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TRANSCRIPT
APRIL MEETING
Join us Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at
the Fernbank Museum of Natural
History, 760 Clifton Road NE,
Atlanta GA. The meeting social
starts at 6:30 pm. This month our
speaker will be our own treasures,
Shannon S. George, P.G. She will be
presenting “Science Underground:
The Geology, Hydrogeology and
Geochemistry of Caves”. Her bio is
on Page 3.
Please come and enjoy the social
time, talk with our generous
sponsors and learn from an
interesting presentation on Tuesday,
March 27, 2014.
_______________________________
On a related topic, we do not have a
sponsor this month. I believe there
still is an opening for the Hospitality
Chairman. If you could find the
time, the Society could use a few
good volunteers.
Next meeting of the Atlanta Geological Society is April 29, 2014
Fernbank Museum of Natural History (Clifton Road) Social begins at 6:30 pm – Meeting begins at 7:00 pm
April 2014
Atlanta Geological Society Newsletter
ODDS AND ENDS Ben Bentkowski, Newsletter Editor
Just as we were having our meeting last
month, there was a deadly landslide in
Washington State. A month later, all the likely
victims have not yet been accounted for. This
all seemed so terrifying for those poor folks.
Very quickly, the USGS put out an update
with all sorts of data, a video, a seismic record.
The simplest visual is the LIDAR. The image is
on the next page. I’m no geomorphologist but
those concave scallops and terraces indicate a
long history of mass wasting.
Last week I was in Asheville and was talking
to another geologist over lunch. The
conversation got around to a house he and his
wife was considering buying. The house was
on a suspiciously flat piece of ground,
suspicious for Asheville. And there were the
trees; curved right at the trunk and then
growing mostly straight up, but not quite.
Apparently this is a local sign for creeping
soils and general slope instability. He
speculated that it was colluvium. The
definition is on the next page. The upshot is
she’s not happy but they will probably better
off in the long run. Don’t want to have your
house split in two like that one in the news in
Jackson Hole.
See you Tuesday.
BB
Page 2 AGS APRIL 2014
Landslide in Washington State USGS is working with partners to provide up-to-date information. http://www.usgs.gov/blogs/features/usgs_top_story/landslide-in-washington-state/
USGS: Start with ScienceLandslides occur in all 50 states and U.S. territories, and cause $1-2 billion in damages and more than 25 fatalities on average each year. Falling rocks, mud, and debris flows are one of the most common and sometimes deadly hazards, yet there is still much to learn about how and why they happen. For more information, watch a video about USGS landslide science, and visit the USGS Landslide Hazards Program website.
Colluvium is a general name for loose, unconsolidated sediments that have been deposited at the base of hillslopes by either rainwash, sheetwash, slow continuous downslope creep, or a variable combination of these processes. Colluvium can be composed of often a heterogeneous range of sediments ranging from silt to rock fragments of various sizes. This term is also used to specifically refer to sediment deposited at the base of a hillslope by unconcentrated surface runoff or sheet erosion. Colluviation refers to the build up of colluvium at the base of a hillslope.[1][2]( (Wikipedia)
AGS APRIL 2014 Page 3
SPEAKER’S BIO: Shannon George
field mapping and fault
investigation related to the hydrogeology of limestone mining in Alabama; water
supply well installation in Suriname; geotechnical drilling oversight with soil and
permafrost classification for pipeline installation near Prudhoe Bay, Alaska;
contaminant plume investigations and landfill work for sites in EPA Region IV; and
aquifer, watershed, and geochemical studies for various sites throughout the United
States.
She enjoys attending geology field trips, volunteering her time to inspire youth
about science, vacations that include roadside geology and stops to make
observations at locale sites, and being a rock-hound in general. In her spare time,
she enjoys riding bicycle, shopping at her local farmer’s markets, and playing her
ukulele.
Shannon has a Master of Science degree in Geology from the University at Buffalo,
and a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Temple University. She is a very recently
accredited Professional Geologist registered in the State of Georgia. She is also the
Treasurer of the Atlanta Geological Society.
Shannon S. George, P.G. is
Geologist and
Hydrogeologist,
consulting for Golder
Associates in Atlanta,
Georgia and she provides
technical support to offices
throughout the country.
