Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois - ESCONI

ESCONI Events March 2021

Field trips require membership, but visitors are welcome at all meetings!

Fri, Mar 12th	ESCONI General Meeting 8:00 PM Zoom - Topic: "The Big Hill Lagerstätte; a small locality with large implications for early chelicerate evolution” by Dr. James Lamsdell of West Virginia University.  A Zoom link will be provided.
Sat, Mar 13th	ESCONI Junior Meeting 7:00 PM Zoom - Topic: "More Interesting Gems".   Specifics of this meeting are available from Scott Galloway, 630-670-2591, gallowayscottf@gmail.com. Contact Scott to get the Zoom link to attend the virtual meeting and find out how to join the Juniors Club.
Sat, Mar 20th	ESCONI Paleontology Meeting 7:30 PM Zoom - Topic: “Fossil Collecting in Extreme Conditions”. by ESCONI Member Tom Williams.  A Zoom link will be provided.

 

Reminder: ESCONI September 2020 Paleo Meeting - September 19, 2020 - Brag Night! #fossils #paleontology

September 19, 2020, Paleontology Study Group Meeting

John A. Catalani

We are going to have a Paleo Study Group meeting on Saturday Sept. 19 beginning at 7:30 p.m on Zoom. The plan is to have members present their fossil finds collected since the last “Brag Night” meeting of Sept. 2019. It would be best to present your finds in photograph form. The photos should be collected in a folder for ease of access. You can then show the photos in order by advancing to each in turn. Please limit the number of photos to 20 for each participant, so all can be seen. Instructions for joining the Zoom mtg will be on the ESCONI web site. Additionally, an invitation via e-mail will be sent the day before the meeting.  Zoom link.

After all photos have been presented, we will discuss future Paleo meetings. Please think about presenting a program to the group.

 

Reminder: ESCONI September 2020 General Meeting - September 11th, 2020 at 8:00 PM via Zoom - "Carboniferous Fossils Reveal How Fishes Evolve, and How They Don’t” #fossils #paleontology #MazonCreek #Fish

Reconstruction of Mazon Creek by John Megahan

 

The speaker at our September 11th, 2020 general meeting will be Dr. Lauren Sallan from the University of Pennsylvania. Her presentation will be done via Zoom and will start at 9:00 PM. Dr. Sallan received her PhD from the University of Chicago in 2012. She was a co-author of the 2017 article that determined that the Tully Monster was not a vertebrate. She also works on Paleozoic ray-finned fishes and sharks.

 

Here's a link to her lab webpage, which includes links to her TED Talks:  http://www.laurensallan.com/

 

Zoom link

 

ESCONI September 2020 General Meeting - September 11th, 2020 at 8:00 PM via Zoom - "Carboniferous Fossils Reveal How Fishes Evolve, and How They Don’t” #fossils #paleontology #MazonCreek #Fish

Reconstruction of Mazon Creek by John Megahan

 

The speaker at our September 11th, 2020 general meeting will be Dr. Lauren Sallan from the University of Pennsylvania. Her presentation will be done via Zoom and will start at 9:00 PM. Dr. Sallan received her PhD from the University of Chicago in 2012. She was a co-author of the 2017 article that determined that the Tully Monster was not a vertebrate. She also works on Paleozoic ray-finned fishes and sharks.

 

Here's a link to her lab webpage, which includes links to her TED Talks:  http://www.laurensallan.com/

 

We will send the Zoom details next week.

 

ESCONI Events September 2020

Field trips require membership, but visitors are welcome at all meetings!

Fri, Sept 11th	ESCONI General Meeting 8:00 PM Zoom - Topic: "Carboniferous Fossils Reveal How Fishes Evolve, and How They Don’t” by Dr. Lauren Sallan from the University of Pennsylvania.  Zoom link
Sat, Sept 12th	ESCONI Field Trip to Cheney Limestone in Bellevue, MI - This is a joint trip with Kalamazoo Geological and Mineral Society (KGMS).  Details here.
Sat, Sept 19th	ESCONI Paleontology Meeting 7:30 PM Zoom - "Brag Night", bring pictures to share. Zoom link.
Sat, Sept 19th	ESCONI Field Trip to Braceville, IL - 8 AM to 2 PM - Details are here
Sun, Sept 20th	ESCONI Field Trip to Braceville, IL - 8 AM to 2 PM - Details are here

 

 

ESCONI September 2020 Paleo Meeting - September 19, 2020 - Brag Night! #fossils #paleontology

September 19, 2020, Paleontology Study Group Meeting

John A. Catalani

We are going to have a Paleo Study Group meeting on Saturday Sept. 19 beginning at 7:30 p.m on Zoom. The plan is to have members present their fossil finds collected since the last “Brag Night” meeting of Sept. 2019. It would be best to present your finds in photograph form. The photos should be collected in a folder for ease of access. You can then show the photos in order by advancing to each in turn. Please limit the number of photos to 20 for each participant, so all can be seen. Instructions for joining the Zoom mtg will be on the ESCONI web site. Additionally, an invitation via e-mail will be sent the day before the meeting.

