2019 GSA Northeastern Section

54th Annual Meeting

Holiday Inn Portland-By the Bay
17–19 March 2019 • Portland, Maine

SHORT COURSES

For additional information, please contact the Short Course chair, Martin Yates, yates@maine.edu.

1. Drone and Ground-Based Structure from Motion and Ortho-Imagery Surveys for Geological Mapping.

Instructors: Seth Campbell, University of Maine; Nick Whiteman, University of Maine.

Friday 15 March. Fee US$50. Size limit: 20.

This workshop will cover the basics of SfM theory: How it works, assumptions, limitations, and field survey design. Following the theory section of this workshop, a few case studies will be discussed, to include: coastal marine geology, glacier environments, and geological outcrops. Emphasis will be placed on survey design, assumptions, and limitations for each field example. In the afternoon, students will participate in a local field survey using drone and ground-based platforms. The course will conclude with a step-by-step demonstration of processing the data to generate DEM and ortho-rectified imagery. The learning objectives we hope students will gain from this workshop include: 1) a basic understanding of how SfM works, 2) limitations and assumptions made in SfM, 3) how to set up SfM survey, 4) steps used generate DEMs and Ortho-imagery, and 5) if SfM is useful for their own field research, what the most useful and efficient survey design would be.

2. Ground-Penetrating Radar Theory and Applications to Geological Mapping.

Instructors: Seth Campbell, University of Maine; Steve Arcone, Dartmouth College and ERDC-CRREL

Saturday 16 March. Fee: US$50. Size limit: 20.

This workshop will cover the basics of ground-penetrating radar theory: How radar works, governing physics behind the method, assumptions, limitations, and field survey design. Following the theory section, three case studies will be discussed: fluvial deposits, glacial/bedrock geology, and permafrost and periglacial environments. Emphasis will be placed on survey design, successes, assumptions, and limitations for each field example. In the afternoon, students will participate in a local field survey using a variety of GPR control systems and antennas. The course will conclude with a step-by-step demonstration of processing the field trip data. The learning objectives we hope students to gain include: 1) a basic understanding of how GPR works through controlling physics, 2) limitations and assumptions made in radar surveys, 3) how to set up a radar survey, 4) steps commonly used to process radar data, and 5) if GPR is useful for their own field research, and if so, what the most useful and efficient survey design would be.

3. Introduction to Python Scripting for Data Analysis.

Instructor: Andrew Reeve, University of Maine

(Canceled)

4. Innovations in LA-ICP-MS in the Earth Sciences.

Leaders: Alicia Cruz-Uribe, University of Maine; Hanna Brooks, University of Maine.

Saturday 16 March. No fee. Size limit: 20.

This workshop will take place at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland, ME. The workshop is hosted by the new MAGIC Lab (MicroAnalytical Geochemistry and Isotope Characterization Laboratory) at the University of Maine. The purpose of this workshop is to promote internal and external use of the new laser ablation facility at UMaine, inform users of the capabilities of LA- ICP-QQQ-MS, train users in ICP-MS best practices, and foster collaborations between institutions. A keynote lecture will be given by Chris MacFarlane of the University of New Brunswick, and other activities will include both lecture and practical sessions. Travel and lodging assistance is available for workshop participants, thanks to support from NSF (please contact alicia.cruzuribe@maine.edu to apply). Coffee breaks and lunch on Saturday will be provided.