|
Focus
The focus of the
Geology/Cartography group was originally to map the structural geology
of the farm in Zwingle, Iowa; however, due to the interests of several
group members, the research shifted to studying the rock layers in the
bluffs and excavating different types of rocks and fossils. The goal of
this investigation is ultimately learn about the time period that these
rocks were formed in.
|
|
Geologic Hammer
(courtesy of
http://www.gnb.ca/0130/MineralsMatter/proppect.htm) |
Methods and
Materials
Under the
supervision of IMSA faculty member Dr. Mark Horrell, the geology group
used FGIS, a free software-mapping program, to chart the geography of
the land. For the excavation portion, the members used geologic hammers
to remove both weathered and fresh rock samples, along with excavating
fossils.
|
|
Findings
As of now, the
group has discovered Dolomite and Limestone in the retrieved rock
samples. Fossils include tabulate corals, Crinoids from the phylum
Echinodermata, and traces of various bivalves. This findings show that
these rocks were formed during the Silurian time period. |
Coral Tabulate
(courtesy of
http://www.uky.edu/OtherOrgs/KPS/pages/fossilphoto.html) |
|
Crinoids
(courtesy of
http://www.rankinmuseum.com/
paleontology_page.htm) |
dolomite
(courtesy of
http://www.francesjane.com/
dolomite.html)
|
limestone
(courtesy of
http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty
/ritter/glossary/S_U/sedimentary_
rock.html) |
Bivalve
(courtesy of
http://plato.acadiau.ca/Courses/geol/
Cameron/GEOL2213/GEOL2213-Lab%20Specimen%20Photos/
Mollusca/Paleo43-paleolab8g%20D%20Bivalves%20with%
20some%20cephalopods) |
(courtesy of
http://universe-review.ca/Frame.htm) |
More
information on the Silurian period
During the
Silurian, around 45% of the Earth was covered in water, which allowed
for a wide variety of marine life. Due to the warm climate, a large rise
in coral populations occurred. These high temperatures suggest that Iowa
used to be situated within thirty degrees of the equator. |
|
Top
Geology Photographs
Click on image for larger view |
|
Week of November 5-7 |
 |
 |
 |
|
An inner view of one of the caves |
A view of the old schoolhouse site, which
was used last year as an archeological site |
The geology team planning their day's work |
 |
 |
 |
|
The geology team preparing for work |
The geology team taking GPS readings to map
the the land |
The geology team sweeps the land while
mapping |
|
Top
Week of October 15-17 |
|
 |
 |
|
One of the caves found on the Gossman farm |
Another cave found on the Gossman farm |
 |
 |
|
A cliff found on the Gossman farm, sporting
several caves |
The side of a cliff, showing evidence of
erosion from long ago |
|
Top
(c) Jessica Liu and Yifan Sun |
| |
| |
