August 2016 Meeting

Join us Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at

the Fernbank Museum of Natural

History, 760 Clifton Road NE,

Atlanta GA. The meeting social

starts at 6:30 pm and the lecture

starts shortly after 7 p.m.

This month the speaker will be Dr.

Anthony (Tony) J. Martin. His

presentation will be

The Holy Trinity of Ichnology:

Substrate, Anatomy, & Behavior.

The Speaker’s biography and the

abstract for the presentation are

presented on the following page.

View our sponsors on page 4. If you

or your company are interested in

sponsoring a future meeting, please

contact Shannon George at

shannonsgeorge@gmail.com, or by

phone at 717-343-4452

Please come out, enjoy a bite to eat,

the camaraderie, and an interesting

talk.

Next meeting of the Atlanta Geological Society is

August 30, 2016

Fernbank Museum of Natural History (Clifton Road)

Social begins at 6:30 pm – Meeting begins at 7:00 pm

Atlanta Geological Society Newsletter

ODDS AND ENDS

AGS 2016 Meeting Dates

Listed below are the planned meeting dates for

2016. Please mark your calendar and make

plans to attend.

www.atlantageologicalsociety.org

Meeting Schedule **last Tuesday of the month**

August 30 Dr. Anthony Martin

September 27 ***CANCELLED***

October 25 ***Officer Nominations***

Dr. Randy Kath, PG on the Geology of Indian Mountain,

Rock Run, and Borden Springs Area,

Georgia and Alabama: A New Paradigm

Sponsore TBD November 29 ***2017 ELECTIONS***

Speaker TBD, Sponsor TBD

PG Study Group meetings **last Saturday of the month**

August 27

Jim Kennedy, PhD, PG

Geohydrology and Contaminant Transport

Letter from the Editor

On Page 10.

Cultural and Philisophical Center

From your *New* Newsletter Editor and

former President, Shannon George.

Page 2 AGS AUGUST 2016

The Holy Trinity of Ichnology: Substrate, Anatomy, & Behavior

Ichnology, the study of modern and fossil traces, has been a useful tool in sedimentary

geology for more than 50 years, having expanded well beyond a narrow discipline within

paleontology. Traces are a result of a substrate preserving the products of behavior, and

those products often reflect the anatomy of their makers. Indeed, recent advances in

ichnology include better identification of tracemakers, sometimes to the species level,

belying the old cliché that most trace fossils are "worm burrows." A new and exciting

application of ichnology is in the environmental sciences, in which it can contribute

insights to hydrogeology and conservation biology. Ichnology will also likely prove

valuable in better understanding the effects of climate change on coastal and inland

ecosystems, using the past as the key to the present and future.

AGS August Speaker Bio:

Dr. Anthony J. Martin

Anthony (Tony) J. Martin is a paleontologist specializing in ichnology, the study of

modern and fossil traces (tracks, burrows, nests). He is a Professor of Practice in the

Department of Environmental Sciences at Emory University, where he has taught for 26

years. He is the author of Dinosaurs Without Bones: Dinosaur Lives Revealed by Their

Trace Fossils (2014, Pegasus Press), Life Traces of the Georgia Coast (2013, Indiana

University Press), two editions of a college textbook on dinosaurs (Introduction to the

Study of Dinosaurs), and a book for teenagers (The Dinosaur that Dug Its Burrow) about

the first known burrowing dinosaur, which he co-discovered. His fossil discoveries have

been reported by The New York Times, the BBC, National Geographic News, and

Smithsonian Magazine, and he is often quoted in news articles about ichnology and

paleontology. In recognition of his significant contributions to paleontology and public

outreach, he was recently elected as a Fellow in The Explorers Club and a Fellow in the

Geological Society of America. He lives with his wife, Ruth Schowalter, in Decatur,

Georgia.

http://envs.emory.edu/home/people/faculty/martin_anthony.html

AUGUST SPEAKER’S ABSTRACT AND BIO INFORMATION

AGS AUGUST 2016 Page 3

Alabama Geological Society – 2016 Field Trip!

Our friends at the Alabama Geological Society are hosting their 53rd Annual

field trip!

