Earth Sciences Facilities

Laboratory and Field Equipment

* Leica DM 2500P petrographic microscope with digital video camera
* Scanning electron microscope (SEM) with EDS capability
* Portable seismic lines and detectors
* Earthquake seismometer
* Portable pH and conductivity meters, and digital titrator
* Transit level, and Brunton pocket transit compasses
* Soil and sediment augers, and bulk density sampler
* Sediment sieves and automated sieve shaker
* Geosciences laboratory equipped with fume hood and fume extractor arms

 

The "Field Laboratory" - Our Geologic Setting

Penn State DuBois is well situated in a region with a wealth of resources for Earth Sciences instruction and research. The campus is located on the Allegheny Plateau, characterized by hilly terrain, and streams deeply incised into late-Paleozoic sedimentary strata. Situated just 5 miles to the east is the continental divide separating the Susquehanna and Mississippi River drainage basins. Nearby to the east is the Appalachian Valley and Ridge province with its folded early-Paleozoic strata, sandstone-capped ridges, and limestone valleys with the associated Karst topography. Nearby to the west are Pleistocene glacial deposits and associated landforms. The campus is located in the heart of Pennsylvania's coal and natural gas producing regions, in close proximity to both the resource development activity and the associated environmental problems. Located in the "Pennsylvania Wilds" region, the campus is near more than 2 million acres of state and national forest and game lands, 29 state parks, and the largest elk herd in the Northeast.

Picture of geo sciences facilities at Penn State DuBois