After all photos have been presented, we will discuss future Paleo meetings. Please think about presenting a program to the group.

ESCONI Field Trip to Braceville - Saturday, September 19th and Sunday September 20th, 2020 #MazonCreek #fossils

Braceville Field Trip Rules - Sept 2020

The ESCONI field trips to Braceville for Mazon Creek fossils are set for Sept 19 and 20, 2020 from 8 AM to 2 PM. You can attend either (but not both) day(s). There is an attendance limit of 50 people each day.

If you are sick, have any symptoms of Covid-19 or have tested positive, DO NOT COME!

Everyone MUST have a face mask and wear it if less than 6 feet from another person.

1. Families are welcome, but the minimum age is 5 years old. Children must be supervised at all times by their parent or guardian. Registration ends at midnight Sept 16 th .
2. You and everyone in your party must be members of ESCONI. No membership dues will be accepted at the field trip site. Have your membership status resolved before the trip, no later than Sept 16th. You can pay dues by mailing a check, or with a credit card using the PayPal link on the ESCONI website.
3. You will be required to check-in at the collecting site. By attending, you agree to follow the ESCONI Code of Ethics and Conduct (available on the ESCONI website) and agree to the
   conditions set forth in the ESCONI Accident Waiver and Release of Liability Form (sent by email to those that register). You don’t need to print it out, just know what you’re agreeing to.
4. The collecting site is in Grundy County. If Grundy County’s covid status slips back from phase 4 to phase 3, the trip will be canceled.
5. You’re going to be digging in dirt and mud – dress accordingly! You may want to bring a shovel, pickaxe, trowel, or hammer. Use only a rock hammer, not a claw hammer or roofing hammer. If you decide to hammer on something, use eye protection. There may also be insects and poison ivy. Hard hats are not required. Bring a bucket to carry your fossils in. Gloves are strongly recommended. The collecting site is an old spoil pile on private property. There may be old rusty tools or other iron pieces embedded in the pile. Sliding down the hill could be very painful.
6. The top of the pile is unstable and not safe to stand on. Do not go above the flags/caution tape markers. Anyone found above the markers will be asked to leave and may not be allowed to sign up for future field trips.
7. Sign up for the trip by sending me (Dave) an email with your name, the number of members attending and the day you are attending. I will acknowledge by return email within 24 hours. If you don’t hear from me in that time, send it again! My email is fossil54@att.net
8. If the trip is full I will keep a waiting list in case there are cancellations. If you are signed up and can’t make it, please let me know.

Meet at 8 AM at the entrance to the collecting site on S Berta Road, just east of the intersection with Division St (Braceville IL). A nearby landmark for driving directions is the Braceville Gardner Cemetery, 7295 East Braceville Road, Braceville. I can send a small map to anyone that needs it.

 

ESCONI/KGMS Field Trip to Cheney Limestone, Bellevue, MI - Saturday, September 12th, 2020 #FieldTrip #minerals #fossils

There will be a field trip to the Cheney Limestone quarry near Bellevue, MI on September 12, 2020, from 10 AM to 3 PM (Eastern). This is a joint trip between ESCONI and the Kalamazoo Geological and Mineral Society (KGMS). There are 20 spots for ESCONI members.

The rock formation at this quarry is the Bayport Limestone, Mississippian in age, in the Michigan Basin

Both fossils and minerals can be found there. Typical fossils include brachiopods, corals, pelecypods and echinoderms, often coated with glauconite. Minerals include calcite, barite, pyrite, marcasite and chalcopyrite.  Also rarely found are sphalerite, fluorite, celestine and vivianite. Mostly medium-temperature hydrothermal minerals.

The quarry is located at 9400 Sand Rd, Bellevue, MI.

Rules

1. You and everyone in your party must be a member of ESCONI by Sept 9, 2020. Minimum age is 18.
2. Register by sending me (Dave) an email with the number of people attending. My email is: fossil54@att.net.  I will respond within 24 hours. If you don’t hear from in that time, send it again!
3. Registration ends at 11:59 PM Sept 9, 2020.
4. If the trip is full I will keep a waiting list. If you register but find out that you cannot attend please let me know.
5. You must have and wear a hard hat, a safety vest and sturdy boots. Long pants are required.

