Ge 111ab:   Applied Geophysics Seminar and Field Course

Summer 1999 Field Camp Location:  The Blackhawk Landslide, San Bernardino County, CA. Photo: Kerry Sieh

PICTURES FROM 1999 FIELD COURSE AVAILABLE here

Course Description

An introduction to the theory and application of basic geophysical field techniques consisting of a comprehensive survey of a particular field area using a variety of methods (e.g., gravity, magnetic, electrical, GPS, seismic studies, and satellite remote sensing). The course will consist of a seminar (Ge 111a) held in the spring quarter in which we will discuss the scientific background for the chosen field area, along with the theoretical basis and implementation of the various measurement techniques. The field course (Ge 111b) will take place soon after commencement, and consists of 6-10 days in the field with final reports due soon after the return to Caltech.

Units: 3-3-0 (spring), 0-3-6 (summer). The seminar is graded P/F, with auditing not permitted; The field course must be taken for a grade and the seminar is required for participation in the field component.

Prerequisites: Consent of Instructor(s)

Spring/Summer 1999

The 2 hour seminar takes place Th 1-3 PM in 215 North Mudd, during the spring quarter.  The field course will take place from Sunday, June 13 to Sunday, June 20.  Reports will be due 5pm Wednesday, June 23. We will be camping on the Blackhawk slide for the entire field course.

The actual  course schedule for 1999 can be found here .

Important information for the field component of Ge 111b can be found here.
The tentative daily field schedule can be found here.

LOOK HERE FOR UP-TO-THE-MINUTE DATA INFO.

Raw gravity and resistivity data is now available for processing. Please remember that final reports are due at 5 PM, Wednesday, June 23.

Course Topics

(Topics will not necessarily be covered in this order).

Intructors

Mark Simons, 355 South Mudd, simons@gps.caltech.edu, x6984
Robert W. Clayton, 352 South Mudd, clay@gps.caltech.edu, x6909
Joann Stock, 356 South Mudd, jstock@gps.caltech.edu, x6938

Teaching Assistant

Emily Brodsky, 358 South Mudd, brodsky@gps.caltech.edu, x6971
Julie Nazareth, 364 South Mudd, julie@gps.caltech.edu, x6931

Textbook

Reynolds, John M. (1997) An Introduction to Applied and Environmental Geophysics , John Wiley & Sons.

Reading List

Dade, W. Brian,  and H. E. Huppert (1998) Long-runout rockfalls, Geology, 26, p. 803-806.

Diblee, T.W. (1982) "Regional Geology of the Transverse Ranges province of southern California" in Geology and Mineral Wealth of the California Transverse Ranges , South Coast Geological Society.

Fife, Donald L. (1982) Mineral Potential of the Silver Reef-Blackhawk Landslide Complex, Lucerne Valley, California Geology and Mineral Wealth of the California Transverse Ranges, South Coast Geological Society.

Glicken, Harry (1996) Rockslide-Debris Avalance of May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens Volcano , Washington USGS Open-file Report 96-677.

Johnson, Brann (1987) Blackhawk Landslide, California, USA  in  Rockslides and Avalanches, v.1 : Natural Phenomena, ed. Barry Voight,  Amsterdam: Elsevier, p. 481-504.

Melosh, Jay (1987) The mechanics of large rock avalanches, GSA Reviews in Engineering Geology, v. VII, p. 41-49.

Sharp, R. P. and Glazner, A. F. (1993) Geology Underfoot in Southern California, Chapter 16 "Eighty Seconds of Catastrophe".

Shreve, Ronald L. (1959) Geology and Mechanics of the Blackhawk Landslide, Lucerne Valley, California Ph.D. Thesis, California Institute of Technology.

Shreve, Ronald L. (1968) The Blackhawk Landslide, Geological Society of America Special Paper No. 108 , 1968.

Shelton, H. (1966) Limestone Debris Beyond the Mouth of Blackhawk Canyon Geology Illustrated , 330-331.

Stout, Martin L. (1982) Age and Engineering Geologic Observations of the Blackhawk Landslide, Southern California Geology and Mineral Wealth of the California Transverse Ranges, South Coast Geological Society. 

Last updated, June 21, 1999