VIRTUAL FIELD EXPERIENCES FOSTER INTERDISCIPLINARY EXPLORATION OF FOSSIL-RICH EXPOSURES OF THE ASTORIA FORMATION (MIOCENE) OUTCROPS ALONG THE NORTHWEST OREGON COAST

Important field sites used in paleontological research and development of research collections provide opportunities to educate the public about the process of science and important concepts in Earth system science and paleontology. A series of online virtual fieldwork experiences (VFEs) (epiccvfe.berkeley.edu) have been created for sites represented in the Eastern Pacific Invertebrate Communities of the Cenozoic (EPICC) Thematic Collections Network (TCN), a network of nine collaborating museums. The VFEs use high-resolution images, panoramas, simple illustrations, 3D imagery, and video taken at the sites, along with digital maps, microscope photos, and scientific data. The VFEs are designed for secondary school and introductory college audiences and include teacher and student guides.

The newest of the completed VFEs focuses on Miocene-age Astoria Formation outcrops in northwest Oregon. The Astoria Formation is known for its rich marine invertebrate and marine mammal fossil faunas. Using both ESRI ARC-GIS Story Map and Prezi platforms, this VFE explores our understanding of the history of the landscape, rocks, and fossils. This particular EPICC VFE focuses on taphonomy, coastal geomorphology, and the formation and recycling of sedimentary grains in beach sediment. Included in the Prezi presentation are opportunities for students to explore a wide variety of datasets relevant to current Earth and environmental processes in the area.

Other EPICC VFEs have been created for sites in Kettleman Hills, CA, Central Coastal California, and the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Southern California. All of the VFEs highlight museum collections, but each VFE focuses on different aspects of paleontology and Earth systems, depending on specific features of each respective site.