Desert Trails of the Atacama

A Student GeoTrip to Northern Chile

Licancabur Volcano above the town of San Pedro de Atacama. Photo by Nicholas Pinter.

3-11 June 2006

• Leaders
• Description
• Accessibility
• Cost (deposit deadline: 1 April)
• Flight Info

• View daily itinerary

 Expedition Summary

The Atacama region of northern Chile includes some of the most rugged topography and spectacular geology in the world. This trip is designed to present some of this spectacular terrain to a small group of graduate and undergraduate students with backgrounds in geology and other earth sciences. Transportation for the group will be in 4WD vehicles, and the itinerary includes several remote field stops accessible only in offroad vehicles Field stops focus on active faulting, Neogene marine sedimentology and paleontology, environments of deposition, sequence stratigraphy, coastal and eolian geomorphology, volcanology, hydrothermal systems, and mining and mineral resources. The Atacama Desert is the driest location on Earth, resulting in unique features and remarkable preservation of both landforms and geologic features.

Faculty Leaders

Professors Scott Ishman, Hans Wilke, and Nicholas Pinter are field geologists with projects in North America, South America, Europe, and Antarctica. They have been working together in Chile for the past three years. Ishman (Southern Illinois University) is a micropaleontologist whose research focuses on paleoceanography and paleoclimatology. Pinter (Southern Illinois University) works on surficial earth processes including river systems and flooding, landsliding, and active tectonics. Hans Wilke (Universidad Católica del Norte, Chile), works in regional geology, stratigraphy, and paleontology. In addition, one or more Chilean students will participate the trip to help with logistical details.

Experience Required

We classify the physical demands of this trip as "moderate," including a number of hikes of up to several miles over rugged terrain. The pace of these hikes will be comfortable, but participants should bring sturdy field boots, day packs, and layerable clothing suitable for temperatures that may range from near freezing up to perhaps 80 °F.

 Costs

GSA Student Members, US$1995;   Nonmember Students, US$2095
Single rooms: add US$350.

Includes:

• accommodations: 2 nights in Bahia Inglesa waterfront cabins, 1 night in Antofagasta hotel, 1 night in Mejillones waterfront hotel, 2 nights in San Pedro de Atacama hotel with pool
• all breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
• all local transportation, in 4WD vehicles
• faculty trip leaders + 2 Chilean student assistants
• reference materials
• bottled water
• activities and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary
• minimal emergency medical, accident, and evacuation insurance provided by GSA

Does Not Include:

• international arrival tax, Santiago de Chile ($100)
• travel insurance for baggage loss, accidents, or trip cancellation (discretionary)
• excess baggage charges (discretionary)
• additional beverages (discretionary)
• optional activities (discretionary)
• phone calls, laundry, and other items of a purely personal nature (discretionary)

Optional Activities

• Additional day(s) in Santiago upon arrival or departure
• Day 2: Sea kayaking at Bahia Inglesa, 2 hours (~$40)
• Day 7: Various optional activities in San Pedro de Atacama

 Reservations

This trip has been canceled.

To register for this GeoTrip, please fill-out and return the registration form by 1 April. Registration Deadline Extension! $300 deposit is due with your reservation by 1 April.
The deposit is refundable through 1 April, less a US$50 processing fee.
The balance is due 1 May 2006. Min.:10; max.:18 (students only).

Flight Information

Round-trip airfare from the U.S. arriving in Copiapó, Chile and departing from Calama, Chile is not included in the program cost. Please schedule your flights to arrive in Copiapó (CPO) on LAN flight 326 on Sunday, 3 June 2006 at 1:40 p.m. and fly out of Calama (CJC) on LAN flight 353 on Saturday, 10 June 2006 departing at 6:00 p.m., unless you are planning to spend time on your own in Chile before or after the trip. LAN is a partner of American Airlines (OneWorld Alliance), and the Chilean flights are most economical if purchased in conjunction with an American ticket or as part of a package ticket offered by Orbitz or Expedia or other on-line sites. Student fares may be available through www.studentuniverse.com or other sources. Please send us your flight itinerary once you have booked it. Emergency contact numbers in Chile will be provided in case of flight delays or missed connections.

Questions? E-mail or call Wesley Hill at GSA: , +1-303-357-1005.

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Students and Friends

 2006 GeoTrips

• Desert Trails of the Atacama
  June 2006

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