Field Geology: Mapping in the Outback (ERTH3050)

Course overview

Mapping & field techniques in both simple & complex metamorphic terrains. Field recognition & analysis of structural & metamorphic features. Regional synthesis of field data.

Field work carried out during the June-July inter-semester break. Additional fee payable. Quota 35 (in total). All enquiries for permission to enrol to be addressed to environment@enquire.uq.edu.au. Students are selected based on academic performance and relevance to program.

2025 UQ field trip to Mount Isa - 15-day field course with 11-12 contact hours per day. 24 June 2025 – 9 July 2025.

Start: Mount Isa, in the afternoon of 24/6/25.

Finish: Mount Isa, in the morning of 9/7/25.

Travel arrangements: Students can choose travel with us from Brisbane (for an additional fee). The bus will depart from St Lucia Campus on Monday 23rd June 2025 at 05:00am. The departure point is: UQ Sport Aquatic Centre, Blair Drive, St Lucia Campus.

Alternatively, you can organise your own travel (for example, by catching a flight). We will meet and deliver students from and to the airport in Mount Isa. If you do not take the UQ bus, please make sure that you arrive in Mount Isa before 5pm on Tuesday 24th June.

Accommodation: Accommodation in Mount Isa will be at the Moondarra Caravan Park in self-contained modular accommodation (dongas). Evening work will be held in the mess hall after dinner service is completed.

Meals: Full catering is offered by the Caravan Park.

Contact address at Mt Isa: Moondarra Caravan Park. 2 Moondarra Dr, Lanskey QLD 4825. Phone: 07 4743 9780

Work pattern: Most days you will be mapping in groups of 2–3 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. During the evening you will need to transfer the day's mapping and notes to your field compilation map. This procedure should take no longer than two hours (provided that you don't turn it into a social event). Fixing and redrafting field maps are not appropriate evening activities and should be kept to minimum. Excessive evening work sessions will be restricted, and no evening work should go past 11:00 pm. You need to plan your work procedures around these guidelines. The composition of the groups will vary for each of the major mapping exercises.

Behaviour and Restrictions: Any behaviour that disturbs the peace and well-being of other students or campers in the campground, or that undermines the good reputation of The University of Queensland, will not be tolerated. Such behaviour includes excessive noise or alcohol consumption. Misbehaviour may result in your dismissal from the trip and a fail registered for the course. Excessive noise includes any music, at any volume, after 10:00 pm. Excessive alcohol consumption in camp will not be tolerated, particularly where it impinges on your performance and stamina in the field. These restrictions also apply to the work-free evenings.

Health and Safety: There are risks associated with field work and these will be explained prior to the trip. Breaches of safety guidelines may result in your dismissal from the trip. We require you to sign a statement indicating that you have read the University of Queensland Occupation Health and Safety fieldwork and work off-campus OHS Guidelines and the risk assessment, that you have been briefed with regards to health and safety issues related to field work in Mount Isa, and that you understand them. This statement will be kept on file in the School’s office.

Course requirements

Assumed background

Basic knowledge of introductory level Physical Geology (ERTH1000 or ERTH1501), Mineralogy (ERTH2005), Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (ERTH2006), Sedimentology (ERTH2003), Structural Geology (ERTH2004) and Field Mapping (ERTH2050).ﾠUniversity level reading and writing language (English) skills.ﾠBasic skills in mapping techniques.

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

ERTH2050 or equivalent

Recommended prerequisites

We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:

ERTH2003, ERTH2004, ERTH2006 (or equivalents)

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

ERTH3051

Restrictions

Permission of School of the Environment (environment@enquire.uq.edu.au). Quota 35 (in total).

Course contact

Course staff

Aims and outcomes

Lake Moondarra group mapping project:

Aim: To produce maps and diagrams of an area containing low-grade metasedimentary sequences with moderately simple structures. Recognize and define the local stratigraphic units, and interpret the major structure.
Groups will hand in field data, a compilation map, a completed interpretation map with a detailed legend, schematic and measured cross-sections, and an annotated stratigraphic column (including interpretation of sedimentary environments, etc.).

