Author Archives: Mark Wilson

About Mark Wilson

Mark Wilson is an emeritus Professor of Geology at The College of Wooster. He specializes in invertebrate paleontology, carbonate sedimentology, and stratigraphy. He also is an expert on pseudoscience, especially creationism.

A typical field geology day in the Negev

Mark Wilson June 7, 2010 9:40 am

Exploring a portion of the Menuha Formation (Upper Cretaceous) in Wadi Aqrav (“Scorpion Wash” which we may rename “Tick Wash”). Coordinates: N30° 33.712′, E34° 38.844′.

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A friendly gecko on a hot and long field day

Mark Wilson June 6, 2010 11:36 pm

MITZPE RAMON, ISRAEL — The Wooster Israel team worked hard today at the western end of the Makhtesh Ramon geological structure, about 20 km west of Mitzpe Ramon.  Yoav Avni of the Geological Survey led us on a very useful … Continue reading →

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Geological and Archaeological Park at Timna

Mark Wilson June 5, 2010 12:31 pm

MITZPE RAMON, ISRAEL — Our last stop on our shabbat trip today was at Timna Park north of Eilat, Israel.  Here we saw a combination of geology and archaeology.  The porous sandstones exposed in the cliffs have been mineralized along … Continue reading →

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Boundaries

Mark Wilson June 5, 2010 12:24 pm

MITZPE RAMON, ISRAEL — Wooster geologists this summer have been working hard with boundaries of the geological kind: horizontal surfaces in rock sequences that mark dramatic events in Earth history.  Our favorite has been the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary, but we are … Continue reading →

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Visiting the modern version of our ancient world

Mark Wilson June 5, 2010 12:19 pm

MITZPE RAMON, ISRAEL — Every shabbat in Israel (Friday sundown to Saturday sundown) we cease geological work and take a break.  Our first shabbat on this trip started with a wonderful dinner at the home of our hosts Yoav and … Continue reading →

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Wooster Geologists in the Negev

Mark Wilson June 4, 2010 12:23 pm

MITZPE RAMON, ISRAEL — Andrew Retzler, Micah Risacher and I arrived in southern Israel yesterday evening after a 24-hour journey from Wooster.  (My boots still have Mississippi mud on them, by the way.)  Our primary mission on this trip is … Continue reading →

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The Battle of Vicksburg and Geology

Mark Wilson May 29, 2010 9:26 pm

VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI — The Wooster Geologists southern USA team spent the better part of the day at the site of the Civil War Battle of Vicksburg (May 18-July 4, 1863).  As is the case with virtually every battle, the local … Continue reading →

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A paleontological meeting at the Owl Creek Formation

Mark Wilson May 28, 2010 8:38 pm

RIPLEY, MISSISSIPPI — On our last full field day we met a team from the American Museum of Natural History (led by paleontologist Neil Landman) and converged on the famous Late Cretaceous Owl Creek Formation exposures near Ripley in northern … Continue reading →

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A more recent history

Mark Wilson May 28, 2010 7:53 pm

BALDWYN, MISSISSIPPI — When possible on these geological field trips we explore the local culture and history of the region in which we are temporary guests.  This morning we visited the small Civil War battlefield of Brice’s Crossroads (June 10, … Continue reading →

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Bryozoan Paradise at the K/T Boundary

Mark Wilson May 27, 2010 9:23 pm

NEW ALBANY, MISSISSIPPI — One of the main advantages of being a geologist in a liberal arts program is the diversity of experiences our students and faculty have.  While some Wooster geologists are enjoying a “soft rock” adventure in the … Continue reading →

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