South Africa (2023)

Graduate and undergraduate students participated in a three-week field trip to South Africa in May 2023, led by Nathan Niemi and John Geissman (BS ’73; MS ’76; PhD ’80). The group traversed the country from Cape Town to Johannesburg to Durban exploring geology, paleontology, mineral resources, and human evolution. In the Karoo Basin, students explored the geologic and fossil record of the Permo-Triassic extinction, and had the opportunity to pursue the private fossil collection of Dr. Bruce Rubidge.  In Johannesburg, a tour of “The Vault” at Wits University allowed students to view first hand the skeletons of early hominids.  Explorations of diamond mines at Kimberley and platinum mines in the Bushveld layered ultramafic complex exposed students to the role of mineral resources in South Africa’s history. Cultural opportunities with local geologists and unexpected wildlife (baboons and giraffes galore) expanded students appreciation of this unique country.