November 17th – 19th, 2016

Geology of Indian Mountain, Rock Run, and Borden Springs Area, Georgia and Alabama: A New Paradigm

Field trip leaders: Randy Kath, Tom Crawford, and Karen Tefend

Department of Geosciences, University of West Georgia

DESCRIPTION: The focus of this year’s trip in Cherokee and Cleburne Counties, Alabama,

and Polk and Floyd Counties, Georgia, will be the Paleozoic rocks of the Indian Mountain

area and metamorphic rocks in the hanging wall of the Emerson-Talladega fault. Previous

AGS fieldtrips have visited the area (1973, 1977, and 1985) but recent detailed geologic

mapping of the Indian Mountain, Cedartown West, Borden Springs, Benedict, and Oak

Level USGS 7.5 minute quadrangles is the basis for a newly proposed stratigraphic and

structural interpretation of the area. This detailed geologic mapping has revealed a complex

structural relationship between slate of the lower Cambrian Chilhowee Group, rocks

previously considered to be middle Ordovician Rockmart Slate, and phyllite along the

metamorphic front, in the hanging wall of the Emerson-Talladega Fault. Rockmart Slate

was not observed during geologic mapping in the Indian Mountain area.

Additional Trip and Registration details can be found at the two links below:

http://alageolsoc.org/announcements.html

http://alageolsoc.org/uploads/3/4/4/4/34440427/fieldtrip2016-longdescription2.pdf

Page 4 AGS AUGUST 2016

ATLANTA GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY SPONSORS

Click this link for more information

AGS AUGUST 2016 Page 5

Paleontologists Discover Major T. rex Fossil

Date: August 18, 2016, Source: University of Washington

Summary: Paleontologists have discovered a Tyrannosaurus rex, including a very complete skull. The find, which

paleontologists estimate to be about 20 percent of the animal, includes vertebrae, ribs, hips and lower jaw bones.

Paleontologists with the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture and the University of Washington

have discovered a Tyrannosaurus rex, including a very complete skull. The find, which paleontologists

estimate to be about 20 percent of the animal, includes vertebrae, ribs, hips and lower jaw bones.

The team, led by Burke Museum Adjunct Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology and UW biology professor

Gregory P. Wilson, discovered the T. rex during an expedition to the Hell Creek Formation in northern

Montana -- an area that is world-famous for its fossil dinosaur sites. Two Burke Museum paleontology

volunteers, Jason Love and Luke Tufts, initially discovered pieces of fossilized bone protruding from a

rocky hillside. The bones' large size and honeycomb-like structure indicated they belonged to a carnivorous

dinosaur. Upon further excavation, the team discovered the T. rex skull along with ribs, vertebrae, and parts

of the jaw and pelvis.

. rex was one of the largest meat-eating dinosaurs to ever roam Earth. Measuring an average of 40-feet long

and 15 to 20-feet tall, T. rex was a fierce predator with serrated teeth and large jaws. Fossil evidence shows it

ate other dinosaurs like Edmontosaurus and Triceratops, with crushed bones from the animals even showing

up in the its fossilized poop. T. rex lived about 66-68 million years ago in forested river valleys in western

North America during the late Cretaceous Period.

The T. rex found by the Burke/UW team is nicknamed the "Tufts-Love Rex" in honor of the two volunteers

who discovered it. The skull is about 4 feet long weighs about 2,500 pounds in its protective plaster jacket.

Excavation in the field revealed the right side of the skull from base to snout, including teeth. Burke

paleontologists believe it is very probable the other side of the skull is present, but will need to carefully

remove the rock surrounding the fossil before they can determine its completeness.

"We think the Tufts-Love Rex is going to be an iconic specimen for the Burke Museum and the state of

Washington and will be a must-see for dinosaur researchers as well," said Wilson.

To continue reading: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160818165931.htm

From ScienceDaily: The above post is reprinted from materials provided by University of Washington. The original

item was written by Andrea Godinez. Note: Content is edited for style and length.

