What do academic geology departments do in the San Juan Mountains

1
What do academic geology departments do in the
San Juan Mountains?

• Site for geology field camps (8 to 12 per yr.)
• Used for class field trips (FLC, Adams St.)
• Location for geology field conferences and
  special programs (GSA, WSGFC, SES)
• Source for thesis studies (51 B.S. , 85 M.Sc.
  Ph.D.s)
• Faculty research and consulting (geologic history
  of La Plata Mtns, geologic hazards, rock glacier
  dynamics, depositional history Paleozoic strata)

2
What kinds of research data do geology programs
generate?

• Geologic maps (Durango E, La Plata)
• Geologic reports (theses, consulting, field
  guides)
• Collections of rocks, thin sections, photos

3
What happens to the academic research
information and materials collected?

• Senior theses are loosely bound and cataloged
• Rock and thin sections are used in class work and
  some students keep their own collections
• Some work is published, filed away or possibly
  tossed

4
How is academic informationdisseminated and
stored?

• FLC Senior theses will go to FLC library
• Rocks may end up in permanent study collections
  with limited use
• Consulting reports have limited exposure
• Publications are documented and can often be
  retrieved via computer search programs
• If research is not documented then it may get lost

5
What future research is planned?

• For many academic programs, student and faculty
  interests guide where new research will occur
• Consulting and contracts will focus much of
  research towards geologic and environmental
  problems (acid mine drainage, quad mapping)