Montana State University-Bozeman
Paleontology Field Course
2008 Summer
GEOL 419 – Field Paleontology (2 credits)
Dates : May 14 (Wednesday) - May 25 (Sunday)
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GEOL 419 provides students selecting the paleontology option in the Department of Earth Sciences at MSU, and upper-division geology majors from other institutions, training and experience in field techniques used in vertebrate paleontology. The course prerequisites include the following classes in geology: GEOL 307 Sedimentary Petrology and GEOL 210 Historical Geology or consent of instructor.
The course covers a variety of topics including field mapping, facies analysis, invertebrate and vertebrate fossils identification, microsite screening, taphonomy, and excavation techniques. In past years, the course has been taught in the extensive outcrops of the Hell Creek Formation of eastern Montana and the Jurassic and Cretaceous formations of Utah and Nevada. Extensive hiking and outdoor physical challenges require that students be physically fit. A fee for transportation, camping fees, meals, and materials is required (see fees below).
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DETAILS |
Estimated Fees (these may be subject to change) |
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MSU tuition and fee information: http://www.montana.edu/wwwcat/expenses/exp2.html
NOTE : You must show proof of health/medical insurance for the duration of this course in order to participate. Optional health insurance available for summer. |
Textbook
Sedimentary Rocks in the Field
Maurice E. Tucker
Geological Field Guide Series
Logistics and housing: Transportation is provided from Bozeman to field localities. Students provide their own sleeping bag, tent, and personal necessities. Cooking equipment and meals are provided. Medical insurance is required. Be prepared for hot weather, cool nights, and a variety of topographically challenging hikes
Grades will be based on field exercises, notebooks, stratigraphic sections, a final exam, and participation. Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of fundamental concepts of geology and paleontology.
General questions can be directed to:
Frankie Jackson, #(406) 994-6642 or frankiej@montana.edu
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SCHEDULE |
Schedule:
| Day |
Description |
| Wednesday, May 14 |
Depart Traphagen. Lunch on the way. |
| Thursday, May 15 |
Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry |
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Drive to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park |
| Friday, May 16 |
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park |
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Afternoon visit to ST. George Dinosaur Tracksite |
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Drive to Valley of Fire STate Park, NV, grocery run on way. |
| Saturday, May 17 |
Geologic formations of the Valley of Fire, rock types, Jacob's staff. |
| Sunday, May 18 |
Prospecting in Willow Tank Formation, sedimentary structures and measured sections. |
| Monday, May 19 |
Measured section; draft, describe and interpret measured secion in afternoon and evening. |
| Tuesday, May 20 |
Excavation |
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Microsite collection and screening |
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Afternoon in town for laundry, groceries, ect. |
| Wednesday, May 21 |
Excavation |
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Microsite collecting and screening |
| Thursday, May 22 |
Excavation |
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Microsite collecting and screening |
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Evening processing of microsite material |
| Friday, May 23 |
Misc. fossil collecting. |
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Short write-up of site data. |
| Saturday, May 24 |
Final Exam in morning. |
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Pack up camp and depart Valley of Fire. |
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Camp in northern Utah or southern Idaho. |
| Sunday, May 25 |
Return to Bozeman. |
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EQUIPMENT |
Field equipment :
 Rock hammer
Hand lens (10x)
Fieldbook
Hard-lead pencil (0.5 mm)
Short metric ruler
Several colored pencils (erasable recommended)
Geological compass (0-360 o, not quadrant) (optional)
Daypack
Water containers (min. 2 qts)
Personal and optional gear:
 Good field boots
Gloves
Hat and sun-screen
Pocket knife (or Leatherman/Gerber multi-tool)
Extra pencils & 0.5 lead; small pencil sharpener (for colored pencils)
Sample bags (zip-lock heavy-duty freezer bags work well and they are light and cheap)
Camera (digital preferred)
Binoculars
GPS receiver (Garmin etrex recommended)
Acid bottle with 10% HCl
Insect repellant
Chapstick
Raingear (recommended)
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