For this project, our class ventured out to the location of our first field trip, Table Bluff.  Table Bluff is located at: Lat. 40° 41.856’N  Lon. 124° 16.329’W.  We were told in class that the lower portion of this structure consists of Rio Dell mudstone that is about one million years old.  The middle portion is approximately one hundred thousand years old, and the top is about sixty thousand years old.
 
    By returning to this site, we were challenged to put our newly learned skills to the test.  We observed the site and identified different layers of strata, took samples of these layers, measured the thickness of the strata, and recorded all field observations, interpretations and measurements.  Our samples had to be labeled carefully so they would match up with our field interpretations.  The second part of this project involved lab analysis of our samples.  Once back in class, we were able to do further analysis of our samples.  The detailed data tables about the structure and content of each of the unit samples, and an overall graphical interpretation of the site as a whole, referred to as a Stratagraphic Column, are contained herein.  Through analysis of trends found both at the site, and within our data sets, we were thus, able to attempt to interpret the geologic history of this site.
 
    In this report, I will share the procedures our group used both in the class and out in the field.  I will then interpret the data we developed with these procedures in order to define the results.  Finally, I will interpret the results, and provide an overview of the site.  In doing so, I will provide my hypothesis for the geologic history of the site, and the impact this type of interpretation has had on my life.
 
    Our group consisted of four to five members; this number differed because one of our group members was unable to stay for the fieldwork portion of this project.  This may therefore contribute to a difference in interpretation between group members, and certainly contributed to more work for us, as four of us struggled, out in the wind and cold, to do the job of five.  In the field, one of the group members recorded data in the data table provided with our lab book.  This collection consisted of such data as stratagraphic thickness, sample locations, and rock descriptions.  A cleaned up version of this data table is provided in the following pages and is referred to as, Data Table #1.  Two of the group members measured the thickness of the layers of strata by using the Jacob’s Staff.  One member collected samples in plastic baggies, while another filled out data tags to identify each sample.  Two members also kept a running sketch of the stratigraphy of the site, which would eventually help to design the Stratagraphic Column, contained at the end of this report.  As you can see, there were more than four peoples worth of positions here.  I myself, recorded all notes, sketched the site, and acted as sample assistant.  We began at the bottom of the site, and measured, sampled, and recorded unit stratigraphy all the way to the top.  Once at the top, we huddled together for several minutes to confer about the data we had all worked to collect.  We compared notes and feelings.  We discussed a plan of action for our upcoming lab, and decided that I should type up
the notes I had taken and provide these for each of the group members.  I also developed some blank data tables that assisted in the lab data collection.  Finally, we gave the instruments and our samples to our instructor.
 
    Once our samples made it back to class, our instructor laid them out in separate cardboard containers, so that each sample could dry out for more accurate analysis.  Our lab procedures were much easier to accomplish because everyone was present.  Three of the group members chose samples 7 and 9 as our representative samples.  They then weighed each of these samples separately, to assess the total weight of each sample.  These samples were then sifted and each sieve section was weighed and recorded.  By taking these weights, we could then divide the total weight by each of the sieve size weights in order to determine the grain size break-up of each of the samples.  This data is contained in Data Table #2, below.  Two members of the group analyzed all eleven samples using macroscopic methods (their eyes) to determine grain size, sorting, and mineralogy of the samples, while three members of the group used microscopic methods to do the same.  We then got together as a group and collaborated about our findings to everyone’s satisfaction.  This data can be found in the table referred to as Data Table #3.

Data Table #1
Field Observations of Strata Units

Unit Number	Grain Size	Color	Cementation	Unit Thickness	Contacts	Sample Number
1	Mud & Sand sized grains	Red and Gray clay White (Dry) Grey Clay/Mud, Red Clay layer	Well cemented with roots and vegetable matter	4m	Sharp	1
2	Sand	Sandy Beige	Medium to Well Cemented	0.8m	Sharp to Gradual	2
3	Conglomerate	Various	Well Cemented	0.1m	Sharp	3
4	Gray Clay	Gray	Well Cemented	0.6m	Sharp	4
5	Sand	Orange, Beige, to White sand	Medium to Poorly Cemented	1.2m	Sharp	5
6	Conglomerate	Various	Poorly Cemented	1.1m	Sharp	6
7	Sand	Orange and Sandy Beige	Poorly Cemented	0.7m	Sharp	7
8	Conglomerate and Sand with Alternate Bedding.	Large Clasts at the top and a pocket or vein of Gray and Red clay with some dark (organic?) matter.	Various Poorly to Moderately Cemented	2.5m	Gradual	8
9	Various Sand to Medium sized Clasts	Various, Orange to Beige sand	Poorly to Moderately Cemented	7.7m	Gradual	9
10	Red Clay Layer	Orange to Dark Brown	Moderately Cemented	1m	Sharp	10
11	Conglomerate, Sand and Topsoil	Dark to Light Brown	Moderately to Well Cemented	2.5m	Sharp to Gradual	11
			Total Thickness of Site = 22.2m

