Insights: A Laboratory Manual for Physical and Historical Geology

Author(s): Clair Ossian

Choose Your Format

Insights: A Laboratory Manual for Physical and Historical Geology is the ONLY lab manual available which combines historical and physical geology. Separate lab manuals are available to fit specific course needs.

One of the major advantages of the Insights focuses tightly on essentials of both Physical and Historical Geology education and is not padded with filler material. By purchasing this combination manual, a student will acquire core materials for both courses without having to purchase two manuals, providing a significant price savings.

The content provides those essential tools needed for Geology Major students as they move to the next level of geological training. The Geological educator can use the materials in the manual at several levels. There is more than enough here to satisfy the most demanding students.

For students only needing to fulfill their science course requirements, Insights’ content is lively, replete with engaging exercises and the illustrations will serve to hold their attention better than any other similar book on today’s market.

For your students’ needs in Physical Geology, exercises, activities, full-color photos, topographic maps and the varied resources in this book will give students a good understanding of:

  • identifying rocks and minerals.
  • maps and mapping.
  • pace and compass mapping.
  • geological lessons from maps.   

Insights is beneficial for geology majors and non-majors as a powerful tool covering the basics of Historical Geology:  

  • Identifying common fossils
  • Relative time and absolute time
  • The ordering of geologic events
  • Stratigraphy and correlation
  • Paleontology
  • Geological structures
  • Interpreting geological maps

The combination Insights manual emphasizes principles and methods by which geologists discover the origins and evolving nature of our planet over time. Study of these processes is essential in understanding how the Earth is changing, and to give students insight into the methodology and goals of Historical Geology. These topics are essential if students are to understand how planetary materials relate to our complex and ever-changing Earth.

Insights: A Laboratory Manual for Physical and Historical Geology features a 3–ring binder format allowing students to remove exercise work sheets, add their note pages, and gives instructors the ability to supply students additional handouts relevant to a section.

 

Links to Separate Manuals:

Insights: A Laboratory Manual for Historical Geology

Insights: A Laboratory Manual for Physical Geology

 

 

 

Acknowledgments 
Introduction 
About the Author 

CHAPTER 1 Minerals 
INTRODUCTION. WHY AM I ABOUT TO STUDY GEOLOGY? 
IDENTIFICATION AND PROPERTIES 
       Mineral Features Useful for Identification 
QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER THOUGHT 
EXTRA PROJECTS 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 2 Igneous Rocks 
IDENTIFICATION AND PROPERTIES
MATERIALS AND METHODS 
       Properties of Igneous Rocks 
WHY ARE THERE SO MANY DIFFERENT IGNEOUS ROCKS? 
       Identification Procedures for Igneous Rocks 
OTHER ACTIVITIES 
       Internet Links 
       Visit Local Museums 
       Urban Field Trips 
       Other Uses 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 3 Sedimentary Rock Identification 
MAJOR CLASSES OF SEDIMENTARY ROCKS 
       Clastic Sediments and Detrital Rocks 
       Chemical and Biochemical Sedimentary Rocks 
       Miscellaneous Sedimentary Rocks 
OTHER ACTIVITIES 
       Internet Links 
       Urban Field Trips 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 4 Metamorphic Rock Identification 
METAMORPHIC ROCK CLASSES 
       Foliated Metamorphic Rocks 
       Nonfoliated Metamorphic Rocks 
IDENTIFICATION PROCEDURE FOR METAMORPHIC ROCKS 
       Step-by-Step Identification Key for Metamorphic Rocks 
FURTHER QUESTIONS 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 5 Introduction to Maps and Mapping 
PLANOMETRIC MAPS 
TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS 
       Longitude and Latitude 
MAP PROJECTIONS AND THE PROBLEM OF DISTORTION 
FINDING YOUR WAY AROUND THE MAP 
       Map Scales 
       Reference Points 
QUADRANGLE MAPS 
MAGNETIC DECLINATION 
MAPPING SYSTEMS 
MAP SCALES, SYMBOLS, AND COORDINATE SYSTEMS 
MAP COORDINATE SYSTEMS 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 6 Topographic Maps 
RULES FOR USING CONTOUR LINES 
TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILES AND VERTICAL EXAGGERATION 
MAKING YOUR OWN CONTOUR MAP 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 7 Pace and Compass Mapping: Finding Your Way with Map and Compass 
COMPASS PARTS 
PACE AND COMPASS MAPPING 
EXERCISES 
       Pace and Compass Mapping Project 
       Part One: Pacing and Determination of Pace Length 
       Part Two: Compass Directions and Bearings 
       Part Three: The Pace and Compass Project 
       Part Four: Plotting the Data 

