Field Experiences in Environmental Geophysics and Earth Surface Processes

我们的入门地球科学实验室，地球材料和过程，每年为120多名学生提供服务，占三一学院学生总数的五分之一，其中大多数是非理工科学生。该实验室目前不包括现场工作或仪器组成部分。我们将以探究为基础，工具支持，定量的实地经验来加强这门课程。这一体验将包括对校园附近的一个断层边界盆地进行折射地震调查和实时差分GPS调查，该盆地包含一个防洪大坝。一个循环的时间表将确保每个学生都有两个调查的实践经验，也将允许结合基于计算机的制图练习，使用现有的计算机设备，进入这个介绍性的实验室。我们将购置勘探地震仪、GPS接收机和笔记本电脑来实施这个计划。使用相同的设备，我们将整合和加强高年级选修课程在地球物理，地貌学，水文学，地理信息系统和遥感的实地组成部分，联合扩展实地项目。新创建的政府峡谷州自然区域将用作这些课程的公共场地。这个区域，作为教学和研究的重要地质区域，位于集水区和爱德华兹含水层补给区之间的边界上，爱德华兹含水层是德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥市的唯一水源。这些活动的额外好处包括增强其他地球科学课程和生物和物理选修课的实地经验，并为三一学院及其附属机构的学生扩大本科研究机会。研究结果将通过在国家会议和讲习班上的发言加以传播。由此产生的材料和学生报告将在我们部门的网站上提供，该网站还将为政府峡谷州自然区域提供基于网络的GIS。

Our introductory geoscience laboratory, Earth Materials and Processes, serves over 120 students per year, one fifth of the Trinity student body, most of whom are non-science majors. This laboratory currently includes no field work or instrumental component. We will enhance this course with an inquiry-based, instrumentally supported, quantitative field experience. This experience will include a refraction seismic survey and a real-time differential GPS survey of a fault-bounded basin near campus containing a flood control dam. A round-robin schedule will ensure that each student has a hands-on experience with both surveys, and will also allow the incorporation of a computer based mapping exercise, using an existing computer facility, into this introductory laboratory. We will acquire an exploration seismograph, GPS receiver and laptop computer to implement this plan. Using the same equipment, we will integrate and enhance the field components of upper division elective courses in Geophysics, Geomorphology, Hydrology, and, GIS and Remote Sensing with joint, extended field projects. The newly created Government Canyon State Natural Area will be used as the common field site for these courses. This area, which has been set aside as an important geologic area for teaching and research, is located astride the boundary between the catchment zone and the recharge zone of the Edwards Aquifer, the sole-source water supply for San Antonio, Texas. Additional benefits of these activities include the enhancement of field experiences in other geoscience courses and selected courses in biology and physics, and expanded undergraduate research opportunities for students from Trinity and affiliated institutions. The results will be disseminated by presentations at national meetings and workshops. Resulting materials and student reports will be available on our department Web site which will also host a Web based GIS for the Government Canyon State Natural Area.