    As you can see, Data Table #1 shows the breakdown of our observations out in the field.  Each strata unit was divided and samples were taken according to unit number.  The resulting table shows that this structure contained at least eleven distinct layers.  There were obviously many more subtle divisions in the strata, but because of time and physical restrictions (i.e. there were some places that we weren’t able to access safely), led to an approximation in our measurements and unit divisions.

Data Table #2
Grain Size Analysis and Lab Observations for Two Representative Samples (7&9)

Sieve Size	Weight of Sample, Site #7	Percent by Volume/Weight
Over 4mm	1.3g	1.717%
4mm to 2mm	1.4g	1.849%
2mm to 0.5mm	3.8g	5.019%
0.5mm to 0.25mm	37.2g	49.141%
0.25mm to 0.125mm	28.1g	37.120%
0.125mm to 0.625mm	2.6g	3.434%
0.0625mm and Under	1.3g	1.717%

Total Weight of Sample #7	Rounding	Sorting	Composition
75.7g	Well rounded to sub-angular	Well Sorted Clay to fine sand.	Some large sand.  Medium to dark beige/yellow when dry.

Sieve Size	Weight of Sample, Site #9	Percent by Volume/Weight
Over 4mm	92.7g	51.672%
4mm to 2mm	43.6g	24.303%
2mm to 0.5mm	27.3g	15.217%
0.5mm to 0.25mm	12g	6.688%
0.25mm to 0.125mm	2.5g	1.393%
0.125mm to 0.625mm	0.7g	0.390%
0.0625mm and Under	0.6g	0.334%

Total Weight of Sample #9	Rounding	Sorting	Composition
179.4g	Rounded to sub-angular	Medium to poor sorting	Contains meta-chert, sandstone, fine sand to large boulders.  Medium brown to beige when dry.

    Data Table #2 provides the detailed analysis of the grain size and composition for Representative Samples #7&9.  This table consists of a separate table for each of the two samples, and each of these sub-tables are divided in two.  The top half of the samples’ table is a breakdown of the gain size percentage for said sample.  The bottom portion of the table supplies the total weight of the sample and information about its composition and structure, after it had been dried in the lab.

Data Table #3
Lab Analysis of Samples
 

Sample #	Rounding	Sorting	Composition
1	Well rounded	Well sorted Clay and silt sized particles.	Light to medium gray when dry.
2	Well rounded	Well sorted Fine sand and silt sized particles.	Light beige to medium gray when dry.
3	Angular to sub-angular	Poor to medium sorting	Small boulders of chert, quartz, blueschist, and sandstone.  Various colors, beige to gray overall when dry.
4	Well rounded	Well sorted	Light to medium gray/blue clay, when dry.
5	Well rounded to sub-angular	Well sorted	Fine sand, medium to light beige when dry.
6	Sub-rounded	Poorly sorted Fine sand to small boulders.	Red and green chert, sandstone, blueschist, quartz.  Various colors and types of clasts.
7	See Data Table #2	See Data Table #2	See Data Table #2
8	Sub-angular	Poorly sorted Large sand to large boulders.	Contains bright orange clay clumps and pockets of black, fine grained, organic material.  Boulders are chert, meta-chert, sandstone, and conglomerate.
9	See Data Table #2	See Data Table #2	See Data Table #2
10	Sub-angular	Poor sorting Clay to Medium boulders.	Lots of sand.  Clay is bright orange when dry and has evidence of mud-cracks.  Boulders are meta-chert
11	Rounded to sub-angular	Poorly sorted Silt to medium boulders and dark brown topsoil.	Light beige sand when dry.  Contains quartz, meta-chert and a few blueschists.

