Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois - ESCONI

Trilobites.info: April 2016 Trilobite of the Month

Image courtesy of Richie Kurkewcz

Over at Trilobites.info, the Trilobite of the Month for April 2016 is Stummiana arkonensis.  It's a Middle Devonian trilobite from the Widder Formation, Hamilton Group of Arkona, Ontario, Canada.  Check it out on the trilobites.info website.  The trilobites.info website is invaluable for everything trilobite.  Check it out today!

The Trilobite of the Month  for the April 2016 is a beautiful multiple specimen of what was once considered genus Greenops, a member of Order Phacopida, Suborder Phacopina. The continuation of details of thoracic structures into the lobes of the pygidium (so that one can scarcely tell where the thorax ends and the pygidium begins) is a hallmark of the family Acastidae, and is referred to as homonomy. I also enjoy the completeness of the individuals, making up this specimen, as well as the differences in size. Today's image courtesy of Richie Kurkewcz.

 

ESCONI May 2016 General Meeting - Mid-Continent Rift

 

Our May general meeting program will be presented by Carol Stein from UIC on the Mid-Continent Rift System of North America. She passed along a link to a YouTube video about the rift and the work being done to study it. Consider it a preview of the upcoming program!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4kkKx-Wcoo 

 

AMNH Trilobite of the Week - Paradoxides davidis trapezopyge

The AMNH's Trilobite of the Week is Paradoxides davidis trapezopyge.

Paradoxides davidis trapezopyge Bergström & Levi-Setti 1978
Middle Cambrian
Manuels River Formation
Manuels River, Newfoundland, Canada
22 cm

Found: A Magnificent Roman Villa, Hiding Under a British Backyard

AtlasObscura has a fascinating story about a recent Roman villa discovered hiding under a British backyard.  The villa dates back to 175 to 220 C.E.  And, it probably still stood up to around 1400 years ago.  The villa was probably 3 stories tall and had 20 or more rooms.

Sometimes there really is a secret world hiding in the backyard, just underneath the ground. In Wiltshire, in the south of England, one family decided to install some electric cables in the ground to light their converted barn. Just 18 inches under the soil, their work crew found mosaic stones in red, blue, and white.

When archaeologists showed up to see what they could find, they found the remains of an awe-inspiring Roman villa, that was once three stories tall, with 20 or more rooms just on the ground floor.

The villa must have belonged to a very wealthy family and would have been one of the most impressive buildings in the area. It’s one of the largest Roman houses ever found in England.
 

In addition to the well-crafted mosaic floor, archaeologist found brooches, coins, heating pipes in the floor, the remains of hunted animals and “extremely high status pottery,” the Independent reports. They also found the shells of oysters, that would have had to have been transported, in basins of salt water from the coast, 45 miles away.

Field Museum: It’s What I Do: An Evening with Renowned Photojournalist Lynsey Addario - Monday May 16th, 2016 at 5:30 PM

We are excited to announce that The Field Museum will host MacArthur Fellow and Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Lynsey Addario for a free public lecture to celebrate the opening of Women of Vision: National Geographic Photographers on Assignment. 

It’s What I Do: An Evening with Renowned Photojournalist Lynsey Addario

Monday, May 16 | 5:30 pm
James Simpson Theatre

Lynsey Addario has survived death threats and kidnappings to bring back powerful images from war-torn regions such as Libya, Iraq, and Afghanistan for National Geographic and The New York Times. She’ll share her heart-pounding story and explain what keeps her going back to places most of us would never venture.

If you are coming from outside of The Field Museum, please enter through the West Entrance (between Lake Shore Drive and the Museum). Additional information is attached. 

Register here!

Chicago Rocks 45h Annual Rock Swap - Saturday, June 11th, 2016, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

LIKE ROCKS? YOU’LL LOVE THIS!

Chicago Rocks & Minerals Society

Presents 5th Annual Rock Swap

Saturday, June 11, 2016

New Hours – 11 AM to 5 PM, Indoors

St. Peter’s United Church of Christ Gymnasium

8013 Laramie Ave., Skokie

 Think of it as a flea market with rocks, minerals, fossils, geodes, and lapidary-arts treasures!

Includes special kids’ activities

Come for an afternoon of fun and great deals for rockhounds of all ages, including special activities for kids. Rocks, minerals, fossils, crystals, geodes, cabochons, handmade jewelry, lapidary items, and more. Free admission. Ample free parking. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information, call Jeanine N. Mielecki at (312) 623-1554 or e-mail [email protected].  Visit www.chicagorocks.org or find us on Facebook: Chicago Rocks & Minerals Society.

Field Trip: Irene Quarry May 7th, 2016 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

 

There will be a field trip to the Irene Quarry near Belvidere, Illinois on Saturday, May 7, 2016, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Noon).
 
