Field trips are one of the perks of taking geology classes at Gustavus! January-term classes, "Geology of the Southwest" and "Geology and Natural History of Hawaii" are offered on alternating years, and provide opportunities for students to see spectacular and scenic examples of geology in the western U.S. Geology field trips also take place during spring break, and some geology majors take on field-based research projects in parts of the west. Check out the photos below.

Looking for sedimentary structures on the beach of Lake Michigan, 2008

An abandoned quarry in southeastern Minnesota, where we found fantastic trilobite and cephalopod fossils
Touring Mystery Cave in southeastern Minnesota

Waterfall over basalt, Hawaii
Volcanic exposures at black basalt beach, Hawaii

Mt. Kilauea erupting by night, Hawaii

Na Pali Coast, Kauai, Hawaii

Lunch at the top of the Permian Reef, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, TX

Hiking at the top of the Permian Reef, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, TX

El Capitan Peak, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, TX

Remnants of volcanic plugs and flows, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ

Sunset at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ

The Colorado River at Bright Angel Campground, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

Frozen springs near the top of the Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