Shannon’s project
experience includes:
Page 4 AGS APRIL 2014
Unique Mineral Discovered In Australia The new substance is called putnisite. By Douglas Main
Posted 04.22.2014 at 5:15 pm A previously unknown mineral has been discovered in a remote location in Western Australia. The mineral, named putnisite, appears purple and translucent, and contains strontium, calcium, chromium, sulphur, carbon, oxygen and hydrogen, a very unusual combination.
While dozens of new minerals are discovered each year, it is rare to find one that is unrelated to already-known substances. "Most minerals belong to a family or small group of related minerals, or if they aren't related to other minerals they often are to a synthetic compound--but putnisite is completely unique and unrelated to anything," said Peter Elliott, co-author of a study describing the new substance and a researcher at the South Australian Museum and the University of Adelaide, in a statement. "Nature seems to be far cleverer at dreaming up new chemicals than any researcher in a laboratory."
It appears as tiny semi-cubic crystals and is often found within quartz. Putnisite is relatively soft, with a Mohs hardness of 1.5 to 2 (out of 10), comparable to gypsum, and brittle. It's unclear yet if the mineral could have any commercial applications.
Putnisite was discovered during prospecting for a mine at Lake Cowan in southwestern Australia, and is named after mineralogists Andrew and Christine Putnis. Mineral names are usually proposed by the discoverer, as in this case, but must be approved by the International Mineralogical Association.
http://www.popsci.com/article/science/unique-mineral-discovered-australia?src=SOC&dom=tw
AGS APRIL 2014 Page 5
BENEFITS OF AN AGS MEMBERSHIP Location – AGS meets at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History,
which is a truly awesome facility central to most of our membership.
Cost – AGS membership ($25 general; $10 student) is the most
inexpensive for any geological society in the SE.
Active – AGS holds nine lectures a year and is one of the most active
geological societies in the SE.
AEG – For one of our lectures, AGS co-sponsors with the Association of
Environmental & Engineering Geologists to annually present the
“Richard H. Jahns Distinguished Lecturer” while in Atlanta.
PDH – AGS is recognized by Alabama, South Carolina, and other
professional state boards to provide Professional Development Hours
for our lectures, as well as field trips and workshops.
PG Classes – AGS offers nearly monthly Professional Geologist
development training classes in preparation for passing the ASBOG
examinations and has been recognized by the Georgia State Geologist as
enhancing PG test scores for participants.
Free Food – AGS offers free pizza and Coke at all of our regular
meetings, sandwiches and hors d’oeuvres at the Jahns lecture, and a sit-
down BBQ dinner at our June social.
IMAX – As part of the June social, AGS and Fernbank present a free
IMAX movie.
Networking – AGS meetings include professionals, academics,
regulators, and others who all share the same interest in geological
sciences.
Resume – AGS membership and even involvement in one of our many
committees will enhance any resume.
Annual membership dues for the Atlanta Geological Society are $25 for
professional membership, $10 for students, and $100 for corporate
sponsorship (which includes up to 4 professional memberships). Please
complete the application form and submit with your payment to the AGS
Treasurer. For further details about membership, please contact the AGS
Membership Chairman – Ben Bentkowski
cell -770-296-2529 [email protected]
Page 6 AGS APRIL 2014
Weird Magnetic Anomaly Reveals Ancient Tectonic Crash By Becky Oskin, Senior Writer | April 04, 2014 06:38pm ET
http://www.livescience.com/44633-brunswick-magnetic-anomaly-explained.html
The east coast of North America was once as wild as the West, with massive mountains rising
between colliding tectonic plates, volcanoes belching lava and giant faults slicing the crust.
That's because millions of years ago, eastern North America was part of Gondwana and
Pangaea, the supercontinents that formed as Earth's tectonic plates collided, split apart, and
then crashed together again before rifting and drifting toward the spots where they're located
today. Though North America's east coast is relatively quiet now, clues to these ancient
tectonic mash-ups remain buried deep underground.
A new look at one of these clues reveals that a weird magnetic signal near Florida shows the
peninsula stuck to North America's heel like a piece of old tape about 300 million years ago,
when the central and southern Appalachian mountains were built. [In Images: How North
America Grew as a Continent]
The rocks beneath Florida suggest the peninsula originally wasn't part of North America.
