The Geology of Mount Shasta Class and Field Trip

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On September 23 and 25, Jennie and I attended the two three-hour lectures entitled "The Geology of Mount Shasta" taught by William Hirt, PhD, the geology professor at College of the Siskiyous (COS) in Weed. He received his undergraduate degree from UC Santa Barbara and his PhD from UCLA. Professor Hirt is a knowledgeable and dedicated scientist, with the enthusiasm and skill needed to explain complex geologic concepts in a way that the non-scientist can understand and appreciate.

On the Saturday following the two lectures, Professor hirt conducted a nine-hour field trip completely encircling Mount Shasta with stops at nine sites to intimately explore a lava-tube cave; lava flows; volcanic domes; mud flows; igneous rocks; the indications of Mount Shasta's four major eruptive events; glaciation features; and a cross section of pyroclastic flows. While driving the van over some extremely treacherous un-paved roads, Hirt managed to keep the 18 students entertained and informed. By the time we had finished the lectures and the tour of the mountain our knowledge of Mount Shasta's geologic setting; the forces that created it; its eruptive history; and its potential volcanic hazards were well understood by every student. More information about the Geology of Mount Shasta and the Geology Department at COS can be found at the following Web site: "College of the Siskiyou's Geology Dept."

Speaking for myself I came away from the experience with a solid understanding of why Mount Shasta is where it is; why it looks as it does; what materials it is made of; the causes and consequences of lava flows, mud flows, pyroclastic flows, and debris avalanches; AND why that big chunk of andesite is sitting in our back yard.

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