REPORT ON THE GEOLOGICAL EVOLUTION OF
LESSORS QUARRY
The purpose of this report is to document and compare the geological evolution of Lessors
Quarry. Please focus on two aspects: (1) presenting your geological evidence, including your
composite profile, sketches, labeled photos, and measurements, and (2) testing the fault-bend
fold model by comparing your composite profile to the 12 components of the model.
Please use a 12 pt font size. Spacing should be 1.5 or 2.0. Subdivide your report using the titles
listed below. Each of the main sections below can be further subdivided. YOU MUST
SEPARATE OBSERVATIONS FROM INTERPRETATIONS. This is a key aspect of any
report. Also focus Here is an outline of the subsections and content that I suggest.
TITLE. Your title should be informative, describing locations and the content.
ABSTRACT. A short 1 paragraph (250 words max) describing the purpose of the report (1-2
sentences), why it is significant (1 sentence), what sorts of data you used (the majority of the
paragraph) and a summary of your main conclusions (2 sentences).
1. INTRODUCTION. Describe the location of your study, the purpose of the study, why the site
is significant. Briefly summarize the organization and main data sets used in the report. Be as
specific as you can. Summarize the main conclusions.
2. GEOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. Here you should only present the facts with no
interpretations. Focus on relationships shown in photos, sketches and your composite profile. A
good criterion to use is that if you can see something, it is a fact, if you have to build an
argument using features or processes you cannot see, it is interpretation.
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Briefly describe the geometry and distribution of all structures on the north and
south walls and how you made your composite profile.
Briefly describe key cross cutting relationships and refer to sketches and photos.
3. DISCUSSION. This section compares your results to the predictions of the Fault Bend Fold
model. Discuss the features that conform to the predictions of the model and those that
contradict the models. To do this, develop a sequence of events for the quarry, starting with
deposition and then including all faults, folds and cleavages. Compare your composite profile
and your cartoon to the Fault Bend Fold model. Start by summarizing the main features of this
model. Does it explain the evolution of the quarry? What features are not explained by the
model? Refer to a cartoon that illustrates the sequence of events for the quarry, combining
information on from both the north and south walls. Use this to illustrate how you think Lessors
Quarry was built.
4. CONCLUSIONS. This section should be about 1 page and should summarize ALL of the
conclusions you have reached in your study. BE AS SPECIFIC AND AS DETAILED AS
POSSIBLE. The most common mistake is to provide insufficient detail.
REFERENCES CITED. Include references of any material you used in preparing your report
and diagrams. You do NOT have to reference anything we give you in class.
REMEMBER. ALL THE WRITTEN PART MUST BE DONE INDIVIDUALLY. AVOID
PLAGIARISM. IF YOU USE INFORMATION (TEXT OR DIAGRAMS) FROM PUBLISHED
SOURCES OR THE WEB IT MUST BE REFERENCED.
The Figures
High-quality, neat and informative diagrams are required for this report. All figures
should have a specific figure number so that they can be referred to in your discussion. The
figures should be numbered in the order in which they are discussed in the text and placed in
sequence AT THE BACK OF THE REPORT. Below is a list of the minimum number of
diagrams you should use.
1. Location map showing where Lessors Quarry is in Vermont. I recommend you choose your
favorite map from the web. Make sure it has a scale, north arrow and loates the quarry. You
probably will have to label it in Illustrator.
2. Your composite profile of the north and south walls at Lessors Quarry. Each feature can be
labeled using letters or numbers, or a coordinate system.
3. Any labeled sketches and/or photographs (check out the class website too). The number and
type is up to each person.
4. Cartoons that show the sequential evolution of structures at Lessors Quarry. These diagrams
should be based on your integrated cross section and your observations of cross-cutting
relationships. The first figure should have horizontal bedding planes. The last figure of your
series should be identical to what each site looks like now. It's up to you to fill in the sequence
of events in between. Testing the model should be a part of these diagrams.
PLEASE TURN THE REPORT IN ON TIME. LATE REPORTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.