Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - EASC 403 D100

Quaternary Geology (3)

Class Number: 2475

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 22, 2026
    Wed, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    EASC 201, EASC 209W or GEOG 213, and EASC 308. All with a grade of C- or better.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Stratigraphy and history of the Quaternary Period with emphasis on glaciation, glacial sediments, and landforms. The course includes several 1-day trips and at least one 3-day trip.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is intended for senior EASC undergraduate students and others who possess a general background in geology and can also have some training in related science disciplines such as geography and biology. The course provides an in-depth examination of Quaternary geology (i.e., the geology of the past 2.6 million years). Topics include Quaternary processes and sediments, stratigraphy, geomorphology, surficial geology, and Quaternary geochronology. The emphasis is on developing an understanding of (1) the recent geologic record in four dimensions (time being the fourth dimension), (2) important natural processes that have shaped the landscape during the Quaternary and (3) Quaternary sediments and landforms. Principles and concepts are illustrated with xamples from Western Canada and the adjacent northwestern U.S. The course has a strong field emphasis within the constraints imposed by winter weather.

Course Topics:

  1. The Quaternary Period – an overview
  2. Quaternary processes, sediments and landforms. These include: glacier mass balance; mechanisms of glacier flow and erosion; glacier sediments (till) and landforms; glacial-marine and glacial-lacustrine processes, sediments and landforms; and glacial-fluvial and fluvial processes, sediments and landforms.
  3. Tectonics and sea level change
  4. Stratigraphy – concepts, terminology, procedures for surface outcrops, the stratigraphic code, type sections
  5. Quaternary paleoenvironments
  6. Quaternary history and environments of the Cordilleran ice sheet

Quaternary dating techniques and applications


Course Organization: One 2-hour lecture and one 3-hour laboratory class per week. On 4-5 Fridays, field trips will replace the lecture. DO NOT schedule any other courses on Friday. In addition to Friday field trips, we will hopefully have a 2- or 3-day excursion to a location within BC (TBD).

Grading

  • Quizzes 15%
  • Term presentation 20%
  • Field trip report 20%
  • Final exam 35%
  • Class and field trip participation 10%

NOTES:

Course will have a supplementary fee.  You should also budget for all field trip expenses. As we will be in the field a minimum of 7 days in late winter/early spring, be prepared for cool, wet weather. You will need a backpack, field boots with ankle support, a camera, and standard items including a field notebook, pen, and pencils.

Be aware that during the field trips there may be periods of strenuous hiking, hiking close to cliffs and crossing roads with busy traffic. Appropriate clothing and footwear should be worn. Further details regarding safety, food, housing and field supplies will be discussed prior to the field trips

Materials

RECOMMENDED READING:

Glacial Geology; Ice Sheets and Landforms. 2nd edition Bennett, M.R. & Glasser, N.F. 2010. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 978-0-470-51691-1

A collection of research papers will be distributed during the class. The articles provide information on the Quaternary geology of British Columbia; some articles are pertinent to the field trips.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.