Required background: The mapping techniques and background required are those developed in 2nd year mapping classes. The main difference is that, in addition to all the techniques used in mapping sedimentary sequences (such as measuring orientation of bedding and determining stratigraphic younging direction) you should now be able to recognize and measure structural fabric elements (axial plane cleavage and bedding/cleavage intersections) that make recognition and interpretation of m

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

Field Techniques

• In-person

Mode

Activity/ Performance

Category

Performance

Weight

10%

Due date

24/06/2025 - 9/07/2025

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

Submission guidelines

No submission is required for this assessment item

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

No extensions are available for this assessment as this is completed on the field trip.

Lake Moondarra mapping project

• Team or group-based
• In-person

Mode

Activity/ Performance, Written

Category

Practical/ Demonstration

Weight

40%

Due date

Stratigraphic column: 28/06/2025 9:00 pm

Final submission: 1/07/2025 5:00 pm

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

Submission guidelines

Submitted directly to the lecturers.

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

No extensions are available for this assessment as this is completed on the field trip and immediately marked following submission, with the outcomes of the assessment then being released.

Late submission

A penalty of 3% will be applied for every one-hour delay in submission.

Individual mapping

• In-person

Mode

Activity/ Performance, Written

Category

Practical/ Demonstration

Weight

20%

Due date

Mica Creek outcrop map: 3/07/2025 8:00 pm

Final individual map: 8/07/2025 3:00 pm

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

Submission guidelines

Submitted directly to the lecturers.

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

No extensions are available for this assessment as this is completed on the field trip and immediately marked following submission, with the outcomes of the assessment then being released.

Late submission

A penalty of 3% will be applied for every one-hour delay in submission.

Mica Creek mapping project

• Team or group-based
• In-person

Mode

Activity/ Performance, Written

Category

Practical/ Demonstration

Weight

30%

Due date

7/07/2025 5:00 pm

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

Submission guidelines

Submitted directly to the lecturers.

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

No extensions are available for this assessment as this is completed on the field trip and immediately marked following submission, with the outcomes of the assessment then being released.

Late submission

A penalty of 3% will be applied for every one-hour delay in submission.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply.

Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.

If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.

Supplementary assessment can take any form (such as a written report, oral presentation, examination or other appropriate assessment) and may test specific learning outcomes tailored to the individual student, or all learning outcomes.

To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.

Additional assessment information

All mapping and written project material must be to a professional standard that includes accurate observations, precise data recording, a synthesis of the field and mapping data, and geologically viable and reasonable interpretations.

Lake Moondarra mapping project (Total = 40%)

·  Fact Map (Total = 12%)

• o  Coverage: how well did you cover the mapping area (3%)
• o  Data collection: bedding and younging criteria (1.5%)
• o  Data collection: cleavage, intersection lineation, fold hinges, fold axial planes (1.5%)
• o  Mapping techniques, e.g., lithological and structural symbols, contact lines, precision, neatness, legend, and consistency between map and legend (3%)
• o  Accuracy (3%)

·  Interpretation Map (Total = 12%)

• o  Legend: complete unit descriptions (not single words), includes both rock-type information, bedding thicknesses, and explanations of all symbols used (1.2%).
• o  Map information: scale, scale bar, north arrows, authors, title, date (0.6%)
• o  Fidelity: accuracy in transferring data from the fact map to interpretation map (1.2%).
• o  Trend lines: interpretation of general strike of bedding throughout the entire map (1.2%)
• o  Folds: interpretation of the axial planes and hinges of folds (1.2%)
• o  Folds: interpretation of the 3D orientation and kinematics of faults (1.2%)
• o  Map-scale interpretation: do the 3D geometry and geological relationships make sense? (3%)
• o  Presentation: precision, neatness, scale, colouring etc. (2.4%)

·  Cross section AA’ (Total = 6%)

