Geology

Geology of New Zealand: January - June, 2011

The Geology of New Zealand Programme (Geology) is designed specifically for Geology majors and consists of a 5-week field camp coupled with a semester study at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. The programme consists of five course credits transcripted by Lafayette College.

Field Camp: January 9th - February 12th, 2011

Students spend Module 4 studying volcanoes in the Toupo Volcanic Zone

For 5 weeks, students will travel throughout the North and South Islands, deciphering the geologic evolution of New Zealand from a series of dedicated and linked field modules. This is a field camp experience and our goal is to provide students with a skill base of field focused techniques that will enable them to understand the fundamental causes and timescales of geologic processes. Field work is complemented by map preparation and exercises in the evenings, as well as lectures that highlight a wide variety of our staff’s field and laboratory-based studies.

The Geology programme begins by exploring the stratigraphy, mountain building and tectonics of the Southern Alps. Following three modules in the South Island students travel to the North Island where they will focus on studying the world's largest volcanic eruptions, and geothermal energy.

2010 field modules are:

Field Module 1: Introduction to geologic field mapping in an uplifted and deformed succession of Oligocene marine strata
Field Module 2: Gondwanaland to New Zealand: reconstructing the geologic architecture of the South Island
Field Module 3: Geomorphology: the Active New Zealand Plate Boundary
Field Module 4: Volcanoes: Eruption Styles, Volcano Monitoring and Hazards
Field Module 5: Geothermal Geology and Energy: a Sustainable Resource

Additional Module Information

Campus Semester: February 13th - June 20th, 2011

Students spend Modules 1-3 studying the tectonic evolution of the Southern Alps

The field camp experience will transition into a semester at the University of Canterbury. Students will enroll in 4 semester courses (2 Geology courses including a required research methods course, and 2 course of your choosing from the University of Canterbury course catalogue). The research methods course allows the students to conduct a research project based upon data collected during field camp. In addition, students will learn to compile and prepare a professional map and geologic history based on field module 1.

Programme Director: Darren Gravely, Faculty - Department of Geological Sciences, University of Canterbury

Darren at home on a Volcanoe!

Darren is a volcanologist in the Departement of Geological Sciences at the University of Canterbury. Darren blends his globally-recognised volcano research with undergraduate and graduate education projects in earth systems science. He studies the largest volcanoes known to man, "supervolcanoes", and his research spans the globe from Japan to the United States to South America and New Zealand. With a New Zealand mother and an American father, Darren has taken advantage of a unique opportunity to blend his Pomona College undergraduate education with his love of the New Zealand outdoors and a concern for its environment.

Programme Details

Credits/Units: Five course credits transcripted by the Lafayette College.

Geology Field Camp
Geologic Field Research Methods & Independent Study
One courses within the Department of Geological Sciences
Two courses of your choosing

Tution: 15,600.00 USD

2009 Geology Report
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