CHAPTER 8 HISTORICAL GEOLOGY: The history of the earth and its life forms. Measuring Geological Time
RELATIVE TIME 
ABSOLUTE TIME 
RADIOMETRIC DATING 
EXERCISES 
       Extra Credit Project 

CHAPTER 9 Stratigraphy and the Ordering of Geologic Events 
TIME STRATIGRAPHIC TERMS VS. ROCK STRATIGRAPHIC TERMS 
GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS 
       Units Smaller or Larger Than Formations 
USEFUL TERMS AND CONCEPTS 
DETERMINING STRATIGRAPHIC SEQUENCES 
       Seismic Sections 
       Sea Level Curves 
       Electric Logging Tools 
       Drilling Samples 
TRANSGRESSION/REGRESSION SEQUENCES 
PRIMARY GEOLOGICAL LAWS 
       Steno’s First Law: Superposition 
       Steno’s Second Law: Original Horizontality 
       Steno’s Third Law: Original Lateral Continuity 
CROSSCUTTING RELATIONSHIPS 
PRINCIPLE OF COMPONENTS 
       Unconformities 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 10 Physical Stratigraphy 
DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUES 
       Lithologic Similarity 
       Paleontological Criteria 
       Lateral Continuity 
       Stratigraphic Vertical Sequence and Relative Thickness 
LITHOFACIES AND BIOFACIES MAPS 
       Isopach Maps 
       Geophysical Tools 
CROSS SECTIONS 
       Fence Diagrams 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 11 Introduction to Paleontology 
BIAS IN THE FOSSIL RECORD 
       How to Become a Fossil 
PRESERVATION 
       Fossils 
       Preservation without Alteration 
       Preservation with Alteration 
FOSSILS AS INDICATORS OF PAST ENVIRONMENTS 
       Life Modes in the Environment 
SYMMETRY AS A TOOL FOR FOSSIL IDENTIFICATION 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 12 Paleontology and Identification of the Major Phyla—Part One 
CLASSIFICATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF EXTINCT ORGANISMS 
CLASSIFICATION AND DESCRIPTIONS OF KINGDOMS, PHYLA, AND CLASSES 
       Kingdom Monera (Pre-Cambrian–Recent) 
       Kingdom Protista (Plate One) 
       Kingdom Animalia 
       Phylum Mollusca 
USE OF A FOSSIL IDENTIFICATION KEY 
       Identification Key to the Common Fossil Phyla 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 13 Paleontology and Identification of the Major Phyla—Part Two 
PHYLUM ARTHROPODA (CAMBRIAN–RECENT) 
       Class Uniramia 
       Class Chelicerata 
       Class Crustacea 
       Class Trilobita (Plate Fourteen) 
PHYLUM ECHINODERMATA 
PHYLUM HEMICHORDATA 
PHYLUM CHORDATA 
       Subphylum Vertebrata 
KINGDOM PLANTAE 
       Primitive Forms 
       Gymnosperms 
       Angiosperms 
EXERCISES 
       Mesozoic Trees, Shrubs, and Other Plants for Your Campus 

CHAPTER 14 Applied Paleontology 
USE OF FOSSILS IN STRATIGRAPHY, EVOLUTION, AND PALEOECOLOGY 
       Paleoecology 
EXERCISES 
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER 
LITHOLOGIC DATA FOR EACH FACIES 
       Paleontologic Data for Each Facies