Rather, it's a fragment of either Africa or South America, sutured onto the southeastern
United States near an unusual feature called the Brunswick Magnetic Anomaly, researchers
say.
The Brunswick Magnetic Anomaly is a geological feature that snakes from Alabama across
Georgia, and offshore to North Carolina's Outer Banks. Anomalies in Earth's magnetic
field are caused by structures such as faults, and by the varying magnetic intensities of
different rock types. These slight differences in rock magnetism can be measured and
mapped to find hidden geologic structures.
Mesozoic magnetic signal?
The new study aims to settle a long-running debate over the Brunswick Magnetic Anomaly's
origin, and is part of a bigger goal: to better understand the complex tectonic history of
eastern North America. One side of the debate suggests the anomaly marks the split between
North America and Africa — a rift created when Pangaea broke up about 200 million years
ago. The other side holds that the anomaly is much older, and marks the original collision
zone between the two tectonic plates.
To settle the argument, geophysicist Horry Parker of the University of Georgia searched for
evidence of either rifting or collision beneath the magnetic anomaly. Parker used seismic data
to reveal deep geologic structures, similar to the way doctors use a CT scan to peer inside the
body.
It turns out that the Brunswick Magnetic Anomaly lines up with what geologists call a suture
zone, which is a structure formed during an ancient collision between two
AGS APRIL 2014 Page 7
Weird Magnetic Anomaly Reveals Ancient Tectonic Crash (Continued)
tectonic plates. The suture zone is buried about 9 to 12 miles (15 to 20 kilometers) below the
surface, Parker said.
In other words, the magnetic anomaly is consistent with the side of the debate arguing that the
anomaly formed during the older tectonic event — the collision that formed the
southern Appalachian Mountains.
"There's really no independent evidence for rift-related structures in the deep crust," Parker told
Live Science's Our Amazing Planet.
But the seismic data also found remnants of Pangaea's breakup in the shallow crust near the
magnetic anomaly, Parker said. This suggests that the continental rifting might have affected the
upper and lower crust differently, leaving evidence of the collision zone intact only in the deep
crust.
"It's an interesting problem, why we see evidence for both in the same general area," he said.
"Our overall goal is to understand how the continental collision was affected by continental
rifting, so the interesting thing is that maybe the upper and lower crust may not be affected in the
same way by rifting."
The findings were published March 31 in the journal GSA Today.
Email Becky Oskin or follow her @beckyoskin. Follow us @OAPlanet,Facebook and Google+. Original
article at Live Science's Our Amazing Planet.
Please see the large North America Magnetic map on page 9
__________________________________________________________________________________
Martha K. Carr, State Board of Registration for Professional Geologists
Carr is a senior hydrogeologist with Geosyntec Consultants in Kennesaw. She
serves on the Georgia Section Scholarship Committee of the Solid Waste
Association of North America. She is a member of the Geological Society of
America, the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists and the
American Institute of Professional Geologists. She earned a bachelor’s degree in
Geology from Georgia State University and master’s degree from the Department
of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the Georgia Tech. She and her husband, Bill,
reside in Atlanta.
Congratulations to Martha, a long-time member of the Atlanta geologic
community. With the previous announcements, I believe this sets the Board as its
full complement of members. The first meeting will be in early June. Ed.
Page 8 AGS APRIL 2014
Magnetic anomaly map of North America. Credit: USGS
I recommend that you View full size image if you want to discern the specific in the
Brunswick area, or any other area you’re interested in. Ed.
AGS APRIL 2014 Page 9
Saprolite, or in Greek: Σαπρος
I happen to find the original reference for saprolite recently. I was reading a
60 year old Georgia Geologic Survey publication about the geology of Stone
Mountain and the term saprolite had a referenced footnote, “Becker, 1895”.
With a little digging, I found the original book.
From George F. Becker’s Reconnaissance of the Gold Fields of the Southern
Appalachian, 1894-1895, excerpted from the 16th Annual Report of the
Director of the USGS, page 43:
“Gold is found in loose material of two very distinct kinds in the Southern
Appalachians. True stream gravels carrying gold are not wanting, but
much more common are auriferous accumulations of rotten rock in place.
