Goals: The goal of this lab is to teach participants basic geologic skills of thinkng in 3-D, of map and cross section interpretation and construction, and of structural analysis. Specific goals for each of the 10 labs are listed below.

Mechanics: Remember that these labs build on each other. You will need the skills you learn in the earlier labs to complete later labs. Therefore, make sure you understand the material of earlier labs.You will need a good scale (ruler with cm and inches), colored pencils, and a calculator, and will use trig functions extensively! Some labs will require write-ups. Since writing skills are necessary for effective communication they are an important component of your work. I reserve the right to change the order of the labs, or modify content of individual labs in order to respond to class needs. Unless otherwise noted the labs will be due a week after they are handed out. Late labs will be accepted if I haven't graded the assignment yet. Otherwise they will be accepted, but the highest grade possible is the equivalent of a low C (i.e. just passing). No labs will be accepted however, after the last day of lecture.

Grading scale: 230 points are possible. >190 = A+, 190 to >180 = A, 180 to >170 =A-, 170 to < 160 = B+, 160 to < 150 = B, 150 to > 140 = B-, 140 to < 130 = C+, 130 to < 120 = C, 120 to > 110 = C-, any lower you don't want to be, but you can continue the pattern.

Field Trip: A field exercise is required for the course, and is the focus of the last and biggest lab. Weather permitting we will go out to Toadstool, but the Arbuckle mountains and Baraboo are two back up localities.

Contact info: harmon_maher@mail.unomaha.edu, 402 554 4807.

Lab 1: Reading geologic maps (20 pts.):

• understanding strike and dip, trend and plunge, fold and fault symbology.
• recognition of stratigraphic vs. unconformity vs. intrusive vs. fault contacts.
• distinguish effect of topography versus effect of structure on map pattern.
• recognition of structural trends and patterns (e.g. fold patterns).
• development of basic geologic history of area.
• critical review of geologic maps.

Lab 2: Structure contour mapping (20 pts.):

• know the definition of a structure contour.
• be able to hand contour data.
• be able to calculate surface traits (e.g. local strike and dip) from structure contours.
• construct map pattern of a contact from structure and topographic contours.
• be able to use Surfer (or equivalent software) to contour data.
• be able to interpret the structure contours geologically.

Lab 3: Image interpretation and map construction (Arbuckles) (20 pts.):

• know sources for imagery that can be used as base maps.
• know about GPS, and lat-long and UTM locations systems.
• know about distorted versus rectified images.
• recognize an array of geologic features on imagery.
• use Illustrator or equivalent software to create an interpretative overlay map from an image.
• properly use solid vs. dashed vs, dotted contact lines.

Lab 4: Constructing cross sections (Carlisle, Penn.) (20 pts.):

• be able to construct a topographic profile.
• know about vertical exaggeration and pros and cons.
• be able to transfer info from map to the cross section profile.
• extrapolation of surface to depth in a geologically reasonable way.
• understanding the concept of structural style.

Lab 5: Structural Analysis (2 weeks, Arbuckles) (30 pts.):

• understand the geometry of the stereographic projection.
• understand the projections uses in structural analysis.
• be able to plot by hand strike and dip and trend and plunge on a stereonet.
• be able to use a program to plot and contour orientation data.
• be able to interpret the patterns on such plots.

Lab 6: Shear strength analysis lab (20 pts.).

• be able to design an experimental protocol that investigates factors that influence slip on a surface.
• be able to acquire the relevant data.
• to be able to graph and interpret the results.
• use Excel or a similar program to find the best-fit line that describes the data.
• understand the sources and character of errors involved.
• to be able to produce a written report clearly communicating the results.

Lab 7: Strain measurement lab (10 pts.).

• understand basic methods of strain analysis.
• understand concepts of strain partitioning.
• compute compaction strain from images.
• conduct a Frye analysis on a deformed specimen.
• understand and interpret the results.

Lab 8 : Description of structures in hand specimens (20 pts.):

• recognize an array of brittle versus ductile structures in specimens.
• recognize types of tectonites.
• be abe to describe these structures with the appropriate terminology.
• be able to deduce a geologic history from a specimen.

Lab 9: Exploring the Toadstool Geologic Park GIS database (10 pts.)

• learn the utility of GIS for structural mapping and analysis purposes.
• learn to navigate in ArcMap software.
• learn to classify geologic information using ArcMap software.
• become familiar with Toadstool Geologic Park structural patterns.
• prepare for the structural geology field trip to Toadstool.

Lab 10: Toadstool or Harlan Reservoir mapping project (60 pts.):

• location in the field by inspection.
• collect location (GPS) and geologic data in the field.
• plot data on the base map using GIS.
• interpret the geology and create a geologic map and cross section.
• plot data on stereonets and analyze it.
• develop a geologic history.
• summary report.

Copyright Harmon D. Maher Jr., This may be used for non-profit educational purposes as long as proper attribution is given. Otherwise, please contact me. Thank you.