  Data Table #3 is very much like the bottom of the tables contained in Data Table #2.  It provides an overview of the composition and structure of all eleven samples.  By observing the data contained within each of these tables together, we are able to begin determining the depositional environment and geologic history of each of these layers.
 
    Unit #1 started at the bottom of the structure, and was composed of gray mud and clay with a three-inch layer of red clay at the unit’s top.  We were told in class that a medium sized clam was found somewhere within this unit, which leads me to speculate that this layer was once in or near the pacific ocean, in an environment of slow moving water.  This layer measured 4 meters in thickness and was one of the largest units recorded.  The sample from this unit was homogenous mud, silt and clay particles that were tightly compacted, but loosely cemented.  Because this bottom unit at Table Bluff was so far away from the ocean where it once originated, we can assume that a substantial amount of uplift and movement inland has occurred to place this structure in such a position.
 
    Unit #2 was a layer of sand that was 0.8 meters thick.  It was moderately cemented, but once dry, broke apart easily.  This suggests that this layer did not undergo tremendous pressure or compaction.  It was most likely deposited in an environment where the water was at moderate to low energy, or perhaps was part of a beach.
 
    Unit #3 was a very fine layer of medium sized conglomerate.  It was well cemented, but broke apart easily once dried.  The conglomerate consisted of a poorly sorted group of meta-chert, chert, quartz, blueschist, and sandstone.  This layer suggests a very short period of time, comparably, wherein a moderate water-flow deposited a small layer of well-traveled conglomerate.  This reminds me of the layer of small conglomerate that is found below rocks that are being worn away by the surf.  I would hypothesize, it was at this time, that some of the uplift began, pushing Units 1-3 well above the ocean current, and allowing layers 4-11 to be deposited above, with little wear and tear from the ocean.
 
    In Unit #4, we discovered another layer of clay.  This time, when dry, it appeared a little bluer in color.  This may mean that its depositional environment differed from the gray clay found in Unit #1 and suggested that water had begun to flow over this area.  The water was low in intensity, and deposited a layer of fine, blue mud.
 
    Unit #5 was another layer of sand.  This sand was well sorted and rounded, but slightly coarser than Unit #2, suggesting that the water flow in this area began to increase, depositing sand sized grains.
 
    Unit #6 consisted of a distinct layer of small to medium conglomerate.  This layer was poorly cemented, sub-rounded, and poorly sorted. Consistent with the growing depositional strength of a channel of water, this layer contained small to medium sized boulders of red and green chert, quartz, blueschist, and sandstone.
 
    Unit #7 contained mostly fine to coarse sand granules.  This suggests that perhaps the depositional environment changed once again.  It may be that either the water-flow slowed again, or that the channel meandered elsewhere.  Either way, water-flow over this layer was consistent with low flow energy.
 
    Unit #8 was by far, the most remarkable.  It consisted, from the bottom to the top, medium conglomerate that displayed crosshatching, suggesting direction of flow, and a sand layer that contained a vein of bright orange clay that was topped by a dark black layer of organic material.   This organic material was splayed on either side by medium to large conglomerate and topped by another layer of sand.  This sand layer was then topped by a layer of large conglomerate.  This unit suggests a dynamic channel, or river that was meandering.  Violent storms and floods could explain the strange and varied structure of this unit.  I have observed rivers around this area after violent winters with lots of rainfall, and have noticed that they are more likely, in those years, to change direction and meander, leaving a site dry and bare much of the summer, that had had water flowing over it for years before.  The organic matter found in the middle of this unit may suggest just this; the water took a different path at this time, allowing a layer of vegetation to grow during the spring and summer, perhaps even over many years.  But, eventually the water-flow increased enough to cover over this layer of clay and vegetation.  And as the rainfall increased, the channel grew once again, in size and load capacity.

    Unit #9, the largest unit, further supports that the channel had once again moved to our site, and was now carrying large amounts of water and sediment.  This layer was almost eight meters thick and was mostly well-polished meta-chert, with a few sandstones.  This thick layer of very large boulders suggests a turbulent time of heavy water-flow.  If this area had once been a small tributary broken off from the stem of a larger channel, it was now most certainly part of the heart of a fast moving, full channel.
 
