Eastern California and the Mojave Desert are home to some of the most extreme and geologically dramatic landscapes in North America. From the below-sea-level salt flats of Death Valley, this region preserves a remarkable record of tectonic extension, volcanism, erosion, and climate change. Here, students encounter vast alluvial fans, colorful badlands, explosive volcanic craters, desert springs, and evidence of some of the hottest temperatures ever recorded on Earth. This course explores the geology and ecology of Death Valley and Eastern California through field experience. At Dante's View and Zabriskie Point, students will interpret basin-and-range faulting and sedimentary layering that record millions of years of crustal stretching. Stops along Artist's Drive reveal vividly colored hydrothermally altered rocks, while canyon hikes through Titus Canyon and Mosaic Canyon highlight structural deformation and desert weathering processes. Volcanic landscapes at Ubehebe Crater and the dramatic structures viewed at locations like Amargosa Chaos and Aguereberry Point invite discussion of explosive eruptions and crustal instability. The course concludes with consideration of large-scale water engineering and resource management at Hoover Dam. Throughout the trip, students will consider how geology influences desert ecosystems and water availability in arid environments. As a field-based course rooted in careful observation, students will learn to read landscapes as integrated systems where tectonics, climate, and surface processes interact. Coursework will include preparatory readings before departure, daily field exercises, group discussions at key stops, and regular reflective journaling. Students will practice field sketching, stratigraphic interpretation, and geomorphic analysis while developing a deeper appreciation for desert environments and their fragility. This course is open to students who have taken GEO 151 or GEO 120, and GEO 252 or have permission from the instructor.
Credits: 1
Course: GEO 280
Basic Information
Location
USA
Dates
Generally offered: Odd years
Next offered: Winter 2027
Cost
