NEWFOUNDLAND: EXPLORING WHERE CONTINENTS COLLIDED WITH UNDERGRADUATES

Newfoundland Canada is an exceptional locality for designing undergraduate field experiences to visit. In 2000, Slippery Rock University sponsored a two week departmental field trip there, and in 2002 a three week course entitled the Geology and Geography of Newfoundland was an overwhelming success. In the latter case, a seminar examining the province occured in the spring semester preceding the field course. A Regional Field Investigations course is being developed for 2006. This province boasts incredible geologic exposures, as well as myriad cultural, biologic, and scenic wonders. The Avalon Peninsula is a vestige of Gondwana, while the North Range Mountains to the west are a vestige of Laurentia. The mobile belt in between contains the lithologies and paleoenvironments that would be assembled by zippering closed an ocean basin. Avalon also exhibits an extensive late Pre-Cambrian stratigraphy, including the world stratotype for the Pre-Cambrain/Cambrian boundary. Gros Morne park in the west presents excellent exposures of ophiolites, including mantle rocks, gabbro, pillow basalts, and pelagic sediments. In the Trout River Fjord, the Moho can actually be examined in outcrop along a coastline. Amongst spectacular alpine, glacial, and coastal landscapes, one can also find carbonate paleo-environments and the world stratotype for the Cambro-Ordovician boundary. In addition to spectacular scenery and the feeling that one has driven to Ireland, students will quickly appreciate many facets of the province's place as a portal between the Old World and New – war, fishing, telegraph cables, radio transmissions, even safe landing for air traffic on 9/11/01. The UNESCO world heritage site, L'anse aux Meadows, where Eric the Red constructed an outpost should not be missed. Exceptional sea kayaking can be affordably arranged for groups. Guidance for itinerary design, timing, camping, field exercises, and expenses will be provided, along with inspirational photography.