    Unit #10 was a 1 meter thick section of sand with a red clay layer at it’s top.  This suggests that the massive amounts of water again died down to a trickle and the channel moved away from the area once again.  The clay was bright orange when dry, and showed evidence of mud-cracks.  These cracks are evidence of a time when a stagnant, mineral rich pool of water sat at the site.  This standing water eventually evaporated and withstood a time of dryness, or drought.
 
    Finally, Unit #11 consisted of small to medium conglomerate, much like that in Unit #9.  This suggests that water levels again increased and carried varying conglomerate downstream.  The topsoil layer at the apex the site suggests that perhaps the channel then retreated, to flow in another area for quite some time.  This fertile soil has leached minerals like iron, into the structure at Table Bluff leaving many of the units stained red, orange, and shining with a purple, mineral sheen.  This structure then sat, possibly being uplifted all the while by the subduction going on below it, near the ocean.
 
    All of this evidence combined leaves me to believe that, in the beginning, this structure was part of a marine layer, just offshore.  As uplifting occurred, the beach sands and a small amount of conglomerate were then uplifted along with this marine mud layer, above the waterline.  This uplift then continued, slowly or rapidly, I cannot be sure.  At this point in its history, the structure could have been a part of a delta, where a river meets the ocean.  As more uplift occurred, the structure was moved further inland, which allowed it to be incorporated into the larger river channel.  As the channel underwent varying times of flood, drought, or moderate flow, the river meandered back and forth across this site, leaving behind alternating layers of clay, sand, and conglomerate.  Finally, this area was left to stand for some time.  Perhaps, a final bit of extreme uplift raised it higher than the channel could flow.  This would have left the topsoil to settle and become useful to local residents.  It seems that erosion has begun again at Table Bluff, as a ravine is now carved throughout the core of each layer of strata.  Perhaps, a hundred years from now, maybe less, the rocks will be worn away enough, and the river will rise high enough, to once again incorporate this structure into the belly of a great river.  But for now, when the rains come, this structure is worn away bit by bit, and a layer of conglomerate and sand is deposited in it’s place.  A graphical representation of this cycle and a map of the area surrounding Table Bluff can be found at the very end of this report.
 
    To conclude, I would like to delve into what this type of interpretation has taught me.  Over and over again, I am becoming aware of cycles within my life and within nature, which on the surface seem so complex and strange that I can scarcely believe one could understand them.  But, once you dig into these cycles, and reveal the strata, the cycle becomes clear, and the world, while highly complex, seems almost simple.  This same type of exploration touches me on a very spiritual and creative level.  In so many ways, these types or projects are no different from unraveling many of the mysteries in the universe.  We are interpreting the blueprints of the cycles that make us human, that mold us into who we are.  You may find the following statements a bit hard to swallow, but please bear in mind, that they are simply my opinions.  I believe in the spirit that encompasses the life that surrounds me, and the life that we are yet unaware.  I am touched by the "Sun God" daily, and in turn, am in touch with his mistress, the "Moon Goddess" whose shape is ever shifting.  Their cycles offer the ebb and flow that makes our planet unique in our solar system.  Their turning dominates our lives and gives us direction, sustenance & life.  I honor earth, air, fire, and water, in their ever-changing forms.  And everything that is touched by, or made of these elements, in turn, contains a sacred spirit.  This may sound silly to some, but I find beauty and creative inspiration in life’s spirit, in its cycles.  I try to celebrate this inspiration whenever I get the chance.  My inspiration takes many forms, but in this case, words seemed to best describe what I was seeing and feeling.  I wrote a poem in April of this year.  And the more I read it, I believe that this project had a little something to do with it.  For this creative energy, I am truly grateful.  The poem is entitled “Rain,” and is contained on the next page.  To help illustrate this inspiration, I will attempt a freehand sketch of how my experience at Table Bluff has made me feel, just to fill up the white space at the bottom of this page.

*Attention*
This report is copyrighted by me.
Do not copy, even in portion!
It is a local Geology report so it will do you no good to copy it and turn it in at any other school.
And don't bother turing it in at CR either, because Dave Bazard knows me
and he made a copy of this report to use it as an example of how hands-on field study works in the class setting.
I am very proud of this so please respect me and honor my wishes.
I worked really hard on this and received an A on the report and the top grade in my class.