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.

Starting work in the University of Tartu Natural History Museum

Mark Wilson August 2, 2018 8:02 am

Tartu, Estonia — Today Bill Ausich and I began our work in the University of Tartu Natural History Museum. Our most knowledgeable and helpful host is chief geology curator Mare Isakar. This museum is just a short walk from our … Continue reading →

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Back to the paleontology lab in Tartu, Estonia

Mark Wilson August 1, 2018 8:01 am

Tartu, Estonia — Disconcertingly it says “chemistry”, but there really is a geology department inside this building on the University of Tartu campus. The Geology Department is part of the Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences. We are very impressed … Continue reading →

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Fieldwork in Estonia, with a bonus visit to Narva

Mark Wilson July 31, 2018 7:31 am

Tartu, Estonia — Today Bill and I had a spectacular geology and culture field trip in northeastern Estonia. As you can see in the images, the weather was excellent, if a little warm. Our Estonian hosts took us from Tartu … Continue reading →

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Starting work in Estonia

Mark Wilson July 30, 2018 7:30 am

Tartu, Estonia — Ah, fossils at last! Bill Ausich and I are here to explore several topics, but the main one is describing the crinoids in a Silurian (Aeronian) Konservat Lagerstätte at Kalana Quarry in central Estonia. Much more on … Continue reading →

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First full day in Estonia for the intrepid paleontologists

Mark Wilson July 29, 2018 7:29 am

Tartu, Estonia– Bill Ausich and I arrived exhausted but safely in this old university city last evening. Fortunately we had this gorgeous Sunday to recover and adjust to the seven-hour time difference. We explored the neighborhood around our hotel (“V-Spa … Continue reading →

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Wooster and Ohio State paleontologists return to Estonia

Mark Wilson July 27, 2018 7:27 am

Bill Ausich (Ohio State University Academy Professor) and I begin a long journey today from Ohio to the delightful nation of Estonia. (I’ve posted a map above in case you’ve forgotten the location of this Baltic country.) We were last … Continue reading →

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Wooster Geologist in Wales and England (June 2018)

Mark Wilson June 20, 2018 6:20 am

I spent two weeks in wonderful places making presentations, doing research, scouting for student Independent Study projects, and seeing friends and colleagues. Here is a guide to the blog posts by date — June 6: Bryozoologists gather in Wales June … Continue reading →

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Wooster Paleontologist in London (again)

Mark Wilson June 15, 2018 6:15 am

London, England — The Natural History Museum is one of my favorite places on Earth. It is a secular cathedral of science; a celebration of life’s long history and glorious diversity. I’ve had the pleasure of working here many times, … Continue reading →

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Stone cannon balls from Aberystwyth Castle

Mark Wilson June 14, 2018 6:14 am

Today I made the long train journey from Aberystwyth to London, so I have just a brief post about the spherical stone objects above. They are stone cannon balls recovered in an archaeological investigation of Aberystwyth Castle. Tim Palmer is … Continue reading →

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Last day for this Wooster Geologist in Wales … for now

Mark Wilson June 13, 2018 6:13 am

Aberystwyth, Wales — My last full day in Wales with my hosts Tim and Caroline Palmer was again different from every other day in this country. I have had a stimulating diversity of experiences on this short trip. For example, … Continue reading →

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