The beginning
stages of my project have consisted of compiling the data from
the Garlock site. I have been assigned
to work with a graduate student Tim Dawson.
Together we have been logging trenches
and have begun the orthorectification of
trench photomosaics. The photomosaics
will be finished by the end of July so I can
begin the reconstructions in August.
I will be using a new method for trench
reconstructions using Adobe Photoshop.
This will be a challenge because previous
methods have been a “cut and paste”
routine without the use of a computer. I
look forward to completing the
trench logs and photomosaics so I can begin
the reconstructions and interpretations.
Originally
I was assigned to work at Frazier Mountain. However the trench site
was not opened until late June,
and is currently being dewatered. I am now working
on the Garlock fault. The trench
is 8m deep and 35m in length, so it is a rather large
scale project. The mosaics are
therefore a major effort to complete in order to begin
the reconstructions. The site is
a three and half hour drive north on the 395 by the
town of Ridgecrest. I have been
able to visit the site once so far and plan to go again
next week-end. It is fun to hear
the professors debate in thefield about the evidence
for earthquakes, and a great experience
for me.
Well so
far so good, but there is a lot of work to be done by September!