Geomorphic Systems

Watershed Geology Lab

GEOL 360/360L

4 credits

Prerequisite(s): GEOL 260 and GEOL 260L

Geomorphic Systems is the study of landforms and landscapes in the context of interpreting both deep and near-surface earth processes. This view of the Monterey Submarine Canyon exemplifies the rich materials we will work with in the classroom and in the field.

Instructor and location information

Instructor: Douglas Smith

email: dosmith@csumb.edu

Office Hours: By appointment

Office: Rm. S302, Science Center (Bldg. 53)

Ph: (831) 582-4696

Lecture: Friday 9:00-11:50

Room E136, Science Center

Lab: Friday 12:00-2:50

Room E136, Science Center

Fieldtrips

Parking lot of Bldg. 13

Course materials

1) Key Concepts in Geomorphology, 1st ED (link to e-book)

2) Stream Channel Reference Sites (Harrrelson et al., 1994) Free

Other Course Materials: Sturdy shoes/boots, 3H pencil (mechanical or wood), 3-4 colored pencils eraser, "Rite-in-the-rain" field notebook, calculator, clipboard, small daypack, water bottle, warm clothes, light rain gear (poncho or jacket).

Introduction

Geomorphic Systems is the study of deep and shallow Earth processes that integrate through time to shape the landforms and landscapes that compose our physical environment. Once the link between process and landscape is understood, then we can read the landscape to interpret the present and past Earth processes active in a region. The societal applications for that knowledge include land-use planning, geologic hazard mapping, ecosystem restoration and predicting the effects of global climate change. Ecosystem restoration includes either reconstructing an equilibrium landscape in a disturbed site, or encouraging the surface processes that will form the equilibrium landscape over time. Therefore, the practice of ecosystem restoration requires a fundamental understanding of the intimate links between earth processes and the landforms they construct. Global change affects rates and styles of geomorphic change, therefore, we can read paleoclimate from the soils and landforms we study. This course forms an essential bridge between GEOL 260 and the GEOL 460 series as a student grows toward a working knowledge of ecosystem policy and management. We will study together through individual and group fieldwork, readings, discussion and lecture. The assessment of the course will include a combination of practical exercises, examinations, field notes, miscellaneous assignments, and a written/oral report recording a cleary defined independent project accomplished during the semester.

This course fulfills part of the "Natural Science Competency" outcome for the Watershed Systems concentration of the Environmental Science (ESTP) major. It can also serve as an elective for any degree in the Division of Science and Environmental Policy.

Course learning outcomes

Course Learning Outcome 1--Basic Geology: Students will be able to apply the major concepts and skill sets built in Introductory Geology/Hydrology (GEOL 260/260L) to complex problems found in geomorphic studies.

Learning Experiences

Lecture, illustrations, in-class practice, and field experience

At least four weeks of laboratory and field have mapping components

Many students create maps within the independent project

Learning Assessments

1.Both peer and instructor evaluation of mapping exercises

2.Mid-term and Final exams will include maps

Course Learning outcome 2--Map and Analyze Geomorphic Features: Students will be able to use various kinds of remote sensing data and land survey techniques to map geomorphic and geologic features. Students will be challenged to apply that skill set to a variety of Earth science problems.

Learning Experiences

Lecture, illustrations, in-class practice, and field experience

At least four weeks of laboratory and field have mapping components

Many students create maps within the independent project

Learning Assessments

1.Both peer and instructor evaluation of mapping exercises

2.Mid-term and Final exams will include maps

Course Learning outcome 3--Application of Landscape Equilibrium Theory: Students will be able to apply the conceptual models of landscape equilibrium to Earth science problems in a wide variety of settings and at a wide range of spatial and temporal scales.

Learning Experiences

1.Lecture, readings, illustrations, field examples

Concepts are formally developed in weeks 3-5

Concepts are used and reinforced throughout the course

Learning Assessments

Peer-graded and instructor graded exercises

Independent projects

Mid term and Final exams

Course Learning outcome 4--Writing: Students will be able to use proper English, topic sentences, logical paragraph organization, and clear illustrations in a series of short, concise geologic reports and a significant written report of an independent project.

