Glacial and Quaternary Geology

The causes and effects of glaciation will be examined, along with the characteristics that make the Quaternary Period unique in geologic time. Topics will include glaciology, glacial erosion and deposition, glacier reconstruction, and techniques for interpreting and dating the Quaternary stratigraphic and paleoclimatic record from diverse terrestrial, lacustrine, and marine archives. Consideration also will be given to how severe climatic fluctuations impacted nonglacial environments. An overnight weekend field trip at the end of the semester will introduce students firsthand to alpine glacial landforms. (GEOL 0112, or GEOL 0161, or GEOL 0170, and GEOL 0251, or consent of instructor) 3 hrs. lect., 3 hrs. lab