G23AC00177

Project Title: Mapping Bedrock Geology of Central Part of the Fulks Run 7.5 Quadrangle, Virginia and Preparing a Virtual Geological Mapping Exercise

Project Period: 08 15 2023- 08 14 2024

Award Purpose:
The proposed project will have two main purposes.
1) To train geology undergraduate students in geologic mapping using the central part of the Fulks Run Quadrangle as a study site. The students will have taken structural geology and stratigraphy by the start of the project. The students will be closely mentored by PI Yonathan Admassu and Co-PI John Haynes on traditional as well as digital geologic mapping methods. Mentoring students will involve introducing students on how to take quality field notes, collecting stratigraphic and structural data, and plotting data on digital maps.
2) To prepare a computer desktop-based digital geological mapping exercise that will be used to introduce future students to geologic mapping as a pre-field geology activity and to students with disabilities that hinder field-based activities. The exercise will be submitted to be posted on the web for the Earth Science teaching community. The PI will train students on geological mapping methodologies and on the techniques of creating 3D models of outcrops using photogrammetry and terrestrial LiDAR.

Activities to be performed:
Three students who will be taking JMU's Advanced Structure, Stratigraphy, Tectonics (ASST) and GIS courses will be selected for the project. Once the students are selected, the PI and Co-PI will openly discuss with them JMU's policy and commitment on Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) issues. Students will also start the training on gathering previous works and will be required to summarize their findings. Students will then gather remotely sensed data such as Google Earth imagery and high-resolution DEM data and begin geologically interpreting topographic models. The interpreted maps will be used to strategize a selection of mapping traverses. The PI and Co-PI will mentor all three students on data collection in the field using both traditional and mobile-digital methods. Two students will be responsible for field data collection that will include lithological descriptions, collection of rock samples for thin sectioning, measuring strike and dip, and fold and fault structural data. The third student will collect data that will be used for the virtual geologic mapping exercise. That student will work closely with the two students to locate outcrops from which stereographic photographs LiDAR data will be collected. After the necessary field data collection and safety training is offered, the students will collect data on their own and meet with the PI and Co-PI every week. The PIs will closely follow the development of the geologic map. The PI will be responsible for creating the virtual geologic mapping exercise.

Deliverable Products:
The students will produce a digital bedrock geologic map of the central part of the Fulks Run, Virginia 7.5 Quadrangle bounding coordinates: North: 384320N, South: 383930N, East: 785900W, West: 785200W. Digital map deliverables will be in PDF format, with digital shapefiles in ArcGIS, and Google Earth KMZ formats. Map data spreadsheet will be prepared in Microsoft Excel. A final report on the result of the mapping activity will be submitted both in hard and soft copies.

Intended Beneficiary(ies):
The benefits of this mapping project and associated scientific investigations will be mentoring of the supported students. Additionally, the project will offer a great educational opportunity and it will add to the available geologic data from the area that can be used during a future state mapping project. The virtual geologic mapping exercise will be a great contribution to the geoscience education community.

Subrecipient Activities, if known or specified at the time of award: None

James Madison University

15.810 - National Cooperative Geologic Mapping

USGS Office of Acquisitions and Grants [DOI - USGS]

Virginia United States

State-Wide

Educational Component of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (G23AS00051)

Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 08/14/24 to 05/31/26.