Objectives:

Upon completion of this unit students should be able to: Distinguish between microquartz (chert) and megaquartz Describe the common appearance of jasper, opal, flint and porcelanite Discuss the origins of bedded and nodular chert List the marine organisms that produce bedded chert Discuss the origin and age of iron-rich rocks Describe the geochemical environment (Eh and pH) that leads to the formation of iron-rich rocks List and describe the properties of different grades of coal in hand specimen List and describe the geochemical properties of different ranks of coal Discuss the abundance of different types of coal in the world and in the United States Evaluate the environmental issues with burning a particular type of coal. Find your formation on a map! Prepare for your first field day (group project)

  

Reading Assignments:

Lecture 14: Chert and ironstone- Boggs, 5th ed., pp. 175-194   Lecture 15: Coal and carbonaceous rocks- Boggs, 5th edition, pp. 194-202   Please fill out a reading log for this week's reading assignments.  Reading logs are due Wednesday at the start of class.   Reading log

   

Class notes:

Lecture 14 notes Lecture 15 notes

   

Graphics from lectures:

Lecture 14 graphics Lecture 15 graphics

  

Lab this week-   Petrography of coal and carbonaceous rocks, phosphates, ironstones, evaporites and glauconite.   I will pass out a copy of the lab.  If you need another copy you can click here:   Coal, phosphate, evaporites, ironstone, glauconite   You will answer questions on the worksheet, then you and a partner will check your answers using my answer key.   Before you leave lab you will take an open book, open note quiz on the petrology of chert, ironstones, coal and carbonaceous rocks and evaporite minerals.

  

Introduction to the group project: Next week you will visit your formation on your lab day.  We will not hold normal lectures for the next 2 weeks. Before you go into the field you will need to do some background research and show me the results. Things to do before you visit your field sites: Elect a group leader Trade email and phone information Choose group members for each part of the project.  Over the next three weeks your group will need specialists in each of these areas: Stratigraphy- review the published literature on your unit. Correlation- find appropriate correlation charts for your unit. Geologic maps- find geologic maps that show where your unit is located. Lithology and sample descriptions- describe thin sections and hand specimens, including photographs. Stratigraphic column- draw simple stratigraphic columns of your field outcrops. Graphics and design- produce a poster of your results.

 

 

What to turn in (before you go to the field):

Your group leader should assemble all items and turn them in to me in a single document or file. Most group leaders will visit me during office hours before they go into the field.  When I am satisfied with the progress of your group I will issue van keys and instructions for using the vans. Your group will need to turn in these things before you can visit your formation:  1) Group leader's report: Who is in your group? What did each member contribute this week? 2) Stratigraphy and correlation: Find a correlation chart that shows how your unit compares in age and name to other units of similar age around northern California.  Make copies, label them to show your unit, and turn them in with your weekly report. Look here for articles on local formations: Stratigraphy of the Sacramento area 3) Brief lithologic description: What do you expect to find when you visit your outcrop? This should include beds and bedding, composition and general appearance of the unit. 4) Location maps: Where do you plan to go on your first visit to the formation? Make a location map to show where you plan to stop on your first field day.  Google Earth images are required!  The outcrops must be safe and accessible. Make a second location map as a backup plan.  If you can't access the first outcrop, where will you go next?  This may become your stop for week 2 of the project. 5) Geologic maps Show me two geologic maps that agree with your location map (make copies of relevant areas).  Is your formation really exposed at that location? Geologic maps of the Sacramento area

 

Assessment:

I will give each group member a grade each week.  The grade will be based on progress reports that your group leader submits to me, with documentation of your work. The group project is worth 10% of your grade.  Your grade on the group project will be based on the following exercises: Preparing for the field progress report- individual contribution: 2% Week #2 progress report- individual contribution: 2% Week #3 progress report- individual contribution: 2% Final group presentation: combined group score: 4%