March 31, 2023

A Geologic Exploration of New Zealand’s Dynamic Landscape

The course: GEOL 140 | A Geologic Exploration of New Zealand’s Dynamic Landscape

The experience: During this two-week study abroad experience, 21 students and three professors—Dru Germanoski, Dr. Ervin R. Van Artsdalen Professor of Geology, Tamara Carley, associate professor of geology, and Christa Kelleher, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering—explored New Zealand’s geology and landscape that is being shaped in real time.

Prof. Carley teaches students on Mount Tongariro.
Prof. Carley teaches students on Mount Tongariro.
Prof. Germanoski teaches students in front of a large mountain.
Prof. Germanoski teaching students in front of the Waiho River near Franz Josef.
Students sit in a field of flowers.
Students take in views at Castle Hill.
Prof. Carley with students at Mount Ngauruhoe in Tongariro National Park.
Prof. Carley with students at Mount Ngauruhoe in Tongariro National Park.
Prof. Germanoski teaching students near Arthur’s Pass, in front of a beautiful mountain.
Prof. Germanoski teaching students near Arthur’s Pass.
Prof. Carley with students at Castle Hill.
Prof. Carley with students at Castle Hill.
Students explore Orakei Korako Cave.
Students explore Orakei Korako Cave.
Profs. Dru Germanoski, Tamara Carley, and Christa Kelleher
Profs. Dru Germanoski, Tamara Carley, and Christa Kelleher
Students, prof on a boat.
The group enjoyed a glacial boat tour of Lake Tasman.
Students and professors on a boat in Lake Tasman.
Students and professors on a boat in Lake Tasman.
Students continue to explore the Orakei Korako geothermal area.
Students continue to explore the Orakei Korako geothermal area.
The group smiles at Mount Cook.
The group smiles at Mount Cook.

Highlights included spending nearly a week exploring the volcanic landscapes of Mount Ruapehu, Mount Ngauruhoe, and Mount Tongariro on the North Island. “The hike up to Mount Ngauruhoe was a special experience, as was our hike around the Orakei Korako geothermal area and our visit to the site of the Tangiwai railway accident,” shares Germanoski. “On the South Island, highlights included a hike through Stream Cave—a 0.5-kilometer-long cave with a stream flowing through it—a visit to the Castle Hill karst area, a hike to view the retreating Franz Josef glacier, zodiac boating among icebergs in Tasman Lake, and travels across and through the Southern Alps.”

Categorized in: Faculty and Staff, Geology, News and Features, Study Abroad