Republic of Cyprus

Where is Cyprus?

Cyprus is located in the Eastern Mediterranean, south of Turkey and west of Lebanon. Due to it's location, Cyprus' history is complex, as reflected in the food, music, language, and architecture. Additionally, the geology is influenced by proximity to plate tectonic boundaries, providing an incredible outdoor laboratory to observe and study geologic processes and products that have formed (and continue to) over millions of years. Finally, the climate in the Eastern Mediterranean can be harsh (hot and dry), forcing Cypriots to find creative solutions to soil and water shortages.

Why Cyprus?

Cyprus has some incredible and accessible geology (e.g., the Troodos Ophiolite, tsunami deposits and earthquake ruins, and marine terraces), and has a fascinating history. It is a relatively small island, making it possible to explore a range of geologic and environmental features. While it is expensive to fly to the Eastern Mediterranean, the cost of living on the island is reasonably affordable. In addition, there are mosques, castles (see Saint Hilarion Castle as one example), and neolithic ruins, as well as a heavy presence of United Nations to monitor a buffer zone that splits the island (southern half is recognized and a part of the European Union, while the northern half is controlled by the Turkish). Finally, I was fortunate enough to spend half a year in Cyprus as U.S. Fulbright Scholar, which was an incredibly rewarding experience - one that I like to share with UM-D students!

United States Research Fulbright Scholar (2012) to Cyprus: Family Photo on Aphrodite's Beach

What Kind of Geology Will I See in Cyprus?

History of Mining (Roman to Present)

Sedimentary Rocks and Structures

Igneous Intrusions

Evidence of Tectonic History

Exploring Mantle Rock

Search for Sunken Basilicas

What Geology Should I Know BEFORE Going to Cyprus?

Distinguish between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks
Describe rock properties
Know significance of indicator minerals
Understand processes and types of plate tectonic boundaries
Describe dykes and sills
Identify different kinds of folds and faults

Describe pillow lavas
Understand earthquake processes (waves), damage, and tsunamis
Sketch and understand hydrologic cycle
Describe soil properties
Know how fossils form and what environment they indicate
Understand spatial and temporal scales (rates)

What Makes a Visit to Cyprus Unique?

Visit to U.N. Buffer Zone (Nicosia) to Visit with U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Official

Hanging with Locals at a "Football" Match (APOEL v. Larnaca)

Touring Amiantos Mine to Learn About Remediation and the Unique Operation

Kayaking and Coastal Orienteering to Explore Western Coast of Cyprus

Visiting One of the Most Spectacular Ancient Ruins at Kourion

Visiting Choirokoitia, an Ancient Neolithic Settlement Featuring Reconstructed Huts and Historical Information

Learning How Cypriots Deal with Water Shortages and Soil Degradation

(Olive) Tree Hugging: Appreciating Historical Value of Lemons, Oranges, Olives, and...

Accommodation and Transportation

Accommodation varies, but in Cyprus, it typically includes either an apartment or hostel. This means shared facilities (bathroom, kitchen), including sleeping arrangements. It is important students understand they are a part of a small living community. You can watch an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) record the pool, apartment, and neighborhood (Kiti) of our last visit to Cyprus in 2015.

Each day is spent driving from accommodation to two or more sites. This is typically done with larger vans (in Cyprus, it is usually at least two 7 or 9 passenger vehicles). It is also important to remember that Cyprus was a British colony, so driving is on opposite side of car / road ("Look Left, Look Right, Look Left Again" before crossing a road)!