Physical Geology  (Spring '99)

        Physical geology is an entry level class in the understanding of basic
concepts and theories associated with Geology.  The course begins with
a review of common minerals and their characteristics.  Here the student
learns how to identify minerals by means of hardness and density,  as
well as tasting.  The course then touches base on landforms and structures
found on the surface of the earth.  Mountain building and Volcanics are
just a couple of the processes which are talked about.  The course also
takes a look at the processes responsible for forming and modifying these
structures.  Class field trips enables the student to see some of these
processes as they occur in the natural environment.

Dr. Matthew Gorring,  a proffesor at Montclair State University,  organized and instructed the physical geology course in the spring of '99.  One of the topics briefly covered this semester was hydrology.  Hydrology plays a huge role in the creation and destruction of geologic formations and is responsible for the    transport of sediments.
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 

In understanding some basic concepts of hydrology, and it's role in geology, the class was taken to  -----  park in Montclair, NJ  where they observed the flow of a nearby stream.
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Students used various methods to record data such as the size and speed of the stream.  Large tape measures were used in determining the width of the stream.

Colored balls were used to determine the velocity of the stream by  recording the time taken for each ball to cross a certain portion of the stream.

Once all the data has been collected,  students use simple equations to determine other information about the stream.  This gives us an idea about how the stream is moving,  how much sediment is being transported,  and how much erosion has and will take place.  Concepts like these become essesential in the proffesional field. In later courses,  students can further study hydrology,  as well as other concepts that were breify discussed in physical geology,  in more detailed classes.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dr. Matthew Gorring,  a proffesor at Montclair State University,  organized and instructed the physical geology course in the spring of '99.  One of the topics briefly covered this semester was hydrology.  Hydrology plays a huge role in the creation and destruction of geologic formations and is responsible for the    transport of sediments.