Page 24 - 2020 GGE Newsletter

Page 24

2020 GE FIELD CAMP
WRITTEN BY BS STUDENTS, SHAHAD ALDHAMIN AND JULIA ESCH

Week 2: Durango, Colorado (Shahad Aldhamin)

This week was about the surficial mapping of glacial deposits in Durango, Colorado. It was a type of mapping that I have
never done before, and this was the biggest challenge; I probably redid my Durango map three times before I was satis-
fied with the result. It was interesting, but I do not think I want to do it again. One thing that happened this week was
that I adopted a cat, and she was one of the reasons I was able to maintain my enthusiasm and motivation to do my best
for the remaining four weeks.

Week 2 Durango, Colorado (Julia Esch)
Week 2 marked an important change in mapping and mapping techniques. While Week 1 consisted of mapping struc-
tures and strata, Week 2 consisted of mapping surficial deposits. The previous week of field camp required the map to be
completed by hand, but this week presented the new opportunity to map using technology. I chose to map using Adobe
Acrobat and a pdf version of a Durango basemap.
Week 3: White Mesa, New Mexico (Shahad Aldhamin)
After mapping the glacial deposits in week 2, we went back to a mapping style similar to week 1, which made me feel a lot
better, but I would not say that mapping the area was easy! This week was one of my favorite weeks; I started feeling like
I know what I am doing and not just drawing and coloring a blank map. The area's challenging nature made it more fun;
all the tiny faults and the colorful rocks that we saw on Google Earth piqued my interest. I believe I spent many hours
trying to figure out how the units are appearing as we see them, and when I finally put the puzzle pieces together, it was
one of the most beautiful maps I drew; it still fascinates me.

Week 3: White Mesa, New Mexico (Julia Esch)
I was back to mapping geologic structures and strata on a paper base map for Week 3. The transition back to structural
mapping proved to be a bit easier than the transition to surficial mapping the week before.
The mapping area proved to be challenging with many faults and folds.

Before I start mapping, I prepare all the colors I will be using. This can take a lot of time.
Shahad