Mavericks Transfer Geology Lessons to Real Life Through Trip to Death Valley
UNO geology majors took on Death Valley with hiking boots and field notebooks in hand for a 10-day deep dive into ancient formations.
- published: 2025/03/31
- contact: Annie Albin - College of Arts and Sciences
Textbook images sprung to life this winter break for a group of adventurous Mavericks.
Through the annual geology field trip, the enterprising crew took to California’s infamous Death Valley to get a firsthand look at the formations.
The ten-day trip had students hiking through the fields of ancient geologic outcrops typically only seen in their textbooks. Known for its range of geologic diversity, the location is revered as one of the nation’s best spots for studying the scientific concepts of geology.
During the trip, students kept field notes describing the faults, flats and formations they viewed each day.
“I feel like I got a lot of field experience from it, just seeing what the stuff we talk about in class actually looks like,” said Ursula Ziebolz, a junior geology student.
Past geology field trips have taken students as far away as Iceland, and as close to home as Nebraska’s Indian Cave State Park.
This wasn’t the first field trip for Ziebolz, or for fellow geology junior Dom McPhillips. Many geology students take the trips for the experience, as well as to earn an extra credit hour during breaks in the academic calendar.
“I enjoy them a lot because... I like the outdoors, and with geology, the best way to learn is in the field,” said McPhillips. “Because during in a class you can learn what a fold is, but until you go into the field and see it, it's kind of hard to spot.”
Harmon Maher, professor of geology and one of the faculty members on this year’s Death Valley trip, has taken students on field trips for over 40 years.
“Whether it be in Death Valley, where the geology is raw and grand, or here in the Omaha area where the geology is more subtle but still mind bending, I have found taking students into the field to see and share the workings of our earth through direct experience to be deeply rewarding,” Maher said. “With their questions they also open my eyes to the new and we learn together.”
After days of trekking through the sandy dunes of Death Valley and learning from their professors, the geology students left California with full field notebooks and an even deeper appreciation for the Earth’s geologic abilities.
“It’s just breathtaking to see,” Ziebolz said.