Outdoor Geology Classroom at Buffalo State

An Immersive Field-Like Experience

Buffalo State's Outdoor Geology Classroom provides an immersive field-like experience where students and visitors learn about Earth processes using a purposely arranged combination of natural and construction materials. This outdoor classroom is based on the cyclic production of materials in the Earth's outermost layer (the crust).

The display is a centerpiece of the newly renovated/constructed Science and Mathematics Complex. More importantly, it is a teaching tool used for introductory-level class meetings and other geology instruction.

Inspiration

Geology is an “outdoor” science.

Earth materials, like rocks, lava, and sediment, are collectively the record of long-term Earth processes driven by the motion of tectonic plates.

At Buffalo State, geology field experiences over the last 50+ years come primarily from field trips.

To bridge gaps between the field and the laboratory, Buffalo State Earth Sciences faculty members have used the large number and variety of rocks on campus used for decorative stones and building materials sourced from across the United States.

The Outdoor Geology Classroom is a process-oriented outdoor geology display based on the Rock Cycle that provides that spatial (field-like) relationship between the materials used.

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Geological Components and Processes Represented

The illustrative signage is used as a guide for all visitors and includes background information on the Rock Cycle and tectonic plate motions, as well as explanations of the materials used and the five different Earth materials they represent:

  • magma/lava
  • igneous rock
  • sediment
  • sedimentary rock
  • metamorphic rock

Numbered arrows on the sign illustrate the five connecting Rock Cycle processes:

  1. weathering and erosion
  2. lithification
  3. metamorphism
  4. melting
  5. crystallization

The Rock Cycle is presented inside the circle, and representative rocks are outside the circle on the opposite side of the seating wall.

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The Rock Cycle

Weathering and erosion (1), and metamorphism (3) connect several components in more than one path.

The other processes are one way only between just two components. Sedimentary rocks are the only product of lithification (2) of sediment. The process of melting (4) to form magma/lava is exclusive in metamorphic rocks because only metamorphic rocks get hot enough in the Rock Cycle to melt.

Metamorphic rocks are the only rocks to be buried deep enough. [Melting of rocks occurs as a result of meteor impacts, but impacts from space rocks are not part of the Rock Cycle.]

After melting has produced magma/lava, only igneous rocks are formed from crystallization (5) of the magma/lava

  • magma/lava: acid-stained concrete
  • igneous rock: metamorphic rock pavers with granite veins
  • sediment: exposed aggregate concrete
  • sedimentary rock: limestone pavers 
  • metamorphic rock: late pavers

View full signage

Boulders

For Magma/Lava

A. vesicular basalt – it was lava before crystallizing

B. massive quartzite – for minerals found in many rocks

For Igneous Rock

For Sediment/Sedimentary Rock

D. granite– for sediment, because much of the components weather to sediment

E. cross-bedded sandstone

F. quartz sandstone

G. cross-bedded dolostone

For Metamorphic Rock

H. brecciated (faulted) gneiss with quartz veins

I. banded gneiss with garnet

J. granitic schist

GES 101 INTRODUCTORY GEOLOGY

GES 102 HISTORICAL GEOLOGY

GES 103 INTRODUCTORY GEOLOGY LABORATORY

GES 104 GEOLOGY OF THE SEVEN SUMMITS

GES 123 ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCE

GES 124 GEOLOGIC HAZARDS

GES 200 FIRST YEAR GEOLOGY EXPERIENCE

GES 201 PHYSICAL GEOLOGY

GES 202 EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTS THROUGH TIME

GES 303 MINERALOGY

GES 306 SEDIMENTOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY

GES 307 GEOMORPHOLOGY

GES 401 IGNEOUS AND METAMORPHIC PETROLOGY

GES 450 FIELD GEOLOGY

SCI 100 CONTEMPORARY SCIENCE

SCI 105 PHYSICAL SCIENCE FOR NONSCIENCE STUDENTS

SCI 311 PROBLEM SOLVING IN PHYSICAL SCIENCE

SCI 313 PROBLEM SOLVING IN EARTH SCIENCE

SCI 335 OUTDOOR SCIENCE EDUCATION