CHAPTER 15 Geological Structures 
STRIKE, DIP AND FOLDS 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 16 The Beginnings. Continental Drift and the Discovery of Plate Tectonics 
PLATE TECTONICS REPLACES CONTINENTAL DRIFT 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 17 The Mechanisms of Plate Tectonics 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 18 Geologic Maps—Part One 
GEOLOGIC MAPS—STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY 
BLOCK DIAGRAMS 
MAP SYMBOLS 
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES 
FAULTS 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 19 Geologic Maps—Part Two 
GEOLOGIC MAPS 
EXERCISES 
       Part I. Grand Canyon Geologic Map—Bright Angel Quadrangle 
       Part II. Stable Interior of the United States—Illinois and Indiana 
       Part III. Devils Fence Quadrangle—Montana 
       Part IV. Williamsville Quadrangle—Virginia 
       Part V. Comparison between Actual Surface Appearance and Geological Maps 
       Part VI. Preparation of a Structural Cross Section from a Geological Map 
       Part VII. Interpretation of Geologic Features from Geologic Maps 

CHAPTER 20 Geology Lessons Learned from Maps 
ARID REGIONS 
       Antelope Peak, Arizona (15 minute series; 1:62,500 presented in a normal contour version and a shaded relief version) 
       Moab, Utah (15 minute series; 1:62,500) 
COASTAL LANDSCAPES 
       Aransas Pass, Texas (15 minute series;1:62,500) 
       Cayucos, California (15 minute series;1:62,500) 
       Point Reyes, California (15 minute series;1:62,500) 
TECTONICALLY ACTIVE AREAS 
       Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (15 minute series;1:62,500) 
       Strasburg, Virginia (15 minute series;1:62,500) 
VOLCANIC LANDSCAPES 
       Menan Buttes, Idaho (7.5 minute series,1:24,000) 
       Ship Rock, New Mexico (15 minute series; 1:62,500) 
       Mount Rainier, Washington (15 minute series; 1:62,500) 
GLACIAL TERRANE 
       Chief Mountain, Montana (Southeastern Map Area) (30 minute series; 1:125,000) 
       Chief Mountain, Montana (Northwestern Map Area) (30 minute series; 1:125,000) 
       Holden, Washington (15 minute series; 1:62,500) 
       Whitewater, Wisconsin (Southeastern Area) (15 minute series; 1:62,500) 
       Whitewater, Wisconsin (Northwestern Area) (15 minute series; 1:62,500) 
MISCELLANEOUS FEATURES 
       Refuge, Arkansas-Mississippi (15 minute series; 1:62,500) 
       Interlachen, Florida (15 minute series; 1:62,500) 
APPENDICES Useful References 
       Appendix A—Geological Times Scale and Links 
       Appendix B—Standard US Geological Survey Map Symbols 
       Appendix C—Graphical Patterns for Common Rock Types 
       Appendix D—English and Metric Units of Measurement 
       Appendix E—Rules for Successful Field Trips 

Glossary 
Credits 
Index

Clair Ossian
Clair Russell Ossian is an Emeritus Professor of Geology at Tarrant County College, Hurst, Texas where he was awarded Distinguished Faculty Member in 2011. His career includes nearly twenty years in geological research as a paleontologist and sedimentologist, experiencing many challenges world wide while working in the petroleum industry, retiring as Principal Research Geologist from ARCO Oil and Gas Co. Field research during that time involved projects in diverse settings, including Alaska, Canada, China, Indonesia, Norway, Africa and numerous projects within the rest of the United States.

Before, during and after that phase of his career, he has continued to teach Physical Geology, Historical Geology, Environmental Geology and Field Courses. Dr. Ossian holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Nebraska (Lincoln), a Master of Science degree from Michigan State University, and a Doctor of Philosophy from The University of Texas (Austin). Both graduate degrees are in geology and paleontology.

Professor Ossian has published numerous papers on sedimentology, vertebrate paleontology, invertebrate paleontology and his current research is centered on the geology of Egypt. His most recent research involved providing geological support for an archaeological excavation in the Egyptian delta.

He is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Society of Sigma XI, the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE), the Egyptian Exploration Society and is a Certified Geologist with the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.


A long time resident of north Texas, he and his wife have raised two children, a son and a daughter. They currently share their home with a pair of Chinese chowchow dogs. Hobbies include gardening, raising Japanese koi fish, growing water lilies, carpentry, photography and writing. Travel continues to be a great pleasure for them, proving many opportunities for new experiences . . . and new geological insights.
 

