Department of Geology
Geology 001 (NS) Introduction to Physical Geology	Spring 09

FIELD TRIP GUIDELINES & POLICY

Geology 1C Field Trip Guidebook (view web version or download .pdf file)

Addendum to 1C Field Trip Guidebook - Geology of Inwood Park (view web version or download .pdf file)

Departure

We will begin boarding the buses at 7:45 in Parking Field 1 (next to Gittleson Hall, behind Monroe Hall) and leave 8:00 a.m. sharp. If you miss the bus you will be marked absent, so plan to arrive early to be safe. Our E.T.A. to Hofstra is 4:00 p.m. During the day we will have one stop for food and rest-rooms. ALL STUDENTS MUST TRAVEL IN BUSES PROVIDED - NO PRIVATE VEHICLES ARE PERMITTED. ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS.

THE TRIP WILL RUN, RAIN OR SHINE.

Attendance

Attendance is voluntary. A photo essay report may be submitted for a grade which will replace the lowest grade earned on a laboratory practicum. The field trip photo essay reports usually receive a grade between A and B. This report is the only opportunity for extra work to improve your laboratory grade and overall grade in the course.

Behavior and Safety

This trip is meant to be fun and informative. It is, however, an official Hofstra University laboratory (field laboratory), and all the normal classroom rules still apply, including the laws of New York State.

We expect every student to be sensitive to their own safety and the safety of others. Please do not run or otherwise behave recklessly at the outcrops. Specimen collecting is allowed, but hammering or otherwise breaking rocks on the outcrop is not permitted.

Buddy System

It is quite possible for us to leave someone behind after one of the stops. While this may seem amusing, it is certainly not funny for the person left behind, and indeed could become dangerous. Therefore, we need your help. Can you please make a mental note of who you sit next to and opposite to on the bus, so that we can make a quick check to ensure that you are all aboard.

Gear

As this trip is usually run late in the year, you will need warm clothing, a coat, and warm, comfortable shoes. We also recommend that you bring a hat, raingear, gloves, and a change of socks (if it rains). In addition, don't forget to bring money for lunch, small paper lunch bags or newspaper for specimens, a small notebook with pencil, and camera (regular or disposable). We take the trip "rain or shine". If it is raining please bring 2 small plastic bags - one for your camera and the other for your notebook. You may need to write notes inside the bag, so bring a transparent bag. Ziploc kitchen bags serve this purpose well.

FIELD TRIP PHOTO ESSAY

The field trip photo essay requirements are as follows:

1. You must have your own camera (disposable cameras are OK, but get one with a flash in case it is a dark, cloudy day).
2. Plan on taking a minimum of 20 pictures.
3. During the trip you will be required to photograph 20 different geologic features including rocks, geologic structures, landscapes, or any other feature of geologic interest.
4. Take pride in your report. Neatly mount each photograph on sturdy paper. For each photo, identify the location, give the name of the feature, and provide a summary paragraph describing what the feature is and how it formed. All reports must be typed to receive a good grade.

The following photograph and caption is an example of what we expect from an acceptable field trip report.

Glacial Erratic, Orchard Beach

An erratic is a boulder of rock transported by glacial ice and left stranded far from its place of origin. This erratic is composed of granite, a type of rock not found as bedrock at Orchard Beach. Erratics are often found associated with glacial till. Evidence for transport by ice can be seen in the rounded and polished surface of the erratic and in the striations found on the boulder's surface.

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