Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois - ESCONI

Prototaxites Puzzles

Via PhysOrg.com:

Contradictions and puzzles surround the giant fossil Prototaxites. The fossils resemble tree trunks, and yet they are from a time before trees existed. The stable carbon isotope values are similar to those of fungi, but the fossils do not display structures usually found in fungi. Plant-like polymers have been found in the fossils, but nutritional evidence supports heterotrophy, which is not commonly found in plants. These are a few of the confounding factors surrounding the identification of Prototaxites fossils.

Mitochondria Evolved from Bacteria

From Monash University:

...the research explained how mitochondria -- the power house of human and other cells, which provide complex eukaryotic cells with energy and ability to produce, divide and move -- were thought to have evolved about 2000 million years ago from primitive bacteria.

New World Migration

Science News:

A nearly complete sequence of nuclear DNA extracted from strands of the long-dead man’s hair — the first such sequence obtained from an ancient person — highlights a previously unknown and relatively recent migration of northeastern Asians into the New World about 5,500 years ago, scientists say.

Podcast from USGS on Climate 3 Million Years Ago

Via Geology.com:

...Scientists have reconstructed what the climate conditions were 3 million years ago, and are using these data as one of the closest analogs to estimate future climate conditions. USGS scientists Harry Dowsett and Marci Robinson discuss some of their findings regarding carbon dioxide’s impact, Arctic conditions, and the deep ocean’s system....

bistah-he-ee-versor see-lee-eye

Via ScienceNews:

...Bistahieversor sealeyi (pronounced: bistah-he-ee-versor see-lee-eye) is a new species of tyrannosaur discovered in the Bisti/De-na-zin Wilderness of New Mexico...

Events This Weekend

On Friday, Dr. Tom Loebal, will be the speaker at the ESCONI General Meeting at 8:00 p.m. College of Dupage Building K, Room #131. Dr. Loebal does research on Paleoindian projectile points, sites, cremation burials and Pleistocene megafauna fossil sites in Illinois. 

On Friday, The Elgin Public Museum presents "Geology Night", 6-8 p.m. Adults and kids can conduct experiments, experience demonstrations and partake in discussion. No registration required. $2 per person, members free.

On Saturday, Mineralogy & Micromount Study Group will be discussing Florida phosphates and fossils, Tampa Bay sand and coral. 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 131.

On Sunday, the SOUTH SUBURBAN EARTH SCIENCE CLUB will host their ANNUAL SILENT AUCTION.Gemstones, Jewelry, Lapidary Supplies, Findings, Slabs, Rocks, Shells, Minerals, Fossils, Books and Misc. Items. Something for Everyone.

The auction will be held at Freedom Hall, 410 Lakewood Blvd, Park Forest, IL on Sunday, February 14, 2010. Time: 1:00 to 4:00

Refreshments will be available – Everyone Welcome!

Free Admission. For more information email: SSESCUS@YAHOO.COM

The First Rubellite Locality in the US

Via Geology.com:

A new issue of The-Vug.com quarterly magazine has an article titled: “The First Rubellite Locality in the United States” by Vandall King and Angie Teixeira.

The Last Neanderthals

From PhysOrg:

The last Neanderthals in Europe died out at least 37,000 years ago - and both climate change and interaction with modern humans could be involved in their demise, according to new research from the University of Bristol published today in PLoS ONE.

Geology Books

Via Geology.com:

...Congratulations to Richard W. Ojakangas who has authored “Roadside Geology of Minnesota,” a new book that can guide you to the geology of Minnesota that can be seen along the highway....

Also, just saw that the Amateur Geologist has a long list of recommended books...

Ediacaran Creature Movement

From Science News:

...The newly-discovered fossils, from rocks in Newfoundland in Canada, were analysed by an international team led by Oxford University scientists. They identified over 70 fossilised trails indicating that some ancient creatures moved, in a similar way to modern sea anemones, across the seafloors of the Ediacaran Period...

Meteorite News

From Physorg:

...Two new types of ultra-hard carbon crystals have been found by researchers investigating the ureilite class Haverö meteorite that crashed to Earth in Finland in 1971..

From Washington Post:

...As one of the many local residents who saw the Lorton meteorite fall to Earth on Jan. 18, I was disappointed to read that the landlords of the office building it struck are taking steps to prevent it from being donated to the Smithsonian...

Need Supplies?

The Amateur Geologist site seems to offer many items. I've never used it, cannot guarantee it, but it looks interesting.

Mineralogical Society of America

Check out the the Mineralogical Society of America site.

Preserving the Link Between Fish & Land Animal

Via Nunatsiaq Online:

...A proposed coal exploration project on Ellesmere Island threatens an internationally-important collection of rare fossil sites, a group of fossil scientists said last week.

The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology asked its members to lobby the the Nunavut Impact Review Board about a coal exploration project at several sites on Ellesmere Island.

A firm called Weststar Resources Corp. is proposing to search for coal near an area on Ellesemere called Strathcona Fiord, where scientists have already found ancient fossil records bearing crucial information about climate change and early life on earth....

Top Ten Signs You Might Be A Geologist

10. You have ever had to respond "yes" to the question, "What have you got
in here, rocks?"

9. You have ever taken a 22-passenger van over "roads" that were really
intended only for cattle

8. You have ever found yourself trying to explain to airport security that
a rock hammer isn't really a weapon

7. Your rock garden is located inside your house

6. You have ever hung a picture using a Brunton as a level, and your rock hammer as your hammer

Click here for reasons 5-1.

Earth Science Animations

Teaching resources and animations from federal organizations about science and earth science.