Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois - ESCONI

News on ESCONI Member, Rob Sula's Exhibit

Via Daily Herald:

Mr. Nixon, the plaster cast skull of a triceratops, greets visitors to the "Dinosaurs: The Art and Science of Paleontology" exhibit running through May 3 at the Aurora Public Art Commission's third floor gallery at the David L. Pierce Art and History Center in Aurora.

The prehistoric dinosaur isn't named after the former president, but rather the cattle rancher on whose property he was found in South Dakota, explains Rob Sula, artist and field paleontologist, whose natural history-themed art, paleo-illustrations and site maps of found fossils fill the gallery.

ESCONI Field Trip to St. Paul Indiana Quarry, Friday April, 19

Fossil  Field Trip, St. Paul, Indiana - Friday April, 19

Sign up by sending an e-mail to John Catalini at [email protected].  Indiana state law that no one under 18 is allowed in quarries. Also, need to be a member of ESCONI. Limit of 20 people to trip.

After signing up, on the day of the trip, we will meet at the quarry office by 8:00 am eastern (7:00 am Chicago time).Normal safety equipment is needed - hard hat, protective boots, eye protection. To get to the office take I65 south around Indianapolis to 174. Exit and Exit 123 go south to Michigan Av. right to N. County Road 800 W left following signs to St. Paul. Go through the town over the railroad tracks past town, ending up on Mound Rd, to office on right.

Middle Silurian fossils found.

ESCONI Field Trip to Larson Quarry - May 4, 2013

There will be an ESCONI Field Trip to the Vulcan (was Larson) Quarry on Barber Greene Road in Sycamore, IL on May 4  2013 9 to noon. O

Sign up by sending me an email with the number of people and their names. I will acknowledge by return email.  John at - [email protected]

By request of the quarry management, the trip is limited to 15 people.

Rules:
1. Must be an ESCONI member.
2. Must be at least 18 years old.
3. Must wear a hard hat and boots
4. Must have MSHA safety certificate - (next MSHA certificate session is May 29 - which is after this trip, but the MSHA will be good for other trips later in the year and next year)

Be there by 9AM. Park by the metal office on the south side of Barber Greene Rd. We will go through site-specific training before going into the quarry area.

The rock exposed here is Late Ordovician (Maquoketa Group) to Early Silurian (Wilhelmi Fm.). Hammers are usually not needed. Bring a bucket, plastic bags to hold fossils, and something to wrap them in (like TP) if they are delicate.

The most common fossils are brachiopods and bryozoans, but there are also trilobites, crinoids, cystoids, cephalopods and conularids.

Citizen Scientists and the Russian Meteorite

Very interesting video and article from the NY Times about the latest asteroid that fell into Russia.

Trip Report from Spirifer Minerals

Gorgeous and interesting photographs are included in this trip report about Morocco. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apatites with feldspars from a new find in Anomzy. T. Praszkier photo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incredible faults with waterfall on the way to Tasraft. T. Praszkier photo.

Earthquakes Caused By Wastewater Injection

From Geology via geology.com:

A new study in the journal Geology is the latest to tie a string of unusual earthquakes, in this case, in central Oklahoma, to the injection of wastewater deep underground. Researchers now say that the magnitude 5.7 earthquake near Prague, Okla., on Nov. 6, 2011, may also be the largest ever linked to wastewater injection.

Earthquakes and Gold

From Nature Geoscience via SciNews:

“While geochemical and geological evidence has long alluded to a connection between earthquakes and the deposition of gold, there has been much debate through the decades as to whether the precipitation of gold was a slow, equilibrium process or whether, as Professor Henley was proposing, it was a rapid and far from equilibrium process,” explained Dr Dion Weatherley from the University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute, co-author of a study published in the journal Nature Geoscience.

May 29 - ESCONI Miner Safety Training

Miner Safety Training  on Wednesday May 29, 2013  6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at College of Dupage Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map).  The cost will be $10 for each ESCONI Member payable at the door to John McArdle.

John McArdle of ZRS (Zoological Research Services) is approved to offer Miner Safety Certification Training and issue certificates and will be teaching the course.

Contact John Good at 630-483-2363 for reservations or e-mail at [email protected].

Miner safety training helps to ensure successful and safe collecting. Some quarries require this training before allowing us to collect on their propery. 

So it is highly recommended that members get certified in Miner Safety training - this certificate is especially important if you want to collect fossils at quarries like Larson Quarry or the Indiana trip.

 

Educational and All Around Enjoyable Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show for 2013!

Thank you to everyone who volunteered your time to make this year's 2013 ESCONI Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show possible, and to all the wonderful vendors, the Field Museum for their display, the Lizzadro Museum for their display, members who brought in displays and to all the attendees - over 800!

A few photos of the show were added to the web site.

Live Auction Photograph of Mazon Creek Seed

And another photograph of a specimen that will be auctioned live at the ESCONI Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show this weekend at Dupage Fairgrounds. 

Photographs of Some of Live Auction Material

Photographs of some of the Mazon Creek specimens that will be auctioned at the ESCONI Gem, Mineral, Fossil Show on 3/16 and 3/17 at the Dupage Fairgrounds in Wheaton, IL.

Friday Setup Starts at Noon

Just got word that Friday set up of the ESCONI show is starting at noon. Stop by if you can and help set up the show. It is a fun time.

Show This Weekend 3/16 & 3/17! Yipee! We Can Use Your Help!

Only four more days to go before the ESCONI Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show at the new location - Dupage Fairgrounds, Wheaton, IL. 

If you can find time to help with of these activities, your help will be greatly appreciated!

