FIELD RECONNAISSANCE IN THE BRITISH ISLES: AN UNDERGRADUATE PERSPECTIVE

As an undergraduate student, studying geologic sites in the field is the most effective way to learn geology and its fundamental principles. The scope of this undergraduate research project has included visiting sites of geological and cultural or historical significance within Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Ireland with the purpose of providing an undergraduate perspective in the development of a field course. Basic field reconnaissance information has been gathered during this project including maps with directions to field locations, latitude and longitude data, conditions and potential hazards for access, digital photos, and field notes. For undergraduate geology students who are just starting to understand and put together the pieces of the geologic puzzle, it is critical to learn the skill of recording detailed observations. When interpreting the findings for a given location, these descriptive observations allow students to make connections scientifically, culturally, and historically. For example, sites within the Wicklow Mountains highlight geologic features like U-shaped valleys, paternoster lakes, terminal moraines, as well as granitic intrusions and associated exfoliation domes. These surface features, visible in the field, help to make the connection to terminology that has been learned in the classroom. In comparison, other sites such as Arthur’s Seat, though interesting from a geological standpoint, allow for some insight to local culture and tradition by providing a view of the entire city of Edinburgh from atop its summits. Siccar Point, southeast of Edinburgh, is both historically and scientifically significant to the study of geology. With the angular unconformity at this location, Hutton found critical evidence to support his hypothesis of Uniformitarianism that changed the view of Earth history and ushered in modern geology.