UB earth sciences students learn fieldwork skills during trip to New Hampshire

The fascination with magma isn’t just found in movies like “Austin Powers.” It’s also taking shape for students in the ERT 407: Geological Field Training class. The class set out last summer on a weeklong adventure to diversify their hands-on learning and hunt for evidence of magma while at the same time camping and studying in the great outdoors

While Western New York and the surrounding geographical regions are typically made up of sedimentary rocks like shale, limestone and sandstone, the Earth Sciences class traveled nearly seven hours to New Hampshire to study igneous rocks like granite, basalt and metamorphic schist and gneiss, which are formed from the cooling and solidification of molten rock called magma. For an entire week, the group camped in tents, hiked, prepared their own meals and learned more about geological fieldwork.

During their week in the field, the class had a full itinerary in New Hampshire, traveling to Chesterfield Gorge in Chesterfield, camping at Monadnock State Park in Keene and the Tamworth Campground in Tamworth. The group also visited Kennebec Lumber Co in Tamworth, Camp Sentinel in Tuftonboro, Cold Brook in South Tamworth and Bear Camp River in Tamworth.

The majority of time was spent at Monadnock State Park, which is surrounded by thousands of acres of protected highlands. The goal of visiting this region was to explore ancient volcanic calderas — vast basins formed by collapsed volcanoes — that have eroded over time into striking mountain landscapes. The students learned to identify, characterize and map the rocks they found, as well as how to use a geological compass, take appropriate field notes, make sketches and other skills essential to the field.

The trip was organized and coordinated by James Boyle, director of undergraduate studies and assistant teaching professor; Stephan Kolzenburg, assistant professor; and Nick DiFrancesco, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Earth Sciences.  

DiFrancesco explains that the rocks in this area contain visible crystals that show signs of bending caused by volcanic activity and shifting tectonic plates. “There was a lot of volcanic activity in this area during the formation and breakup of Pangea, so we were helping students look for evidence of magma in the area.”

This experience was particularly helpful to many of the students, as they were able to see igneous rocks either for the first time ever or for the first time outside of a lab setting. “The best part about my trip to New Hampshire was being able to travel and see new places because of a class,” says Megan Flint, a senior majoring in geological sciences with a minor in environmental studies. “It will help me after graduation, as I now have experience in several aspects of fieldwork, which is important for pursuing a master’s degree and is sought after in the job market,” she adds.

Tim Walters, a senior in geological sciences, shared similar sentiments. “This experience introduced me to a variety of igneous features I had never seen in person before and therefore introduced me to new challenges in an unfamiliar environment,” he says. “Overall, the best part of my trip to New Hampshire was meeting so many like-minded people.”

While all institutions offering geology degrees require a course of this nature, many SUNY schools coordinate with other schools to pool resources. Along with the UB three faculty members leading the trip, a total of 16 SUNY students, including six UB earth sciences students, took the course.

“The students were challenged to apply all the lessons of their courses to the natural world in all its glorious chaos,” Boyle says. “They learn to adapt, adjust their theories as they go and work in collaboration with their fellow students in the beautiful foothills of the mountains.”

Each year the UB course alternates to take students to an East coast or West coast location to expose students to a wide variety of landscapes and rock classifications. Next year, students in the course will travel to Colorado and Utah for a western field course to explore metamorphic rocks.