• o  Techniques and precision of construction (e.g., the x-section includes information on the scale, units, and orientation; the location of the section is shown on the map; legend included, etc) (0.6%)
• o  Accuracy of surface data, including bedding orientation, stratigraphy, folds, and faults (1.8%)
• o  Interpretation of subsurface geology and geological reasonableness (2.4%)
• o  Presentation: precision, neatness, colouring etc. (1.2%)

·  Cross section BB’ (Total = 2%)

·  Stratigraphic column (Total = 8%)

• o  Stratigraphic order and accuracy (0.8%)
• o  Units’ description and interpretation of depositional environments
• o  (3.2%)
• o  Units’ thickness (1.6%)
• o  Information on grain size, sedimentary features and unconformities (1.2%)
• o  Legend (0.4%)
• o  Presentation: precision and neatness (0.8%)

Mica Creek mapping project (Total = 30%)

·  Fact Map (Total = 12%)

• o  Coverage (2.4%)
• o  Measurements (2.4%)
• o  Lithological contacts and accuracy (2.4%)
• o  Mapping techniques (2.4%)
• o  Presentation (2.4%)

·  Interpretation Map (Total = 12%)

• o  Legend and map information (3%)
• o  Fidelity: accuracy in transferring data from the fact map to interpretation map (1.2%)
• o  Form lines and interpretation (5.4%)
• o  Presentation: precision, neatness, scale, colouring etc. (2.4%)

·  Cross section (Total = 6%)

• o  Accuracy (1.8%)
• o  Interpretation of subsurface geology and geological reasonableness (3.6%)
• o  Presentation: information on scale and orientation, form lines, legend, precision, neatness, colouring etc. (0.6%)

Individual mapping exercises:

·  Mica Creek outcrop map (Total = 10%)

• o  Coverage (1.5%)
• o  Quantity and correctness of measurements (2%)
• o  Lithological contacts (1.5%)
• o  Trendlines (2%)
• o  Legend (1.5%)
• o  Presentation (1.5%)

·  Final individual mapping project (Total = 10%)

• o  Scale and orientation (1.5%)
• o  Measurements of bedding, cleavage, and intersection lineations (1.5%)
• o  Mapping techniques and accuracy (2.5%)
• o  Interpretation (2.5%)
• o  Legend (1%)
• o  Presentation (1%)

Field techniques (Total = 10%)

·  Leadership

·  Navigation

·  Rock identification

·  3D visualisation

·  Appropriate usage of geological gear

·  Notebook techniques

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.

Other course materials

Additional learning resources information

Field gear:

Broad brimmed hat

Backpack for fieldwork

Long sleeved shirts

Long trousers (no shorts during fieldwork)

Canteen or water bottles (at least 3L)

Sturdy hiking boots in good condition (not steel capped)

Sunscreen (>SPF30)

Sunglasses

Gaiters (to protect your shins from spinifex grass) (recommended)

Personal first aid kit (band-aids, antiseptic, tape and scissors for blisters, cold/flu tablets, personal medications)

Hard-bound field notebook

Geological hammer

Safety glasses

Hand lens

Magnet

Pencils and pens, including a set of permanent markers and Pentel (sizes of 0.03, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 1). Students frequently lose pens in the field, so please bring extra permanent marker pens.

Protractor

Ruler

Coloured pencils

A4 and A3 tracing papers

Additional costs

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Additional learning activity information

Monday June 23: A 32-seater 4-wheel bus departs from Brisbane at 5:00 am. We will stay along the way in a shared accommodation or camping. Students should bring sleeping bags. Arrive in Mt Isa in the afternoon of June 24th.

June 24: Some students and staff will travel to Mount Isa independently. Lecturers will arrive at 9am and will take students directly to Moondarra Caravan Park. Students who need to be picked up from other locations (e.g. bus or train terminals) or other times (e.g., afternoon's airport pickup) should contact the lecturers. Accommodation (dongas) should be ready on arrival at Moondarra Caravan Park. Shopping for groceries and supplies (if needed) will be completed in the afternoon.