Page 6 AGS AUGUST 2016

New Study Maps Rate of New Orleans Sinking

May 16, 2016, NASA, http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=6513

Subsidence in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, from June 2009 to July 2012, as seen by NASA's

UAVSAR instrument. The measured displacements are a combination of movement of the

ground and of individual structures. The inset at lower right shows the parish location within

Greater New Orleans. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech, Esri

AGS AUGUST 2016 Page 7

New Study Maps Rate of New Orleans Sinking (continued)

New Orleans and surrounding areas continue to sink at highly variable rates due to a

combination of natural geologic and human-induced processes, finds a new NASA/university

study using NASA airborne radar.

The observed rates of sinking, otherwise known as subsidence, were generally consistent with,

but somewhat higher than, previous studies conducted using different radar data.

The research was the most spatially-extensive, high-resolution study to date of regional

subsidence in and around New Orleans, measuring its effects and examining its causes.

Scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California; UCLA; and the Center for

GeoInformatics at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, collaborated on the study, which

covered the period from June 2009 to July 2012.

The highest rates of sinking were observed upriver along the Mississippi River around major

industrial areas in Norco, and in Michoud, with up to 2 inches (50 millimeters) a year of

sinking. The team also observed notable subsidence in New Orleans' Upper and Lower 9th

Ward, and in Metairie, where the measured ground movement could be related to water levels

in the Mississippi. At the Bonnet Carré Spillway east of Norco -- New Orleans' last line of

protection against springtime river floods overtopping the levees -- research showed up to 1.6

inches (40 millimeters) a year of sinking behind the structure and up to 1.6 inches (40

millimeters) a year at nearby industrial facilities.

While the study cites many contributing factors for the regional subsidence, the primary

contributors were found to be groundwater pumping and dewatering (surface water pumping

to lower the water table, which prevents standing water and soggy ground).

JPL scientist and lead author Cathleen Jones said study results will be used to improve models

of subsidence for the Mississippi River Delta that decision makers use to inform planning.

"Agencies can use these data to more effectively implement actions to remediate and reverse

the effects of subsidence, improving the long-term coastal resiliency and sustainability of New

Orleans," Jones said. "The more recent land elevation change rates from this study will be used

to inform flood modeling and response strategies, improving public safety.

Page 8 AGS AUGUST 2016

Special Exhibit: The World’s Largest Dinosaurs September 17, 2016 through January 2, 2017

What does it mean to be big? Go beyond the bones and explore the greatest, most

massive dinosaurs ever discovered as they would have looked hundreds of

millions of years ago. Examine life-sized bones, muscles, internal organs, and

more to discover the staggering anatomy of some of the biggest creatures that

ever lived.

Exhibition Highlights: Hands-on and computer interactive stations invite visitors to measure a femur,

simulate the force of a sauropod heartbeat, and more.

Touchable fossils and models include sauropod vertebrae and an array of dinosaur and

mammal teeth.

A 60-foot Mamenchisaurus features a multimedia projection of what’s going on inside

its body.

Life-like models showcase how much sauropods ate and the size of their bones.

Learn more

AGS AUGUST 2016 Page 9

Now showing in the Fernbank IMAX movie theater:

A Beautiful Planet Through September 15, 2016

See an awe-inspiring glimpse of Earth from space, providing a unique perspective and increased

understanding of our planet and galaxy as never seen before. Made in cooperation with the National

Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), this film features stunning footage of our magnificent

blue planet, captured by the astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Dinosaurs Alive! Through December 15, 2016

Embark on a global adventure of science and discovery—featuring the earliest dinosaurs of the

Triassic Period to the monsters of the Cretaceous “reincarnated” life-sized for the giant IMAX®

screen. Presented in conjunction with the special exhibition, The World’s Largest Dinosaurs.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History (All programs require reservations, including free programs)

Page 10 AGS AUGUST 2016

Also in Theaters…

Teenage Eagle Hunter Is Mongolia’s New Movie Star

A new documentary chronicles a 13-year-old girl's quest to join an eagle hunting competition. Watch the trailer below.

A photo of eagle hunter Aisholpan Nurgaiv went viral in 2014 and inspired a new film about

her life. Photograph by Asher Svidensky.

A 13-year-old girl stands proud in the mountains of western Mongolia, cradling the eagle she

has trained to hunt. She’s carrying on a legacy that has defined this region for centuries.

