Virtual Field Camp

Interpreting rock textures, mineralogy, petrology, sedimentary structures, contacts, mapping.

Sequence of exercises

Activity Length

This activity takes an estimated 3 full days and is broken into 3 1-day modules.

1. Design a field strategy to collect or select data in order to answer a geologic question.
2. Collect accurate and sufficient data on field relationships and record these using disciplinary conventions (field notes, map symbols, etc.).
3. Synthesize geologic data and integrate with core concepts and skills into a cohesive spatial and temporal scientific interpretation.
5. Develop an argument that is consistent with available evidence and uncertainty.
6. Communicate clearly using written, verbal, and/or visual media (e.g., maps, cross-sections, reports) with discipline-specific terminology appropriate to your audience.
7. Work effectively independently and collaboratively (e.g., commitment, reliability, leadership, open for advice, channels of communication, supportive, inclusive).
9. Demonstrate behaviors expected of professional geoscientists (e.g., time management, work preparation, collegiality, health and safety, ethics).

Part 1: introduction to JMARS and martian geologic mapping (Microsoft Word 2007 (.docx) 27kB May11 20)

Part 2: mapping and stratigraphy (Microsoft Word 2007 (.docx) 45.8MB Jun5 20)

JMARS_lab 3_Balta.docx (Microsoft Word 2007 (.docx) 11.2MB May27 20)

Panoramas (note that these are huge files, 100 mb for the first 2 and 500 mb for the 3rd, so don't download unless you're certain you're ready):

×

Provenance: Originally created by Dr. Katie Stack-Morgan, images credit NASA/Caltech-JPL/MSSS
Reuse: This item is in the public domain and maybe reused freely without restriction.

×

Provenance: Original image published by Dr. Katie Stack-Morgan, image credit NASA/Caltech-JPL-MSSS
Reuse: This item is in the public domain and maybe reused freely without restriction.

×

Provenance: Prepared by Dr. Katie Stack-Morgan et al. (2016), original credit NASA/Caltech-JPL/MSSS
Reuse: This item is in the public domain and maybe reused freely without restriction.

Technology Needs

This activity requires either windows or mac PC capable of running program JMARS. It also requires the ability to work with and edit images – such as can be done in powerpoint, Google Slides, or another image editor. It uses files with sizes >100 mb.

Both files currently contain notes to instructors. Youtube video with an introduction to JMARS available here: https://youtu.be/Ri_k8RL_O9Q.

Introduction to using JMARS available here: https://youtu.be/Ri_k8RL_O9Q

We had a variety of JMARS login issues, but most of them wound up solvable with various fixes, sometimes including creating a new account or logging in as a guest.

The original versions of these files tried to reference points based on lat/long coordinates but it turns out that JMARS isn't georeferenced perfectly, so if you're on 1 HiRISE image and you give coordinates on it, the student may not be able to find the exact spot you were indicating. I didn't anticipate this until I gave students the assignment and they couldn't figure out where they were, so at least lab 2 has a kluge stuck in right now showing where the waypoints should be. A final version of this project should give more precise information on locations.

Students will be graded on geologic map and cross section, Answer keys now available here with Instructor permission:

AnswerKeys.zip -- private instructor-only file

Hide

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/343/6169/1242777 - original paper this is based on .