The Department of Marine Science, Diponegoro University, conducted a field excursion for first-semester students enrolled in the Marine Geology and Oceanography courses on November 15, 2025. The field excursion was carried out at two main locations: Kali Ngalang, Gunung Kidul, and Sepanjang Beach, Yogyakarta. This fieldwork activity aimed to provide students with direct exposure to geological processes and oceanographic dynamics in coastal environments.
During the Marine Geology field course, students observed the Sambipitu Formation at Kali Ngalang. This formation resulted from sedimentation in an ancient sea during the Miocene period, approximately 16 million years ago. Through the interpretation of rock layers, students examined the geological history of the area and directly observed fossil coral reefs, which provide evidence of past environmental changes. In addition, at Sepanjang Beach, students analyzed sediment characteristics and coastal rock formations, including grain size, sedimentary structures, and geomorphological processes shaping the coastline.
Meanwhile, the Oceanography field excursion at Sepanjang Beach focused on measuring fundamental oceanographic parameters. Students measured temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, as well as current speed and direction. These data were used to assess water conditions and the factors influencing coastal ecosystems. In addition to physical and chemical measurements, students also conducted observations of marine biota in the intertidal zone, including mollusks, crustaceans, algae, and other organisms characteristic of tidal environments.
Through this field excursion, students gained hands-on experience that strengthened their theoretical understanding and enhanced their analytical skills in interpreting coastal geological and oceanographic phenomena.