GENERAL INFORMATION

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at UT Arlington offers Geology Field Camp through enrollment in two courses - GEOL 3387 (Field Geology I) and GEOL 3388 (Field Geology II). Students will have the opportunity for in-field data collection and application on numerous projects focusing on lake geochemistry, hydrology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, igneous and metamorphic petrology, structural geology, and geologic mapping.

For general questions regarding Geology Field Camp 2024, please contact Dr. Majie Fan (EES associate chair) at mfan@uta.edu.

COST

Fees (for transportation, room and board, and supplies) for GEOL 3387 are $950 and for GEOL 3388 are $950, for a total of $1900 for both courses.

Transportation for trips from the UTA campus and to New Mexico will be provided by university vehicles. Students are responsible for their own housing and transportation to and from campus during the first week of field camp prior to leaving for New Mexico. Students are also responsible for their own food for the duration of the camp.

Tuition (Texas Resident): see UTA Tuition
Tuition (Out-of-State Resident): see UTA Tuition

PREREQUISITES

Mineralogy, Structural Geology, Sedimentology/Stratigraphy, Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology

METHODS

Students will use compasses, GPS receivers, and laptop computers. Field data are analyzed and displayed using either hand mapping techniques, open-source software, or programs that will be provided on campus.

FIELD CAMP SCHEDULE

The schedule below is a general outline for Field Camp 2024. Exact dates for individual assignments or site visits are TBA.

First Day - Monday, May 13

8:00 – 8:30 am: General introduction and overview, grading policies, syllabi, and schedule for the GEOL and ENVR field camp (20 minutes) and field camp safety (10 minutes)

8:30 – 9:00 am: Title IX Overview

9:00 – 9:30 am: Introduction of Lake Research Project (Dr. Winguth)

9:30 am: Board van to first field site

Tuesday, May 14 – Thursday, May 16

Project: Physical limnology and geochemistry of lakes (Dr. Winguth)

Friday, May 17-Sunday, May 19

Project: Hydrology (Dr. Sanchez-Murillo)

Monday, May 20 – Thursday, May 23

Project: Sedimentology and Basin Analysis (Dr. Fan)

Friday, May 24

Travel to Las Vegas, New Mexico - Time and place to meet and packs the vans TBA

Saturday, May 25 – Wednesday, May 29

Projects: Geologic Mapping – Las Vegas, NM (Dr. Brown)

Thursday, May 30

Weather day

Friday, May 31 – Tuesday, June 11

Projects: Igneous & Metamorphic Petrology, Structural Geology, Geologic Mapping – Northern New Mexico region (Dr. Korchinski)

Wednesday, June 12

Return to Arlington, TX

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

The University provides special items and materials needed to carry out individual projects (GPS receivers, compasses, helmets, safety goggles, communicators, and maps).

The following list includes items that you will need but are not provided by the University. This list will continue to be updated through April 2024:

Prohibited equipment: Firearms and other weapons

GENERAL POLICIES

Geology Field Camp 2024 will run from Monday, May 13 through Wednesday, June 12. You should make no other plans during this period as you will be working every day.

WEATHER

Weather will vary from hot and dry (may reach the low 100's in the D-FW area) to mild and raining. Wearing long pants and sleeves is encouraged to avoid cuts by brush. Choose your clothing with care and remember that the more comfortable you are in the field, the less distracted you will be from your work.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Everyone can stay safe if they are aware of dangers and take precautions. In the field, we have hand communicators and work in teams so there is someone nearby if you get into trouble. The following are the primary dangers in the field:

Falling
Most minor injuries come from slipping and falling in the field. There are no trails, and loose rocks and steep hillsides are common. Always walk slowly and look before you step. Keep away from cliff edges which may give way. Please get in shape before you come; take a strength or aerobics class.

Road cuts
Some projects are on road cuts. Instructors put out cones to warn drivers but stay off the pavement and avoid death or injury from a distracted driver. Students are required to wear orange construction worker vests.

Dehydration and heat exhaustion
We will be working outside and in extreme heat on some field days. Before setting out, drink as much water as you can and carry at least two liters of water with you. Move slowly and steadily. If you do get overheated and/or dizzy, find shade, drink water, and rest a while.

Potable water
Don't drink from streams, pools etc. All can have nasty pathogens and parasites.

Nasty little critters
Ticks, mosquitoes, and gnats are rare, but a horse fly may bite you. Ticks are dangerous as a carrier of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Fever is the main symptom, so see a doctor if you have an elevated temperature. Lyme disease is possible. Ticks will crawl around on you for some time before sucking, and it is sufficient to check yourself at the end of the day.

Nasty plants
Scrub Oak, brush and cactus can cut and puncture your legs if you don't wear long clothing that covers your limbs. Poison Oak and Ivy occur in damp, shady canyons.

Lightning and hail
Afternoon thundershowers (with hail) may occur. If you hear or see an approaching storm, leave high ground IMMEDIATELY. Large hail stones can injure you, so use your backpack or clipboard to protect your head if necessary.