EEGS students attend Carolina Geological Society Fall Field Conference

Last weekend 15 UNC Charlotte students from EEGS attended the Carolina Geological Society Meeting Fall Field Conference in Morganton, NC.  These students represented a number of majors, including Geology, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Environmental Studies, and Environmental Engineering.  They attended the field conference with Mr. Armour as part of his Field Methods course.  The students rode up to Morganton Friday afternoon to set up camp at Lake James State Park before heading over to the business meeting and dinner at the Community House in Morganton.  There students enjoyed a buffet dinner, networked with other students and professionals as well receiving a technical introduction to the stops for Saturday and Sunday from the field trip leaders.  

The Saturday stops were led by UNC Charlotte PhD Alum Dr. Brad Johnson from Davidson College.  He discussed the role of stream capture along the eastern side of the Blue Ridge Escarpment along the Linville River and Walker Creek.  We also discussed the effects of Hurricane Helene on the geomorphology of the same areas.  Students explored Linville Falls and Wilson Creek landslides during the day, before heading back to Lake James for a campfire and pasta dinner!

The Sunday stops included the Critical Minerals high-purity quartz quarry in Spruce Pine, NC.  Students explored the quarry and collected fantastic samples of Granodiorite and Schist with beautiful muscovite and garnet crystals.  The crew returned to campus Sunday afternoon after enjoying 3 days of excellent fall weather!