Field Methods
GEOL-4932 Spring 2015
Purpose and Philosophy (Chapter 1)
1) What is the major purpose of field geology? What are the four major challenges? What are the four major steps involved in the collection and analysis of field data?
2) Compare, contrast and list examples of objective versus subjective field data. Explain why stratigraphic observations are usually a combination of objective and subjective data.
3) Name and describe some of the resulting products associated with field geology.
4) Explain how the scientific method is used in the field during the collection of geologic data.
5) List and describe the major stages involved in a field project. What is the most important step or stage? Why is reconnaissance fieldwork an important component? Should the project goal be specific or general? Explain.
Basic Equipment (Chapter 2)
1) List the basic equipment that is used in geologic fieldwork. What is the difference between a pick and chisel end hammer? What is the purpose of each type?
2) What are the typical magnifications of hand lenses? Why are high magnification lenses not commonly used in the field, even though this magnification could often be useful?
3) What is the Munsell Color Chart? Describe how it classifies colors and when it is used.
4) List and describe the major components of a Brunton Compass. This should include locking pin, scale, magnetic needle clinometer, round or bull’s eye level, mirror, and sighting arm. How does a Brunton differ from a regular compass? How do you check the accuracy of a Brunton Compass? What is triangulation and how is the procedure used with a Brunton? What is the difference between azimuth and quadrant Bruntons?
5) What is magnetic declination? Why is it important to adjust for magnetic declination in the field? How does magnetic declination differ from magnetic field inclination? Describe why disruptions occur and how they can cause problems. What is the problem using compasses near the poles?
6) Explain how vertical distances are measured using a Brunton. Be able to calculate a vertical distance if given horizontal distance, base elevation, eye height, and clinometer reading.
7) What is the difference between a horizontal or map distance and a ground distance? Give examples when each are measured using a Brunton Compass or transit. Describe how triangulation is used with the Brunton Compass. Be able to determine location on a map when given the required information.
8) Describe how the strike and dip of an inclined plane is measured. What is the difference between rake and trend/plunge? When are these measurements used? Give examples.
9) List and describe the use of the important components of a transit. This should include the following: telescopic alidade, tripod, leveling vial bubble, horizontal circle (with vernier, clamp and tangent knob), vertical circle (with vernier, clamp and tangent knob), leveling screws, optical plummet, and stadia rod. How does a transit differ from a building level? Be able to determine distances and elevation differences if given stadia interval, instrument height, base elevation and vertical angle. (Note: The equations will be provided.)
10) Describe the theory and process behind Global Positioning Systems. Describe the factors that control resolution. What are the basic requirements needed to obtain resolution of 3 meters or less? Why is greater resolution usually not required? Define almanac/ephemeris and WAAS-enhanced GPS? Describe how sub-centimeter GPS resolution is obtained.
Outcrop Observations (Chapters 3 and 4)
1) List and describe the most common methods used in locating outcrops or rock exposures.
2) List the major types of objective field data and the order in which they should be collected.
3) List and describe the important components of a rock or sediment description. Why should both weathered and unweathered samples be examined and described?
4) Name and describe examples of both primary and secondary rock structures.
5) Why should initial interpretations be made in the field and not afterwards in the office or lab? List examples of some of these geologic interpretations.
6) Describe the type of samples that should be collected and how they should be labeled.
7) Describe the following required components of field notes: page header, conditions, purpose, location description, outcrop description/data, sample collection data and interpretations. What information should be on every page or every other page?
8) What type of information should be collected and recorded in the outcrop description?
9) Describe the important information that should be included in a field sketch.
10) What is a graphic log? Describe how these are drawn and why they are used.
Technical Writing and Report Preparation (Science of Scientific Writing article)
1) What are the two most important pieces of information that an author should have before writing a technical report? What are the four major components of a technical paper? How should it be organized? How is the level or depth of the terminology determined?
2) List and describe the 5 major reader expectations that are listed in the Science of Scientific Writing article. Be able to recognize examples of poor and correct writing style.
3) List and describe the required components for a geologic map or cross section.
4) Compare and contrast a stratigraphic section and cross section. When and why are these illustrations used? Name and describe other illustrations commonly used in geologic reports.
5) Why are photos commonly problematic in technical reports?
Paleontological Data (Chapter 5)
1) Describe the type of information that can be obtained from fossils. List and describe the field data that should be collected when fossils are present.
2) Define and give several examples of body, trace and molecular fossils. What is an ichnofossil? List and describe the important characteristics of trace fossil.
3) What are the optimal conditions of fossilization? Compare and contrast carbonate and siliceous fossils and their conditions of fossilization. What is the hydraulic equivalence?
4) Describe how transported fossils can be distinguished from those in their life positions.
5) Describe the different sampling techniques used in biostratigraphy and paleoecology studies.
6) Describe how the abundance of fossils is measured in the field and edge effects.
Describing Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks (Chapter 6)
1) List and describe the major characteristics of soil. What is the structure of the soil and how is it described? Compare and contrast the Unified and Textural Soil Classifications.
2) Describe the following soil types: Histosol, Entisol, Aridsol, Alfisol, and Oxisol. Describe how paleosoils are recognized.
3) Describe how clastic or detrital sedimentary rocks are commonly classified. Know the size range of the following clastic particles: gravel, sand, silt and clay.
4) Describe how conglomerates are classified. Include a description of the size, matrix- versus clast-supported, and origin classifications. Compare and contrast ortho- and paraconglomerate.
5) How are breccias classified? Why is clast size less important in breccias than conglomerates?
6) Describe how sandstones are classified by both composition and grain size. Define the following types of sandstone: quartz arenite, arkose, and lithic arenite. In which tectonic locations do each of these form? What is a wacke or greywacke sandstone?
7) How are limestones classified? What are framework or allochemical limestones?
8) How are chemical precipitates classified and described? Give examples.
9) Define the following organic deposits: peat, lignite, bituminous coal and anthracite.
10) What is bedding and how does it form? What are the major characteristics of bedding that should be described in the field?
11) Compare, contrast and give examples of fluid gravity and sediment gravity bedding. How can each type be recognized? Define the following: climbing ripple marks, oscillating ripple marks, cross-bedding, laminations, debris flows, and scour marks.
12) Define and describe the following: soft-sediment deformation, convolution, slumping and load structures, trace fossils and bioturbation.
14) What are the three major types of unconformities? Describe how unconformities are commonly recognized in the field.
15) Name and describe several different marine and continental depositional environments.