GEOL 4083 Field School – 2023
A wet and wild week
Four enthusiastic students spent a week at the Gaelic College in St. Anns, Cape Breton Island, as the first part of the Geol 4083 field school course, mentored by course instructors Drs. Deanne van Rooyen and Sandra Barr, assisted by volunteer instructors Drs. Rob Raeside and Mo Snyder. The students conducted a combination of guided and independent mapping exercises, culminating in the submission by each student of a geological map and cross-section, as well as a written report.
High water levels resulting from an overall wet summer, combined with heavy rain midway through the mapping work, gave the students (and their instructors!) additional challenges beyond the geological, but all came through with flying colours. The course will continue throughout the term with map and report revision and an additional independent mapping project and report.
Noah, Keaton, Jesse, and Dylan below the “limestone falls” in the middle part of Goose Cove Brook (photo by Deanne).
In “normal” years, this stream bed would be well exposed sandstone outcrop (photo by Noah).
Field school's fearless and fun leader Deanne van Rooyen (photo by Mo).
Volunteer instructors Mo Snyder and Rob Raeside enjoying the scenery on Goose Cove Brook (photo by Deanne). Thanks for your help!
Munroe Point in the rain (photo by Noah).
Scenic view from higher elevations above Goose Cove Brook (photo by Dylan).
The high point of the day can sometimes be lunch in the rain (photo by Noah).
Keaton and the culvert that was part of the bridge over Neil MacLeod Brook on Meadow Road before the “big rain” (photo by Dylan).
Keaton in Neil MacLeod Brook after the “big rain” (photo by Dylan).
The students all showing off their mad field schooling skills (photo by Mo).
Iconic scenery during the Cabot Trail field trip (photo by Dylan).
All in all, field school was a dream. But now, back to the classroom!