3.0

credits

Average Course Rating

This field intensive course presents an opportunity to observe and physical, chemical, and biological processes that operate to produce and alter carbonate platforms. Topics include depositional environments on carbonate platforms, growth of corals, geomorphic processes that operate to further shape carbonate platforms (e.g., ground-water flow, cave formation, and soil development), the environmental impacts of human activities on carbonate platforms, and the impacts of global climate change on carbonate platforms. Field studies will be based on Andros Island, Bahamas. The Bahamas present one of the best opportunities in the world to study modern carbonate environments. Ancient carbonate rocks exposed on Andros Island and throughout the world are interpreted based on observations of modern depositional environments. The Bahamas is an ideal area to study impacts of human activity and global climate change on carbonate environments and reefs.