back at coldigioco
The next part of the program kept us near Coldigioco for about two weeks while we learned about surface geology and its influences on humans. For one project we studied sediment transport in the Musone River, a stream that flows from the Apennines down to the Adriatic. For a second project we studied soils in vineyards throughout the region to learn about how bedrock geology and geomorphology influence soil and, ultimately, the wine grown in those soils. We also spent a day in Ancona, where we learned about the archaeology of Le Marche (especially about the Picenians, the early pre-Hellenistic inhabitants of the region) and the modern-day geological issue of landslides.
For the first project we took sediment samples from several sites along the Musone River. Here Hope, my partner for the project and also my lovable roommate at Coldi, shows her enthusiasm for flysch and braided streams.
The second project focused on the soils of the Castelli di Jesi and Matelica terroirs (two distinct geologic & geographic areas where Verdicchio wine is cultivated). We toured 7 vineyards around the region, taking soil samples in each to analyze back in the lab.
This was one of my favorite projects so far, because it is an interesting example of why geology matters so much to us. When I mention that I am a geology major, a common question is 'so, you study rocks...?' which fails to grasp what is really fascinating and important, at least to me, about the field. This application of geology, on the other hand, is both concrete and compelling: do you drink wine? do you eat food? If so, geology matters immensely to you.
And after studying about wines, of course, we had to sample them. A sommelier came to Coldigioco and taught us about the differences in taste between the Verdicchios from the vineyards we'd visited. (Yes, I'm getting college credit for this.)
And to complement the wine, our master sommelier Gualberto cooked a traditional Le Marche soup for us, chock full of cuttlefish, octopus, prawns, mussels and fish heads. Yum!