Maps & Bedrock Geology in Coeur d’alene, Idaho

Write 3-5 pages of text, double-spaced, addressing questions (1-6) below, explaining each of your answers in complete sentences in essay format (replace the numbered questions with your own answers). Include all subheadings that are in bold, e.g. Topography, before you answer the subsequent set of questions in your paper. Put the title in bold print at the top, as shown below. Include a numbered Reference List at the end with at least 5 reliable sources,[1] cited in proper format. Each of your 5 sources must be cited (by number) in your text at least once.

Maps and Bedrock Geology of [Name of Project Area, State]

Topography

1. Use the USGS Topographic Quadrangle for your project area to create a figure to show the topography of your project area. (You will do this during the Topographic Maps Lab, using Google Earth.)
   1. Take a screen shot or snip from the Topographic Quadrangle – include the nearest major road, nearest major topographic feature(s) and an accurate map scale in this image. Paste it into your paper.
   2. Circle and label your project area on the map image.
   3. Include this image in your paper as a figure with a caption stating the map title and citing the source.[2]

2. Describe the topography of your project area using the Topographic Map Figure you created:
   1. What is the highest point (elevation) in your project area or near vicinity?
   2. What is the lowest point?
   3. What is the total relief of the area (a-b)?
   4. What is the steepest stope, and where is it located?
   5. Identify and describe any distinctive landforms, such as a butte or mesa, canyon, cliff, mountain, crater, major river, U- or V-shaped valley. Cite your topographic map in the text as your source of specific information.

Rock Types and Ages

3. In lab, you will learn how to find and add a geologic map KML to Google Earth and use it to identify rock types and their ages in your project area and vicinity. Follow the posted instructions to create a Geologic Map Figure for your project area and vicinity.
4. Using the Geologic Map Figure you have created for your area (plus other reliable sources if needed), list the specific rock types along with their ages in table form, in order (oldest first) like this:

Sequence of Geologic Events

5. List the sequence of geologic events that tell the complete geologic story (history) of the area. You may write this in paragraph form or as a bulleted list with complete sentences, but be sure to explain how the rocks in your project area fit into the larger regional geologic story,e. present and past plate tectonic setting and major events.
   1. Explain how each rock unit listed in your table above formed as part of the sequence of geologic events that shaped your project area.
   2. Cite the geologic map and any other sources you consult as references in the proper format and cite each by number in your answers after any specific information you drew from it.¹

Geologic Structures

6. For this section you will need a geologic map that shows faults, folds, and other structures in addition to describing rock units present. If the Geologic Map Figure you created in Google Earth does not show this information, you will need to consult another geologic map. If your project area is in Washington, use the WA State Quad maps provided in lab (also available online). If outside of WA State, do a geologic map search online.[3] Look for any geologic structures shown on the geologic map in your project area and nearby vicinity, such as folds, faults, shear zones, joints or fractures[4].
   1. Which structures (folds, faults, shear zones, joints, or fractures) are mapped in your project area? If none of these are present on the map, explain why not. You may need to consult other sources to answer this.
   2. Are the major structures (a) associated with brittle or ductile/plastic deformation?
   3. What do your answers to (a) and (b) indicate about the history of deformation in the region? Are they consistent with what you would expect for the present or past plate tectonic setting in the region?

[1] Two of these 5 sources should be your topographic map and geologic map. Each time you write about information gained from one of these maps, cite the map in the text as you would any other source.

[2] See “How to Cite Sources—GEOL 101”

[3] See posted Help sources on BBLearn. Your TA can also assist you with this, or you may visit the tutor room or Owen Library for assistance.

[4] Remember: a crack is only a fault if the rocks on either side of it are visibly offset. If you see just a crack with no definite offset, it’s a fracture. Joints are sets of fractures in a repeated pattern.