Fall 2007 Physical Geology Field Excursion
11/08/2007
The Geology Department ran it's Fall 2007 Physical Geology Field Excursion this past Saturday. The Physical Geology class studies local exposures of Ordovician, Silurian, and Devonian strata, and interprets paleoenvironments and tectonic history. The weather was crisp but sunny, perfect for studying geology!
For more pictures off site go to <http://docvsoft.com/geology/physical2007>.
Geology students study the Ordovician graywackes deposited during the Taconic Orogeny. These sediments, eroded from ancient mountains, were deposited by turbidity currents in a deep marine trough.
Dr. Vollmer lectures on the geology of the High Falls area from a Shawangunk grit millstone podium. In the past, water power was used to turn millstones, now it is used to generate electricity.
Dr. Rayburn in front of High Falls. Here dolostone forms the resistant caprock, over which the water spills. Dolostone was widely mined in this area during the 1800's and early 1900's to make natural cement. This cement was used in the building of the Brooklyn Bridge and many historic buildings of that period.
