GEOL 373: Advanced Field Study in Greece
4 credits
3 weeks in Greece
Professor Jeffrey Rahl
Positioned on the boundary between the African and European tectonic plates, the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea display a remarkable breadth of geology. In this course, students will explore the diverse geology of Greece with a particular emphasis on the regional tectonics. Long-lived subduction of the downgoing African Plate has created features typical of convergent margins, including a large accretionary wedge and an active volcanic arc. Regional stretching of the overriding plate will allow students to explore features common in extensional terrains, such as the metamorphic core complexes exposed in Naxos and other islands of the Cyclades. Additional topics will include high-pressure metamorphism, deformation mechanisms, geomorphology of actively uplifted landscapes, paleomagnetic rotations, and tectonic mélanges. Approximately one week will be spent exploring the geology of Crete, followed by multi-day trips to the islands of Santorini, Naxos, and Syros, and finishing in Athens. As a complement to the geological focus, students will also tour the ancient sites of Knossos, Akrotiri, and the Acropolis.
The course is open to all geology majors, though enrollment will be limited.
Program Fee (paid to W&L): $1500 program fees, accommodation, airfare, ground transportation.
Estimated Additional Costs: Students will be responsible for meals (estimate $300), passport, cell phone, visa (if applicable), inoculations (if applicable), spending money.
For further details, please contact Professor Jeffrey Rahl at rahlj@wlu.edu