You’re never alone on an outcrop

Mark Wilson November 13, 2009 10:28 pm
Molted skin layer from a rattlesnake apparently in the cavity underneath the rock.

Molted skin layer from a rattlesnake apparently in the cavity underneath the nice piece of Permian limestone. I didn't poke around in there to wake him up, and I let that limestone stay where it was.

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A West Texas outcrop

Mark Wilson November 13, 2009 10:18 pm

BROWNWOOD, TEXAS–It was nearly a five hour drive from College Station, Texas, through the Hill Country to our first Permian exposure in West Texas. (We passed, by the way, through Killeen and Fort Hood.) It was worth the trip for all the strange features we found on this outcrop of the Valera Formation.

Tom Yancey, a paleontologist at Texas A&M University, seated on our little outcrop of the Valera Formation in West Texas (N31.48454°, W99.69368°).

Tom Yancey, a paleontologist at Texas A&M University, seated on our little outcrop of the Valera Formation in West Texas (N31.48454°, W99.69368°).

We spent several hours measuring, describing and sampling this outcrop in ideal weather. We found plenty of examples of what we came here for: fossil microconchids, otherwise known as “worm tubes”.

Microconchid tubes from the Valera Formation at the above outcrop.

Microconchid tubes from the Valera Formation at the above outcrop.

We were surprised to also find abundant sea urchin (echinoid) spines in one of the limestone units here. These usually indicate normal marine salinity, but they are unaccompanied by other indicators such as brachiopods and bryozoans. A thick gypsum below our exposed rocks shows that we are likely dealing with elevated seawater salinity during the Permian in this area. A mystery. (And we love mysteries in this business.)

A barbed echinoid spine from the Valera Formation (Permian). In the lower left with the apparent hole in it is an echinoid test plate.

A barbed echinoid spine from the Valera Formation (Permian). In the lower left with the apparent hole in it is an echinoid test plate.

Tomorrow we visit a similar outcrop with microconchids. Now we have some hypotheses to test. Fieldwork is such a joy!

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Wooster Geologist in Texas

Mark Wilson November 12, 2009 9:46 pm
Halbouty Geosciences Building on the campus of Texas A&M University

Halbouty Geosciences Building on the campus of Texas A&M University

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS–I arrived this afternoon in beautiful central Texas to give a talk at Texas A&M University on bioerosion.  If you click the link you can see my PowerPoint slides.  The talk went well enough and there were many questions.  It is a fun topic because it is at an intersection of geology and biology.

Tomorrow Tom Yancey and I drive to Brownwood, Texas, to begin a field project in the Permian.  There are some very curious “worm tube” clusters that I hope to post photos of soon.  I’m excited to be able to work in the Permian, which I haven’t done since my dissertation days.

The weather is absolutely perfect here!

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Mineralogy of Hydrothermal Vents…in HD

mpollock November 6, 2009 3:02 pm

Our mineralogy students have been researching some fascinating topics and have recently created a suite of impressive digital presentations. Stay tuned over the next few weeks as we unveil their projects on the blog. The first presentation is by Megan Innis (’11) on the mineralogy of hydrothermal vents. Make sure your volume is turned up. Enjoy!

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It was a dark and stormy night…Halloween in Mineralogy

mpollock October 30, 2009 7:30 pm

Tomorrow is Halloween, but Mineralogy students celebrated the holiday today by dressing as their favorite optical property. Guess what the people in the picture below are dressed as (hint: they are all under crossed polars!).

Becky Alcorn, Colin Mennett, Nick Fedorchuck, and Megan Innis are dressed as interference colors!

Becky Alcorn, Colin Mennett, Nick Fedorchuk, and Megan Innis are dressed as interference colors! Can you determine their birefringence?

The people below appear every 90 degrees when the stage is rotated under crossed polars…

Colin Mennett, Elizabeth Deering, Micah Risacher, and Becky Alcorn are at extinction!

