For Immediate Release
November 17, 2008

Explore ghost towns and 'moving rocks' in Northern Death Valley with UCR Extension

RIVERSIDE, CALIF – Now is the time to visit one of the largest natural museums, known as Death Valley. Death Valley is the lowest, driest and hottest place on Earth. For the geology student, it is an open map to the earth's infinite transformations. You'll want to pack a jacket, however, when you sign up for the weekend class, Geology and Natural History of Northern Death Valley, which meets Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7. Temperatures are well above 100 degrees and hiking is enjoyable.

Popular and knowledgeable geology instructor Gary Arce leads students through the wonderland of Northern Death Valley, a magical place, where rocks "move" by themselves and ghost towns litter the landscape. The faulted mountain ranges reveal 1.7 billion years of violent history created by mountains lifting and valleys dropping against one another. Arce will discuss the geology and the natural and human history of Northern Death Valley, stopping by Racetrack Playa to point out the large sailing stones that glide across the mud when no one is watching. At night, students may want to take their eyes off the ground and lift them up to the stars: Death Valley has one of the darkest night skies in the United States.

Students will meet in Death Valley. The exact location will be sent to the student upon enrollment. Students are also responsible for transportation to and from Death Valley and overnight accommodations. The fee for this class is $199/$185 each for couples and family members/ $170 each with PINE discount.

This class is an elective for the Certificate in Desert Ecology, the Certificate in Field Ecology and the Specialized Study Program in Field Geology.

For more information about this class or other field course studies, contact (951) 827-5804, e-mail sciences@ucx.ucr.edu or visit www.extension.ucr.edu. To register, call (951) 827-4105 or (800) 442-4990 or visit www.extension.ucr.edu.