Rooms and resources
Field research laboratory
The field research laboratory includes field equipment ranging from compasses and measuring tapes to GPS units and a total station; a rock saw and polishers for preparing rock specimens; a mechanical shaker and sieves for grain-size analysis; a drying oven and electronic balance for soil sampling; a flume and wave-tank for lab simulations; and workspace for student research.
Geospatial analysis laboratory
This computer laboratory is well-equipped for computer cartography, GIS, geospatial data analysis and word-processing. The lab includes 20 work stations, two laser printers (black and white, as well as color), a scanner, and up-to-date software for mapping and other projects.
Map library
A variety of local, national, and international maps well as census materials available in print are available in the department's map library, a USGS repository, located in the North Hall basement.
Weather station
The department runs the meteorological instruments and data-logging of the on-campus weather station, which itself is located on the DeVos field on the east side of campus. Monthly reports dating back to 2001 are available online.
Seismograph
The department maintains two seismographs for recording vertical and horizontal ground movement, as well as a monitor within the department that displays recent seismic activity.
Teaching laboratories
The teaching laboratories house an impressive collection of rock, mineral, and fossil specimens used within classes and labs.
