Glacial Geology - Geology 445 - Spring, 2009

• Instructor: Professor William Locke
• Office: Traphagen Hall, Room 223; 994-6918; wlocke@montana.edu
• Office Hours: TBA
• Class - WF, 11-12, Traphagen 116; Lab M, 11-12:50, Trap 116
• Textbook: D. I. Benn and D. J. A. Evans; Glaciers and Glaciation, 1998, Oxford

In this class eight years ago, we generated a Hypertext in Glacial Geology.  We will use that as a class resource and attempt to build on it through readings, lectures, class discussion, individual research, class presentation, and formal presentation.  The grades in this course will be based on your contribution to class discussions, the quality of your discussion leadership, your presentations, laboratory exercises, an hour exam and a final examination (Tuesday, May 5, 8-10 AM).  The weighting of these exercises will be 15% class facilitation, 20% final project and presentation, 25% lab grade, 15% hour exam, and 25% final exam.

The basic references will be your 1XX Physical Geology or Geography text and your 3XX Geomorphology text. These will provide us with a framework in which to discuss the level and relevance of material. In your discussion preparation, you will wish to refer to more detailed texts and journals on glaciology and glacial geology.  The assigned text (Glaciers and Glaciation, by D. I. Benn and D. J. A. Evans, 1998, Arnold Press, New York) provides a comprehensive recent compilation.

Relevant journals include general journals such as Nature and Science; discipline journals like Physical Geography, USGS Professional Papers, and the Bulletin of the Geological Society of America; and specialty journals including Arctic and Alpine Research, Quaternary Research, and Journal of Glaciology. You will be expected to use GEOREF (on the Web at Renne Library) and the Web of Science (ne: Science Citation Index) (also accessible on the Web from campus computers).

I have placed the following notable texts on reserve:

GENERAL

• Andrews, J. T., 1975, Glacial Systems, Duxbury Press, North Scituate, Mass.
• Sharp, R. P., 1960, Glaciers, Univ. of Oregon Press, Eugene.

DETAILED

• Drewry, David, 1986, Glacial Geologic Processes, Edward Arnold, Baltimore.
• Eyles, Nicholas, 1983, Glacial Geology for Engineers and Earth Scientists, Pergamon, New York.
• Flint, R. F., 1971, Glacial and Quaternary Geology, Wiley, New York.
• Sugden, D. E. and John, B. S., 1976, Glaciers and Landscape, Wiley, New York.

Other supporting texts can be found at GB2403, QE576, and QE696 in Renne Library. I have additional volumes in my personal collection which may be available - ask if you need something!

Your assignment for each class for which you are responsible is to:

1. Read the relevant material in your Physical, Geomorphology, and class texts for context.
2. Read the detailed material in at least one of the general texts (Sharp and Andrews) and a detailed supporting text.
3. Read one or two of the primary references cited in these texts.
4. Check Web of Science to find more recent papers which are built on these papers.
5. Check GEOREF to find other new papers on your topic.
6. Present as a handout to each class member an outline of material, emphasizing 3XX-5XX material.  Your handout should include one or more relevant graphics and several relevant references.
7. Lead a discussion of the material.
8. Edit/modify the Web pages synthesizing the results of the discussion.

Your assignment for each class for which you are not personally responsible is to read the relevant chapters in your Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced texts and participate in the discussion!

FIELD TRIP

We will schedule a full-day field trip at a time of mutual advantage (hopefully with the option for a snow day!)