OSHER 195 - Geology of the Mountain West

We are privileged to live in a geologically interesting and revealing region. In class, we'll continue our study of geology beyond Utah to a broader region including such topics as: Psychiographic Provinces (Middle Rocky Mountains, Great Basin, Colorado Plateau); Plate Tectonics (Worldwide Patterns, Spreading Zones, Subducting Zones); Plate Tectonics (effect on: Middle Rockies, Wasatch Mountains, Uinta Mountains, Sevier and Laramide orogenies); Basin and Rabge (Great Basin, Utah and Nevada, Sevier and Laramide orogenies); Colorado Plateau (history of deposition, effects of Sevier and Laramide, monocline formation); effects of Monoclines, Synclines, and Anticlines (Capitol Reef Nat'l Park, Arches Nat'l Park, Grand Staircase Nat'l Park). This course is suitable for continuing and first time students.