The acquisition of equipment to conduct seismic surveying and the computing equipment to archive, refine, and interpret geophysical data are significantly improving undergraduate laboratory experiences in geophysics courses. Using a sledge hammer as an energy source, the seismograph records the arrival of seismic waves that have been reflected and refracted by rock layers. The laptop computer archives the raw data collected in the field and transfers this data to the more powerful desktop computer. Undergraduates manipulate the data, which provide important information on subsurface geologic structure. Apart from heavy use in geophysics courses, the equipment is used for demonstration and laboratory exercises in both upper and lower division courses. Additionally the seismograph and computing equipment are used extensively by undergraduates for research projects for independent studies or senior theses. The research projects consist largely of multi-disciplinary studies of pre-Cambrian rocks in Michigan's western upper peninsula; because of the paucity of rock expsure in this area and highly irregular bedrock topography beneath glacial drift, seismic and other geophysical techniques are employed. The university is contributing an amount equal to 151% of the award.
