Geology and Tectonics of the Northern Rocky Mountains

TONY IRVING, University of Washington

 

July 21-24, 2009 in Banff and Glacier National Parks                          Apply: UWA 

 

Note:  This course has a participant fee of $250 (in addition to the application fee) and a logistical fee of $350 to cover costs of van transportation, 3 nights lodging (in Lake Louise, Cranbrook and Kalispell) and lunches (but not dinner and breakfast).

 

            The idea of tectonic terranes as a corollary to the concept of plate tectonics was developed largely in western Canada, Alaska and southern California to explain the diverse geology of those regions.  Some of the best exposed and most accessible places to clearly see the evidence are in the National Parks that straddle the Canadian border.  There amidst spectacular glacially-carved scenery the tectonic forces accompanying the collision of the Farallon Plate and the mechanisms of assembly of western North America can be especially well-appreciated.

 

            This program will combine outdoor geology on both outcrop and regional scales with lectures and discussion at several classroom venues.  After an introductory campus session in Calgary, participants will travel to sites at Lake Louise and Banff National Park, and then on down the majestic Kootenay Valley, before embarking on a two-way tour of key outcrops along a second (and third) transect of the collisional orogen in Glacier National Park.  A final review and curriculum session will provide important closure and ensure that participants will be able to take back critical lessons to share in their own classrooms.  Topics to be addressed include: plate tectonics, rock mechanics, biostratigraphy, metamorphism, folds and thrust faults, dating of geological events, pre-Cambrian life forms, and even a little on dinosaurs.

 

For college teachers of: all disciplines, but particularly natural sciences. Prerequisites:  none.  Limit: 15 participants

 

Dr. Irving, currently a Lecturer in the Dept. of Earth and Space Sciences at the University of Washington, has extensive experience in college and public education in many aspects of geology.  He has taught numerous undergraduate and graduate classes in volcanology, petrology, mineralogy, geochemistry, dinosaur paleobiology and historical geology.  During the past 25 years he has led many workshops for educators on the diverse regional geology of the Pacific Northwest, including to the Burgess Shale and other famous sites in the Canadian and U.S. Rockies.

 

Email: irving@concentric.net

 

 

Course Logistics and Schedule

 

Each participant should arrange his or her travel to Calgary, Alberta in order to arrive by Monday evening, July 20.  Many major airlines serve Calgary, including Alaska, Horizon, Delta, Air Canada, America West, American, Continental, Northwest and United.  Please note that U.S. citizens should have a valid passport to enter Canada.  Recommended lodging on July 20 is one of the motels in “Motel Village” close to the University of Calgary, and one transit stop away from the University of Calgary campus, where the introductory lectures will be held on July 21.  Departing flights from Kalispell, Montana on Friday, July 24 should be no earlier than 5 pm. 

 

 

Tuesday, July 21         9:00 am  Meet in Room136 Earth Science Building, University of Calgary campus (see map here)  Introductions.  Scope of course.  Logistics.

                                    9:30 am  Principles of structural geology and tectonics

                                    10:30 am  Break

                                    10:45 am  Geological history of the Northern Rockies

                                    Noon  Lunch

                                    1:30 pm  Depart for Banff National Park (several stops en route)

                                    4:30 pm  Arrive at Lake Louise Hostel.  Check-in.

                                    5:30 pm  Dinner on your own

                                   

Wednesday, July 22    8:30 am  Depart for tour of Banff National Park sites

                                    Noon  Lunch

                                    Tour sites between Banff and Radium Hot Springs

                                    4:30 pm  Arrive in Cranbrook.  Check-in.

                                    5:00 pm  Free time

 

Thursday, July 23        8:30 am  Drive to Whitefish, Montana

                                    10:00 am  Tour of Glacier National Park sites

                                    Noon

                                    1:30  Continue tour of Glacier National Park sites

                                    5:00  Arrive in Kalispell

                                   

Friday, July 24            9:00 am  Flathead Valley College: review of field trip and further discussion.

                                    10:30 am  Break

                                    11:00 am  Curriculum discussion

                                    Noon  Lunch

                                    1:00 pm  Evaluation and concluding remarks

                                    2:00 pm  Depart for Kalispell Airport