FIELD TRIPS CONNECT GEOLOGY PROFESSIONALS WITH STUDENTS
lake in Ohio, formed by glacial runoff thousands of years ago. During construc- tion of the 160-foot tall earthen dam, materials were gathered locally to form an emergency spillway. This revealed 440 million year old bedrock containing ancient sea life fossils (Caesar Creek Lake, 2015).
The day began with the presentation, “An Introduction to the Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Caesar Creek State Park” by David Schmidt Ph.D., Director of Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Programs at WSU. The presentation was followed by a discussion on the construc- tion and history of Caesar Creek led by AIPG/WSU Secretary and USACE Park Ranger, Randy Mickle. The group toured the control tower for Caesar Creek Lake and went fossil hunting in the spillway. Ordovician fossils such as brachiopods, trilobites, crinoids, and bryozoans were collected.
created by an underground aquifer that cut through the limestone bedrock, leav- ing behind vast open rooms. There are two miles of passageways, reaching a depth of 103 feet. The cavern maintains a constant 54 degrees with 90 percent humidity (About Ohio Caverns, 2015).
Ohio Caverns has crystal stalagmites and stalactites, the oldest dating back 250,000 years (About Ohio Caverns, 2015). These struc- tures form when calcium carbonate is carried by water through cracks in the limestone ceil- ing. Once the water is exposed to air and evaporates, calcium carbonate crystalizes into a calcite precipitate (Fuller, 2015). These precipitates are left behind on
the cave ceilings, creating stalactites. This water continues to drip onto the cavern floor with dissolved calcium car- bonate, leading to the formation of sta- lagmites (Fuller, 2015). These structures are the main attraction of the cavern.
Ohio Caverns
The most recent field excursion took place August 29, 2015; the WSU stu- dents joined AIPG geology profession- als to tour Ohio Caverns. This was the first of the field trips that was not led by a WSU affiliated individual. The group participated in a guided “Natural Wonders” tour of the cavern.
The Wright State Chapter of AIPG values these opportunities to link stu- dents with geologic professionals on a personal level. Connections with leaders working in the profession fosters enthu- siasm that intrinsically drives students’ interest in geology. There is no better way to build these connections than to observe and appreciate the environment which ultimately brings us together in study and profession. AIPG/WSU would like to inspire other student sections to invest in similar activities in order to share their experiences in a collaborative environment. Wright State University plans to nurture these student-profes- sional relationships by continuing our joint field excursions. The 2016 schedule has yet to be finalized, the historic town of Yellow Springs is being considered. Wright State students look forward to working with AIPG to create another exciting field experience in the new year.
References
The Ohio Caverns is an important geologic formation located in Champaign County, north of West Liberty, Ohio. Geology of the subsurface comprises sand and gravel deposits left behind by receding glaciers, and is underlain with limestone bedrock. These caverns were
About Ohio Caverns. (2015). Ohio Caverns: Ohio’s Most Colorful Caverns. Retrieved from: http://
www.ohiocaverns.com/about-cav- ern.html
Fertig, A. (2012, October 23). For Today’s College Kids, Landing a Job is About More Than Classwork. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved from
http://money.usnews.com/ money/blogs/outside-voices- careers/2012/10/23/2-crucial- ways-college-students-can-guaran- tee-they-land-a-job
Fuller, John. What’s the difference between stalagmites and stalac- tites? Science. Retrieved from:
http://science.howstuffworks.com/ environmental/earth/geology/sta-
lactite-stalagmite1.htm
Hansen, Michael. Geology Of The Hocking Hills State Park Region. 1st ed. Columbus: Division of Geologic Survey, 1975. Print.
Caesar Creek Lake. (2015, October 29). History. Retrieved from: http://
www.lrl.usace.army.mil/Missions/ CivilWorks/Recreation/Lakes/
CaesarCreekLake.aspx
Conkle’s Hollow. (2015, October 26). Ohio History Central. Retrieved from: http://www.ohiohistorycen-
tral.org/w/Conkle’s_Hollow
Hocking Hills State Park. (2015, October 29). ODNR Division of Ohio State Parks. Retrieved from: http://
parks.ohiodnr.gov/hockinghills
Paul Downing is a senior pursuing a B.S. in Earth and Environmental Sciences with a concentration in Earth Science at Wright State University. Paul is President of Wright State’s Delta Epsilon chapter of Sigma Gamma Epsilon Honor Society
Kayla Haman is a senior at Wright State University working toward her B.S. in Earth and Environmental Science with an Environmental Science Concentration. Haman is the 2015-2016 Vice President of the WSU/AIPG student Chapter.
Randall Mickle is a senior at Wright State University working toward his B.A. in Earth Science with a heavy background in Environmental Science.
Stacey Hundley is a Lecturer in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Wright State University. For the past 6 years she has served as the Faculty Adviser to WSU/AIPG Student Chapter.
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