Download Field Trip No. 1

University of Jordan
Faculty of Science
Department of Applied Geology and Environment
0305311 Field Techniques
FIELD EXCURSION NO. 1 (Sweileh – Baqa’ Structure)
STUDENT NAME and NUMBER:
OBJECTIVES:
1- To expose students to rock succession, topographic and geomorphic features,
2- To train students on the identification of different rock types in the field,
3- To practice how to recognize location in the field using GPS and topographic maps,
On completion of this trip the students will be able to:
 Identify and recognize examples of sedimentary rock types,
 Identify examples of geomorphologic features,
 Observe discuss a dome structure (specific relief inversion structure),
 Practice and develop scientific investigation, observations, data collection, discussions and testing of
hypothesis,
 Develop technical problem-solving skills.
Equipment:
1) Geologic hammer, measuring tape, geologic campus, note book (preferable with hard cover), ruler,
pencil, rubber hand lenses, and dilute HCl.
2) Suitable clothing (jeans?) with sun protection cap. Girls with long (hejab) wear need to preferably wear
pants with medium length dress to allow flexibility in movement in the field.
3) Profile shoes preferably with hard cap for safety purposes.
4) Drinking water.
Students need to take extreme care while walking in the field as there may be snakes, scorpions, and dogs.
Avoid walk alone and stick to a group. Also students need to trust and respect culture and customs of local
people.
Note: These notes are to be handed in at the end of the excursion
This excursion is designed to show you some different sedimentary rock types that deposited under
a variety of environmental conditions.
You will also be introduced to the geomorphologic features and note the influence of rock type on
slope and the shape of outcrop i.e. the inter relationships between rock type, erosion and slope.
Geological Setting:
Sweileh and Baqa’ area is dominated by Cretaceous deposits with carbonate rocks (limestone and
marls belong to Early Cretaceous and sandstone of Kurnub Formation that belongs to Late
Cretaceous). The area is influenced by folding and faulting controlled by the main rift system (See
Geologic map and simplified columnar section below).
Faculty of Science – Dept. of Applied Geology and Environment
Page 1
University of Jordan
Faculty of Science
Department of Applied Geology and Environment
0305311 Field Techniques
Figure 1: Geological map of the area
Faculty of Science – Dept. of Applied Geology and Environment
Page 2
University of Jordan
Faculty of Science
Department of Applied Geology and Environment
0305311 Field Techniques
Figure 2: Simplified columnar section
Faculty of Science – Dept. of Applied Geology and Environment
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University of Jordan
Faculty of Science
Department of Applied Geology and Environment
0305311 Field Techniques
At school crossing (in Australia, hopefully to be in Amman one day) you can see a big
sign with this note:
STOP
LOOK
THINK
WALK
I like to use this In Field Geology, which is actually quoted from the scientific research method:
Observation, data collection, making hypothesis, collect more data and evidence to allow a theory
and the experimentation to conclude a scientific FACT.
STOP
LOOK
THINK
THINK
CONCLUDE
ON or next to the OUTCROP
OBSERVE with open eyes and minds, collect some data
MAKE A HYPOTHESIS
TEST/DISCUS your HYPOTHESIS by more data/ evidence
Make you conclusion i.e theory
Stop 1: Landslide:
1.1: Write briefly your observations including:
a) Rock type; mention at least two rock types.
b) Man made features, what are they and is the purpose? Do they serve the purpose? And why?
1.2: Describe what's going on?
Stop 2: Limestone outcrop west of the bridge/Salhoob:
2.1: Are the rocks sedimentary or igneous? Why?
2.2: what is the type of rocks in the outcrop? What is your evidence?
2.3: Estimate the height of the cliff and draw a columnar section showing the bedding and lithology.
Add a scale to the drawing. Label the age of the rocks with the help of figure 2.
Faculty of Science – Dept. of Applied Geology and Environment
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University of Jordan
Faculty of Science
Department of Applied Geology and Environment
0305311 Field Techniques
Stop 3: North of Baqa’ (left of the bridge):
1.1 Examine the rock units and describe them (color/lithology ...etc.). Name two rock types.
1.2 Describe the grain size of the granular material (fine/medium/coarse).
1.3 Draw a simple columnar section of the road cut, labeling the rock units. Remember to add scale.
You need to use a measuring tape to measure the thickness of the rock units. Label the age of
rocks with the help of figure 2.
Faculty of Science – Dept. of Applied Geology and Environment
Page 5
University of Jordan
Faculty of Science
Department of Applied Geology and Environment
0305311 Field Techniques
Stop No.4: Archeological hill north-west of Sweileh
1.1 Examine the rock pieces while walking up the small cliff here and identify three different rock
types present.
1.2 What are the main criteria you used in your identification?
1.3 Comment on the texture of the rocks? Where do you think these rock pieces come from and
how? Give evidence?
1.4 Draw general sketch of the mountain face to the north east showing the bedding planes and
labeling the rock units as much as possible.
1.5 Draw a sketch showing a general plan (map) of the area labeling the topographic features; rock
type and age use symbols (strike and dip). Notice the direction of dip all around the basin.
1.6 Highlight the age of these outcrops on the above given simplified columnar section (Figure 2).
Get help from the geological map (Figure 1).
1.7 What do you think the structure is? Explain?
Faculty of Science – Dept. of Applied Geology and Environment
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