal damage from hurricane storm surge and winds.from hurricane storm surge and winds.

This is terra incognita due to the damage from Ivan, This is terra incognita due to the damage from Ivan, and the fact that Alabama appears to be incapable of and the fact that Alabama appears to be incapable of publishing solid information/maps of damage!publishing solid information/maps of damage!

(dinner... Lamberts, we need a break from cooking (dinner... Lamberts, we need a break from cooking for ourselves!)for ourselves!)

Day 5, Friday 20 May Day 5, Friday 20 May (another long driving day)(another long driving day)

Cross Gulf coastal plain, look for fossilized Cross Gulf coastal plain, look for fossilized sharks teeth in the Coosa River?sharks teeth in the Coosa River?

Explore Wetumpka Impact structure Explore Wetumpka Impact structure ((http://www.auburn.edu/academic/science_math/geology/docs/wetumpka/shttp://www.auburn.edu/academic/science_math/geology/docs/wetumpka/specific.htmpecific.htm

)) didn’t know we have a meteor crater in didn’t know we have a meteor crater in Alabama did you?!Alabama did you?!

DeSoto Falls State Park for the night....group DeSoto Falls State Park for the night....group camping in primitive sites, showers available.camping in primitive sites, showers available.

Day 6 Saturday 21 MayDay 6 Saturday 21 May

the southern end of the Appalachian fold/thrust belt. the southern end of the Appalachian fold/thrust belt. Explore the rim of the Little River canyon, DeSoto Explore the rim of the Little River canyon, DeSoto Falls. Observe the impacts of fluvial processes in an Falls. Observe the impacts of fluvial processes in an active tectonic setting of regional diastrophism active tectonic setting of regional diastrophism

Climb down into the Little River Canyon, swat Climb down into the Little River Canyon, swat mosquitoes/pick ticks. Examine erosional processes mosquitoes/pick ticks. Examine erosional processes in the canyon. Explore cave formation and karst in the canyon. Explore cave formation and karst topography probably in “welsh caves” topography probably in “welsh caves”

Day 7 Sunday 22 MayDay 7 Sunday 22 May Early departure! Early departure! Explore a classic ‘water gap’ of the Tennessee River Explore a classic ‘water gap’ of the Tennessee River

from the top of Lookout Mountain above from the top of Lookout Mountain above Chattanooga Tennessee. Chattanooga Tennessee.

Brief photo stop on I 75 observing deformed Brief photo stop on I 75 observing deformed sedimentary strata. sedimentary strata.

Afternoon observation of hydraulic processes IN Afternoon observation of hydraulic processes IN rubber rafts IN the Ocoee River (that would be rubber rafts IN the Ocoee River (that would be whitewater rafting)whitewater rafting)

Shower after rafting!Shower after rafting! Camp Cherokee National Forest Chilhowee C.G.Camp Cherokee National Forest Chilhowee C.G.

Day 8 Monday 23 MayDay 8 Monday 23 May

Ducktown Basin Museum and Burra Burra Ducktown Basin Museum and Burra Burra mine site... the remnants of an environmental mine site... the remnants of an environmental blight from mining/smelting copper ore. blight from mining/smelting copper ore.

Murphy NC, Chunky Gal Mountain gneiss. Murphy NC, Chunky Gal Mountain gneiss. Mountain waters scenic bywayMountain waters scenic byway

Serpentenite/olivine body (old oceanic crust)Serpentenite/olivine body (old oceanic crust) Camp Kimsey Creek Camp Kimsey Creek

Day 9 Tuesday 24 MayDay 9 Tuesday 24 MayThe Southern MountainsThe Southern Mountains

Short hikes to waterfallsShort hikes to waterfalls Waylah baldWaylah bald A relaxation day... Still camped at Kimsey A relaxation day... Still camped at Kimsey

creek group camp.creek group camp.

Day 10 the Blue RidgeDay 10 the Blue Ridge

Entering into the core of the southern Blue Entering into the core of the southern Blue Ridge mountainsRidge mountains

Camp at Linville Falls (no showers)Camp at Linville Falls (no showers) Short hikes observing the Grandfather Short hikes observing the Grandfather

Mountain erosional windowMountain erosional window

Day 11 The Grandfather Mountain Day 11 The Grandfather Mountain Window, Linville Falls, Blowing Window, Linville Falls, Blowing

RockRock

Move across the mountain to the group camp Move across the mountain to the group camp at Roan Mountain State Park in Tennesseeat Roan Mountain State Park in Tennessee

Short hikesShort hikes Last night on the road Last night on the road Field Notebook evaluationField Notebook evaluation

Last day!Last day!Day 12 Friday 27 MayDay 12 Friday 27 May

Leave Roan Mountain SP Leave Roan Mountain SP Short side trip onto the Pine Mountain Short side trip onto the Pine Mountain

OverthrustOverthrust Knoxville TN-Florence AL.... 6 hours?Knoxville TN-Florence AL.... 6 hours? Clean out vanClean out van Pack up gear and go homePack up gear and go home Sleep in your own bedSleep in your own bed Next time? The redrock country of Utah?Next time? The redrock country of Utah?

Assignments?Assignments?

Grades for the interterm need to be turned in at Grades for the interterm need to be turned in at the end of the June term...the end of the June term...

Your websites need to be posted before June Your websites need to be posted before June 21... You will need to send me an email letting 21... You will need to send me an email letting me know to look at the web site when you me know to look at the web site when you have your pages posted.have your pages posted.