GDEP
Geoscience Diversity Enhancement Program
Geology, Geography, Geoarchaeology
Linkage to G-DEP Home page.
What is it?
This is an innovative program, supported by funding from the National Science Foundation to encourage collaboration between Geoscience Professors at CSULB, Community College Instructors, and Community College and High School students. It is designed to improve research and educational experiences of the underrepresented students in the geoscience disciplines of geology, physical geography, archaeology, and environmental science. More information, including goals and participants are shown on the G-DEP home page asvailble through the linkage above.
Who Participated and what was the product?
Summer of 2002
Instructor Donald E. Hallinger and Karen Kyster, both of the Earth Sciences Department at Cerritos College collaborated with Dr. Dan Francis of CSULB on an offshore seismic study of the Palos Verdes Fault Zone. Follow this linkage to the Power Point Presentation and associated Poster
Winter of 2002/2003
Instructor Donald E. Hallinger continued working with Dr. Dan Francis of CSULB on the Palos Verdes Fault Zone. Two Poster presentations resulted in this collaboration. Follow this linkage to the first Abstract and associated Poster. Follow this linkage to the second Abstract and Poster
Summer of 2003
Mr. Brian David, graduate of
Cerritos College, worked with Dr. Richard Behl, CSULB and Dr. James Repka, Saddleback
College, on a study of the Monterey Fromation of Coastal Orange County, CA
Follow this linkage to the Power Point
Presentation | Poster
Ms. Luz Mendez, graduate of Cerritos
College, worked with Dr. Christine M. Rodrigue, CSULB, and Ms Barbara Talalemotu
and Ms. Ei Ei (Sally) Lwin, students, on GIS studies of the Charmlee Wilderness
Park and other areas in the
Santa Monica Mountains. Follow this linkage to the two Power Point
Presentations | Posters
Instructor Donald E. Hallinger worked
with Dr. Dan Francis, CSULB, Mr. Dave Ferry and Mr. Kevin Gwinn, students, on a field and
geophysical study of faulting in East-central Nevada.
What kinds of geological research did we use last summer?
We started out with a search for documentation on-line. Students learned about the various sites with geological publications available. Next we had in class demonstrations of power point, to be used later for presentations and to create our posters. We also discussed the various field methods that we would use.
In the field, students learned about the need for field identification of the various formations we would be working with. This was accomplished by a series of field trips to various sections. Then they learned to lay out and survey seismic refraction lines. The lay out was easy, but the surveying in of each shot point was more difficult. Initially this was done with a compass and tape measure. Because we are measuring velocity of sound waves in the ground, we needed to know precisely how far apart the geophones were placed. With the survey of geophone locations came the task of laying the wires to transmit data and to place the geophones in the ground. They then would be covered with sand bags to ensure good conductive contact with the ground.
Applying energy to each shot point provided the most exercise. This was because we used a 20 pound sledge hammer to strike a metal plate on the ground. We had some trouble because of poor surface conditions and because the trigger mechanism on the hammer failed to trip. Therefore we sometimes had to hit the plate more than the normal 10 blows to record an adequate signal. Each day we would layout the line and geophones, collect the data, and retrieve the geophones. This made for long days. At 6500 feet elevation, however, the weather was relatively mild, for central Nevada.
Students also learned how to make gravity measurements along two of the three seismic lines that we shot. This data was later reduced for analysis.
Interspersed with the geophysical data collection were days of returning to type sections to view named formations and collect samples and fossils for later identification. Collected specimens were thin sectioned and analyzed under a petrographic microscope.
The results of the surveys and specimen analyses were first presented in a power point presentation and then written up and presented in a poster session. Both of these are available through this web page.
Follow this linkage to Power Point Presentation | Poster