Introduction to the Bedrock Geology of Northern Vermont
September 26–27, 2026
Instructor: Stephen Wright
Cost: $295
Size: 12 Students
This course will introduce participants to the bedrock geology of northern Vermont. Two day-long field trips will visit areas where key aspects of the area’s geology can be observed and understood. Along a generally west to east transect, we will see good exposures of some of the major rocks underlying both the Champlain Valley and the Green Mountains. We will learn how to identify these different rocks and see how different aspects of our geologic history can be interpreted from rocks like these. Some of the field stops will also provide insight into the myriad of processes that have been eroding the landscape since the mountains formed.
Course Details
Goals and Objectives
- Introduce students to the common rocks occurring in northern Vermont
- Identification of key minerals and textures
- Distinctions between sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks
- Recognizing different types of structures within those rocks
- Introduce students to a variety of geological processes, e.g:
- The erosion and deposition of sediments by moving water
- The unique environments many rocks form in
- The deformation of rocks when mountains form
- Landforms and materials produced as rocks weather and erode at Earth’s surface
- Geologic Time and Rates
- How do we know when things occurred in the geologic past?
- How do we know how fast things occurred in the geologic past?
- Geologic history of northern Vermont
- Understanding the sequence of events that formed the rocks and mountains in the region
- Understanding how Plate Tectonics provides the framework for understanding our geologic history
About the Instructor
Stephen Wright is a retired Senior Lecturer at the University of Vermont. While his early work focused on deciphering the deformational history of rocks in the Adirondack Mountains, Colorado Rockies, and northern Sweden, his current research utilizes extensive field work to further our understanding of the glacial history of northern Vermont. This work includes understanding the dynamics of ice flow and water flow within the big ice sheet that once covered Vermont and the histories of the many glacial lakes dammed by that ice sheet. His current field work is focused on the glacial geology of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Wright uses his background in both bedrock geology and glacial geology to unravel the geological underpinnings of Vermont’s many landscapes.
Recommended Reading
Reading materials for the class will be uploaded here in advance of the course.
Meals & Lodging
We will provide coffee, tea, and light breakfast fare (pastries, etc.) at NBNC on Saturday morning. Participants should bring their own lunches and snacks. Camping is available onsite by request.
Location & Timing
Course begins 9 AM on Saturday at North Branch Nature Center. Course begins on Sunday at a time and location of the instructor’s choosing. Course concludes by 5 PM on Sunday.
Physical Requirements
Participants must be able to travel at least two miles each day on dirt trails and off-trail on uneven and hilly terrain. Bedrock exposures are often close to the roads, but may involve some short but steep scrambling to access. Participants should be comfortable outside in potentially hot or wet conditions for long periods of time. Please reach out to us if you have any questions about mobility and/or other accessibility needs.
Academic Credit & Professional Development
This course may qualify for 1 graduate-level credit for an additional $200 course fee. All BioU courses are accredited by Castleton University. Participants interested in receiving credit must contact us in advance so we have time to arrange course accreditation. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that home institutions will accept the credit. Participants pursuing academic credit will be required to complete an additional assignment above and beyond the course hours, including literature review, reflective writing, or a field-based project.
This course qualifies for 20 hours of professional development hours and continuing education units. Certificates of completion are provided at the conclusion of the course.
Financial Support
We have financial support available for most courses! Please head to our Financial Support page to learn more and request financial support. Support is limited, but we do our best to make sure that participants are not turned away for financial reasons. Since many courses fill quickly, we suggest submitting your financial support request after registering for the course if you are able. Or you may email us after submitting your request to ask us to temporarily hold a space for you.
Cancellation Policy
While we realize that unexpected circumstances arise that are out of our control, North Branch Nature Center cannot guarantee refunds for registrations cancelled within 30 days of the course. If a cancellation occurs within this window, NBNC will attempt to fill the space from our wait list and provide a full refund. If the course needs to be cancelled by NBNC, we will provide a full refund.