409 *SOLD OUT* California's OIL Coast: Conflicted History of Natural Resources, Early Exploration, and Environmental Justice
This day-long field excursion focuses on fossil fuel resources and human impact. Coastal California is known for extensive petroleum exploration and exploitation, as well as being the birthplace of the modern environmental movement. California's petroleum heritage reflects petroleum controversies, economic mayhem, and environmental justice. Stephen Testa, current president of the Petroleum History Institute, will lead us to various sites of petroleum and geological interest. The day begins with the historic Olinda Museum and trail that showcases the important role Olinda played in the Brea-Olinda oil field development; it was the first of California's largest 50 oil fields. Before oil and gas, there was tar—and we include a behind-the-scenes tour of La Brea Tar Pits, an IUGS top geological heritage site, which showcases natural tar seeps, exceptionally preserved Pleistocene fossils, and evidence of climate change. We also visit the Los Angeles City Oil Field, discovered in 1892 by Edward L. Doheny (1856–1935), where the modern-day petroleum industry began. Oil Queen Emma Summers’ (1858–1941) business acumen would help her control the Los Angeles City Oil Field’s production. Other sites of interest include urban petroleum drill sites camouflaged as high-rise buildings and the Hollywood Fault near the iconic Capitol Records building. Our day will end at the mega-giant Long Beach Oil Field at Signal Hill, which is an active oil field set in an urban environment. Throughout the excursion, our leaders interweave petroleum’s legacy—both positive and negative—to address the landscape, human impacts, and environmental justice issues of the oil industry. Transportation, lunch, and materials are included.
Saturday, 21 September 2024
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Field Trip
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