Learning Experiences

1.Lecture

Samples of exemplary work

Several fieldtrip reports

Optional seminar reports

Learning Assessments

Fieldtrip reports

Independent projects (proposal, and two drafts of report)

Optional seminar reports

Assessment

Coursework	Percent of final grade \(approximate\)
Mid-term Exam	20%
Comprehensive final exam	20%
Project data	4%
Project final report	20%
Coastal Erosion Southern MRY Bay	2%
BLM surveys	8%
Equilibrium experiments in small-scale rivers	6%
Coyote Gulch Consulting Report	10%
Aerial photography interpretations	2%
Modeling coastal geomorphology	2%
CA Geomorphic Provinces presentations	2%
Surveying/Monitoring coastal geomorphology	2%
Fieldbooks \(clarity, accuracy, completeness\): “Ethical, reproducible field data is the currency of field science”	2%
[Virtual dating certificate](https://csumb.edu/hydro/virtual-certificates) "radio carbon"	1% extra credit
[SEP Seminar Reports](https://csumb.edu/sep/seminars): 0.5% each, maximum of 4	Up to 2 points extra credit on final exam

Schedule

Topics, readings, and due dates

Wk	Date	Tentative Topics	Field/Lab	Readings	Due Dates
1	8/28	Landscape Equilibrium_1Gilbert, Davis...and beyond:The battle between constructive and destructive forces in the Earth's system. Various kinds and scales of equilibrium. The importance of defiing spatial and temporal scales in a geomorphic study.	Scaled physical watershed model experiments in the intimate dance between sand and flowing water.	Handouts B&M p 5 - 30	Fieldtrip forms
2	9/4	Hillslope Processes: Review Topographic Maps	Slope failure analysis--practice with Autolevels	Handouts B&M Ch. 5	Small river report due
3	9/11	Geology, geomorphology, and restoration of local disturbed landscape. Coyote Gulch.Gully cycle, Quaternary dating	Introduction to geomorphic mapping, Interpreting landscapes, What can we monitor?	B&M Ch. 2 Assigned Readings on general geology and gullies. Read about Humans as Geomorphic Agents.	Virtual dating virtual certificate
4	9/18	Creating model hypotheses of landscape evolution through field observation	Practice with field survey instrumentsSurvey practice on BLM land	Harrelson et al. for field survey Handouts	Coyote Gulch report due
5	9/25	Introduction to Fluvial Geomorphology	Review and analyze previous fieldwork --Practice tape and compass maps	Assigned ReadingsB&M Ch. 6	BLM surveys due
6	10/2	Introduction to Aerial Photography. Reading structure and surface processes from photographs and DEMs.	Common landforms in ground and aerial photography	Photo-monitoring papers	Aerial Photography exercise due
7	10/9	MIDTERM EXAM
8	10/1610/1710/18	Fieldwork for class project--long days	Plan for three day fieldwork
9	10/23	Project field data interpretation	Report writing guidance
10	10/30	Landscape Equilibrium _2: Mountain building, isostasy, and global geomorphology	Isostasy	Assigned ReadingB&W Ch. 14	project detailed outline + methods and data spreadsheet due before class.
11	11/6	Projects	Projects
12	11/13	Coastal processes and products	Aerial photos & computer modeling	Local coastal issues Monterey Canyon CH. 8	Project Introduction, methods draft results and and references due before class.Coastal Modeling exercise dueat end of class.
13	11/20	Costal management	Field trip
14	11/27	Thanksgiving	break
15	12/4	CA Geomorphic provinces		Assigned Readings	Province group presentation
16	12/11	TBA	final exam review		Projects due before class
17	TBD	Final Exam

Disability accomodations

Students with disabilities who may need accommodations please see me by the add/drop date (9/4/15). Make an appointment by calling 582-4696 or by email dosmith@csumb.edu.

ALSO, contact Student Disability Resources

College of Science academic honesty