1. 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 Abbreviated Version for the Web 2008 Cutting Edge Workshop: Teaching Geomorphology in the 21st Century

3. 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

4. Project Overview  Integrates learning in: fluvial geomorphology fluvial geomorphology Quaternary stratigraphy Quaternary stratigraphy soils & weathering soils & weathering tectonic geomorphology tectonic geomorphology climate change climate change landscape evolution landscape evolution

9. San Gabriel Mountains

13. Project Goals The students will…  …integrate and apply their geomorphology course learning through independent research

14. Project Goals The students will…  …develop skills in: teamwork teamwork project design project design literature review literature review fieldwork fieldwork data analysis data analysis interpretation interpretation report writing report writing oral presentation oral presentation

15. Project Goals The students will…  …learn to think like a Geomorphologist !

18. Project Study Area: San Gabriel Mtn. Foothills

19. Fault Map of Study Area: From a student report

20. Aerial Photo of Study Area: Taken by students in the class

21. Sierra Madre fault scarp Suburban sprawl along mountain front thrust faults

22. Mt. Baldy & San Antonio Creek Watershed An Iconic Southern California Landscape

23. Red Hill Rancho Cucamonga Classic field site for Alluvial Fan & Fault Studies

24. Eckis, R., 1928 Alluvial fans of the Cucamonga district, southern California: Journal of Geology, v. 36, p. 224-247

25. Eckis, R., 1928 Alluvial fans of the Cucamonga district, southern California: Journal of Geology, v. 36, p. 224-247

26. 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 Other Resources:

27. 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

28. Field Techniques & Skills A few examples…

33. 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.

34. 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

35. 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”

36. Allison Ruotolo & Rob Ellis presenting their project results 2006 GSA Cordilleran Section Meeting, Anchorage, AK

37. The end.