As is well known, decomposition of the bedrock in the un-glaciated South
often extends to a depth of 50 to 100 feet from the surface. Where the mass
was originally intersected by gold quartz seams, perhaps accompanied by
impregnation of the wall rock, the decay of the mass to soft earth takes
place without sensible loss of the precious metal. Such deposits can be
worked with a pick and shovel or when they are rich enough, by the
hydraulic process. In such deposits, as a rule, the original structure of the
rock is perceptible to within a couple of feet of the surface. The rock in
decomposing may have undergone some change of volume and a trifling
amount of movement, but the material is substantially in place.
I propose the term saprolite as a general name for thoroughly decomposed,
earthy, but un-transported rock.”
From the Greek, Σαπρος: sapros meaning rotten.
The 1895 USGS document is available on Google Books.
It is interesting in that it gives the original context for the word. I’ve heard
it called ‘rotten rock’ all these years and now I know why. Ed.
Page 10 AGS APRIL 2014
Google Books is an amazing resource if you are interested in the history of geologic
science or any topic where the copyrights have expired. This book, “Organic Remains of a
Former World” by James Parkinson is one of the earliest books on paleontology, or as it was
called in the day, Oryctology. This is from Parkinson’s book “Outlines of Oryctology: An
Introduction to the Study of Fossil Organic Remains; Especially of Those Found in the British
Strata: Intended to Aid the Student in His Enquiries Respecting the Nature of Fossils, and Their
Connection with the Formation of the Earth.” With Illustrative Plates
https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=sjcMlNXGAPUC&printsec=frontcover&output=reade
r&authuser=0&hl=en&pg=GBS.PA13 Clearly, science books in the 1800’s did not use concise
titles. Perhaps they were trying to get the reader’s attention. Also if note that the author was a
medical doctor and this man studied palsy and hence the name Parkinson’s disease.
See more on
page 13.
AGS APRIL 2014 Page 11
Whales: Giants of the Deep On view February 15 – August 24, 2014
Journey to the vibrant underwater world of the mightiest animals on Earth.
Did you know that a blue whale is the same size as a 737 airplane, or that its
tongue alone weighs more than a whole elephant? Did you also know that gray
whales migrate over 12,000 miles a year, farther than any other mammal known?
Plunge into the mysterious world of whales and explore their relationship with
humans. Featuring a unique blend of science and storytelling, this interactive
exhibition is filled with fun ways to explore whales from the inside-out.
Highlights include opportunities to explore whale songs, traditional legends from
the South Pacific, beautiful artifacts, enormous whale skeletons up to 58-feet-long,
and unique experiences such as climbing through a life-sized model of whale heart
(that’s as big as a car!).
Read what critics have to say about Whales: Giants of the Deep.
Tickets for Whales: Giants of the Deep are included with Museum admission and
are free for members.
Birds of the Bali Aviary
On view February 15 – August 24, 2014
Inspired by magazines including Life and National Geographic, photographer
Frank Sharp developed a passion for both photography and travel. During his
travels, he’s used his camera to record the cultures, landscapes and animals he’s
encountered. This exhibition features color photos taken in the Taman Burung Bali
Bird Park, situated in the Papua rainforest in southern Bali, Indonesia. The park
plays a key role in protecting and conserving Indonesia’s endangered wildlife and
also includes species from Africa, Australia and the Americas.
Page 12 AGS APRIL 2014
Now Showing in the Fernbank IMAX movie theater:
Journey to the South Pacific Showing January 23 – June 5, 2014 Run time: 40 minutes
Take a breathtaking IMAX® adventure to the lush tropical islands of remote West Papua, where life flourishes above and below the sea. Join Jawi, a young island boy, as he takes us on a journey of discovery to this magical place where we encounter whale sharks, sea turtles, manta rays, and other iconic creatures of the sea. Home to more than 2,000 species of sea life, this exotic locale features the most diverse marine ecosystem on earth. Narrated by Academy Award® winner Cate Blanchett, Journey to the South Pacific is an uplifting story of hope and celebration, highlighting the importance of living in balance with the ocean planet we all call home.
