WESTWARD HO: STUDENTS AT AN EASTERN SCHOOL EXPLORE THE AMERICAN GEOLOGIC WEST USING ROUGH-HEWN LAND AS THEIR GUIDE

Learning the geologic history of the American West is challenging for students at schools in the eastern U.S. At Edinboro University of PA, I teach Regional Geology, an upper level course focused on the tectonic evolution of North America. To introduce students who are typically unfamiliar with the western geoscape and to help better prepare them for their field camp experiences, I’ve struggled with how best to convey the beauty and complexity of the American geologic West. To portray this geoscape from afar, I’ve introduced students to a variety of resources, including using astronaut photos and satellite imagery, the tectonic and geologic maps of North America, geologic maps of specific areas, federal parklands representing physiographic provinces, and the primary literature. With its publication in 2011, I now also use Keith Meldahl’s book entitled Rough-hewn Land.

Rough-hewn Land provides an engaging, inexpensive, well referenced, non-technical but rich entry way into exploring the geologic history of the American West, especially the tectonic evolution along an I-80 transect from CA to CO. Perhaps to an older generation, it is reminiscent of John McPhee’s Annals of the Former World, with ample human history and nods to beer included. I use the book as the centerpiece for an exercise that builds several skills and knowledge. Students, in teams of two, a) pick a chapter, with each focused on a section along the transect and addressing aspects of the geology exposed there, b) prepare a 20-minute-long presentation with an accompanying, guiding question set, using content from that chapter and enriched with information from technical references, c) write a two-page abstract to distribute to classmates, d) participate in discussions of each presentation, and e) focus on an aspect of American West geologic history for a short term paper.

With this exercise, students build critical skills in teamwork, reading comprehension, information distillation and synthesis, oral presentation, writing, and discussion. And, with Rough-hewn Land as their guide, students, many of whom are flatlanders yet future field campers, gain an interesting, accessible resource to explore many aspects of the American geologic West, one that can serve as a springboard for further investigation into the tectonic evolution of western North America.