Free workshop with Susie Bartz and Sabina Thomas

Geologic maps are fun, colorful, and informative. One of the most famous geologic mappers anywhere — Thomas Wilson Dibblee, Jr. —was born in Santa Barbara County in 1911. Tom’s work in field mapping spanned over six decades. He left a legacy of over 500 beautiful maps which have been published by the Dibblee Geological Foundation in association with the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.

Susie Bartz worked closely with Tom Dibblee, and she will tell tales of Tom and his amazing mapping career. As their friendship grew over the years, Susie often drove Tom to various meetings and field events, with occasional outings to field-check his maps before final publication.  After he died, she worked as a technical review assistant for John Minch at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, and together with Jason Minch, they completed the publication of some 500 Dibblee quadrangles, finishing in 2009. Sabina Thomas will add basic information on how to read geologic maps including what the colors and symbols mean, and what information can be gleaned from the maps’ margins. Attendees will also be introduced to the geology around Sedgwick, using two Dibblee maps that cover the area in the vicinity.

The presentation will end with a brief tour of a map mosaic in the Sedgwick studio and an exercise that shows the participants how to read an actual geologic map. If possible, bring a pencil and eraser to participate in this activity.

Susie Bartz grew up in rural Pennsylvania playing in the wooded hills and rocky creeks outside her house.  She came to Santa Barbara in 1974, where she later enrolled in Santa Barbara City College to study geology. As a student there, she met Tom Dibblee on numerous field trips where he shared his knowledge of the local geology.

Sabina Thomas grew up in Germany where she received her PhD in Geology. Since she left Berlin for the U.S., she has taught at colleges and universities in Texas and Ohio until she moved to Santa Barbara in 2010. In addition to teaching earth-science courses, she has also worked at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

How to Register

This event occured: Saturday, February 1, 2025, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Workshop location: Tipton Meeting House at UC Sedgwick Reserve

Attendance is limited to 42 participants aged 14 and up. Registration opens at 9:00 a.m. on January 15 for members and January 27 for non-members.