2023 North-Central Section Meeting

John VanRegenmorter Grand Rapids Community College, johnvanregenmorter1@grcc.edu; Peter Wampler, Grand Valley State University, wamplerp@gvsu.edu.

Description: The Mississippian Michigan Formation contains thick beds of gypsum, an important mineral to the early economy of west Michigan. Fossils of fish, coprolites, and plants are also found in this formation. Participants will discuss the geology and paleontology in an underground mine and will have the opportunity to collect samples.

Suzanne DeVries-Zimmerman, Hope College, zimmerman@hope.edu; Erin Argyilan, Indiana University Northwest, eargyila@iun.edu; Todd Thompson, Indiana Geological and Water Survey, Indiana University, tthomps@indiana.edu.

Description: Lake Michigan coastal dunes, the world’s largest freshwater dune complexes, are important for understanding coastal development in response to lake-level dynamics and the evolution of coastal dunes and their ecosystems. This trip emphasizes current research on dune dynamics at research sites near Holland, Michigan, and in Indiana Dunes National Park.

Danita Brandt, Michigan State University, brandt@msu.edu; Melinda Higley, Calvin University, mchigley@calvin.edu; Madeline Marshall, Albion College, mmarshall@albion.edu; Heather L. Petcovic, Western Michigan University, heather.petcovic@wmich.edu; Michael Velbel, Michigan State University, velbel@msu.edu; Peter J. Voice, Western Michigan University, peter.voice@wmich.edu; Ian Winkelstern, Grand Valley State University, winkelsi@gvsu.edu.

Description: This trip examines classic Pennsylvanian exposures at Grand Ledge, Michigan, where complex stratigraphy continues to foster discussion and debate. Field stops highlight the bedrock exposures of channelized sandstones, fossil-bearing shales and sandstones, coals, and limestone. A trip to the Pennsylvanian strata exposed at Grand Ledge, Michigan, is often the first geology field experience for many Michigan geology students, making it a vital field-trip resource. This trip will thus also highlight teaching resources, including a tour of the fossils and strata of Michigan’s Coal Measures from the perspective of the educational and cultural importance of these outcrops.