When you arrive at the quarry, park by the side of the road and wait for instructions.

Depending on where you live it could take a few hours to drive to the quarry. There don’t appear to be any hotels in Bellevue. If you’re staying overnight, try Battle Creek.

Some pictures of pyrite, calcite and marcasite specimens from this area can be seen at: https://www.mindat.org/loc-10031.html

A very relevant article entitled “History, Geology, and Mineralogy of the Bayport Limestone Quarries, Bellevue, Eaton County, Michigan” appeared in Rocks and Minerals magazine in 2018. The author was kind enough to provide a PDF of the article which I can send (for personal use only) to any trip participant who wants it.

 

ESCONI Field Trip to to Belvidere Quarry - Sunday, July 26, 2020 #FieldTrip #Ordovician

There will be a field trip to a quarry near Belvidere, Illinois on Sunday, July 26, 2020, from 9AM to 12 noon.

 

The rock is Ordovician, Galena Group. This is a "hard-rock" quarry (dolomite). If you like Hormotoma or Receptaculites, this is the place for you! The quarry has been active so there is new rock exposed.

 

Note that if Boone County reverts back to phase 3 before the date of the field trip, then the trip will be cancelled.

 
Rules
 
1. Everyone in your group MUST be an ESCONI member as of July 23, 2020.
 
2. Everyone in your group MUST be at least 18 years of age.

3. Everyone 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 or roofing hammers - use only rock hammers. If you plan on hammering then bring eye protection and wear it.

4. Everyone MUST have a face mask. This is a quarry and social distancing should not be a problem, but if you are within 6 feet of anyone, wear the mask. You will not get in if you do not have a mask. You must make the decision for yourself if being with a group of people in a quarry is the right place for you to be right now. If you are sick, do not attend.
 
5. Sign up by sending me (Dave) an email with the number of members attending and their names. My email is fossil54@att.net   No phone calls please. Do not call the quarry.
 
6. I will acknowledge by return email. If you don't get a reply in 24 hours, send it again!
 
7. Maximum attendance by ESCONI members is 30.

8. Please review the Code of Ethics and Conduct on the ESCONI website. You will be expected to check-in at the quarry. By doing so you agree to follow the Code of Ethics and the conditions on the ESCONI Liability and Waiver form (sent by email to those that sign up). You do not need to print out the ESCONI waiver form, just know what you’re agreeing to. There may be an additional waiver from the quarry.

   
    The address of the quarry is 4525 Irene Road, Belvidere, Illinois.

    I will distribute the waiver forms by email to those signed up just before the trip.
 
    Questions? Send me an email...
  

ESCONI June 2020 General Meeting - “Dino-Sores: Injury and Behavior in Cretaceous Dinosaurs" on June 12th, 2020

We have a remote speaker for our June meeting.  He is Dr. Joe Peterson from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh.  Joe earned a BS Geology at SIU-C and an MS/PhD Geology from NIU.  Since, then, he worked and volunteered at Burpee for many years. The title of his program is “Dino-Sores: Injury and Behavior in Cretaceous Dinosaurs”.

This meeting will be held over Zoom. Here is the link.

If you need help with Zoom, here are some useful Zoom Instructions.

 

 

ESCONI Events June 2020

Field trips require membership, but visitors are welcome at all meetings!

Fri, June 12th

ESCONI General Meeting 8:00 PM Zoom - Topic: "Dino-Sores: Injury and Behavior in Cretaceous Dinosaurs" by Dr. Joe Peterson from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh  Zoom meeting link

 

 

ESCONI 2020 Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show... Canceled!

It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing that ESCONI is canceling the annual show slated for March 21 and 22, 2020 at the Dupage fairgrounds due to concerns about the corona virus.  There is a possibility, we will reschedule later in the year.  Please stay tuned for more details!

 

ESCONI Events March 2020

Field trips require membership, but visitors are welcome at all meetings!

Sat, Mar 21st	ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM - CANCELED
Sun, Mar 22nd	ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM - CANCELED

 

Reminder: ESCONI General Meeting for February 14th, 2020 "Worked Stones and Gold of the Ancient Tayrona of Santa Marta, Colombia" by Ellen Steinberg, Ph.D #gems #gold #minerals

The program at our February 14th, 2020 meeting will be presented by Ellen Steinberg, Ph.D.  The title of her talk is "Worked Stones and Gold of the Ancient Tayrona of Santa Marta, Colombia".

