OCTOBER 2006 ISSUE
Marc Boulet
STUDENT COLUMN
Legends of the Fall
To be interested in the changing
seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring.
— George Santayana, Writer and Philosopher
BY MARC BOULET
University of Calgary
Student Columnist
(Geosciences)
Like it or not, autumn is upon us, and for students that means only one thing: another year of university has begun. The year begins a little earlier for many geology and geophysics students, since they must attend the revered ritual of field school.
It is considered the most interesting part of their program, where all of the knowledge gained in lectures and labs blossoms into actual application. I’ll look at the field school that I attended this August, and give you a taste of what’s coming up at the U of C this year.
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THEY'RE PICKING UP GOOD VIBRATIONS - Geophysics students use field school to put their studies to practical use - and, while they're at it, use state-of-the-art seismic equipment. |
Learning in the Field
Students in geophysics learn about a lot about the theory behind many geophysical
phenomena, among them seismic waves, resistivity, electromagnetism and radioactivity.
However, the geophysics field school is our primary opportunity to actually use
and experiment with the equipment needed to acquire geophysical data. We spent
two weeks in various locations throughout Alberta using various types of equipment.
This field school was particularly special. It marked the first opportunity that students were able use the university’s new, state-of-the-art, 600-hundred-channel ARAM ARIES seismic acquisition system, complete with a 17,000-lb., IVI Vibroseis unit. Financial sponsorship for this system was provided by Nexen Inc. and the Alberta Government.
The seismic component of the course, headed by Dr. Robert Stewart, P.Geoph., was spent at Castle Mountain Ski Resort south of Pincher Creek. With the ARIES system and aid of handy student labour, a nine-kilometre, 2D seismic line with five-metre geophone spacing was acquired. We were also fortunate to collaborate with Kinetex Inc., which recorded a VectorSeis three-component seismic line alongside our ARAM measurements.
Gravity and magnetic surveys were also conducted along this line. In addition, we undertook a number of high-resolution (two-metre geophone spacing) 3-C seismic and vertical seismic profile surveys in the area to cap off a comprehensive learning experience.
Another week was spent conducting resistivity and ground-penetrating radar surveys near Priddis and Fish Creek Provincial Park under the tutelage of Dr. J.M. Maillol.
I’d also like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Kenneth Duckworth, P.Geoph., who temporarily came out of retirement to grant us access to a variety of electromagnetic, magnetic, and radiometric equipment commonly used in mining explorations, as well regaling us with fascinating tales. His vast knowledge and inimitable style will be missed at the university.
A New Start
The new school year promises to be bigger and better than ever in many ways.
For instance, there are more than 400 students taking Geology 201, the first-year
geology course.
To accommodate increasing enrolment, two new faculty members have joined the department. Dr. Jennifer Owen, who obtained her PhD at Carleton University, is focusing her research on the mineralogy and geochemistry of ultrapotassic and potassic volcanic rocks. Dr. Stephen Hubbard, from Stanford University, is researching the application of sedimentology and stratigraphy to the exploration and development of hydrocarbon reservoirs.
They both hit the ground running in August, each teaching a geology field school.
The geology and geophysics student clubs, Rundle and GUSS, also have particularly ambitious schedules this year, and I’ll report on these and other departmental events as they occur throughout the year.
Stay tuned!