An excellent locality for any geology class field trip, especially physical geology, historical geology, stratigraphy, sedimentary petrology, glacial geology, and of course, hydrogeology

Basic physical geology

Field trip locality/stop

This field trip locality is an excellent location for the multi-disciplinary examination of glacial geology, deglaciation history, sedimentation/stratigraphy, sedimentary petrology, sedimentary structures, diagenesis and cementation history, and unconfined surficial aquifer characteristics

Take this as far as you like, depending on the experience and background of your field trip participants.

Students could make measurements of thicknesses, measure paleocurrent directions, and/or make sketch maps of the quarry. You decide.

A spectacular gravel quarry near Rotterdam Junction, New York along the north shore of the Mohawk River is an ideal place to discuss deglaciation history and the development of the ancestral Mohawk Delta building into former Lake Albany. The sedimentary petrology, sedimentary structures, and cementation history of the outwash gravel deposits can be discussed in detail at the outcrop. The 3-D exposures of partially cemented, cross-bedded gravels are representative of the surficial unconfined aquifer system which provides groundwater to many communities in the Schenectady area. The locality is easily accessible via Route 5 westbound, and is an excellent site for sample collection. I use specimens from this quarry as teaching tools in many of my geology classes.

Evaluation is best derived by responses to questions posed at the outcrop. Instructor may ask for written responses to questions on a field trip handout.

Winslow, J.D., Stewart, H.G., Jr., Johnston, R.H., and Crain, L.J., 1965,Ground-Water Resources of Eastern Schenectady County, New York, U.S. Geological Survey, State of New York Conservation Department, Water Resources Commission, Bulletin 57, 148 p.