Glacial Geology - Geology 445 - Spring, 1999

• Instructor: Professor William Locke
• Office: Traphagen Hall, Room 223; 994-6918; wlocke@montana.edu
• Office Hours: Wed 1-4 PM and when my office door is open
• Classroom - MW, 11-12, Traphagen 101; Lab M, 4-6, Traphagen 100
• Textbook: D. I. Benn and D. J. A. Evans; Glaciers and Glaciation, 1998, Oxford

It is said that the best way to learn something is to teach it. If that is the case, then you will all learn Glacial Geology, in breadth and depth, this semester! The format of the class will be the writing of a Website on Glacial Geology. In general, this will entail writing pages incorporating the major concepts of Glacial Geology in a multidimensional format. The dimensions will be level (Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced Glacial Geology - defined as the 1XX , 3XX, and 4XX levels), topic (Glacial systems, erosion, meltwater ... ), and content (subject matter, glossary, graphics ...). You will select topics and lead in-class discussions, then produce a draft Introductory and Intermediate Web page in HTML for each of your topics.

The grades in this course will be based on your contribution to class discussions, the quality of your discussion leadership, your Web pages, laboratory exercises, and a final examination (Monday, May 3, 8-10 AM).

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 Science Citation Index (in Renne reference).

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, Geomorph, 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 Science Citation Index 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 level-appropriate material but including marginal material.
7. Bring as handouts or overheads graphics which you think should be included at that level.
8. Lead a discussion of the material.
9. Generate a Web page synthesizing the results of the discussion.  The first draft of each Web page will be due two weeks after your discussion.  Final drafts from the first half are due Friday, March 26, by 5 PM.  Final drafts from the second half are due Wednesday, May 5, by 5 PM.

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!