Field notes

Notebooks: Taking clear and concise field notes is a very important skill. The data and the record of your observations will be used as the basis for interpretation. Your notebook needs to record what you did at each site (even things that seem obvious at the time – you will forget them), recorded at the time, and include all your observations, supported by sketches. Good notebooks are well laid out, legible and contain copious sketches and diagrams. For this virtual field trip, we suggest a simple Microsoft Word document where you can insert photographs of your sketches.

Tips: (1) Place a date and page number in the top right corner for each page. Have a consistent layout to the information you gather at each site. Put a box around or underline important text (use different colours). (2) Aim to do as many detailed and labelled sketches each day as you can. Always sketch everything that you photograph or investigate online – it is very easy to forget why a photograph was taken. Make a short note as to why you have made a sketch to remind yourself of the importance of the sketch and the key relationship you are trying to show. Add short notes about the outcrop that you sketch and mark where any special observations are made. Use colour to highlight key features in your sketch. Make sure each sketch is labelled with a title, location (grid reference or latitude/longitude), scale and orientation (north arrow or a ‘view towards’ direction for sketches of vertical sections). Don’t be afraid to think into your notebook and flesh out, for example, alternative interpretations that you are considering, or summarise the information that might distinguish between different explanations of an observation. These records will be useful when you come to build a final interpretation. Make sure that you indicate clearly what is observation and what is interpretation. (3) It is difficult to decide which data will be critical to your interpretation of the geology while you are in the field so collect as much information as you possibly can.

Checklist for recording information in your field notes

1. Location: A six figure grid reference or latitude/longitude should be recorded. A description of the position of the exposure and a sketch map may be needed.

2. Rock type: Colour What is the colour of the rock? Is there a difference between the colours of the weathered and fresh surfaces? Grain sizes Record the range of sizes present. Minerals present Identify the main minerals present in the rock. Rock type Identify the rock type or types present. Describe any peculiarities or characteristics of the rocks.

3. Sedimentary structures: Bedding Are the bedding planes evenly spaced or not. Is the rock thinly or thickly bedded? Are the bedding surfaces planar or undulating or irregular? What is the strike and dip of the bedding? Other sedimentary structures Describe any other sedimentary structures, e.g. cross-bedding, channels, ripples, sole-markings, concretions, etc., which may be present. Sketch these features.

4. Tectonic structures: Foliation Record the dip and strike of planar structures such as schistosity or banding of gneiss or mylonite. Cleavage Record the dip and strike of slaty or fracture cleavage. Joints & Fractures Record the dips and strikes. Faults Record dip and strike and direction and amount of movement. Folds Sketch the folding and record the trend and plunge of fold axes. Lineation Record the trend and plunge of lineations such as cleavage–bedding intersections or preferred orientation of elongate minerals. Other minor structures Note the presence of any other structures such as tension gashes, slickensides, etc., and the direction of movement implied.

5. Junctions Many exposures have more than one rock type present. Note the distribution of the rock types in the exposure and the nature and orientation of the boundaries.

6. Other Note any other obvious features, e.g. mineralisation, relationships of different rock types to each other, etc.

7. Sketches As well as sketching individual features, larger-scale sketches illustrating the structure of the rocks or relating the geology to topography are necessary.

Until you have developed a routine of examining rocks in the field you should copy this list into your field notebook as a reminder of features to look for and measure at each site.

Health and Safety

Fieldwork can be quite strenuous and weather conditions may be a little less than ideal at times, so you should be properly equipped and reasonably fit. If you have any medical condition or disability which may affect your participation or special requirements, you must inform us so that due consideration can be taken, or alternative arrangements made. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

Geological fieldwork is an activity involving some inherent risks because it is often undertaken in remote areas or rugged terrains, or in quarries or mines. In addition, severe weather conditions are likely to be encountered in all seasons. However, by taking reasonable precautions it is possible to reduce the risks to an acceptable level. It is everyone’s duty to ensure that fieldwork is undertaken in a safe manner. It is imperative that individuals cooperate by following guidelines, and act responsibly during fieldwork to minimise the risk of accidents.

There are some particularly important points regarding safety in the field which need to be stressed.

1. Glasses must be worn when hammering rocks. Never use a hammer as a chisel, and do not hammer near others.

2. Always stay with the party and obey all instructions. Do not climb any rock faces or enter any workings unless properly supervised. Never roll rocks down steep slopes or try to slide down slopes.

3. Report any injury, illness, or harassment immediately. Do not try to achieve more than you can physically manage.

4. Wear adequate clothing, bearing in mind the possibility of changing weather conditions. Boots must be adequate, with good tread. Note that they also provide protection from snake bite, especially to ankles.

Standards of behaviour

While you are doing fieldwork, you are a representative for Geology in general and of Macquarie University. Your conduct can affect not only your ability to carry out the fieldwork but may influence how geologists are regarded for years to come in the field area. A good standard of behaviour is therefore expected in the field and during your social activities. Any problems with behaviour on field courses are dealt with swiftly and sternly. Trip leaders have the authority of the University to dismiss a student from the course.

Conservation of geological sites

Fieldwork is one of the most enjoyable parts of Geology, although it may not seem that way on a chilly, wet afternoon when you are tired, hungry and cold. To get the best out of fieldwork you need to find the best exposures, examine them carefully and record your observations so that you (and others!) can understand and interpret the notes subsequently.

There is increasing pressure on many of the best and most interesting exposures and areas across Australia. In short, many geologists visit the best areas and exposures and cause too much damage. As a result, an increasing number of landowners are reluctant to allow geologists onto their land and formerly good exposures have been spoiled. It is essential that your behaviour in the field conserves the best exposures and maintains access to classic areas for future students and geologists. Think carefully before you hammer – is there a more inconspicuous location to take a sample? Also, bear in mind that hammering in National Parks is not allowed.