Optional Geology Report
Grade
This assignment is worth the replacement of your lowest test grade. The final does not count. Be careful, though. The grading on this assignment will be rigorous, so doing a quick, careless job on the report will not necessarily guarantee an A or B. Content
Write a 2000 word report about the geology of a particular area of California. This area may be a major national or state park, or perhaps a particular county where you grew up. Your paper should have four important sections. Please label them with appropriate headings I. Geologic features: Describe the geologic features (rocks, structures -- faults, landforms) of the area. Explain any geologic terms in your own words. Example: "Gneisses outcrop in the northeastern and central area. Gneisses are foliated metamorphic rocks with layering between micas and feldspars. The layering forms synclines and anticlines through out the area. Synclines are folds that open upward, and anticlines open downward." Also explain any spatial relationships between the features. What is the sequence of layering? Which rocks are next to each other, which rocks intrude others, what rocks do the faults cut, which is/are older/younger. II. Geologic history: Explain the geologic history of the area. Refer to geologic time periods or dates. What kind of plate tectonic activity was going on? What mountains were forming? etc. III. Map of the area of interest: Please include appropriate map scale and citation. IV. Bibliography: Please use MLA format. Please observe the minimum source requirements described below. Style
This is to be written in an informative and technical style (hopefully in a style somewhat similar to your textbook). Please be clear and to the point. Avoid poetic metaphors and philosophical statements that are not related to science or geology. Use correct spelling and grammar. Use Times or Palatino font in a 12 point size, one inch margins, double spaced, on standard 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper. All outside references must be appropriately cited. Research Strategies
You may research this paper by either participating in a scheduled field trip and examining the rocks for yourself (with instructor guidance), or you may carry out your own library research. You may find it useful to consult the physical science section of the libraries at the other Los Rios Community College District campuses, Sac State University, or UC Davis in addition to CRC's library. Some local public libraries may also have useful books. References
The following are references that you may find useful. You may use other appropriate references not listed here. If you choose to do most of your research on a field trip, you must use at least one library/book reference. If you do a library report instead of a field trip report, you must use at least three references, and two of those references must be a book or magazine.
The CRC Library
also has a growing collection of field guidebooks and books on the geology of
particular areas of California. If you choose to do this assignment as
a library report, I ask that you okay a topic with me in advance.
Turning it In
This paper is to be submitted electronically on Canvas.
Please know that this site will scan for instances of plagiarism. Due date
The report is due on Wednesday, May 15, 11:59 p.m. |