Course Description

Geology 151 (Peru). This course will focus on geologic hazards on a convergent plate margin. The field area of concentration is the Cordillera Blanca region of the central Peruvian Andes. Field projects involve mapping active faults along the west side of the Cordillera, documenting evidence for catastrophic drainage of glacial lakes and evidence for accelerated mass movements, including the catastrophic 1970 Yungay landslide. Consideration will be given to societal adaptations of people in an underdeveloped country to the constant threat of natural hazards.

Additionally, we will map glacial features and other geomorphic features of regional climate change, and consider the affect of global climate change on the sustainability of the lifestyles of indigenous people in this region.

This course will require considerable physical fitness and ability to cope with physically challenging and stressful conditions. Much of the course will be taught between 8,000 and 15,000’ above sea level, and many nights will be spend in tents.