Precambrian Research Center

Precambrian Field Camp Capstone Mapping Projects

The highlight of the Precambrian field camp is a week of detailed bedrock mapping in various locations within or near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in northeastern Minnesota. These capstone projects are conducted during the fifth week of camp with students dispersed into small field parties composed of 2-5 students and an instructor. Capstone field areas have not been previously mapped in detail. Indeed, a major objective of the capstone projects is to emulate a real world experience of mapping in an area where there is no "key". Students are mentored in the technical and practical aspects of mapping in wilderness areas by experienced field instructors. Students are able to choose the capstone project they wished to participate in.   Following the week of field mapping, students return to UMD to digitally compile their field data and construct geologic maps of the capstone areas during the final week of camp. They present their final geologic maps and reports on their capstone experience on the last day of camp to their fellow students, instructors, and invited geoscientists from industry, academia, and government agencies.

Capstone project areas for the 2007, 2008 and 2009 field camps are shown below. Click on Capstone Project titles listed on the right to download a pdf of the geologic maps and Powerpoint presentations produced by the students for each project.

2009 Capstone Mapping Projects

Download (be patient, may take several minutes) Geologic Maps Disappointment Lake Bingshick Lake Homer Lake Tait Lake Duluth   Powerpoint Presentations: Disappointment Lake Bingshick Lake Homer Lake Tait Lake Duluth