Teachers guide to geologic trails in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Pennsylvania–New Jersey

GSA Field Guides
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Abstract

The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (DEWA) contains a rich geologic and cultural history within its 68,714 acre boundary. Following the border between New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the Delaware River has cut a magnificent gorge through Kittatinny Mountain, the Delaware Water Gap, to which all other gaps in the Appalachian Mountains have been compared. Proximity to many institutions of learning in this densely populated area of the northeastern United States (Fig. 1) makes DEWA an ideal locality to study the geology of this part of the Appalachian Mountains. This one-day field trip comprises an overview discussion of structure, stratigraphy, geomorphology, and glacial geology within the gap. It will be highlighted by hiking a choice of several trails with geologic guides, ranging from gentle to difficult. It is hoped that the “professional” discussions at the stops, loaded with typical geologic jargon, can be translated into simple language that can be understood and assimilated by earth science students along the trails. This trip is mainly targeted for earth science educators and for Pennsylvania geologists needing to meet state-mandated education requirements for licensing professional geologists. The National Park Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, the New Jersey Geological Survey, and local schoolteachers had prepared “The Many Faces of Delaware Water Gap: A Curriculum Guide for Grades 3–6” (Ferrence et al., 2003). Copies of this guide will be given to trip participants and can be downloaded from the GSA Data Repository1. The trip will also be useful for instruction at the graduate level. Much of the information presented in this guidebook is modified from Epstein (2006).

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Teachers guide to geologic trails in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Pennsylvania–New Jersey
Series title GSA Field Guides
DOI 10.1130/2010.0016(06)
Volume 16
Year Published 2010
Language English
Publisher GSA
Contributing office(s) Eastern Geology and Paleoclimate Science Center, Florence Bascom Geoscience Center
Description 21 p.
First page 127
Last page 147
Country United States
State New Jersey, Pennsylvania
Other Geospatial Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
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