ESCI 0050. Geology of National Parks and Monuments
Units: 3
Formerly known as GEOL 50
Hours: 54 lecture
Investigation of geology and geologic history in the formation of North American national parks and monuments including the Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion, and Yosemite. (CSU, UC)
ESCI 0050 - Geology of National Parks and Monuments
http://catalog.sierracollege.edu/course-outlines/esci-0050/
Catalog Description DESCRIPTION IS HERE: Formerly known as GEOL 50 Hours: 54 lecture Description: Investigation of geology and geologic history in the formation of North American national parks and monuments including the Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion, and Yosemite. (CSU, UC) Units 3 Lecture-Discussion 54 Laboratory By Arrangement Contact Hours 54 Outside of Class Hours Course Student Learning Outcomes Use the stratigraphy of the grand staircase (Grand Canyon, Zion and Brice) to interpret the geologic history of the intermountain west. Compare and contrast the plate tectonic history that shaped the national parks and monuments of western North America. Interpret the geologic processes that sculpted the major landforms of national parks and monuments. Course Content Outline A. The U.S. National Park System, an overview and history B. Basic rocks and minerals of the parks and monuments C. An outline of geologic tite D. Plate tectonics that shaped the parks and monuments of North America E. Ancient rocks of the stable interior 1. the Black Canyon of the Gunnison 2. the Grand Canyon F. the layered rocks of the parks of Utah and Arizona 1. The Paleozoic vertical mile of the Grand Canyon 2. The Mesozoic of Zion and related parks 3. The Cenozoic of Bryce G. Volcanic parks of the American west and Alaska 1. Mount Rainier 2. Crater Lake 3. Mount Lassen 4. Lava Beds 5. Yellowstone 6. Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes 7. Hawaii Volcanoes H. Parks shaped by plate tectonics and ice 1. Yosemite 2. Denali 3. Glacier Bay I. Other Parks 1. Badlands 2. Acadia 3. Petrified Forest 4. Carlsbad Caverns 5. Kenai Fjords 6. Glacier 7. Tetons 8. Big Bend 9. Point Reyes 10. Great Sand Dunes 11. Death Valley 12. Great Basin Course Objectives Course Objectives 1. Analyze and discuss the history of the U.S. National Park System; 2. investigate basic rock and mineral types found at the parks and monuments; 3. distinguish between time periods of the geologic timescale; 4. compare and contrast the plate tectonics that shaped the parks and monuments of North America; 5. using the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and the Grand Canyon, compare and contrast the ancient Precambrian rocks of the stable interior; 6. compare and contrast the Paleozoic rocks using the layered rocks of the parks of Utah and Arizona; 7. using the volcanic parks of the American west and Alaska, analyze various volcanic modes; 8. compare and contrast parks shaped by plate tectonics and ice; and 9. assess the geologic attributes of the following parks and how they contribute to the geologic history of North America: A. Badlands B. Acadia C. Petrified Forest D. Carlsbad Caverns E. Kenai Fjords F. Glacier G. Tetons H. Big Bend I. Point Reyes J. Great Sand Dunes K. Death Valley L. Great Basin. Methods of Evaluation Essay Examinations Objective Examinations Reports Reading Assignments 1. Read the chapters pertaining to the geologic evolution of the Grand Staircase of the American southwest. 2. Read the chapter on the geologic history of Yosemite National Park. Writing, Problem Solving or Performance 1. Write a report on a selected national park or monument. 2. Summarize reading assignments on each selected national park or monument. Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.) Methods of Instruction Lecture/Discussion Distance Learning Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course. These are the best available texts. Comprehensive geology of national park and monument textbooks have not been published recently.
Course Identification Numbering System (C-ID)
...200 ESCI 0002 HIST 130 HIST 0017A HIST 140 HIST 0017B HIST 150 HIST 0050...
