Geology of Santa Barbara Field Course: Trouble in Paradise

At various locations

Cover millions of years in this dynamic six-week field course! Geologist Sabina Thomas, Ph.D., brings the fundamentals of geology and local geography to life. Discover how much our local environment has been shaped by Earth’s forces and processes like earthquakes, plate tectonics, landslides, and erosion. Gain basic geology skills to better understand and interpret our natural environment, and apply what you learn on field trips to our local mountains and beaches. You’ll never look at a rock the same way again.

August 29, September 5 and 19, and October 3 classes meet 10:00 AM–1:30 PM. September 12 and 26 classes meet 2:00–5:30 PM in response to tides for beach visits.

Pre-registration required. Click here to register. $150 general admission, $120 for Museum Members. Not a Member yet? Join us today.

Class is limited to 18 participants, ages 16 and up. Transportation not included. Each session meets at designated locations sent to registrants in advance. Field trips take place on varied terrain, including pavement, dirt trails, and beach sand. While these trips are not strenuous, participants can expect each trip to include extended periods of standing and walking. Trips will only be canceled/refunded in the event of extreme heat or lightning. Contact kperry@sbnature2.org for more information or assistance with purchasing.

About the Instructor
Sabina Thomas grew up in Germany and received her Ph.D. in Geology from the TU Berlin. She left Berlin for the U.S. in 1989 and taught at colleges and universities in Texas and Ohio until she moved to Santa Barbara in 2010. She worked as the Nature Education manager at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and teaches earth science courses at Santa Barbara City College and Ventura College. Sabina is on the Board of Directors of the Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Society and is the vice president of Coast Geological Society in Ventura. She has taken several courses in botany, earned the California Naturalist Certificate in 2019 and the Climate Steward Certificate in 2022, and loves going on field trips.

Artwork by John Iwerks, geologic map by Tom Dibblee

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