search.noResults

search.searching

dataCollection.invalidEmail
note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
DEVELOPING NEW IDEAS Macro or Micro— The Devil is in the Details William J. Elliott, CPG-04194, Engineering Geologist, Retired


How quick we are to come up with an answer to a question or solution to a problem!


But don’t be afraid to think beyond the box.


Some time ago, while compiling maps and articles for a geological field trip guidebook, I had an aha moment. The trip route I was following is not a new one. Numerous universities and societies have run field trips to this area over the years — so I had all of these previous road logs to draw from. With great patience and angst, I compiled the various road guides into one composite log. The obvi- ous problem turned out to be one of try- ing to rectify the various mileages to the same stop — some being off by a couple of miles. Huh? Next was to decide which stops to include and which to eliminate. Then I had to go out into the field to re- run the trip logs to provide ground truth and verify mileages.


These older road logs kept refer- ring to the Coyote Warp, without much explanation except that it could be seen from several vantage points along the trip route. I could see, sort of, that it was a physical bulge on the east side of the Sierra Nevada Mountain front. But that still did not tell me what I was supposed to be seeing and understanding from a geological perspective. It was a nice geomorphic/physiographic mega- pimple, but what was there beyond that that I was missing?


So, dutifully I kept the Coyote Warp notation in my new road log. But it kept bugging me.


It turns out that there are a num- ber of mapped 15’ topographic quad- rangles that cover the eastern Sierra Nevada, Owens Valley, and White-Inyo Mountains to the east. One of these United States Geological Survey map- ping projects was an economic study of the Bishop Tungsten district, pub- lished in 1965 (Professional Paper 470). Fortunately for me, this mapping cov- ered the area of the Coyote Warp. So, looking for a reference to the Coyote Warp in the Index (yes, in those days, these kinds of publications had a Table of Contents in the front and an Index in the back), voilà, I found a reference to the Coyote Warp on page 174.


Turning to page 174, I was eager to find a description and possible origin of the Coyote Warp. The author, an eco- nomic geologist, in an almost apologetic and perfunctory prose, described the geomorphology, rock types, faults, joints, and the like. The principal conclusion was that an old erosion surface had been somehow downfaulted, and “warped” in the process. It was a good physical description of what had been observed in the 1960s, by one whose principal inter- est was economic geology, but it was bit short on the genesis. Multiple Working Hypotheses might have been a better way to approach this enigma.


As I read through pages 174-177, I was salivating over the description of a monster landslide in crystalline rock. Then looking carefully at the geologic map and structure sections, I became convinced that the Coyote Warp was


indeed more than just an errant bulge on the east side of the Sierra Nevada, it was in fact, a monster landslide that had moved down into the Owens Valley prior to its being filled with sediment. The geomorphology is compelling. Winning the lottery would provide money to drill a hole to find the basal slip plane – but not this week!


What is the point of this story? Look beyond the obvious. Think big. Do not be afraid to drool and dream. In this case, smaller landslides that had been mapped years after the Professional Paper came out were just micro pimples at the toe of the macro slide. Even the experts missed the obvious, and focused on the tiny pimples.


So what can you take to the bank? Be bold, think big, and don’t be afraid to share and publish what you see and believe to be correct based on the infor- mation at hand. Sometimes it takes a young person with fresh ideas, clear eyes, and exposure to the latest concepts to see the big picture. Without throwing the thought or idea — the mud — against the wall to see if it sticks, others will not have a chance to shoot at it and either agree or disagree. This is how science is done. It progresses toward a new answer that is acceptable to most work- ers, experienced and neophyte alike. That is when the mud sticks.


A Humble Attitude and Hard Work bring Success. Gordon D. Owens, CPG-0467, Retired Mining Geologist


As students prepare for their futures in various geological fields, whether these be mining or other geological fields, it is important for them to know that starting out they may find that things can be a little difficult, as well as sometimes enjoyable.


Like you, perhaps, when I started I didn’t know what to


expect. But as a field geologist I have made many discoveries of both mineral and gas deposits, and have had the opportunity to map regions that no one had seen before me. In the pursuit


www.aipg.org


of these endeavors I have made lastingcontacts with clients, and over the years those friendships grew. The most impor- tant thing I have learned is to remember to be humble: if you keep a humble attitude you will learn more, you will become a better geologist, a good team player, and people will respect you more. This is the best advice that I can give a student or graduate. Good luck in your endeavors and always remember,


NEVER GIVE UP, work hard and success will come. Jan.Feb.Mar 2019 • TPG 47


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64