1. Let people know about the show - Facebook, or email or however you can - flyer can be downloaded at the show website.
2. Help set up show - Friday 3/15 -  12 pm to 5 or 6 pm
3. Call John Good if you want to work at the show- 630-483-2363
4. Call John Good if you want to display your collection - 630-483-2363 -
5. Come to the show and enjoy shopping, buying the new Mazon Creek Fauna book, seeing displays, talking with fellow collectors and buyers, bidding on Mazon Creek fossils at the live auction ...
6. Help take down show - Sunday 3/17 -  4 pm to 7 pm

Mineralogy Study Group Meeting Tonight - Sat. 3/9

ESCONI Mineralogy Meeting 7:30 p.m. College of Dupage, - Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map) - Topic: Jim Daly will present a program on Moctezuma, Sonora minerals and there willl be a video on the Cave of Swords.

BRING YOUR MINERALS FROM MEXICO FOR SHOW DISPLAY!

See Some of the Auction Specimens

Photographs of some of the Mazon Creek specimens that will be auctioned at the ESCONI Gem, Mineral, Fossil Show on 3/16 and 3/17 at the Dupage Fairgrounds in Wheaton, IL.

New Dealer Just Added For Gem, Mineral Fossil Show

Latest Update: LAVIN’S GEMS & JEWELRY has been added as a dealer to the ESCONI Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show for next weekend.

Two Author Signings at ESCONI Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show

A special attraction has been added to this year’s show – our very own ESCONI members Jack Wittry and Rob Sula each were both involved in book releases in the last year and they have agreed to be available for book signings at the show.

Jack Wittry, Northeast University Research Fellow and author of "The Mazon Creek Fossil Fauna" and "Mazon Creek Fossil Flora", will be signing books on Saturday, March 16th, from 10 am to Noon. 

Rob Sula, featured in the National Geographic children’s book "Dinosaurs", will be signing copies of that book on Saturday, March 16th, from Noon to 1pm and again on Sunday, March 17th, from 10 am to Noon. Books will be available for purchase at the show.

43rd annual Rock, Gem & Mineral Show in Monroe Wisconsin

Dear friends, family and supporters of the Badger Lapidary and Geological Society,

I hope this email finds you happy and well.  I am writing on behalf of the Badger Lapidary and Geological Society to promote our 43rd annual Rock, Gem & Mineral Show in Monroe Wisconsin.   Please consider yourself invited to this free, educational, family friendly event this weekend.

Show Event Description:

Badger Lapidary & Geological Society, 43^rd Annual, Rock, Gem, Mineral, & Fossil Show. 

Saturday March 9th & Sunday March 10^th 9AM to 5PM: 

Cost:  Free show and free parking (donations appreciated).

Location: Monroe Middle School, 1510 13^th Street, Monroe, WI.  (This is a new venue this year)    

Description: Ten dealers, excellent guest speakers, many beautiful club displays and demonstrations, club sales table, hourly door prizes, educational films. 

Activities for kids: Fishpond, spinner game, scavenger hunt, Gem stone panning, and the wisest of roving rock wizards.   

Food: Full Menu.

Show Contact: Teri Marche’ 608-835-2653, [email protected]  or Dan Trocke Ph: 608-215-5307 [email protected]

Great Speakers:

·         Saturday 1:30 PM Dan Trocke, Just for Kids (however old!)  Learning hands-on about my favorite Wacky and Unusual Rocks

·         Saturday 3:00 PM Tyrel Rouse, Geodes and Thundereggs

·         Sunday 1:30 PM Richard Slaughter, UW Madison Geological Museum, Death by Asphalt: fossils of the la Brea Tar Pits

·         Sunday 3:00 Pm Gary Emerson, Bat Surveys in Wisconsin Caves

My family will be showing the ever popular Grampa Trocke's collection of rare fluorescent minerals and a new presentation of unusual mineral & fossil phenomenon.  Many of these specimens are world class and better yet can be handled and viewed up close (try that at the Smithsonian!).  This is a big hit with kids who are finally allowed to see with their hands too!  We’ll also have a new display of Mazon creek fossils, and a collection of extinct animal teeth and tusks I hope you will enjoy.     Lot's of things for the whole family to do and see.   A beautiful scenic drive to Monroe Wisconsin – more of a winter wonderland this time of year J.   

Please spread the word to others that may be interested as we would love to have a huge turnout at this show and I hope to see you there. 

Thanks and have a great day,

Dan Trocke
Vice President & Fieldtrip Chair
Badger Lapidary & Geological Society, Inc.

ESCONI Members - Need Your Help

Hello ESCONI members:

We are having a work day at the warehouse on March 9 at 9:00 am so as to get all the items ready for the annual show. We need your help in identifying and organizing inventory. This is the last weekend before the show. Contact me if you can make it - 1-630-483-2363 for reservations or e-mail at [email protected]

Thanks
John Good

Chicago Rocks, 64th Annual Silent Auction - Sat. March 9

Chicago Rocks & Minerals Society, 64th Annual Silent Auction of Rocks, Minerals, Fossils and Lapidary Treasures, 6 to 9 p.m.,St. Peter’s United Church of Christ gymnasium, 8013 Laramie Ave., Skokie (across the street from the public library on Oakton)

Bid on rocks, crystals, minerals, fossils, geodes, handmade jewelry, lapidary materials, books, magazines and much more! Special selection just for kids.

First table closes at 6:30 p.m. Free admission and parking. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Refreshments available. For more information, call Jeanine N. Mielecki at (773) 774-2054 or email [email protected]. Visit www.chicagorocks.org.