Insights: A Laboratory Manual for Physical and Historical Geology is the ONLY lab manual available which combines historical and physical geology. Separate lab manuals are available to fit specific course needs.

One of the major advantages of the Insights focuses tightly on essentials of both Physical and Historical Geology education and is not padded with filler material. By purchasing this combination manual, a student will acquire core materials for both courses without having to purchase two manuals, providing a significant price savings.

The content provides those essential tools needed for Geology Major students as they move to the next level of geological training. The Geological educator can use the materials in the manual at several levels. There is more than enough here to satisfy the most demanding students.

For students only needing to fulfill their science course requirements, Insights’ content is lively, replete with engaging exercises and the illustrations will serve to hold their attention better than any other similar book on today’s market.

For your students’ needs in Physical Geology, exercises, activities, full-color photos, topographic maps and the varied resources in this book will give students a good understanding of:

  • identifying rocks and minerals.
  • maps and mapping.
  • pace and compass mapping.
  • geological lessons from maps.   

Insights is beneficial for geology majors and non-majors as a powerful tool covering the basics of Historical Geology:  

  • Identifying common fossils
  • Relative time and absolute time
  • The ordering of geologic events
  • Stratigraphy and correlation
  • Paleontology
  • Geological structures
  • Interpreting geological maps

The combination Insights manual emphasizes principles and methods by which geologists discover the origins and evolving nature of our planet over time. Study of these processes is essential in understanding how the Earth is changing, and to give students insight into the methodology and goals of Historical Geology. These topics are essential if students are to understand how planetary materials relate to our complex and ever-changing Earth.

Insights: A Laboratory Manual for Physical and Historical Geology features a 3–ring binder format allowing students to remove exercise work sheets, add their note pages, and gives instructors the ability to supply students additional handouts relevant to a section.

 

Links to Separate Manuals:

Insights: A Laboratory Manual for Historical Geology

Insights: A Laboratory Manual for Physical Geology

 

 

 

Acknowledgments 
Introduction 
About the Author 

CHAPTER 1 Minerals 
INTRODUCTION. WHY AM I ABOUT TO STUDY GEOLOGY? 
IDENTIFICATION AND PROPERTIES 
       Mineral Features Useful for Identification 
QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER THOUGHT 
EXTRA PROJECTS 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 2 Igneous Rocks 
IDENTIFICATION AND PROPERTIES
MATERIALS AND METHODS 
       Properties of Igneous Rocks 
WHY ARE THERE SO MANY DIFFERENT IGNEOUS ROCKS? 
       Identification Procedures for Igneous Rocks 
OTHER ACTIVITIES 
       Internet Links 
       Visit Local Museums 
       Urban Field Trips 
       Other Uses 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 3 Sedimentary Rock Identification 
MAJOR CLASSES OF SEDIMENTARY ROCKS 
       Clastic Sediments and Detrital Rocks 
       Chemical and Biochemical Sedimentary Rocks 
       Miscellaneous Sedimentary Rocks 
OTHER ACTIVITIES 
       Internet Links 
       Urban Field Trips 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 4 Metamorphic Rock Identification 
METAMORPHIC ROCK CLASSES 
       Foliated Metamorphic Rocks 
       Nonfoliated Metamorphic Rocks 
IDENTIFICATION PROCEDURE FOR METAMORPHIC ROCKS 
       Step-by-Step Identification Key for Metamorphic Rocks 
FURTHER QUESTIONS 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 5 Introduction to Maps and Mapping 
PLANOMETRIC MAPS 
TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS 
       Longitude and Latitude 
MAP PROJECTIONS AND THE PROBLEM OF DISTORTION 
FINDING YOUR WAY AROUND THE MAP 
       Map Scales 
       Reference Points 
QUADRANGLE MAPS 
MAGNETIC DECLINATION 
MAPPING SYSTEMS 
MAP SCALES, SYMBOLS, AND COORDINATE SYSTEMS 
MAP COORDINATE SYSTEMS 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 6 Topographic Maps 
RULES FOR USING CONTOUR LINES 
TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILES AND VERTICAL EXAGGERATION 
MAKING YOUR OWN CONTOUR MAP 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 7 Pace and Compass Mapping: Finding Your Way with Map and Compass 
COMPASS PARTS 
PACE AND COMPASS MAPPING 
EXERCISES 
       Pace and Compass Mapping Project 
       Part One: Pacing and Determination of Pace Length 
       Part Two: Compass Directions and Bearings 
       Part Three: The Pace and Compass Project 
       Part Four: Plotting the Data 

