Riding with gear in UC vehicles from ferry dock to the UC Field Station. (Photo courtesy of Beau Antongiovanni.)

Delicious dinner in the group dining area. (Photo courtesy of David W. Smith)

Great food prepared by Gabrielle's Kitchen. (Photo courtesy of David W. Smith)

Travel to field stops was in 4WD vehicles provided by the UC Field Station. The view in this photo looks west toward Christy Beach from "Centinela" that is near the Fiale soil pit (Stop 11). (Photo courtesy of David W. Smith)

Off to visit the unique sites on Santa Cruz Island in 4WD vehicles. (Photo courtesy of David W. Smith)

Traveling on Santa Cruz Island. (Photo courtesy of David W. Smith)

UC Station Director Lyndal Laughrin addressing group on the Southern Ridge in an area of brick red color soil formed in schist parent material. (Photo courtesy of David W. Smith)

Nicholas Pinter pointing out left-lateral drainage deflections along the trace of the SCI fault on the west side of the island. Santa Rosa Island can be seen in the distance across the channel. (Photo courtesy of David W. Smith)

Holocene-aged alluvium eroded to current base level just to the southeast of Christy Beach parking area. (Photo courtesy of David W. Smith)

Nicholas Pinter leading group discussion. (Photo courtesy of David W. Smith)

Origin of this early- to mid-Holocene-aged charcoal near the bottom of the exposed alluvial sequence? (Photo courtesy of David W. Smith)

Eroding fluvial terrace at SCI fault exposure above Christy Beach. (Photo courtesy of David W. Smith)

Eroding fluvial terrace. Christy Beach can be seen in the near distance. (Photo courtesy of David W. Smith)

Fiale Soil Series pit in volcanic breccia. Taxonomic Class: fine, smectitic, thermic Aridic Halpoxererts. (Photo courtesy of David W. Smith)

David Kelley discussing arboriculture and soils around the roots of a tree that fell in 2023's winter storms. (Photo courtesy of David W. Smith)

NRCS Soil Scientist Julie Baker discussing the Delphine Soil Series formed in schist (loamy-skeletal mixed, superactive, thermic, shallow Typic Haploxeralfs). (Photo courtesy of David W. Smith)

Discussion around an opened soil pit to review 2003 USDA - NRCS Soil Survey findings. (Photo courtesy of David W. Smith)

Group Photo (partial) The UC Field Station is in the Central Valley in the background with Valley Anchorage at the eastern end of the Central Valley. The group (from left to right): Lauren Morris, Andrew Martinez, Siomara Zendejas, Terry Cook, Rebecca Lybrand (front row, kneeling); Miguel Ramos, Taylor Cullum-Muyres, Maripaula Valdes-Berriz, Madison Morris, Cassandra Collins, Ron Taskey, Julie Baker, Jim Regal, James Frampton, Dennis Fenwick (middle); D. Ryan Dodd, Bryan Rahn, Christopher D'Aiuto, Beau Antongiovanni, David Smith, Kerry Arroues, Jan Weston (back). (Photo courtesy of David W. Smith)

Group photo on Christy Beach. Late Quaternary marine terraces are visible behind the group on the far west end of the island. Note the lowest, youngest terrace at the water/horizon line on the left. (Photo courtesy of David W. Smith)

Lunch break on the beach. (Photo courtesy of David W. Smith)

James Frampton, Miguel Ramos, and Bryan Rahn enjoying lunch on the beach. (Photo courtesy of David W. Smith)

Cal Poly student scholarship recipients Miguel Ramos and Lauren Morris evaluating one of the soil pits. (Photo courtesy of Taylor Cullum-Muyres)

Taking a close look at the Delphine soil pit. (Photo courtesy of Taylor Cullum-Muyres)

Ron Taskey pointing out wedge-shaped peds with tilted long axes that are typical of Vertisols. (Photo courtesy of David W. Smith)

Island Packers Ferry arriving at the dock at the conclusion of the field meeting. (Photo courtesy of David W. Smith)