Field Trips

Field trips are an integral part of Earth Science. There is no substitute for getting out into the field and observing the rocks and structures. At USP we give students a wide range of field experiences from regional geological tours, mapping projects to trips down a gold mine. Some of the localities and studies undertaken during field trips are given below. We also run a number of afternoon trips to places of geological interest around Suva as part of regular laboratory classes.  Note that these field trips are exclusive to the ES programme.

ES 106: Introduction to Earth Science

1. An afternoon fieldtrip to the Mineral Resources Department, Nabua. Mainly an informative trip regarding the functions of this governmental department and resources available for students in the ES field. (http://www.mrd.gov.fj/gfiji)
   
   
2. Suva area Geology 1: an afternoon trip showing students the main formations of the Medrausucu Group (~7Ma – 3Ma) occurring on the coastal side of the islands along the Suva to Veisari corridor.
   
   
3. Suva Area Geology 2: an afternoon trip showing once again the Medrausucu group formations inner Viti Levu along Colo-i-Suva and Serea corridor.

ES 201: Soil Science

1. Field Trip 1 – Soil Sampling around Suva mainly along Kinoya and Koronivia corridor.

2. Field Trip 2 to Koronivia – students are taught Soil Classification methods used with different types of soils in the Koronivia area.

ES 203: Physical Geology

1. Field trip 1: One day [weekend] trip to study the geology of eastern Viti Levu, starting from Suva and traveling along the Queens Road between Pacific Harbor and Sigatoka.  Students examine formations of the Medrausucu and Wainimala Group along this corridor.
   
   
2. Fieldtrip 2: 4nights/3days joint fieldtrip with staff and students of the Musashi Institute of Technology, Japan to the Sigatoka Valley area. The area of interest in the Naqalimare Limestone formation about 40km up the valley road and across the Sigatoka River. This is also Ms. Narain’s research area and involves mountain hikes to look at the extent of the limestone formation and core box logs. This trip provides an opportunity for local students to work and interact with Japanese students in the fields of geology, plant biology and land surveying.
   
   
3. Field trip 3: A three day [two nights] trip to Nadi to undertake geological mapping in the Nausori Highlands and look at the regional geology of SW Viti Levu.

 ES 301: Applied Geology

1. Field trip 1: Savura Creek Geology.  Students examine Rhyolites and Andesites of the Savura Volcanic group. These rocks are older than Medrausucu group according to the stratigraphy of Viti Levu rocks.
   
   
2. Field trip 2: One day [weekend] trip to the base-metal deposits at Wainivesi, and a look at some local Manganese deposits and the regional geology.
   
   
3. Fieldtrip 3: A three day [two nights] trip to Vatukoula. The field work includes a look at the regional geology of northern Viti Levu, a visit to a hot spring near Tavua, the geology of the area around the Emperor Mine at Vatukoula (with geologists from Emperor Gold Mines), a trip underground to examine mine geology and the operations of a gold mining company.
   
   
4. Fieldtrip 4: A day trip to the gold-prospect at Tuvatu near Nadi. We examine the work done in exploration as well as having a look at the core log boxes stored on site. (optional trip with respect to time constraints)