GUIDEBOOK OF
PALO DURO CANYON
West Texas State University Geological Society
DEPARTMENT OF GEOSCIENCES
The Department of Geosciences (geology, geography,anthropology) is housed in the Science Center on thecampus of West Texas State University. Additional departmentalspace is found in the Killgore ResearchCenter and Old Main. The Department offers a programof study leading to a Bachelor of Science and Bachelorof Arts degrees in geology and geography and a Bachelorof General Studies degree in anthropology. Most studentsare enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in geologydegree, designed to meet the needs of studentspreparing for a professional career in geology. It requiresa minimum of 39 semester hours of geology, plussupporting coursework in other sciences, mathematics,and technical writing or cartography. The Departmentalso offers a Master of Science degree in geology.Recent thesis topics include Geology of Fortress CliffQuadrangle, Randall County, Texas and Sedimentologyand Petrology of the Javelina Formation, Big BendNational Park, Brewster County, Texas.
Members of the departmental faculty have a widerange of academic interests and come from a variety ofcolleges and universities. Special interests of thefaculty include stratigraphy, biostratigraphy, geomorphology,sedimentology, structural geology, tectonics,igneous and metamorphic petrology, petroleum geology,paleontology, cartography, archaeology, and Indians andtheir culture of the south central United States. Inaddition, the Department retains a broad concern forearth-science education, and offers courses in introductoryearth science and geology to meet student needsin the University general education and in teachereducation.
The Department supports students with teaching andgraduate assistantships, undergraduate laboratory assistants,and scholarships. Information regardingdegree programs and financial aid can be obtained fromthe Department of Geosciences, West Texas State University,Box 938, Canyon, Texas 79016 or by calling thedepartmental office at 806-656-2581.
FOREWORD
The West Texas State University GeologicalSociety was organized in 1958 by students ofthe Department of Geology. The objective ofthe Society is to promote interest in geologyas an academic subject and as a professionalcareer. In order to present the concepts ofgeology to interested groups, the Palo DuroCanyon Guidebook is sponsored by the WTSUGeological Society.
The Geological Society is indebted toProfessor Jack T. Hughes and to Mr. JerryHarbour for their work in the first editionof this guidebook.
DO YOU HAVE A GROUP OR KNOW OF A GROUPWHO WOULD LIKE A GUIDED FIELD TRIP OFPALO DURO CANYON? CONTACT THE WEST TEXASSTATE UNIVERSITY GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY AT656-2581 FOR INFORMATION.