CHAPTER 8 HISTORICAL GEOLOGY: The history of the earth and its life forms. Measuring Geological Time
RELATIVE TIME 
ABSOLUTE TIME 
RADIOMETRIC DATING 
EXERCISES 
       Extra Credit Project 

CHAPTER 9 Stratigraphy and the Ordering of Geologic Events 
TIME STRATIGRAPHIC TERMS VS. ROCK STRATIGRAPHIC TERMS 
GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS 
       Units Smaller or Larger Than Formations 
USEFUL TERMS AND CONCEPTS 
DETERMINING STRATIGRAPHIC SEQUENCES 
       Seismic Sections 
       Sea Level Curves 
       Electric Logging Tools 
       Drilling Samples 
TRANSGRESSION/REGRESSION SEQUENCES 
PRIMARY GEOLOGICAL LAWS 
       Steno’s First Law: Superposition 
       Steno’s Second Law: Original Horizontality 
       Steno’s Third Law: Original Lateral Continuity 
CROSSCUTTING RELATIONSHIPS 
PRINCIPLE OF COMPONENTS 
       Unconformities 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 10 Physical Stratigraphy 
DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUES 
       Lithologic Similarity 
       Paleontological Criteria 
       Lateral Continuity 
       Stratigraphic Vertical Sequence and Relative Thickness 
LITHOFACIES AND BIOFACIES MAPS 
       Isopach Maps 
       Geophysical Tools 
CROSS SECTIONS 
       Fence Diagrams 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 11 Introduction to Paleontology 
BIAS IN THE FOSSIL RECORD 
       How to Become a Fossil 
PRESERVATION 
       Fossils 
       Preservation without Alteration 
       Preservation with Alteration 
FOSSILS AS INDICATORS OF PAST ENVIRONMENTS 
       Life Modes in the Environment 
SYMMETRY AS A TOOL FOR FOSSIL IDENTIFICATION 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 12 Paleontology and Identification of the Major Phyla—Part One 
CLASSIFICATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF EXTINCT ORGANISMS 
CLASSIFICATION AND DESCRIPTIONS OF KINGDOMS, PHYLA, AND CLASSES 
       Kingdom Monera (Pre-Cambrian–Recent) 
       Kingdom Protista (Plate One) 
       Kingdom Animalia 
       Phylum Mollusca 
USE OF A FOSSIL IDENTIFICATION KEY 
       Identification Key to the Common Fossil Phyla 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 13 Paleontology and Identification of the Major Phyla—Part Two 
PHYLUM ARTHROPODA (CAMBRIAN–RECENT) 
       Class Uniramia 
       Class Chelicerata 
       Class Crustacea 
       Class Trilobita (Plate Fourteen) 
PHYLUM ECHINODERMATA 
PHYLUM HEMICHORDATA 
PHYLUM CHORDATA 
       Subphylum Vertebrata 
KINGDOM PLANTAE 
       Primitive Forms 
       Gymnosperms 
       Angiosperms 
EXERCISES 
       Mesozoic Trees, Shrubs, and Other Plants for Your Campus 

CHAPTER 14 Applied Paleontology 
USE OF FOSSILS IN STRATIGRAPHY, EVOLUTION, AND PALEOECOLOGY 
       Paleoecology 
EXERCISES 
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER 
LITHOLOGIC DATA FOR EACH FACIES 
       Paleontologic Data for Each Facies

CHAPTER 15 Geological Structures 
STRIKE, DIP AND FOLDS 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 16 The Beginnings. Continental Drift and the Discovery of Plate Tectonics 
PLATE TECTONICS REPLACES CONTINENTAL DRIFT 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 17 The Mechanisms of Plate Tectonics 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 18 Geologic Maps—Part One 
GEOLOGIC MAPS—STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY 
BLOCK DIAGRAMS 
MAP SYMBOLS 
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES 
FAULTS 
EXERCISES 

