In the field, a sedimentologist will dig several columns a distance from each other, using one as a reference column to compare to the others. For this project, students will only have to dig one column. There are many areas that do not require special permission, but there are also many protected ones and you will need a permit. Always bring lots of water, sun block and bug spray when working in the summer. If you are on a north shore beach, you want to look for evidence of glacial activity.
Striations are parallel scratches etched into a rock's surface by glacial transport.
Chattermarks appear as half moons dug into a rock. Erratic boulders are boulders that differ in mineral composition from the native bedrock of an area. These boulders can be as large as a house and were brought to the area by a glacier. Unless you have a landmark, it may be difficult and often impossible to find the exact spot you were previously working at. The important thing is to choose a mark that is not going to move for a number of years.