Evening: Orientation meeting at 6:00pm and a 1.5 hour lecture on mapping techniques after dinner (8:00pm).

June 25: Begin group mapping project at Lake Moondarra. Each group will start preparing a geological map, but the whole class will stay together and will be guided by the lecturers. We will conduct a transect across the mapping area immediately south of Lake Moondarra. The rocks are stratified, folded, and faulted, and show evidence of low greenschist facies rocks. The transect will concentrate on field techniques required to map these rocks, and on delineation of mappable contacts.

Evening: Transfer of daily mapping data to a compilation map and drafting of stratigraphic column. This procedure should be followed every night of mapping. First day maps will be checked in the evening for proper mapping techniques. Feedback will be provided using examples from the groups. You need to start a rough draft of your stratigraphic column tonight.

June 26: Group mapping in the southern part of the Lake Moondarra mapping area. Each group will work individually.

Evening: Transfer of daily mapping data to a compilation map and drafting of stratigraphic column.

June 27: A guided transect in the northern part of the Lake Moondarra mapping area, and supervised mapping. Each group will continue to work on their geological map, but the whole class will stay together.

Evening: Transfer of daily mapping data to a compilation map and drafting of stratigraphic column.

June 28: Group mapping. Each group will choose their own itinerary in the Lake Moondarra mapping area. Occasion interactions with staff will ensure that correct mapping techniques are being applied.

Evening: Finalising stratigraphic column and turn it in.

-- Stratigraphic column due at 09:00 pm --

June 29: Group mapping. Each group will choose their own itinerary in the Lake Moondarra mapping area. Occasion interactions with staff will ensure that correct mapping techniques are being applied.

Evening: Transfer of daily mapping data to a compilation map. At 8:00 pm, there will be a 1-hour lecture on cross-section techniques and preparation of draft cross-sections across the map area.

June 30: Group mapping. Each group will choose their own itinerary in the Lake Moondarra mapping area. Occasion interactions with staff will ensure that correct mapping techniques are being applied.

Evening: Transfer of daily mapping data to compilation map and drafting of cross-sections.

July 1: Preparation of maps and field results from the Lake Moondarra field area (no fieldwork).

-- Maps and cross-sections submission by 05:00 pm --

July 2: Assessment and feedback on Moondarra maps. Group sessions with the instructors. Optional tours to exploration sites.

Evening - preparation to the Mica Creek Outcrop exercise and a 1-hour lecture on overprinting criteria.

July 3: Mica Creek outcrop map. Guided introduction to working on multiply deformed rocks and measuring overprinting relationships. Production of detailed map of multiply deformed outcrop.

-- Map due at 8:00 pm --

July 4: Mica Creek group mapping project (multiply deformed area with emphasis on meta-igneous rocks). The main emphasis will be on mapping several meta-igneous bodies and relating their intrusive history to one another and to the regional deformation history recorded by structural fabrics. On the first day we will perform a guided transect thorough the mapping area to become familiar with the main lithologies. Later in the afternoon, groups of will start working individually.

July 5: Mica Creek group mapping project. Each group will choose their own itinerary. Occasion interactions with staff will ensure that correct mapping techniques are being applied.

July 6: Mica Creek group mapping project. Each group will choose their own itinerary. Occasion interactions with staff will ensure that correct mapping techniques are being applied.

July 7: Mica Creek map compilation (no fieldwork).

-- Maps and cross-sections submission by 05:00 pm --

July 8: Individual mapping project. Students will individually collect data for the preparation of an interpretation map to be submitted at the end of the day in the field.

-- Submission by 03:00 pm --

Wednesday July 9: Departure. UQ bus will drive back to Brisbane, departing early in the morning on Wednesday and arriving in the evening of July 10. The remainder of the group will fly back from Mt Isa to Brisbane/Canberra. Transportation from the caravan park to the airport will be provided.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:

• Student Travel