Geological Insights & Event News

FCGS welcomes members back with the Aug. 25 picnic at Junction Creek, featuring food, a raffle, and the Rob Blair Horseshoe Tournament. Fall events include field trips and a strong lineup of talks at FLC, beginning mid September with volcanologist Dr. Kathy Cashman, followed by October and November speakers. News notes highlight elections, dues reminders, and the successful Chama River Trip.

Hydrogeologist Douglas Bartlett will talk on the difficulty of finding an adequate groundwater supply for hard rock mines in the desert southwest. The FCG Foundation welcomes new director Peter Mesard. Chris Heine’s Prez Sez column examines the inherent conflict between definitions of sustainability from the environmental, social and economic viewpoints. The Field Trip Committee is preparing the local Chinle Fm. trip, and the Chama River float trip, while posting photos of the successful Harding pegmatite field trip. Proposed changes to the FCGS Bylaws are posted for your vote this month.

The newsletter announces Bill Chavez’s April 15 lecture on economic geology, the science and search for mineral resources. His talk will describe the field’s dual focus on genetic models of ore genesis and practical, field based targeting, noting rising mineral demand driven by global energy transitions. Chris Heine’s Prez Sez column comments on the impact of EV battery construction on the environment. The FCG Foundation has awarded M.S. grants to Brooklyn Dib (USU) and Emma Shantz (NMSU). There are descriptions of upcoming fieldtrips to Harding Pegmatite, the Chinle Fm. and Chama River.

FCGS announces the March 28 meeting featuring Chip Head speaking on the rivers of the Canadian Northwest. Dr. Gary Gianniny’s Historical Geology class will do poster presentations before the meeting on T-Rex’s cousin, Bistahieversor sealeyi (found in our nearby Bisti Badlands). Three field trips are announced, first to the Harding Pegmatite near Taos, NM, in April, a look at the Chinle Fm. near Durango, in May, and a Chama float trip in July. Chris Heine’s “Prez Sez” column calls for volunteers to run for office and draws attention to the rejection of the term, “Anthropocene”.

February 2024 newsletter features Peter Vrolijk on 2004 Sumatra earthquake mechanics and IODP Expedition 362 sediment analysis. President Chris Heine examines urban heat island effects and CO2 emission policies. Foundation announces M.S. thesis grants and constitutional updates. Field trip committee plans Harding Pegmatite and Chama River excursions.

January 2024 newsletter features Kitty Milliken on mudrock pore-scale processes and electron microbeam analysis. President Chris Heine examines coastal subsidence versus climate change factors. Foundation announces M.S. thesis grants. Memorial tributes honor longtime members Connie Mack Krivanek and Donald Owen.