Minerals and Magmas - 625-222

WHAT AND WHERE: To investigate volcanoes and their products in the area around Port Fairy.

LEAVING: Friday, 4th April. The coach will leave at 12:00 noon SHARP from the front of the Earth Sciences Building (Note: ensure you have eaten PRIOR to boarding the coach, we will NOT be stopping at services en route).

RETURNING: Sunday, 6th April around 6:00-6:30 pm.

OBJECTIVES:

This excursion is a compulsory component of unit 625-222 and has several aims. The first is to extend your understanding of volcanism (what controls how violent an eruption is?, what products do we see that support this?, what forms do volcanic features take as a consequence?). Others include an understanding of the composition of the Earth's mantle, the origin of "basaltic" lavas, and other features produced during magmatism.

In order to avoid removing students from too many classes in other subjects, this excursion has been scheduled for the weekend, commencing on Friday afternoon in place of one practical session for this subject. Nevertheless, it is likely that at least some of you will miss a class and will need to arrange to collect lecture notes from friends (or lecturers) to ensure you do not fall behind. Finally, for those who may have part-time work or other commitments on the weekend, please make arrangements to release yourself from these obligations as soon as possible.

BRING:

In addition to items mentioned in "Safety in the field" (below) make sure you have the following.

Personal Items: your lunch (we will stop briefly at a roadhouse in Euroa, so you may wish to purchase lunch at this time) additional clothes, especially a warm jumper wet weather gear and wind proof jacket solid pair of shoes or boots.

Personal items

sleeping bag or sheets and doona
pillow
toilet articles, etc.., including a towel
changes of clothes, especially a warm jumper
wet weather gear and wind proof jacket
solid pair of shoes or boots.

Field equipment

clipboard with paper and/or field note book
pencils and/or pens
hand lens
geological hammer or small sledge hammer (Not to be used in National Parks)
magnet

BEHAVIOUR ON THE EXCURSION

On this trip you will examine a number of rock outcrops either in road-cuttings or in quarries. In particular as a representative from the University of Melbourne you should note:

1. Only use the paths recommended by Staff. The unauthorised climbing of quarry faces or rock outcrops will NOT be allowed.
2. Exercise caution when climbing on boulders, they can be very slippery and you may easily lose your footing.
3. Do not climb fences and leave gates as you find them.
4. Firearms and dangerous knives are banned at all times. Do not bring any.
5. Take all of your rubbish back to the coach for disposal
6. Do not hammer at key geological sites, particularly those pointed out by staff as exhibiting special geological features.
7. No alcohol is to be consumed in University or hired vehicles.

SAFETY IN THE FIELD

Fieldwork frequently puts geologists in hazardous situations. Therefore use your common sense in the field:

• If someone is injured or is ill in the field, make sure a staff member is informed. There will be first aiders on staff to assist. An incident report form should also be completed upon returning from the trip if there has been an injury.
• If there is any situation on the excursion in which you feel unsafe or lack confidence, do not proceed. Inform a staff member of your situation.
• In exiting the coach or vehicles provided for the excursion take care in how you place your feet, protect yourself from sprained ankles.
• Carry a small first aid kit and be familiar with the current first aid treatment of injuries such as sprains, cuts, snake bites, heat distress and exposure.
• Wear adequate, easily visible clothing for the conditions in which you are working.
• Carry a water bottle and be prepared for strong sun. Use plenty of sun-screen, have a hat and sun-glasses.
• Do not attempt to climb rock faces or cliffs of any type without the permission and supervision of a staff member.
• Do not throw rocks or any other object, and be careful when dropping rocks you have finished examining
• Do not stand near the edge of significantly vertical drops as the edge may give way.
• When approaching a rock face, always look up to check if there are loose rocks which could fall on you, or others.
• Exercise caution when hammering rocks (do NOT use the sharp end of your geology hammer on hard surfaces, or hammer with others close by), and wear eye protection.
• Exercise caution when around others hammering rocks (chips of rock and/or hammer fragments can cause serious injury).

BEHAVIOUR IN THE FIELD-CAMP:

We will be staying at Southcombe Lodge (Port Fairy, ph: 03 5568 2677) and there are a few accommodation rules and regulations you should be aware of:

• You will be allocated a shared room upon arrival. This room contains up to 6 bunk beds. All items of furniture etc must be left in the room, and upon vacating the room at end of excursion the room needs to be left spotless.
• Damage to the allocated room, or loss of, or damage to, any item in the camp arising from a residentÕs neglect or misuse shall be charged to the individual.
• Residents are responsible for keeping their allocated room tidy. All litter, such as empty cans and waste paper is to be placed in rubbish bins and Residents are to do this on a daily basis.
• No smoking is permitted in any indoor area.
• Fire extinguishers are located in the Dining area, in the Kitchen, and in the hallways. Misuse of this equipment places other residents at risk and will not be tolerated.
• Items of cutlery, crockery or other mess equipment shall not be removed from the kitchen-dining room area.
• The holding of parties within the sleeping accommodation is not permitted, nor shall a resident cause excessive noise in the camp after 11.00 pm.
• Joggers and runners must wear reflective jackets when exercising along the public roads. No ball games which may cause damage are allowed in the proximity of the buildings at Southcombe Lodge, or in the field areas, and The University of Melbourne will not be held responsible for any injuries.
• Showers, toilet facilities etc. are to be left in a clean and sanitary condition after use by occupants.
• Anti-social behaviour in the camp will not be tolerated e.g. excessive swearing, drunkenness, theft etc.
• Anything that could cause a health or safety risk to residents should be reported to a member of University staff immediately.