Senior Field School 2022

The first geology course of the new academic year, Senior Field School GEOL 4083 took place on Cape Breton Island last week. Students stayed at the beautiful Gaelic College at St. Anns and conducted a week of mapping exercises in the Goose Cove area. The course will continue throughout the term with more independent mapping and report writing giving students more opportunities to practise their new skills.

Students at the first waterfall in Goose Cove Brook

The class explored brooks, some known for their waterfalls, as well as shoreline outcrops, and became very familiar with the local geology. Excellent weather and low water levels made mapping a pleasure all week. They also went on a Cabot Trail regional field trip to see some of the iconic sights in the Cape Breton Highlands and learn more about the regional geology and tectonics of the area. Dr. Barr’s encyclopedic knowledge of everything Appalachian made the trip a highlight of the course as always!

Cabot Trail field trip day at MacKenzie Mountain

Dr. Rob Raeside graciously agreed to join the course for the first few days, making it possible for the two graduate student participants to explore the upper reaches of Goose Cove Brook. For Dr. Deanne van Rooyen it was her first official course at Acadia and the perfect way to start the academic year as a new member of the department!

Pondering shoreline geology along Goose Cove

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