CHAPTER 19 Geologic Maps—Part Two 
GEOLOGIC MAPS 
EXERCISES 
       Part I. Grand Canyon Geologic Map—Bright Angel Quadrangle 
       Part II. Stable Interior of the United States—Illinois and Indiana 
       Part III. Devils Fence Quadrangle—Montana 
       Part IV. Williamsville Quadrangle—Virginia 
       Part V. Comparison between Actual Surface Appearance and Geological Maps 
       Part VI. Preparation of a Structural Cross Section from a Geological Map 
       Part VII. Interpretation of Geologic Features from Geologic Maps 

CHAPTER 20 Geology Lessons Learned from Maps 
ARID REGIONS 
       Antelope Peak, Arizona (15 minute series; 1:62,500 presented in a normal contour version and a shaded relief version) 
       Moab, Utah (15 minute series; 1:62,500) 
COASTAL LANDSCAPES 
       Aransas Pass, Texas (15 minute series;1:62,500) 
       Cayucos, California (15 minute series;1:62,500) 
       Point Reyes, California (15 minute series;1:62,500) 
TECTONICALLY ACTIVE AREAS 
       Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (15 minute series;1:62,500) 
       Strasburg, Virginia (15 minute series;1:62,500) 
VOLCANIC LANDSCAPES 
       Menan Buttes, Idaho (7.5 minute series,1:24,000) 
       Ship Rock, New Mexico (15 minute series; 1:62,500) 
       Mount Rainier, Washington (15 minute series; 1:62,500) 
GLACIAL TERRANE 
       Chief Mountain, Montana (Southeastern Map Area) (30 minute series; 1:125,000) 
       Chief Mountain, Montana (Northwestern Map Area) (30 minute series; 1:125,000) 
       Holden, Washington (15 minute series; 1:62,500) 
       Whitewater, Wisconsin (Southeastern Area) (15 minute series; 1:62,500) 
       Whitewater, Wisconsin (Northwestern Area) (15 minute series; 1:62,500) 
MISCELLANEOUS FEATURES 
       Refuge, Arkansas-Mississippi (15 minute series; 1:62,500) 
       Interlachen, Florida (15 minute series; 1:62,500) 
APPENDICES Useful References 
       Appendix A—Geological Times Scale and Links 
       Appendix B—Standard US Geological Survey Map Symbols 
       Appendix C—Graphical Patterns for Common Rock Types 
       Appendix D—English and Metric Units of Measurement 
       Appendix E—Rules for Successful Field Trips 

Glossary 
Credits 
Index

Clair Ossian
Clair Russell Ossian is an Emeritus Professor of Geology at Tarrant County College, Hurst, Texas where he was awarded Distinguished Faculty Member in 2011. His career includes nearly twenty years in geological research as a paleontologist and sedimentologist, experiencing many challenges world wide while working in the petroleum industry, retiring as Principal Research Geologist from ARCO Oil and Gas Co. Field research during that time involved projects in diverse settings, including Alaska, Canada, China, Indonesia, Norway, Africa and numerous projects within the rest of the United States.

Before, during and after that phase of his career, he has continued to teach Physical Geology, Historical Geology, Environmental Geology and Field Courses. Dr. Ossian holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Nebraska (Lincoln), a Master of Science degree from Michigan State University, and a Doctor of Philosophy from The University of Texas (Austin). Both graduate degrees are in geology and paleontology.

Professor Ossian has published numerous papers on sedimentology, vertebrate paleontology, invertebrate paleontology and his current research is centered on the geology of Egypt. His most recent research involved providing geological support for an archaeological excavation in the Egyptian delta.

He is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Society of Sigma XI, the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE), the Egyptian Exploration Society and is a Certified Geologist with the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.


A long time resident of north Texas, he and his wife have raised two children, a son and a daughter. They currently share their home with a pair of Chinese chowchow dogs. Hobbies include gardening, raising Japanese koi fish, growing water lilies, carpentry, photography and writing. Travel continues to be a great pleasure for them, proving many opportunities for new experiences . . . and new geological insights.