This is a combined trip including both ESCONI and LOESS (Lincoln Orbit Earth Science Society). The rock is Ordovician, Galena Group. This is a "hard-rock" quarry (dolomite) owned by William Charles Construction. The quarry has been very active and there should be lots of fresh rock exposed. If you like Hormotoma or Receptaculites, this is the place for you!
 
Rules
 
1. MUST be an ESCONI or LOESS member as of April 24, 2016.
 
2. MUST be at least 18 years of age.
 
3. ESCONI members sign up by sending me (Dave) an email with the number of members attending and their names. My email is [email protected]   No phone calls, please. LOESS members sign up with Ed Wagner.
 
4. I will acknowledge by return email. If you don't get a reply in 24 hours, send it again!
 
5. Maximum total attendance is 20. I will reserve 10 spots for LOESS members until April 24th when Ed sends me his list.

 

6. Please review the Code of Ethics and Conduct on the ESCONI website.

 
7. MUST have and wear a hard hat, safety vest, and sturdy boots while in the quarry. No sandals, tennis shoes, and the like. No claw hammers, roofing hammers - use only rock hammers. If you plan on hammering bring eye protection.
 
    The address of the quarry is 4525 Irene Road, Belvidere, Illinois. A picture of the quarry
    can be found at http://www.williamcharlesconstruction.com/Materials/Portfolio-Irene.aspx
    I recommend you get a map and directions from the Internet.
 
    I will distribute the release form by email to those signed up just before the trip.
 
    Questions? Send me an email.
 

Garage Sale - Rob Sula - Saturday, April 16th, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

1-Day Only Garage Sale including fossils, vintage furniture, WWII relics, household items, dinosaur bone chunks, knickknacks and more.

Address:

Molitor Road and Gary Avenue

Aurora, IL 60505

 

Special Sale Sunday 4/17/2016 10:00 AM - Late Kathy Dedina’s Collection

Special Sale Sunday 4/17/2016 10:00 AM - Late Kathy Dedina’s Collection

11 Cumnor Road, Westmont, IL 60559 (Map)

Mazon Creek Fossils, Minerals, Agates, Slabs, Lapidary supplies, Books, Magazines (including Mineralogical Record). The Mazon Creek fossils include rare plants and animals. Also for sale will be unopened buckets of concretions.

myFOSSIL Project Newsletter for March 2016

There's a new myFOSSIL Project Newsletter for March 2016.  You can download it from here.

Highlights:

• Featured Paleontologist: Heather Moffat
• Amateur Spotlight: Cindy Lockner
• Club Corner: North Coast Fossil Club by Glen Kuban
• Featured Fossil: Edrioasteroids of Cincinnati by Kyle Hartshorn & Jack Kallmeyer
• Paleo Artist: Lena Cole
• Research: Plant Fossil Provides Insight into Evolutionary History of Coco-Plums by Nathan Jud
• Education: Rowan University Purchases Quarry for Research and Education
• FOSSIL Project Updates Spring 2016
• Report on Spring 2016 PaleoBlitz
• Let’s Do It: myFOSSIL Mini-Video Tutorial Series
• Upcoming Events and Opportunities

April 2016 Mineral Study Group Meeting - Tuscon Gem Show

On Saturday April 9, 2016, the ESCONI Mineral Study Group Meeting will be held at 7:30 pm at the College of Dupage TechEd (TEC) Building Room 1038B(Map).  The topic will be the "Tucson Gem Show".

 

PBS Chicago Tonight: The Tully Monster

PBS's "Chicago Tonight" has a great segment on the Tully Monster.  It features a 12 minute interview with the Field Museum's Paul Mayer and Scott Lidgard.  There was an excellent discussion of Mazon Creek fossils, in general, with a great specimen of Alethopteris.  All kinds of good information, Colchester coal, Braidwood, Coal City, and even amateur fossil hunters!   Here's another video, mentioned in the segment, which even includes ESCONI member Jack Wittry.  Enjoy!

Tully: Monster vs Method from The Field Museum on Vimeo.

 

Mid America Paleontology Society's (MAPS) Fossil Expo 2016 is taking place this weekend!

The Mid America Paleontology Society's Fossil Expo 2016 is taking place this weekend, Friday April 1st through Sunday April 3rd (until 3pm)!

The show will be held at the Sharpless Auctions Facility, just off Exit 249 in Iowa City, IA - the same location as last year.

As always, there will be kids' activities, silent auctions, workshop talks during the day Friday & Saturday, and a Live Auction which is open to the public on Saturday evening at 5:15PM.  

The big item up for bids will once again be a Dino Dig Trip with Paleoprospectors (the trip will be in summer 2017)!

 

This year's keynote speaker is Phil Currie, the well known dinosaur researcher from the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Alberta, Canada.  He will give his presentation on Friday evening beginning at 6:00PM at the Clarion Hotel, just north off I-80 exit 246 in Iowa City, IA.

Please check the flyer or visit the MAPS website for more information & a schedule of events,

 

http://www.midamericapaleo.org/content/news.php