Geomorphology (Geol 208)

For the next couple of weeks in Geomorph lab we are working with physical models of natural systems to understand stream hydraulics and landforms and slope evolution processes.   Below are many photos from the first lab.

On February 10, students visited the Riverside Cemetary in Albion to try and establish weathering rates of marble tombstones that dated back to the 1830’s.   It was a sunny but cold day.   Students measured thickness changes in headstone slabs and used a weathering index to rate the degree of weathering since the formation of the tombstonre was carved.

Geomorphology is the study of earth surface processes and landforms.   Twenty-one students are enrolled in the course this spring 2011 semester.    We started the course with some historical perspective on the science of geomorphology and have been learning about large scale landscape evolution.   In lab we have been examining tectonic and volcanic landscapes in stereo with aerial photographs and satellite images in Google Earth.  We will be studying weathering and soil-forming processes in the coming weeks.