Colin Mennett, Elizabeth Deering, Micah Risacher, and Becky Alcorn are at extinction!

Andrew Retzler (below) is dressed as muscovite under conoscopic illumination…

Retzler dressed as a Bxa interference figure.

Retzler dressed as a Bxa interference figure.

Okay, here’s a tough one. Lindsey Bowman’s costume represents the microscope set up when the analyzer is in the optical path…

Lindsey is a "crossed polar." Get it? Grumpy = crossed Polar!

Lindsey is a "crossed polar." Get it? Grumpy = crossed Polar!

Wooster Mineralogy students bring a whole new meaning to optics!

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Wooster Students Close the GSA Meeting with Poster Presentations in Two Interdisciplinary Sessions

gwiles October 25, 2009 10:00 am
Kelly Aughenbaugh presented the results of he study in a session on Archaeological Geology with a presentation entitled "Tree-Ring Dating of Historical Structures in Western Pennsylvania and Ohio"

Kelly Aughenbaugh presented the results of her study in a session on Archaeological Geology with a presentation entitled "Tree-Ring Dating of Historical Structures in Ohio and Western Pennsylvania"

Stephanie Jarvis presented her summer research in an interdiscipilnary session entitled What Does Biology Have to Do With It? Biota in Weathering, Nutrient Cycling, Mineral Surface Interactions, and Mineral Precipitation. Her poster title and research subject is "Quantifying Nitrogen Cycling on Surface Mined Lands Using D15N Abundances and Fungal Relationships:An Exploratory Study".

Stephanie Jarvis presented her summer research in an interdisciplinary session entitled: What Does Biology Have to Do With It? Biota in Weathering, Nutrient Cycling, Mineral Surface Interactions, and Mineral Precipitation. Her poster title was "Quantifying Nitrogen Cycling on Surface Mined Lands Using D15N Abundances and Fungal Relationships:An Exploratory Study".

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Wooster Students Present Research at Portland GSA in “Recent Developments in Paleoclimate” session

gwiles October 21, 2009 1:14 pm
Coin Mennett explains the results of his work in using tree-rings to investigate the Alaskan Cedar Decline.
Colin Mennett explains the results of his work using tree-rings to investigate the Alaskan Cedar Decline. His work is titled:Climate Response of Yellow-Cedar on Excursion Ridge, Glacier Bay, Alaska: A Preliminary Analysis of Pre- and Post Little Ice Age Climate Signals

Terry Workman and Alena Giesche presented results of their work in Alaska. Their poster entitled DEVELOPING A PROXY RECORD FOR MOISTURE VARIABILITY THROUGH THE HOLOCENE FOR THE KENAI LOWLANDS, ALASKA, KENAI NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Terry Workman (Wooster) and Alena Giesche (Middlebury College) presented results of their work in Alaska that analyzed multiple lake cores to investigate past water levels on the Alaska's Kenai Peninsula. Their poster is entitled Developing a Proxy Record for Moisture Variability through the Holocene for the Kenai Lowlands, Alaska, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.

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Wooster Geology Alumni at GSA

Mark Wilson October 20, 2009 1:49 am
Wooster Geology alumni, faculty and friends at the Geological Society of America annual meeting. A wonderful set of people! This may be only half, though, of the Wooster alumni at the meeting.

Wooster Geology alumni, faculty, students and friends at the Geological Society of America annual meeting. A wonderful set of geologists! This is an impressive group for a small college, and it is only about half of the Wooster people at the meeting.

