Hello Students,

The maps are out in the Reynolds Lab. I will be here until 12:30 to answer questions. I have a commitment from 1-3 today so if you have questions for me get here soon.


Best of luck,

Hello Students,

We had another long day of review session today. I am attaching a photo of some of the students below who are here currently studying. I realize that tomorrow is a quiz day for some of you. I will be in sometime around lunch for any last minute questions. I will place maps in the Reynolds lab for students to review. Send me an email with specific questions if you have them.  I highly recommend studying the maps and the review study guide. Best of luck studying.

Hello Students,

The review for the final exam is happening today. So far only 1 student has shown up to study the maps and work on the study guide. Dr. Siewers will be using the lab from 1-3, during which time the maps will be downstairs in the Reynolds lab. If you plan to arrive around that time then head downstairs. The lab will be open again for your studying at 3pm today. Please realize that I have been here all morning and will likely be here until 5, however I may have to leave early. If you plan to come in and study today and want to ask me questions or show me your models, then please do so before 4pm or email me.


Best of luck studying,

Hello Students, 

      This is a reminder that we have another review session planned for Monday. Here is a photo from Friday's review session. As you can see in the photo we are working on a study guide for the final exam with the types of maps that will be included on the final. I will be in EST all day on Monday so email me if you plan to be around. If I am not in my office then check the lab or send me an email. Best of luck studying for the final exam. 

Tyler 

(Remember that I am checking the final homework (structure models) individually so I need to see you all before the final. Email me with questions.)

Hello Students,

I am currently in the lab with a study guide and maps for you all to practice with. I will be here until 3 p.m. Stop by to study, show me your homework, ask questions, or finish up your homework. If you stop my office and I am not there then make sure to check upstairs in the lab.


Happy Studying,


Tyler

Hello Students,


I am available to meet with you today until 5PM. I will be in my office on the third floor or upstairs in the main classroom. I will be in tomorrow from 9am until 3pm and can meet with anyone who wants too. I will also be available on Monday from 9am to 5pm. Email with a time and I will meet you upstairs.

Best of luck studying,

Tyler

Hello Students,

Don't forget that Dr. May has sent out an email with the assignment for this week. The document is titled: Topographic Maps Lab and is due this week. If you need any help please come and see me or email me. Here is the first page but check your email for the full text.

GEOL 113 – Topographic Maps Lab – ed. 10  Name _______________________ Turn in April 18^th week (2016)

This lab introduces topographic maps and various features represented on them. 

Read pp. 227-235, and 236-239 in the lab manual.  Be sure to carefully examine all the Figures. 

Read the questions and then write the answers on this sheet.

On the maps on pages 232-233:

What is the contour interval = __________________

What is the ratio (fractional) scale = _____________________________

On the map, one inch = _______________________ inches in real life.

On the map, what is the range of Longitude: from: ____________________ to ___________________

On the map, what is the range in Latitude:    from _____________________t o ___________________

Refer to the readings on latitude and longitude.

A. What are the Latitude and Longitude coordinates of point B (Fig. 9.2)

Lat: __________________ Long:__________________

Read page 239 – particularly regarding the PLSS

Refer to Fig. 9.8  …….

Review how the location of point X in Fig. 9.8 was determined using PLSS shorthand.

What is the location of point Z – using PLSS shorthand?

How many acres are present in the township in Fig. 9.8? 

  _________ miles²  times  ____________  = __________________ acres

Imagine that you want to purchase the NE1/4 of the SE ¼ of Section 11 in Fig. 9.8. If the property costs $500 per acre, then how much must you pay for the entire property? Explain.

Number of acres ____________                               x  $500/acre

   $__________ 

Hello Geo 113,

This is just a reminder that I will be giving a talk to today in room 260 regarding my thesis work. This talk will highlight some of the research currently ongoing in the department. Here is a bit about the talk...

We are back in action this Friday, April 1, at 3:00. This week, Mr. Tyler Bodine will present "A Geological Examination of the Big Clifty Sandstone (Chesterian) of South Central Kentucky"

The Big Clifty Sandstone is a heavy-oil reservoir and an important component of the extensive development of caves and karst features in Mammoth Cave National Park. The Big Clifty Sandstone often consists entirely of quartz sandstone. However, local variation in lithology such as shale and limestone have been described but are poorly understood. This study incorporates multiple methodologies and data sets such as facies analysis and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) to understand how lithological facies changes vary throughout this unit. This talk will assess how changes in local geology can impact asphalt rock mines and cave development in South Central Kentucky. Although the focus is on geology, this talk will include an assessment of the environmental impact of asphalt rock mining as well as a brief history of this industry which has occurred in Kentucky since the 1800s.

Hope to see some of you there. 

This post is just for fun! Here are some fun geology related photos!

These are some of the photos taken from my time as a graduate student here at WKU. The Illinois Basin contains many wonderful rock formations and natural play areas so get out and explore! Let me know if you have any questions. 

Congratulations on finishing the rock quiz! I know many of you worked hard preparing.


This week you will begin to understand sequence of events diagrams in geologic time. In order to help you with these efforts I am including links to the following websites.

USGS Geologic Time
Sequence of events diagram

Be sure to learn your geologic time scale! Very important!

Here is a sample sequence of events diagram, similar to the one that will be on the next quiz... be sure to practice identifying relative age on this diagrams.

Let me know if you have any questions... T

Hello 113 Students,

I hope you all are enjoying the snow day and gearing up for your mineral quiz next week. If you did not see the videos on minerals I posted from youtube check out the last post. Today I want to post a lecture regarding igneous rocks. Remember that all rocks are composed of different types of minerals, and this is why learning the minerals will help you in studying for igneous rocks. Here is a lecture on igneous rocks that should prepare you for class tomorrow.

Igneous Rock Lecture

Here is an explanation of classification schemes for igneous rocks

Classification of Igneous rocks

See you tomorrow or Wednesday...

Hello 113 Students,

Several students asked me to post about the difference between fracture and cleavage so I am going to link a few videos below.
Video 1
Video 2
Video 3
Video 4
Video 5

I hope you find something here that is helpful. Remember to practice! The only way to become an expert at mineral ID is to look at minerals over and over. Please email me with questions at tyler.bodine040@topper.wku.edu or come by my office on the third floor of EST room 323.


Your quiz will be worth 100 points and ask for three physical properties and name of mineral.


Best of luck studying!

Tyler

Hello All,

Here is another great website to help you in your goal of learning the minerals.

Minerals

Hope this helps.

Please email or reply here with questions if you have them!

Remember that you will need to spend time looking at the minerals to learn them.

Minerals!

Here are some useful links as you begin the process of learning more about minerals this week.
http://geology.com/minerals/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MvXv66b5h4
https://www.uky.edu/KGS/rocksmn/

Please comment if you have questions.

I am also including some photos of minerals in thin section per our conversation in class today. These photos were taken here at the WKU Geology Department...

                                         Calcite

                                          Feldspar

                                         Pyroxene

Welcome to Geo 113 Lab! It is going to be a great semester. Check back here for updates!

Tuesday Section: 3-5pm
Wednesday Section: 12:40-2:40pm


Professor: Dr. Mike May
Office: EST 335
Email: michael.may@wku.edu


TA: Tyler Bodine
Office: EST 323
Email: tyler.bodine040@topper.wku.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday 2-3pm
                       Thursday 4-5pm
                       Appointments by request