CALL FOR PROPOSALS:

ORGANIZERS

  • Harvey Thorleifson, Chair
    Minnesota Geological Survey
  • Carrie Jennings, Vice Chair
    Minnesota Geological Survey
  • David Bush, Technical Program Chair
    University of West Georgia
  • Jim Miller, Field Trip Chair
    University of Minnesota Duluth
  • Curtis M. Hudak, Sponsorship Chair
    Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC

 

Paper No. 10
Presentation Time: 9:00 AM-6:00 PM

USING VIRTUAL TOURS AND GOOGLE EARTH TO PROMOTE GEOTOURISM; BOUNDARY WATERS, NE MN


DOANE, Victoria, Geoscience, Winona State University, Winona, MN 55987 and ALLARD, Stephen T., Department of Geoscience, Winona State University, P.O. Box 5838, Winona, MN 55987, vdoane07@winona.edu

This project developed a canoe-based “Geo-tour” for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, BWCA, with web-based trip planning and geologic discussion that can be viewed using Google Earth and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) before and after completing the canoe trip. Self-guided tourism in state and national parks typically focuses on the biology, cultural and historical aspects of the area, commonly with only brief mention of the geology if at all. This project uses a web-based virtual geo-tour to promote geo-tourism in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a protected true American wilderness that has changed little since the glaciers melted.

This project presents the geologic history of greater Minnesota, but will focus on the northeastern portion of the state, specifically the north shore of Lake Superior, where the rocks of the Mid-Continent Rift system dominate, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The web-based virtual tour will discuss the rocks and other geologic features that can be seen during a canoe trip in the BWCA. The virtual tour will include road stops along the north shore of Lake Superior from Duluth to Grand Marais that canoeist will pass as they make their way to the portage. The website will also include discussion of the long geologic history that can be read from the rocks as well as some basic geologic concepts and underlying processes.

Along with information about the canoe-based geo-tour, the website will also include information on proper canoe safety and paddling technique, as well as paddling and camping information specific to the BWCA. A reference section will be included to define geologic terms, so the people taking this geo-tour can fully understand what they’re reading and seeing. All info will be provided in an online interactive format and as downloadable documents that can be useful during the canoe trip. It is expected that this website will provide both a virtual geo-tour and promote geotourism in the Boundary Waters area, but also promote the appreciation of the geology of the BWCA, and the Northeastern Minnesota wilderness as a whole.

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