This document summarizes a geology field assignment completed by Norma Alvarez. It includes identification and descriptions of 5 rock samples collected from various locations. Samples include phyllite, andesite, granite, and sandstone. Descriptions of field observations of a fault, various weathering processes, mass wasting and erosion events, and different sedimentary environments are also provided. Examples given include frost wedging, oxidation, rock slides, and transitional, continental, and marine environments. The document concludes with photos of canal banks used for irrigation in farming, highlighting the practical use of geology.

1. Field AssignmentBy Norma Alvarez

2. Part 1

3. Metamorphic RockThis first rock I had a little trouble identifying it but I classify this rock as Phyllite rock. This rock was found along the Kings River. I found this rock somewhat buried in the dirt. The surrounding of this rock contained many rocks like this one and many other different types rocks. Where I found this rock their was a huge tall rock formation. Their was also a small water fall flowing off one if the rocks. There was many different types of pebbles and rocks in the little stream.

4. Igneous RockMy second rock I had a really hard time identifying but I’m going to say that its Andesite. I found this rock in Pismo Beach CA. I found this rock near the peer buried in the sand. What I found interesting was the white stuff that is all over the sides. Some of the white on top of the rock would break off at the touch, I have no idea what it could be. I think that the waves have a lot to do with the formation and the texture of this rock.

5. Igneous RockFor my third rock I'm classifying it as Granite. This rock was found by the King River. The rock was near the shore of the river on a little cliff. The surrounding of the rock contained some grass and many little rocks around it that had a similar look to it. The following slide has a close up of this rock. You could some what see the crystals as the sun shined on it a little better.

6. Cont.This is an up close picture of the previous slide.Her in this picture you could kind of see the crystals a little better and of course the granite texture as well.

7. Igneous RockFor my fourth rock I found it at a higher altitude than the other rock that I had collected there at the Kings River. This rock despite the brownish color it has on top and the grayish color it gives off, this rock had a small amount of little crystals and it has the black and white granite texture which many igneous rocks poses. The next slide has a close up of this rock. That rock in the next slide came off one of these big rocks because their was plenty of these little rocks lying on the ground.

8. Cont. This rock is the one I mentioned in the previous slide.

9. Sedimentary RockMy fifth rock I found in Pismo Beach CA. I struggled a little to identify this rock but I’m going to say that its Sandstone because of it fine-grained texture . I found this rock in the on the shore, this rock had some layered look to it I think the waves helped with the forming of those layers. Sandstone is a very common sedimentary rock.

10. Cont…This is a side view of the previous rock. Here in this picture you could see the layers the rock has.

11. Part 2

12. FaultI classify this as a dip-slip fault. This cliff was on the side of the road near the Kings River. On the close up picture you could see the displacement that has taken place. Weathering Processes The picture on the left is a good example of frost wedging a characteristic of mechanical weathering. This picture was taken in Squaw Valley CA. The picture of these rocks is of a small cliff on the side of the road, this cliff is usually covered in snow.

13. The picture on the right is an example of oxidation. It a good example of chemical weathering Mass Wasting & Erosion EventsThe picture on the left is an example of an erosion event. The natural movements of water against the cliffs causes erosion because every time the water washes up against those cliffs it takes some particles back into the ocean.

14. The bottom picture on the right is another good example of erosion, this picture was taken of a canal bank in Corcoran.

15. The picture on the top is an example if mass wasting. This picture is from a small rock slide along the Highway 198 to King City.Different Sedimentary Environments The picture on the left is an example of transitional environment, I took this picture in Pismo Beach CA. This show the transition from land to water. To the left of the peer you will find the sand dunes and if you look towards those rocks, past them are such beaches as Avila Beach, Cayucos, and Morro Bay.

16. The picture on the right is an example of continental environment, I took this picture in the Sequoia National Park CA. I took this in January when their was still plenty of snow up there. Sedimentary Environments Cont. This is an example of a marine environment. Which is the bigger bodies of water and the shallow seas. I took this picture in Pismo Beach CA. Practical Use of GeologyThese are pictures of canal banks that are used to move water to irrigate crops. These pictures were taken in two different canals in Corcoran CA. Corcoran is really big in farming so the formation of canals is very essential to the farmers there. Especially this time of year when all the growing of the crops and cotton is beginning.