Let Geology Come Alive in New Mexico

Tuesday,  May 18 – Friday, May 28

Stratigraphic correlation and facies analysis of Pennsylvanian strata in the Taos Trough near Las Vegas, NM

Hydrology, water chemistry, and stream sedimentation

Saturday, May 29 - Sunday, June 6

Mapping sedimentary rocks and structures of the Eastern Sangre de Cristo Range, in the vicinity of Las Vegas, NM

Monday, June 7 - Thursday June 17

Regional Geology, Mapping metamorphic Rocks in the Tusas mountains and Igneous Rocks in the Jemez Mountains (Wickham & Lowell).

Friday, June 18

Return to Arlington

 

 

 

General Policies

 

            Field Camp 2010 will run from Monday, May 17 through Friday, June 18.  You should make no other plans for this period.  You will need every minute of the designated office days.

 

1.         Alcohol and other drugs affecting judgment and physical performance.

a)     No alcohol is to be consumed in any field camp vehicle, or during class hours. No alcohol is permitted in a university operated vehicle.

b)     Obnoxious behavior, whether or not produced by drug or alcohol abuse, will not be tolerated. People involved may be expelled.

d)     Alcohol is not permitted in the dorms of the New Mexico State Colleges.

2.         An 8-hour period of quiet will be observed where people sleep during the night.

 

Equipment and Supplies

 

            The university provides all special items and materials needed to carry out individual projects (Computers, GPS Receivers, Compasses, Hand Levels, Jacob Staffs, and Maps)

 

The following list includes items that you will need, but are not provided by the University:

• Stout footwear; at the least, light boots with strong soles

• Belt for field equipment

• Long Pants for protection against brush

• Rain Poncho

• Water container(s): (2 liters or ½ gallon capacity)

• Dark glasses with UV protection (avoid eye damage)

• Day pack

• Field medical kit (minimum: Band-Aids, Neosporin and aspirin)

• Sun Protection (avoid Skin Cancer): Sunscreen - 15 or greater, Hat, and Shirt

• Bedding, towel, washcloth, toiletries

• Rock hammer

• Hand lens

• Ink Pens, straight edge, colored pencils

• Field note-taking equipment: clipboard for field maps, Engineers Field Notebook (5”x7.5”), pencils (#2 or #3,) and something to sharpen them with, eraser,

• Ruler, Protractor, Triangle

• Calculator

• Optional:  camera, binoculars, Knife

 

Equipment Prohibited: Firearms and other weapons

 

Weather

            Weather will vary from hot and dry (in the low 90’s) to mild and raining.  Temperatures at night in may be in the 50’s. Shorts are fine along roadcuts, but wear long pants when mapping to avoid cuts by brush. Choose your clothing with care, and remember that the more comfortable you are in the field, the less distracted you will be from your work. 

 

Safety Precautions

Everyone is perfectly safe if they are aware of dangers and take precautions. In the field, people have hand communicators and work in teams so there is someone nearby if you get into trouble. The following are the primary dangers in New Mexico:

Falling

            Most minor injuries people sustain come from slipping and falling in the field. There are no trails, and loose rocks and steep hillsides are common. Always walk slowly and look before you step. Keep away from cliff edges which may give way. Please get in shape before you come; take a strength or aerobic class.

Plague

            Northern New Mexico is a plague area.  Plague is usually carried by fleas, which live on most mammals and rodents. Avoid close contact with rodents and other mammals, and if you develop a fever, see a doctor. Plague is easy to arrest in the early stages.

Hantavirus

            Northern New Mexico also reports cases of Hantavirus, which can also be fatal if not treated early. It is spread through rodent fecal matter that accumulates in old buildings and nests. Stay out of abandoned buildings and don't rummage around in nests.

Dehydration and heat exhaustion

            In New Mexico, you will be usually working in low humidity at elevations around 7000’. Before setting out, drink as much water as you can and carry at least 2 Liters of water with you.  Move slowly and steadily.  If you do get overheated and/or dizzy, find shade, drink water, and rest a while.

Potable water

            Don't drink from streams, pools etc. All have nasty pathogens and parasites.

Nasty little critters

            Ticks, mosquitoes and gnats are rare, but a horse fly may bite you. Ticks are only dangerous as a carrier of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Fever is the main symptom, so see a doctor if you have an elevated temperature. Lyme disease is not a problem in New Mexico.  Ticks will crawl around on you for some time before sucking, and it is sufficient to check yourself at the end of the day.

Nasty big critters

            Black Bears do exist in the New Mexico Mountains. No field camp participant has ever seen one; if you do see one, don’t turn and run, but back away slowly, facing the bear.

Nasty plants

            Scrub Oak and brush can cut your legs if you don’t wear long pants. Poison Oak and Ivy occur in damp, shady canyons.

Lightning

            Afternoon thundershowers (with hail) may occur. If you hear or see an approaching storm, leave high ground IMMEDIATELY.