Allie Faunce Field Camp – 2023 Beardsley Kuper Field Camp Scholarship Winner

My field camp experience in Newfoundland, Canada was a pivotal moment in my journey to pursuing exploration geology and geophysics. This six-week field camp experience not only enhanced my skills in geology and developed life-long friendships, but it deepened my passion for geophysics and exploration geology and led to my dedication in pursuing this as a career, all while introducing me to the awe-inspiring geological wonders of Newfoundland.

My adventure started with a three-day car and ferry expedition, marking my first-ever border crossing into the captivating landscape of Canada. The anticipation grew as I journeyed through picturesque towns and winding roads, providing tantalizing glimpses of Canada’s stunning geology and something I would soon be all too familiar with- limestone conglomerate.

Day-in and day-out, we studied and trekked the insane geology of Newfoundland to develop geological maps, cross sections, stereonet plots, and, even, geophysical surveys (seismic and electrical resistivity surveys). Looking back, it is hard to pick a favorite field moment because while they all provide different challenges, I genuinely loved trying to decipher this geologic puzzle and figuring out mechanically how it all fit together. Our field locations included Gros Morne National Park, Green Point (a Global Stratotype Section and Point for the boundary between Cambrian-Ordovician), Cow Head Peninsula, and St. Johns, Newfoundland.

The geology of Newfoundland is a world apart from the familiar landscape of Pennsylvania, and having the opportunity to participate in a field camp there was nothing short of extraordinary. From dramatic fold structures to colossal megaclasts, it was a structural geologist’s best dream or worst nightmare. The amount of hand signs used (trying to communicate the formation of this structure) and headaches rose significantly during the Cow Head mapping portion.

My favorite part about learning from my professors was their patience in answering my endless what-if questions and challenging my thinking and knowledge as well. Getting into the exploration geologist

mindset, most of my questions pertained to ‘where the best place would be to drill if searching for oil basins or rare seams of minerals’.

Looking back, these were by far some of my favorite memories because the academia learned throughout my time at Wilkes University started clicking with the professional aspect of what I hoped my career would be in the future. Here I even received one of the most impactful compliments that will definitely stick with me for my entire professional career- that I answered their verbal exam questions like a true structural geologist would.

I’m immensely grateful for this experience enabling my passion in this field of geology and for the relationships I have built during this experience. I would like to thank the AEG Foundation, including Dorian and Tom Kuper, as well as the professors and students for whom this trip wouldn’t have been possible without. If you have any questions or would like to hear more about this experience, please feel free to contact me at allie.faunce@wilkes.edu.

Allie Faunce