Two faculty members in the department of geology, geography and planning at Missouri State University, Dr. Kevin Evans, assistant professor, and Dr. Kevin Mickus, professor, were awarded a $9,690 grant from the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Geologic Mapping Program, EDMAP, for the project “Structural and Statigraphic Evolution of the Southern Margin of Laurentia: Geologic Mapping of the Jane 7.5-Minute Quadrangle.” The primary goal of the project is to help students learn geology in the field and train them to do geologic mapping, while uncovering the historic, environmental and economic aspects of the region being mapped.

“Geology is one of the sciences where students can learn much more effectively in the field than the classroom, and this EDMAP program is a perfect way to introduce students to the practical application of geology,” said Evans. “Geologic mapping is a science and an art that literally requires lateral and fourth-dimensional thinking, and training the next generation of geologic mappers will be crucial to Missouri’s future.”

Twelve university undergraduates have been involved in mapping the Jane 7.5-minute quadrangle to date under the supervision of Mickus and Evans, with Damon Bassett, geology instructor, and Dr. Jim Miller, emeritus professor of geology, assisting in the collection and processing of rock and core samples from the area. The final outcome of the project will be a high-resolution geologic map of the quadrangle and a report that the students and faculty will produce and publish jointly through the U.S. Geological Survey and the Missouri Division of Geology and Land Survey.

For more information, contact Evans at (417) 547-5590.

#

About Missouri State University
Missouri State University is a public, comprehensive university system with a mission in public affairs, whose purpose is to develop educated persons while guided by three overarching and enduring commitments to student learning, inclusive excellence and institutional impact. The university’s identity is distinguished by its statewide mission in public affairs, which entails a campus-wide commitment to foster competence and responsibility in ethical leadership, cultural competence and community engagement.

New media resources
For more information about MSU, visit www.missouristate.edu. You can also be our fan on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, add us to your circle on Google+ and see what’s happening on YouTube. Receive notification of Missouri State news releases as soon as they are posted by subscribing to our RSS feed.

Filed Under: evans · geography geology and planning · Kevin Mickus · research