USC Aiken Coastal Field Geology, May 2011

Eight students enrolled in the first offering of this Maymester Course. We camped six nights at Myrtle Beach State Park and Edisto State Park. We studied the the primary structures and geomorphology of the Holocene and Pleistocene shoreline of selected sites in South Carolina through a series of field trips and lectures. All classwork was conducted in the field. Additionally, aspects of the Tertiary stratigraphy (Eocene and younger @ Giant Cement, Harleyville), neotectonics (1886 Charleston quake), and human interaction with the coast (including Clovis and possibly pre-Clovis culture at Topper site, Clariant Corp., Martin, SC) were reviewed.

We weren't able to do all I wanted: more w the 18-19th-21st C rice culture; better job w Lewis Ocean Bay; canoe trip at Woods Bay? State Mus closed Mon when we were close by after Congaree NP; boat access looks required for Shell Bluff. We may do a kayak trip in the marsh or something more w nesting sea turtles. Thanks to Anton Dumars (tidelinetours.com) & Meg Hoyle (megcoastal@aol.com) for our boat trips. Had great students 2011; hope to be able to offer in the future & improve as above.

What sounds like a shuttle launch in the opening sequence is the wind that was to our back on our bike ride down from the Beachwalker Park to the Ocean Course at Kiawah; of course we rode into the wind on the ride back. I left that wind sound in, just to recall the happy memories.

As I completed this video postcard, I was reminded of these words spoken on the Horseshoe 24 years ago:

"It is wonderful to be young.
It is wonderful to be young and to be a student.
It is wonderful to be young and to be a student at the University of South Carolina."

Pope John Paul II, September 11, 1987

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Education

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• Maymester 2011
• AGLY398L