A Geologic Rock Garden as an Artificial Mapping Area for Teaching and Outreach

Abstract

The St. Mary's Cement Rock Garden, located on the campus of the University of Western Ontario (London, Ontario, Canada), provides a compact and easily accessible area where geological features can be observed on an outcrop-scale. We describe how this hands-on facility provides students and visitors with a more realistic sense of geologic principles than does a traditional laboratory-based environment.Rock slabs and boulders are arranged in a confined space on our university campus to simulate a geologic mapping area. Here, rock types can be identified, stratigraphy interpreted, structures measured, rock boundaries mapped, and geologic history reconstructed. Paved walkways dividing garden segments conveniently serve as the locations of faults and unconformities. Vegetation has been incorporated in the rock-garden design to enhance the natural appearance of the setting.Students and visitors are encouraged to climb on the rocks to closely examine them as a professional geologist would in the field. By doing so, students play an active role in learning about geology, gain confidence and a better understanding of the large-scale spatial relations of rocks, and gain insights into geologic processes – aspects that are often difficult to convey indoors. The artificial mapping area has proven effective for demonstrating field techniques to students prior to their first field trip or camp. Using examples of real bedrock excavated from surrounding areas is also a unique way for visitors to gain a better appreciation of geologic materials, their uses, and the natural environment of their region.

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