For Immediate Release
DALLAS – Tanzania was the destination for a group of students who took a special course offered through the Ellison Miles Geotechnology Institute at Brookhaven College. “Tanzania: The Geology and Ecology of the East African Rift System,” was a 12-day travel course that explored the legendary Great African Rift Valley’s geology, flora and fauna.
Ten students traveled with Naresh Kumar, Ph.D., noted petroleum geologist and instructor for the course. The course focused on how to maintain a balance between conserving and developing natural resources. The African Rift Valley, with its volcanic features and rocks, exhibits features of the early stages of development for petroleum source rocks.
One participant called the experience, “one of the best trips I ever had.” Some who attended were interested specifically in the geological aspects of the Rift Valley, but others simply took advantage of the opportunity to travel and experience the history, culture, wildlife and natural phenomena and processes of Africa. Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, Olduvai Gorge and Lake Natron, were just some of the locations the class members visited. Hotels with tree-house lodgings, magnificent flora and fauna and opportunities to meet and interact with native peoples were all part of the course right along with lectures on plate tectonics and volcanic rocks.
“I have had no geology training before,” said one person in reviewing the experience, “but I found the various lectures that Dr. Kumar gave about each we visitied to be very helpful and informative. I appreciate my new awareness of our world and the particular significance of activity in eastern Africa.”
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