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“Overcoming Resistance to the Reality of Evolutionary Change in Nature”

Mark Wilson October 19, 2009 6:12 pm

PORTLAND, OREGON–This was the very direct title of an inspiring panel discussion today at the Geological Society of America meeting. It was sponsored by the Paleontological Society and included some of the strongest voices in the endless Evolution Wars:

From the left, Randy Olson (scientist-filmmaker best known for the movie "Flock of Dodos" and the great book "Don't Be Such a Scientist"), Ray Troll (extraordinary artist with evolutionary themes), Roger Thomas (Paleontological Society Secretary and moderator), Judge John E. Jones (at the podium), Jeremy Jackson (hidden, alas, by that podium), and Kevin Padian (paleontologist, star witness in the Dover Trial, and professor at the University of California, Berkeley).

From the left, Randy Olson (scientist-filmmaker best known for the movie "Flock of Dodos" and the great book "Don't Be Such a Scientist"), Ray Troll (extraordinary artist with evolutionary themes), Roger Thomas (Paleontological Society Secretary and moderator), Judge John E. Jones (at the podium), Jeremy Jackson (hidden, alas, by that podium), and Kevin Padian (paleontologist, star witness in the Dover Trial, and professor at the University of California, Berkeley).

The lessons that emerged for me from the riveting conversations: (1) The communication of science to the public is an essential part of the role of a scientist; (2) Most scientists are not very good at it; (3) All scientists can learn to be better communicators; and (4) It is not too late but we have a lot of work to do. Jeremy Jackson made the strong point that evolution is part of life around us and can be made immediately relevant to any audience, but that it takes time and effort. Randy Olson emphasized that scientists need to make much better use of media sources. Ray Troll showed how humor and cool art can have an enormous influence on public perceptions of science. Kevin Padian encouraged us to address the “middle 50%” of the public which is open to learning and making their own decisions, and that we need to control the agenda of the debate and the use of our own scientific terms. Judge John E. Jones, besides being a heroic and wise judge in the Dover Trial, showed us that rational argument well presented really does make a difference. All agreed that the issues go beyond evolution in this country to include other sciences, history, literature, art and civics.

It was a pleasure to see that three of the questions from the audience were asked by Wooster paleontologists: Tricia Kelley, Lisa Park and John Sime.  Very good questions, too, which received thoughtful answers.

Much to do, and soon.

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AWG Breakfast

mpollock October 19, 2009 1:06 pm

I was fortunate enough to have a ticket to the sold-out Association for Women Geoscientists (AWG) breakfast. How inspiring it is to be surrounded by women and men who support and promote female geoscientists! After a heartfelt series of stories from students and colleagues, Dr. Anita Grunder (Oregon State University) was awarded the AWG Outstanding Educator Award. Dr. Grunder’s impact on women geoscientists is significant and tangible, which challenged me to think about the ways that I can contribute to this cause.

Coffee and juice at the AWG breakfast. I would have taken a picture of the food, too, but I ate it all and my plate was cleared before I remembered to pull out my camera. Trust me, it was delicious!

Coffee and juice at the AWG breakfast. I would have taken a picture of the food, too, but I ate it all and my plate was cleared before I remembered to pull out my camera. Trust me, it was delicious!

AWG promotes women in all fields of geology at all stages of their careers. They offer numerous scholarships, awards, and resources for students. They also hold gatherings to help their members develop strong support networks. At my table, I spoke with women who began their careers as chemists and realized, after working in the field for several years, that their passion was geology. We were joined by other female faculty and AWG leadership. I was glad to see that a couple of Wooster grads took advantage of the opportunity.

Heather Hunt '09 (left) and Elyssa Krivicich '09 (right) at the AWG Breakfast.

Heather Hunt '09 (left) and Elyssa Krivicich '09 (right) at the AWG Breakfast.

Although it was unintended, this picture exemplifies the strength of the networking opportunities provided by AWG. Above Heather’s right shoulder is Kim Hannula, author of one of my favorite geoblogs and a geology professor at a liberal arts college in the Rockies. Sitting at the table behind Elyssa’s left shoulder is LeeAnn Srogi (center), a new collaborator of mine from West Chester University, who I am co-leading a field trip with at the 2010 Northeastern/Southeastern GSA meeting.

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