Crater Lake: the shattered remains of Mt. Mazama
Many of Oregon's volcanoes live in the Cascades. Crater Lake, the exploded remnant of Mt. Mazama, supplies an excellent opportunity to view and study many aspects of volcanic processes. Join us for a detailed look at the formation and continuing evolution of this volcanic wonder. The course features a 3-day tent camping trip to the area for hands-on, real world observations of volcanic processes and materials.
The legal stuff...
Course: The Volcanic Evolution of Mt. Mazama (GS170-MM)
Credits: 3 Transfer Credits
Dates: August 3, 2012 (orientation), and August 10 thru August 12 (field experience)
Orientation: August 3 from 8:00 am to mid-afternoon in room D-2 (Redwood campus)
Instructor: Mike Strickler: e-mail GeoMania@frontier.com
Enrollment: Twenty (20) students maximum
Description: GS170-MM will take a detailed look at the volcanic materials and processes of Crater Lake and the surrounding volcanic field. The course includes a 3-day camping trip to the area for a detailed and hands-on examination of the region.
Objectives: The purpose of this course is to familiarize the student with the unique geology and volcanic landforms in the upper Rogue River basin. Information on plate tectonics, petrology, hydrology, and stream processes will be supplied at orientation, as well as during the trip itself.
Length: 4 days, consisting of 1 day of orientation, and 3 days in the upper Rogue and Crater Lake. Orientation will be held at the Redwood campus on Friday, August 3, 2012, from 8:00 am to mid-afternoon. We will meet at Dodge Bridge on Friday, August 10 at 9:00 am.
Travel: By personal vehicle. Drivers will need to provide proof of insurance at orientation.
Logistics: We will meet at Dodge Bridge on Friday, August 10, 2012 at 9:00 am. Students will drive their own vehicles; however, carpooling is encouraged and recommended. The class will meet daily from 8:00 am to approximately 5:00 pm. Students will be responsible for their own lodging; however, paid camping sites will be available at campgrounds in the appropriate areas if the student wishes to remain with the group for the evening. The field portion of the course will end on Sunday afternoon (August 12). We will meet approx. 10 days later to share and turn in projects (time and location TBA).
Prerequisites: None; however, several of the day hikes may be moderately to extremely challenging (especially the treks to the Watchman, and the visit to Wizard Island). It is recommended that the student be in relatively good shape if he or she wishes to join in these experiences, and bring along comfortable hiking shoes or boots.
Please note: the ability to complete the hikes is not mandatory to earn a passing grade; however, they are strongly recommended if the student wants to gain the full benefit of the course.
Required Text: None
Materials: Various handouts, and topographic and geologic maps of the region. The student is encouraged to research on-line for supplemental information prior to orientation.
Fees: In addition to tuition, a fee of $50 per student will be collected at registration. The student will also need additional funds during the field portion of the course for gas, food, lodging (if not camping with the group), and the boat trip on the lake (approx. $20).
The Itinerary...
Friday 8/3: Orientation: 8:00 am to approximately 3:00 pm
Friday 8/10: Meet at Dodge Bridge at 9:00 am
All aboard
The upper Rogue: mafic flows and related volcanic features (ooze)
Introduction to intermediate volcanic events (kaBoom)
Pyroclastics, pumice, and related events
1st Night: Camp near the mouth of Union Creek
Saturday 8/11:
To Crater Lake: the healing power of nature
The Watchman
The Pinnacles: cycles of volcanism
Pumice Castle: composite volcanoes (kaBoom and Ooze)
2nd Night: Camp in Crater Lake National Park
Sunday 8/12:
Pumice Desert
Cleetwood Cove
Wizard Island: a volcano in a volcano
Trip ends at approximately 5:00 pm
TBA: Meet in D-2 (RWC) to share and turn in projects