ESCONI Field Trip to Field Museum Meteorite and Fossil Invertebrate Collections - Saturday, February 22nd, 2020

ESCONI Field Trip to Field Museum Meteorite and Fossil Invertebrate Collections

There will be a field trip to the Field Museum in Chicago on Saturday February 22, 2020 starting at 10 AM. This is a behind-the-scenes visit to view the collections of meteorites and fossil invertebrates. Here are the rules:

1. This trip is free (no entry fee) but you and everyone in your group must be ESCONI members.  Have your membership status worked out before the trip. No money or dues will be accepted on the day of the trip.

2. Meet at the west door to the museum (between the museum and Lake Shore Drive) at 10 AM.

3. Families and kids are welcome.

4. Maximum attendance is 30. The group will be split. One part will start viewing meteorites, while the other goes through fossil invertebrates, then they will switch. Total time for both areas is about 1 hour.

5. Registration is required by February 20, 2020. To register, send me (Dave) an email with the number of members attending. My email address is fossil54@att.net

Thanks to Irene Broede for arranging this trip, and to Jim Holstein and Paul Mayer for hosting it.

 

Warehouse Work Day - Saturday, February 15th, 2020, 9:00 - 1:00ish

If you have some time, come join our work day at the warehouse on Saturday, February 15th, 2020 from 9:00-1:00ish.  If the weather is bad, we will choose a different day and let everyone know.  The warehouse address is 900 Knell in Montgomery, IL.  Please meet/enter in the back of the warehouse ONLY.  You will see railroad tracks along the back of the warehouse.  Drive all the way to the end in the back.
 
For more information, contact us at esconi.info@gmail.com

 

ESCONI Events February 2020

Field trips require membership, but visitors are welcome at all meetings!

Fri, Feb 14th	ESCONI Junior Meeting, 7:00 PM College of Dupage - Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038A (Map) - Topic: "Mazon Creek Fossils"
Fri, Feb 14th	ESCONI General Meeting, 8:00 PM College of Dupage - Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map) - Topic: "Worked Stones and Gold of the Ancient Tayrona of Santa Marta, Colombia" by Ellen Steinberg, Ph.D
Sat, Feb 15th	Warehouse Work Day, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM - see here for details.
Sat, Feb 15th	ESCONI Paleontology Study Group Meeting, 7:30 PM -Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map) - Topic: "George Langford" by ESCONI Member Rich Holm
Sat, Feb 22nd	Field Trip to Field Museum Meteorite and Fossil Invertebrate Collections - see here for details

ESCONI January 2020 Junior Meeting - Does your child like earth science books? on January 10, 2020 #earthscience

Does your child like earth science books?

Bring them to our next junior meeting and we will use picture books to identify rocks & minerals! Ages 6 to 17 are welcome.

Friday January 10, 2020 at 7pm

College of DuPage

Technical Education Center West side room 1038A

Contact gallowayscottf@gmail.com with questions

Go to www.ESCONI.org for the map.

Rescheduled Warehouse Work Day Due to Weather - Saturday, January 25th, 2020, 9:00 - 1:00ish

If you have some time, come join our work day at the warehouse on Saturday, January 25th, 2020 from 9:00-1:00ish.  If the weather is bad, we will choose a different day and let everyone know.  The warehouse address is 900 Knell in Montgomery, IL.  Please meet/enter in the back of the warehouse ONLY.  You will see railroad tracks along the back of the warehouse.  Drive all the way to the end in the back.
 
For more information, contact us at esconi.info@gmail.com

 

ESCONI Events January 2020

Field trips require membership, but visitors are welcome at all meetings!

Fri, Jan 10th	ESCONI Junior Meeting, 7:00 PM College of Dupage - Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038A (Map) - Topic: "Does your child like earth science books?"
Fri, Jan 10th	ESCONI General Meeting, 8:00 PM College of Dupage - Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038A (Map) - Topic: "Earth's Inner Workings Revealed through Mineral Inclusions in Diamond" by Michelle Wenz, Researcher at Northwestern University
Sat, Jan 18th	ESCONI Paleontology Study Group Meeting, 7:30 PM -Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map) - Topic: "Middle Cambrian Fossils of Utah" by ESCONI Member Chris Cozart
Sat, Jan 25th	Warehouse Work Day, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM - see here for details.  Rescheduled due to weather!

ESCONI Events December 2019

Field trips require membership, but visitors are welcome at all meetings!

Fri, Dec 6th	ESCONI Holiday Party, 5:30 PM Cozymels in Wheaton
Fri, Dec 6th	ESCONI General Meeting, 8:00 PM College of Dupage - Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038A (Map) - Topic: "Microsites to Macro-inferences a Multiscale Approach to Analyzing Dinosaur Paleoecology" by Dr. Thomas Cullen a Postdoctoral Research Scientist at the Field Museum