Geology Summer Field School

Intro to Mapping with Volcanology

GLY 4947 Intro Field Mapping with Volcanology (2 credits)

Instructor

Dr. Chuck Connor

Where

The field class take place in the valley west of the Lost River Range in Idaho, north of the town of Mackay. We will stay at the King's Ranch facility in the Lost River Valley.

When

The class begins when we meet as a group at 8:00 am, monday morning at the Comfort Suites Airport in Salt Lake City, Utah.

  • Address:
    Comfort Suites Airport
    171 N. 2100 W
    Salt Lake City, UT 84116


The class ends at the airport in Salt Lake City approximately 5 pm on Friday. DO NOT purchase a return ticket earlier than 7:00 pm on Friday.

No car storage is available. If you are driving, you will need to make arrangements to leave your car in a long-term parking lot near the airport or at a hotel.

What to expect

Temperatures range from 30掳 to 80掳 F. Conditions range from rainy, windy and cold to sunny and hot with flying and possibly biting insects (mosquitos and/or black flies). Restroom facilities will not be available during much of the day. This is a high desert and mountain environment. Hazards include cactus (thorns), snakes, exposure to wind, sun, rain, and possibly hail, biting insects (e.g. mosquitos, black flies) and steep hiking trails. Cell phones often have no signal in the field area.

What you will need

  • Field notebook
  • Hand lens
  • Hammer
  • Pencils, colored pencils, ruler, protractor, calculator, clipboard, masking tape, calculator
  • Field boots (not gym shoes, lava is abrasive!)
  • Hat, water bottle, sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses (often 90掳 F in the sun!)
  • Good rain gear (pants and jacket - often 40掳 F in the rain!)
  • Extra gym shoes or sandals for river crossings
  • Day pack to carry gear
  • Tent (needed when we stay at the Blackfoot reservoir)
  • Sleeping bag and sleeping pad

Grading

Grades in the course will be based on your performance on several mapping, stratigraphy and volcanic hazards projects, and on your participation in the field. There will be no exams in the traditional sense; you will be examined every day in the field!