GEOS 211/GEOS 503 Field
Studies in Geoscience: Modern
Carbonate Processes, Bahamas
Jan. 3 to Jan. 11, 2008
A field-oriented course to examine the
geology and biology associated with
modern and ancient reef environments
and the natural history of their
surrounding coastal areas. An
investigation of the diverse carbonate
sediment-producing, modern
environments typical of the Bahamas.
An exploration a variety of shallow
subtidal environments, coral reefs,
lagoons, beaches, dunes and salt water
lakes. Emphasis on human impacts on
this fragile ecosystem and the role that
reefs play in global systems change will
also be explored
Course Goals
Students gain knowledge of:
1) modern carbonate systems
(geology and ecology);
a. Identification of rocks
b. Identification of reef and
lagoon biota
2) depositional styles in the
Holocene and Pleistocene ;
3) the link between modern
(Holocene) and ancient
(Pleistocene) processes;
4) appropriate laboratory and
field techniques
The course is conducted at the Gerace
Research Center, San Salvador Island,
Bahamas. The course is a combination
of lectures during the evenings, and site
visits during the morning and afternoon.
We will use the Bahamian site as
a laboratory for understanding modern
carbonate production, reef ecology and
depositional processes, as well as the
study of ancient Pleistocene reef
processes. (As glaciers advanced and
retreated over the last 2 million years,
sea level rose and fell; the reefs built up
during times of higher sea level and
were stranded during times of sea level
fall. These stranded reefs are now
exposed, particularly at Cockburn Town)
and present an outstanding opportunity
to study 125,000 year old corals).
Since the island is fairly remote
and has experienced only limited
development, students will gain access
to a rapidly disappearing Bahamian
culture not accessible on large tourist
islands such as New Providence
(Nassau) and Freeport. Furthermore,
the relatively undeveloped state of the
island means that the coral reefs are in
much better condition than other
Bahamian islands.
The Gerace Research Center on
San Salvador Island, an outlying Family
island in the Bahamas, is a well known
marine field station that fulfills the
students’ basic needs, as well as
provides laboratory and teaching
facilities, plus vehicles for traversing the
island. The facilities are a modernized
U.S. Navy submarine tracking station.
Students are housed in the former
barracks and simple meals are served in
the former mess hall.
For more information on the station
check:
http://www.geraceresearchcenter.com/
January 2007 Group [M.Chmura, S.Ramrup,
M.Zmuda, M.Torre, M.O’Reilly, S.Morel, D.Freile, G.Keroti,
and J. Raia]
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

Boat trip and snorkeling or
SCUBA diving on Gaulin’s Reef and in
Graham’s Harbour

Comparison of beaches on the
northern (Graham’s Harbour, Rice Bay)
and southern points of the island
(Sandy Point, Grotto Beach)

Snorkeling on Dump reef and
snorkeling or SCUBA diving on
Telephone Pole and Snapshot Reefcomparison of the different reef
environments

Examination of present reefs with
fossil reefs at Cockburn Town and
Sue’s Point

Examination of the present
Pigeon Creek tidal delta and its
Pleistocene analogue

Exploration of the karst features
of San Salvador (sinkholes, caves,
banana holes)

Exploration of the inland saline
ponds

Examination of the physical and
biogenic sedimentary features of the
Holocene dunes of San Salvador

Examination of hydrologic
features of the island (groundwater,
wetlands, wells and conduits)

Visit to pre-Columbian and
Colonial archeological sites.

Examination of environmental
issues related to small tropical islands
(water resources, waste disposal,
overfishing…)
COSTS*
- University Tuition for 3 credits
Check for current University
rate
- Transportation from NJ/NY to
San Salvador, room and board
while in San Salvador $ 1150.00
GEOS 211/GEOS 503
Field Studies in
Geoscience:
MODERN CARBONATE
PROCESSES- BAHAMAS
A Class and Field Course in San
Salvador, Bahamas
A DEPOSIT OF $400 IS DUE BY
October 4, 2007
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND ASSUMPTION
Jan. 3–Jan. 11, 2008
OF RISK form will have to be signed by all
students.
*Students are responsible for purchasing the
following gear- mask, snorkel, fins. Students
will pay for meals on the road and in the
airports; Students might also want to bring
spending money to cover snacks,
keepsakes, etc
Pre-requisite: 1 course in
Geoscience (GEOS 111, 112,
115/ GEOS 603) or Consent of
instructor
For More Information Contact
Dr. Deborah Freile
Rossey 613
201.200.3188
dfreile@njcu.edu