Island of Lemurs : Madagascar Now showing through August 14, 2014 Run time: 40 minutes A real place you could never imagine. Strange creatures you will never forget. Experience the incredible true story of nature’s greatest explorers in the NEW giant screen adventure, Island of Lemurs:
Madagascar. The film takes audiences on a spectacular journey to the remote and wondrous world of Madagascar. Lemurs arrived in Madagascar as castaways millions of years ago and evolved into hundreds of diverse species. Now, these charmingly strange creatures are highly endangered. This film features trailblazing scientist Dr. Patricia Wright on her lifelong mission to help lemurs survive in the modern world.
Jerusalem Showing January 3 – April 27, 2014 Run time: 43 minutes Sun @ 5 pm, Fri @ 7 pm
Discover the heart of the world. Jerusalem: sacred to half the people on earth; fought over more than any other place in history; conquered and destroyed, rebuilt and reinvented repeatedly over 5,000 years. Now, for the first-time ever, a new giant screen film adventure immerses audiences in a spectacular cinematic journey—soaring high above the Holy Land and plunging deep into the vibrant Old City—so they can experience the iconic sites cherished by billions as never before.
Membership Dues Payment Status:
Professional Student Corporate* Complimentary 2003 62 22 5 15
2004 81 3 8 15
2005 26 0 3 16
TOTAL 168 22 14 15
* 14 corporate sponsors with329 of 56
individual memberships in active use
Finances:
The AGS account balance is
growing as we receive new 2005
dues payments, advertising, and
sponsors.
Account Balance
as of January 10,
2005 - $ 8,017.69
Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Upcoming Public Programs and Events (All programs require reservations, including free programs)
AGS APRIL 2014 Page 13
This page from Parkinson’s Organic Remains of a Former World traces the curiosity about
finding fossilized shells far from the coast. As you can read, people have wondered about
that anomaly for perhaps 2,500 years! Ed.
http://books.google.com/books/about/Organic_remains_of_a_former_world.html?id=scwQAAAAIAAJ
Page 14 AGS APRIL 2014
AGS Committees
AGS Publications: Allison Keefer
Phone (404) 657-8642
Career Networking/Advertising: Todd Roach
Phone (770) 242-9040, Fax (770) 242-8388
Continuing Education: Currently Open
Fernbank Liaison: Chris Bean
Phone (404) 929-6313 [email protected]
Field Trips: Josh Jenkins
Phone (770) 421-3412
Georgia PG Registration: Ken Simonton
Phone: 404-825-3439
John Salvino, P.G.
Teacher Grants: Bill Waggener
Phone (404)354-8752
Hospitality: Currently open
And in need of a volunteer or two.
Social Media Coordinator: Carina O’Bara
Newsletter Editor and Membership
Ben Bentkowski
Phone (404) 562-8507,(770) 296-2529
Web Master: Kathaleen Bentkowski
www.atlantageologicalsociety.org
AGS 2014 Meeting Dates
Listed below are the planned meeting dates for
2014. Please mark your calendar and make
plans to attend.
April 26 PG Workshop Tim Long
April 29 AGS meeting Shannon George
Science Underground: The Geology,
Hydrogeology and Geochemistry of
Caves
May 24 PG Workshop
May 27 AGS meeting
June 24 Annual Social
June 28 PG Workshop
August 26 AGS meeting
AGS Officers
President: Nils Thompson
Phone (678) 486-2766
Vice-President: Cassidy
Sutherland
Phone (770) 492-8230
Secretary: Rob White
Phone (404) 321-5399
Treasurer: Shannon George
Phone (717)-343-4452
AGS APRIL 2014 Page 15
ATLANTA GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
www.atlantageologicalsociety.org
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FORM Please print the required details and check the appropriate membership box.
DATE:
NAME:
ORGANIZATION:____________________________________________________________
TELEPHONE (1): TELEPHONE (2): EMAIL (1): EMAIL (2):
STUDENT $10 PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP $25 CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP $100 (Includes 4 professional members, please list names and emails below)
NAME: EMAIL: NAME: EMAIL: NAME: EMAIL: NAME: EMAIL: For further details, contact the AGS Treasurer: [email protected]
.
Please make checks payable to the “Atlanta Geological Society” and remit with the completed form to: Atlanta Geological Society c/o Golder Associates Attn: Shannon George 3730 Chamblee Tucker Road Atlanta, GA 30341
CASH
CHECK (CHECK NUMBER: .)