But the girl, Aisholpan Nurgaiv, is also challenging a tradition. Though she is not the first

female eagle hunter—there’s evidence of female eagle hunters from as early as tenth-century

Persia according to a report by Stanford University researcher Adrienne Mayor, and National

Geographic photographed Princess Nirgidma of Mongolia with her hunting eagle in 1932—

Nurgaiv is the first Mongolian woman to compete in the country’s Golden Eagle Festival

Source: National Geograhic

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/08/teenage-eagle-huntress-movie-trailer-director-

interview/

AGS AUGUST 2016 Page 11

AGS Officers

President: Ben Bentkowski

Phone (404) 562-8507,

(770) 296-2529 BBENTKOW@gmail.com

Vice-President: Open

Secretary: Rob White

Phone (770) 891-0519

robeth@bellsouth.net

Treasurer: Lucy Mejia

Lucytaylor360@gmail.com

AGS Committees

Georgia PG Registration:

Ken Simonton, 404-825-3439, kws876@gmail.com

&

Ginny Mauldin-Kenney,

ginny.mauldin@gmailcom

Hospitality: John Salvino, P.G.

johnsalvino@bellsouth.net

Social Media Coordinator: Chris Gargan

Christopher_Gargan@golder.com

Newsletter Editor

Shannon George, PG

Phone (717)-343-4452

shannonsgeorge@gmail.com

Sponsor Management

also Shannon George, PG

Web Master: Ken Simonton

kws876@gmail.com

Teacher Grants: Bill Waggener

Phone (404)354-8752

waggener80@yahoo.com

Membership: Nils Thompson

nils.t61@gmail.com

Fernbank Liaison: Kaden Borseth

Phone (404) 929-6342

Kaden.Borseth@FernbankMuseum.org

Career Networking/Advertising: Open

Academic Liason: Open

Field Trips: Open

Continuing Education: Open

AGS Publications: Open

From the Editor

Dear AGS members,

Approximately seven months ago I moved to

Austin, Texas. I left swiftly and with little notice,

but I assure if was for only positive reasons

regarding matters of the heart and the pursuit of

new career opportunities. My only regret is that I

did not have more time to give you all a more

proper goodbye. It has been my pleasure to work

as an officer for the AGS the past three years.

From the moment I arrived in Texas I have been

exploring the geology. Palo Duro Canyon State

Park (the "Grand Canyon of Texas"), Dinosaur

Valley State Park, Waco Mammoth National

Monument, and Enchanted Rock State Natural

Area, Texas’ version of a monolith. It is similar in

morphology to Stone Mountain, but is not quite as

big and is actually granitic in composition (not

quartz monzonite).

Part of the reason I pursued an AGS officer

position is because I have been attending “Burns”

similar to Burning Man since my freshman year in

college. This sounds silly, but we “Burners” share

10 Principles that engender the ethos for the

Burns successes since Burning Man’s inception in

1986. It is hard for me to decide which of the 10

Principles is my favorite, but Participation is

highest on the list.

The Principle of Participation - Our community

is committed to a radically participatory ethic. We

believe that transformative change, whether in the

individual or in society, can occur only through

the medium of deeply personal participation. We

achieve being through doing. Everyone is invited

to work. Everyone is invited to play. We make the

world real through actions that open the heart.

AGS turned 25 this year, and has been a

successful group because of the participation of

its Officers, Committee Members, and

Professional and Student Members. I encourage

you to think deeply about how AGS has enriched

your life. I ecourage you to Participate - nominate

yourselfs for one of the AGS committees.

ELECTIONS ARE COMING SOON – Nov. 2017!

Be well,

Shannon Star George, PG

Newsletter Editor, former President

Page 12 AGS AUGUST 2016

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: Lucy Mejia: telephone: 404-438-9584;

Lucytaylor360@gmail.com

Please make checks payable to the “Atlanta Geological Society” and remit with the completed form to:

Atlanta Geological Society, Attn: Lucy Mejia

2143 Melante Drive, Atlanta, GA 30324

CASH

CHECK (CHECK NUMBER: .)