VIRTUAL FIELDWORK
Big Pine
California, USA
- semi-arid / arid environment
- glacial sediments (till) and moraines (Pleistocene)
- landforms of glacial erosion
- landforms associated with weathering and mass wasting in mountains
This virtual field trip is located in Owens Valley, between the Sierra Nevada and White Mountains in California. Starting west of Big Pine at an elevation of ~1200 m, it follows Glacier Lodge Road as far as the car park at the trail head. Thereafter, it continues up the North Fork Big Pine Creek valley as far as Third Lake (~3000 m).
There is plenty to interest geologists and geomorphologists throughout the length of this field trip, including impressive Pleistocene moraines, exposed till, ice-moulded bedrock, extensive talus accumulations, a rock glacier and views of Crater Cone (part of the Big Pine volcanic field).
Fieldwork was undertaken in 2013 as part of a collaboration between the University of Worcester and the University of California, Davis. Support from both institutions is gratefully acknowledged, with special thanks to Ian Maddock and Sarah Yarnell.
May 2020: Tour re-built so that it has the same split-screen design as the others on VR Glaciers.
I'm a Physical Geographer at the University of Worcester (England, UK). Interests include mountain glaciers, mountain geomorphology and Quaternary environmental change. I'm also interested in the use of virtual reality in teaching.
In order to support the ongoing development of this site, it would be really helpful if you could let me know why and how you use the resource. I’d also appreciate hearing any ideas you may have for improvements. Thank you!
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