with Richard Little
3 Saturdays – October 22, 29, and November 5
10 am – 4 pm

This is the best place in the world to study geology.  Find out why in this introduction to Connecticut Valley geology.  All field sites will be easily accessible, but some require walking on rocky established trails with up to 100 feet of elevation gain. Members $95 Non-members $115. Register here.

Day 1:
Valley Geologic History presentation and field trip – Richard will present a vivid-imagery overview of the geologic history of the Valley – plate tectonics, earthquakes, vulcanism,         dinosaurs, glaciers – they all happened right here! We will have rock samples to examine.

Picnic lunch at the Hitchcock Center (or TBA)

Afternoon field trip to the Mt. Tom Reservation to view the basalt cliffs and the Trustees of Reservations Dinosaur Footprint site on route 5 in Holyoke.

Day 2:
Presentation and Field Trip. We’ll begin with a slide presentation about Glaciers and how Lake Hitchcock and the amazing Valley agricultural soils were formed. This will include handouts.

Picnic Lunch and discussion at the Hitchcock Center

Field trip along route 116 and route 63 to view a variety of glacial sediments and landforms including deltas, sand dunes, and some fascinating clay layers

Day 3: 
Field Trip Day. Today we will meet at the French King Bridge, Rte. 2, Erving. From the base of the bridge (Dorsey Rd), we will head west on route 2 toward Greenfield visiting various sites for geologic excitement!  Picnic lunch or buy at Stop and Shop in Greenfield, the site of one of our explorations. Wait until you see the armored mud balls in Greenfield!Our travels will take us through Deerfield and Sunderland as we return back to the Amherst area by the end of the afternoon.