The Trip

A Pre-Orientation Program for Freshmen

This field seminar was a week-long, faculty-led excursion to scientifically exciting locales where controversial topics of Earth system science – particularly those related to the co-evolution of biosphere and the geosphere – could be explored. It is designed for students with either a strong interest in the interdisciplinary study of the Earth system or those who are curious about why rocks might be interesting to investigate. More information on the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences can be found at: http://web.mit.edu/eaps/.

The field trip included sites from northern New Mexico to Denver, Colorado that illlustrated the paleontological and geological issues associated with the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary (seen as the black layer of ash at left). By combining observations of the rock record, lectures by faculty to place the observations in context, and daily seminars aimed at triggering in depth discussions of how best to interpret the observations, this experience encouraged students to develop a deeper understanding of the process of scientific inquiry in the context of a vexing problem in Earth system evolution: what killed the dinosaurs? More generally, what is the nature of biological adaptation to environmental change? One compelling hypothesis regarding the demise of the dinosaurs involves one or more meteor impacts. By examining this hypothesis in detail (How was it developed? How was it publicized and vetted in the scientific community?), we also had the opportunity to examine the sociology and science of paradigm shifts.

For more information email Prof. Sam Bowring at sbowring@mit.edu