Geology Field Trip-Eggby, SW

Tuesday 4/14/15-Thursday 4/16/15

Two full days of driving around in vans, stopping at spots all around southwest Sweden, to examine the landscape. It was rainy for two days but we persevered in the name of science (more like Mark made us)! We actually really enjoyed learning. Mark said we are by far the most enthusiastic and memorable group of students he's worked with. This is his fourth year taking the Gustavus Semester in Sweden students on a trip. Check out our learning with photos and more information below!

Us on the precambrian peneplain which is now mostly Lake Vänern

Me, Zach and Pat in the foreground. 

Mt. Billingen

Layered sand. Overtime sand was deposited by the glacier. We can tell what direction the glacier was moving based on the pattern.

There is also a layer of clay! And we played…

Becca, Lindsey and Mark checking out the sand layers

Me with my clay

Pat and Kenzie having a clay fight

Kenzie

Kenzie and Pat

Becca and I made a bird's nest with eggs

Jorgen with his clay mustache and goatee 

Our dirty from geologizng all day

Wally with a mud hand print on her face

Becca's birthday cake! We forgot real birthday candles so we used this big church candle we found. 

When this area was a big sea there were small sea creatures that lived here. Because there was no oxygen in the water their bodies were never decomposed and now they can be found in the rock among the shale. 

The layered shale

An old church and ruins of a monastery where we ate lunch. Zach is in the background. 

Hannah and I on our hike up Billingen. 

A long time ago, lava flowed up through the cracks to the top of the mountain. When it cooled it broke apart into hexagonal columns because it is the shape closest to a circle that covers all surface area. Above is a picture of these columns. They are slowly eroding and falling down. 

The gang! 

Back L to R: Signe, Anna, Amelia, Hannah, Me, Lindsey

Middle: Sidney, Erin, Becca, Laura, Kenzie, Zach, Pat

Front: Paget, Ruby