2016 Geophysics Field Lecture: Forging Students to Become Junior Geophysicists
KARANGSAMBUNG, itb.ac.id – It cannot be denied that theory and practice are a unified whole. In order to perfect the theory that has been obtained during the lecture period, the Geophysical Engineering Study Program again carried out field lectures in Karangsambung on Monday (18/04/16). The activity, which took place in Kebumen, Central Java, was attended by all undergraduate Geophysical Engineering students class of 2013 and non-ITB alumni Geophysical Engineering Masters students. This field study is a mandatory activity for prospective young geophysicists so they are ready to explore the wealth of natural resources on this earth.
The journey is made by train from Bandung station to Gombong station with a travel time of around 6 hours. The air temperature, which was previously 24⁰ Celsius, has increased significantly to 35⁰ Celsius. Not long after, the group of participants was picked up by several buses like mini metros but accompanied by many different colors and stickers with various writings. Local people call it “engkel”.
Transformation that Brings Change
“Lecture “The Karangsambung field is the process of transforming a geophysics student into a junior geophysicist who is ready to go directly into the field,” said Satria Bijaksana (ITB Geophysical Engineering Lecturer) as Coordinating Lecturer and Field Lecture Supervisor. Humid air conditions, high temperatures and unstable weather conditions make field study participants feel challenged. However, it is in nature that a field worker must be ready under any conditions. For 2 weeks, participants will be exposed to the natural diversity of Karangsambung. The first week begins with an in-depth study of geological material. The geological material studied includes geological mapping, description of rocks and outcrops, as well as in-depth study of geomorphological material. Knowledge of geology is an absolute must for prospective geophysicists because familiarity with rocks and minerals is the main basis for interpreting layers beneath the earth’s surface. In the second week, participants were given the freedom to deepen geophysical material and apply geophysical methods directly. For each method, participants learn to acquire data in the field, process data, and interpret data that has been obtained from the field so that participants get an overview of the layers beneath the earth’s surface. Interestingly, participants were given the freedom to determine their own survey design. In this way, participants can innovate in their scientific practice.
Natural Wealth of Karangsambung
Karangsambung is a natural laboratory to study the structure and types of rocks, minerals and various forms of the earth’s surface due to natural transformation processes. In the past, Karangsambung was the bottom of the ocean. As a result of the collision between three earth plates, the Karangsambung area was lifted to the earth’s surface. Therefore, Karangsambung has various types of rocks such as igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Apart from that, this area has complexity in its surface structure so that many geological scientists consider this place to be a geological research paradise. It is not surprising that the government established a National Geological Reserve in this area.
The Karangsambung field lecture closed with a series of events in the form of a group dinner, awarding prizes to the best participants, and entertainment such as singing, dancing or stand up comedy performed by the lecture participants themselves. “My hope after this field lecture ends is that each participant will become a true believer, namely someone who believes that the theories they have studied while sitting in class can be proven and realized for the benefit of human civilization,” concluded Satria Bijaksana.
ITB Journalist Apprentice 2016
Raymond Napitupulu (Geophysical Engineering 2013)
This news is adapted from: https://www.itb.ac.id/news/5157.xhtml
