Geomorphology Field Research Project:
Mountain Front Faulting & Alluvial Fans
San Gabriel Mountain Foothills,
Southern, California
Dr. Jeff Marshall - GSC 323
Geological Sciences Department
Cal Poly Pomona University
2008 Cutting Edge Workshop: Teaching Geomorphology in the 21st Century
Abbreviated Version for the Web
Project Overview

Capstone project for
required upper division
Geomorphology course
(GSC 323)

Students work in teams
to investigate a local
landscape system:
Mountain front alluvial
fans & terraces of the
San Gabriel Mountains
Project Overview

Integrates learning in:
•
fluvial geomorphology
•
Quaternary stratigraphy
•
soils & weathering
•
tectonic geomorphology
•
climate change
•
landscape evolution
San Gabriel Mountains
Project Goals
The students will…

…integrate and apply
their geomorphology
course learning through
independent research
Project Goals
The students will…

…develop skills in:
•
teamwork
•
project design
•
literature review
•
fieldwork
•
data analysis
•
interpretation
•
report writing
•
oral presentation
Project Goals
The students will…

…learn to think like a
Geomorphologist !
Project Study Area:
San Gabriel Mtn. Foothills
Fault Map of Study Area:
From a student report
Aerial Photo of Study Area:
Taken by students in the class
Suburban sprawl along
mountain front thrust faults
Sierra Madre fault scarp
Mt. Baldy &
San Antonio Creek
Watershed
An Iconic Southern
California Landscape
Red Hill
Rancho Cucamonga
Classic field site for Alluvial
Fan & Fault Studies
Eckis, R., 1928
Alluvial fans of the Cucamonga
district, southern California:
Journal of Geology, v. 36, p. 224-247
Eckis, R., 1928
Alluvial fans of the Cucamonga
district, southern California:
Journal of Geology, v. 36, p. 224-247
Other Resources:
Shelton, J.S., 1955
Glendora volcanic rocks, Los Angeles
basin, California: Geological Society of
America Bulletin, v. 66, p. 45-90
Baird, A., 1956
Geology of a portion of San Antonio
Canyon, San Gabriel Mountains, California:
M.S. Thesis, Pomona College, Claremont,
CA, 91 p
Calif. Div. of Mines & Geology, 1998
Seismic Hazard Zone Report for the
Glendora 7.5’ Quadrangle, Los Angeles
County, California
Morton, D.M. & Matti, J.C., 2001
Geologic Map of the Cucamonga Peak 7.5’
Quadrangle, San Bernardino County,
California: USGS OFR 01-311
Thomas Dibblee Foundation, 2003
Geologic Maps of the Glendora & Mount
Baldy 7.5’ Quadrangles
Nourse, J.A., 2007
Digital Geologic Map of the Eastern San
Gabriel Mountains
Project Logistics

Research teams of
3 to 4 students

Each team assigned a
discrete field area

Two project lab sessions:


Week 2: Intro Field Trip
Week 8: Follow-up Trip

Teams work outside of
class time to complete
field and office work

Other activities & field
trips on related topics
Field Techniques & Skills
A few examples…
Final Report

Professional Format:
5 Pages of Text, plus
Illustrations & Reference List

Introduction, Methods, Field
Observations, Data & Results,
Discussion, Conclusions

Quaternary Geologic Map

Stratigraphic Column &
2 Cross Sections

Soil Profile & Terrace
Longitudinal Profiles

Field Photographs, Sketches,
data appendices, etc.
Team Presentation

Professional Powerpoint
presentation

30 minutes long (during
last lab session)

Each team member
participates equally

Follow same organization
as report

Use illustrations and
photos effectively

Question & Answers:
Class participation
Project Outcomes
For students:

Enhanced confidence

Their own geomorphic
problem solving “Tool Kit”

Better understanding &
appreciation of research

Grad school interest (?)
For the professor:

New research questions
& preliminary data

Senior thesis students

Better teaching “buzz”
Allison Ruotolo & Rob Ellis presenting their project results
2006 GSA Cordilleran Section Meeting, Anchorage, AK
The end.