Category Archives: Uncategorized

Ordovician Hardgrounds

mwilson June 7, 2009 2:06 am

SYAS RIVER, LENINGRAD REGION, RUSSIA–The main geological attractions for me on this expedition are the abundant carbonate hardgrounds in the Lower and Middle Ordovician in this part of the world.  A carbonate hardground is a cemented seafloor.  What were soft … Continue reading →

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A Tunnel to a Frozen Past

mwilson June 6, 2009 2:06 am

SYAS RIVER, LENINGRAD REGION, RUSSIA–“Do you have a light? We are going into caves tomorrow.” I must admit to a bit of trepidation, hearing that question. I indeed have a small flashlight, but not one I’d like to have with … Continue reading →

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First Find

mwilson June 5, 2009 2:02 am

NEAR KHAMONTOVO, LENINGRAD REGION, RUSSIA–When you’re a paleontologist in the field with other geologists for the first time, you need to prove your general scientific worth by either saying witty things or finding an excellent specimen right away. I went … Continue reading →

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A Geological Field House

mwilson June 5, 2009 1:59 am

NEAR KHAMONTOVO, LENINGRAD REGION, RUSSIA–It is not your typical Russian dacha, this field house.  It was purchased partially-finished by Andrey because it is ideally located (N60.01114°, E32.56416°) very near important Paleozoic outcrops.  The setting is beautiful — on the top … Continue reading →

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Sleeper Train West

mwilson June 5, 2009 1:55 am

Andrey and I boarded a west-bound train in Moscow at 6:25 in the evening. It is a nine-hour ride to Volkhov, so the cars are equipped as sleepers. This meant that we shared an open compartment with two other people, … Continue reading →

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Touring Moscow

mwilson June 4, 2009 1:52 am

MOSCOW, RUSSIA–As I write this entry and the following few, I’m deep in the Russian woods in a small “field house” with no internet connections.  I will post this entry and the others when I get the chance and back-date … Continue reading →

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The Miracle of Wireless

mwilson June 4, 2009 12:40 am

Somehow I stumbled upon a wireless connection in my Moscow hotel room this morning. I shall post quickly before it vanishes. It disappears now and then, but I’ve thus far been able to retrieve it. First, a couple of images … Continue reading →

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Wooster Geologist in Russia

mwilson June 3, 2009 11:51 am

My first day in Russia.  I’m in Moscow hotel lobby with only this cranky connection to the Internet, but I’m here.  Tomorrow I leave with my colleague Andrei Dronov for work in the St. Petersburg region on the Lower Ordovician. … Continue reading →

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Urban Dinosaurs

mwilson May 27, 2009 8:24 am

My last geological fieldwork (if we can call it that) in Israel on this trip was to examine the Upper Cretaceous limestones and dolomites exposed in Jerusalem. I far prefer my rocks be found in pristine wilderness areas with only … Continue reading →

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The Drawbacks of Working in the Golan Heights

mwilson May 26, 2009 2:38 pm

Today we could visit only one Jurassic site in the Golan. The others were in a militarily sensitive area to which we were not admitted, even after a long conversation with the commanding officer and classic geological special pleading. (“But … Continue reading →

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