2015 Precambrian
Field Camp
Enduring Understandings
In low-lying glaciated Precambrian shield
terranes, careful outcrop-scale field observations
of bedrock and surficial material, integrated with
available drill core and geophysical data, can
lead to robust four-dimensional geologic
interpretations.
 The geology of Precambrian cratons tell the
story of the construction of the earth’s
continental cores
 Precambrian rocks play host to many of the
world’s major ore deposits and leave clues to
their occurrence for those who can read the
rocks.
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Expected Outcomes
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Be properly attired, equipped and safety-trained to be safe and comfortable
in a wilderness setting
Know basic orienteering skills (e.g., locating oneself by pace and
compassing, GPS coordinates, recognition of topography).
Recognize major rock types and structures commonly encountered in
Precambrian shield terranes.
Carefully and thoroughly make and record outcrop-based observations
through note-taking, documentation on basemaps, outcrop sketches,
photographs, and sample collection.
Recognize different primary and secondary structural elements in rocks and
be adept at making accurate measurements of their orientation
Estimate stratigraphic thickness at various scales by field measurements,
describe lithostratigraphic sections, and correlate units between sections.
Recognize what the character and composition of surficial material infers
about the nature of buried bedrock geology
Know basic core logging techniques for a variety of rock types
Know how gravity and magnetic data can aid in interpreting bedrock type
and structure
Transfer and compile field data into GIS software
Construct basic elements of geologic maps (base map, types of geologic
contacts, map unit descriptions, correlation of units diagram, structure
symbology, scales, cross-sections).
Convey geologic interpretations through the construction of geologic maps
Unique Aspects
of PRC Camp
Field Geophysics
Core Logging
Adit Mapping
Glacial Till Prospecting
Recognition of
Mineralization Potential
Focus on Crystalline Rocks
Digital Map-making
2015 Students
Aaron Balles
SUNY-Fredonia
Ellie Brown
U Texas-Arlington
Lucas Chabela
U South Dakota
Zach Curry
Grand Valley State
Tatiana Delledera
Virginia Tech
Jules Dim
Northland College
Jaron Christenson
U Minnesota-Morris
Ryan Helms
Sonoma State
Andrew Church
Wayne State
Morgan Kent
Sonoma State
2015 Students
Luke Lawyer
NW Missouri State
Taylor McClendon
Southern Methodist
Steven Noll
U Maryland
Peter Reale
Temple U
Mitchell Slachter
Grand Valley State
Lukas Smith
Western Illinois
Greta Penzel
Sonoma State
Kristen Spinelli
SUNY Binghamton
Ryan Puzel
U Minnesota Duluth
Steven Spreitzer
SUNY New Paltz
2015 Students
Maggie Upton
U North Dakota
Jordan Vargas
U Minnesota Duluth
Aiden Walsh
Washington State
Zach Younger
SUNY-New Paltz
UMD Teaching Assistants
Marsha Patelke
Camp Manager/
Safety Coordinator
Paul Fix
2013 PRC Alum
Kris Asp
2011 PRC Alum
The Instructors
George Hudak
Jim
Miller
Dean Peterson
Nigel Wattrus
Mark Severson
Phil Larson
Mark Jirsa
Sarah Gordee
The Curriculum
Preparing for the Field
Classroom
Lectures
Brunton Compass
Measurements
Wilderness Safety Training
Orienteering
Exercise 1 – Thomson Dam
deformed metasedimentary rocks
Exercise 2a – Base of the Midcontinent Rift
deformed metasedimentary rocks, basalt, gabbro
Exercise 2b – Geophysical Field Methods
ground magnetics, gravity
Exercise 3 – Duluth Complex at Spirit Mtn
foliated cumulate mafic rocks
Exercise 4a – North Shore
roadcut sketching of hypabyssal intrusive and volcanic rocks
Exercise 4b – North Shore
Mapping volcanic flow contacts at Sugarloaf
To Ely
Exercise 5 – Mesabi Range Sed/Strat
core logging, section measuring, stratigraphic correlation
Exercise 6 – Miners Lake
Iron Formation Mine Pitwall Mapping
Exercise 7 – Nickel Lake Macrodike
Mineralized feeder dike for the South Kawishiwi Intrusion
Soudan Mine State Park
Exercise 8 – Greenstone-Granite Terrane
qfp’s, greenstone, iron formation, shear zones AND GOLD!!!!
Week 5 - Capstone Mapping Projects
Cherokee Lake (Jim Miller)
Luke Greta Ellie Ryan Aaron
Connor
Jim
Week 5 - Capstone Mapping Projects
Crocodile Lake (Dean Peterson)
Jules Paul Andrew Mitch Peter Zach
Luke
Week 5 - Capstone Mapping Projects
Devilfish Lake (Phil Larson)
Taylor
Aiden
Phil
Kristin
AND KRIS
Week 5 - Capstone Mapping Projects
Hovland Lavas (Sarah Gordee)
Lucas
Tatiana
Steven N
Jordan
Zach Y
Kekakabic Lake (Mark Jirsa)
Jaron
Morgan
Ryan P
Steven S
Maggie
Week 6 - Field Data Compilation
and Map-making
Congratulations,
You’ve Come A Long Way
A Big Thank You to our Supporters
Natural Resources Research Institute
Field Camp Scholarship Sponsors
Current PRC Members