Kelly

Gaule
October 14th 2014
GEO 201
Fieldtrip

Geology Excursion Through Marquette

The geology 201 trip to Marquette Michigan was just as enjoyable as it was
educational. The trip was able to provide interesting examples for the topics we
were covering in class. The multiple stops were able to make students think about
how all of the information we have learned are really not completely separate but
actually are all integrated in the world around us. The field experience is something
that I surely hope to never forget and can use what I learned for my future
classroom.

We started our trip at the Harvey Quarry where we explored three different
types of rock including quartzite, slate and phyllite. It was cool to see how all of
these rocks worked and formed together. Also being able to see the stromatolites
one the walls of the rock really brought together how old these rocks where and the
history of the land. Next stop was at the Lindbergh quarry, my favorite stop. Aside
from being absolutely beautiful with the water and rocks the stop was quite
interesting. We shifted through tons of kona dolostone and were lucky enough to
see a basalt dike that intruded the dolostone. Also Morgan and I were able to find
really cool hematite even though it wasnt supposed to really be in the quarry. I
think we all could have spent hours exploring the layering in the sedimentary rocks.

Just off highway 28 we saw the large green stone that displayed lava pillows.
It was interesting to see a real example of these lava pillows instead of pictures to
really see how they form. Another stop on the side of the road was just south of
Marquette on county road 553. Even though we have not gone over anticlines yet, it
was still a great stop because I can apply that example for when we do go over them.
I have never seen a rock formation like this before. Jasper Knob was up next and
was an extremely awesome place that I was lucky to go to. The Jasper and iron
banded rock that contained hematite formed because of the oxygen rich
atmospheric conditions that was there millions of years ago. Jackson Mine was just
as grand and I am very happy that I was able to get samples of the iron from there.


Our last main stop was in Presque Isle. Here, we explored the formation and
layering of the Jacobsville sandstone. This was an amazing sight an a place I would
like to go back to. The largest copper deposit was also very interesting because it
displayed how great glaciers are to drop pieces like this.

Field experience like this, I feel, is vital to the learning experience. For me,
this tip brought together a lot of concepts that were vague to me. It showed me how
all of these different rocks, formations, and other geological processes all come
together to shape the land around us. It is a real life experience to show classroom
concepts. A lot of students learn better if they are in the field and working hands on
and field trips are important to that type of learner. However, there are some
drawbacks. These include money and time. Not a lot of schools have the funds to
take fieldtrips similar to this one or even closer to home ones. Time is also a
constraint because a lot of people feel that fieldtrips are a waste of time that could
be spent in the classroom. Although that is not true it still is not easy to get a group
of students together to do this. I would definitely include field experiences in my
classroom even if it is just taking a walk around the school. I believe this is
important for students to learn and appreciate science.

Overall, the trip to Marquette was an awesome experience. To discover and
study the geology was incredibly interesting to me and I was not expecting how
much I enjoyed it. It was a great educational opportunity as well as a great time to
get to know my classmates and share it with friends.