The sites were selected by geologists from the Houston Geological Society to provide representative examples of the sedimentary and tectonic processes which formed the geology of the Upper Texas Gulf Coast. The sites were limited to locations which are within Harris and surrounding counties and are generally accessible to the public. Virtual field trips to other sites in the area will be added in the future.

The Houston Geological Society offers field trips to sites of geologic interest on a regular basis. These trips are lead by professional geologists from local universities and businesses and present the results of recent research and discoveries in geology. Watch the Society Calendar for the date and destination of the next trip.
 

Virtual Field Trip Index
The map at the right shows the field trip sites in relation to the Houston, Texas metropolitan area.  Click on the site names or numbers in the list below to go to a field trip stop.
The Ten Most Important Geologic Sites in the Houston Area   and the Processes They Illustrate

 

	Site	Location	Process
1.	Brazos River	Hwy 59 at the Brazos River near Richmond and Brazos Bend State Park	Fluvial Sedimentation in a Meandering River Floodplain
2.	Damon Mound/High Island	Hwy. 36 at Damon/Hwy 124 at High Island	Salt Dome Development
3.	Long Point Fault	1400 Billings Dr., Houston	Faulting
4.	Galveston Island	West Beach, Galveston	Barrier Sedimentation
5.	Oyster Creek	Various abandoned channels in Sugar Land area	Floodplain Development
6.	Brownwood Subdivision/ Goose Creek Oil Field	6100 Bayway, Baytown/Evergreen Dr., Baytown	Subsidence
7.	San Jacinto River at Channelview	I-10 Bridge over the San Jacinto River	Floodplain Incision
8.	Trinity River Delta at Trinity Bay	Anahuac	Deltaic Sedimentation
9.	West Bay	Alligator Point/Halls Lake, West Bay	Lagoonal Sedimentation
10.	Houston Museum of Natural Science	Hermann Park, Houston	Paleontolgy, Mineral and Petroleum Industry Exhibits

Safety Precautions for Field Trips

•  Park your car in designated parking areas only.
•  Watch for snakes, fire ants, and other dangerous pests which inhabit undeveloped areas. Use insect repellents and do not walk through high grass, fallen limbs or other debris which may obstruct your view of the ground. Snakes are most active at night and in the early morning, but may be seen at any time of day. They prefer areas where small animals can be found such as streambanks, marshes, and abandoned buildings.
•  Protect yourself against the sun by wearing sunscreen and a hat. If you are planning to hike, take plenty of water and stop to rest at frequent intervals.
•  Pay special attention to children who may not be aware of dangers which are obvious to adults.
•  Use caution when approaching streambanks as many banks contain quicksand which can deceive even the most experienced hiker. Note that many ponds, lakes and rivers in this area contain alligators which can lurk out of sight at the water's edge. It is best not to walk to the edge of high banks since they may be severely undercut and prone to collapse.

 Do not enter private property without first obtaining permission from the owner.

HGS home

VTF Home Page

First stop