ESCI 490 Topics in Earth Science: Geology Field Studies in Germany -  Summer 2007

Germany June 1 – June 10, 2007  Courses: ESCI 490 Topics in Earth Science, 3 credits ESCI 519 Topics in Geology, 3 credits (Graduate Credit)     GEOLOGY FIELD STUDIES IN GERMANY This field course will provide participants with a chance to see some of the most spectacular geologic sites on Earth while learning about the processes that formed them. The trip will start with a tour of the Natural History Museum in Munich to see some of the world class fossils found in Germany. The next day, we travel to Sollnhofen, the actual quarry where the finest bird fossils are found. We then investigate the 10 mile wide Ries meteorite impact crater, one of the youngest on Earth, and visit the town of Nordlingen located in the center of the crater. From there we travel to the source of the Danube River in southern Germany, and study a classic limestone karst landscape. The next four days are spent traveling through the Bavarian Alps, studying the structural geology and glacial geomorphology. We will also stop at the famous salt mine at Berchtesgaden and the glacial carved valley at Koenigssee. Our last day will be spent visiting some smaller geology-oriented museums in and around Munich.   Participants will be provided the opportunity to learn about geology and geologic processes first-hand. Although all aspects of geology will be covered by providing classic field examples, we will specifically focus on sedimentary geology, structural geology, geomorphology, and impact structures. We will also tie into our field studies the impact of local geology on the cultural development in the region. Each student will record observations and data in a detailed field notebook, and prepare a final report on a larger project.   Classes will be held on the CCSU campus during the week prior to departure; the travel component of the program will occur June 1 to June 10, 2007.       Goals of the Course: To provide an understanding of the geologic processes operating on, and within the Earth by direct observation and analysis. Central and southern Germany provide an ideal classroom to investigate all aspects of geology, from tectonics and structural geology, to meteorite impacts and the history of life on Earth.   Instructors: Your instructor from CCSU is Dr. Mark A. Evans (evansmaa@ccsu.edu). His office is 237 Copernicus Hall. The phone number is 860-832-2936.   Dr. Harold Hiesinger (Hiesinger@uni-muenster.de)will be you instructor from the University of Muenster. He will meet up with us when we get to Germany.                                                                                     Text: None. Class notes and readings will be provided   Pre-trip Class Meeting time: Tuesday May 29, 2007                 9:00 – 4:30 PM Wednesday May 30, 2007            9:00 – 4:30 PM Thursday May 31, 2007               9:00 – 4:30 PM   Grading: The final course grade is based a term paper that is due by the end of Summer Session (August 23, 2007)   Each student will pick a specific geologic problem observed in the field and provide a detailed research report. Where possible, students will collect field data and samples to bring back to CCSU for analysis. (see attached)   Academic Misconduct: It is the policy of Central Connecticut State University to not tolerate any acts of Academic Misconduct. Make sure you read the University policy on this topic on pages 30-34 of the Student Handbook.     Tentative Schedule   Date                 Topic May     29         Introduction to the trip. Ground rules. Discussion of Itinerary, Term paper guidelines                         Lectures on: Geologic History of Europe, Tectonics of Europe.               30         Lectures on: Geomorphology, focusing on karst and glacial. Glacial History of Europe               31         Lectures on: Impacts and impact sites on Earth. Economic Geology of Europe   June     1          Travel Day               2          Arrive in Munich. Pick up vans. Check into Hotel by noon.                         Lunch                         early PM: Visit Natural History Museum.                         late PM: One hour overview of sites to be visited the next day.                         Dinner               3          Breakfast at Hotel                         7 am Board vans and drive to Sollnhofen                         Visit quarry and museum                         Lunch                         Drive to Ries crater area and visit quarries and rock outcrops                         Drive Noerdlingen and check into hotel                         late PM: Review of the day and overview of sites to be visited the next day.                         Dinner                         4          Breakfast at Hotel                         7 am Board vans and drive to Bavaria                         Visit Source of Danube River                         Lunch                         examine field sites of typical karst topography                         Drive to Donaueschingen and check into hotel                         late PM: Review of the day and overview of sites to be visited the next day.                         Dinner at traditional Bavarian Restaurant                         5          Breakfast at Hotel                         7 am Board vans and drive toward Alps                         Visit Neuschwanstein castle and Weis Church                         Lunch                         Examine field sites of the Helvetikum and Flysch Formations                         Drive to Fuessen and check into hotel                         late PM: Review of the day and overview of sites to be visited the next day.                         Dinner at traditional Bavarian Restaurant                         6          Breakfast at Hotel                         7 am Board vans and drive through northern Alps                         Visit Partnach Gorge and Examine field sites of the Wetterstein Limestone                         Lunch                         Visit Zugspitze (highest mountain in Germany)                         Drive to Garmisch-Partenk and check into hotel                         late PM: Review of the day and overview of sites to be visited the next day.                         Dinner               7          Breakfast at Hotel                         7 am Board vans and drive through northern Alps                         Visit field sites of faults and fold structures                         Lunch                         Examine glacial topography, hikes to cirques, tarn lakes, etc. Discussion of climate change on Alpine glaciers.                         Drive to Murnau and check into hotel                         late PM: Review of the day and overview of sites to be visited the next day.                         Dinner               8          Breakfast at Hotel                         7 am Board vans and drive to Koenigssee                         Visit ancient salt mines                         Lunch Sightseeing in local towns and museums (discuss effect of local geology on culture and society)                         Drive to Berchtesgaden and check into hotel                         late PM: Review of the day and overview of sites to be visited the next day.                         Dinner               9          Breakfast at Hotel                         7 am Board vans and drive to Munich                         sightseeing in local towns                         Lunch                         Visit museums in Munich (e.g. Deutsches Museum)                         Check into hotel                         late PM: Review of the day                         Dinner               10        Drive to Airport for flight back to US