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Spring 2010

Field-based Geological Educational Programs Gain Global Reputation

In 2006, the Precambrian Research Center (PRC) was organized as a geologic field mapping institute jointly managed by the Natural Resources Research Institute and the Department of Geological Sciences.

The main program of the PRC is a six-week summer field camp in northeast Minnesota that attracts advanced geology students from throughout the US. The camp is unique in its focus on ancient Precambrian rocks of the Canadian Shield. Students in the PRC camp are trained not only in geologic skills that are particularly useful in this terrane (i.e. use of geophysics, glacial till mapping, drill core logging), but are also shown how to navigate through the wetlands and boreal forests of our area.

Another major PRC program is professional workshops held annually at UMD on various topics related to field studies in the Lake Superior region. In October of 2009, 22 geoscientists attended a workshop on the geology and mineral deposits of gabbroic rocks, such as the Duluth Complex. There are plans for a third workshop this coming October on the geology of iron formations.(read more)