The National Earth Science Week celebration continues with an exhibition of ΒιΆΉΣ³»'s enticing geological history. is hosting the first Discover ΒιΆΉΣ³» open house at the , 2175 Raggio Parkway, between 5 and 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 15 and Thursday, Oct. 16.
The first night, themed "ΒιΆΉΣ³» Gold Day," will focus on ΒιΆΉΣ³»'s position in the Gold Rush. Presenters will provide insight on related topics through engaging keynote lectures. John Muntean, NBMG associate professor and director of Economic Geology, will present "ΒιΆΉΣ³»: America's True Golden State;" and Jim Faulds, state geologist and director of the bureau, will present "Why is ΒιΆΉΣ³» in Hot Water: Overview of ΒιΆΉΣ³»'s Vast Geothermal Resources." ΒιΆΉΣ³» is currently in the midst of the biggest gold boom in the history of America. More gold has been mined in ΒιΆΉΣ³» in the last 35 years than was ever mined in California. Ironically, settlers trekked over most of ΒιΆΉΣ³»'s gold as they rushed to find gold in California. Speakers will discuss why this gold was missed, how it forms, how one explores for it and what the ΒιΆΉΣ³» Bureau of Mines and Geology does to help maintain this modern-day gold rush.
Ongoing displays of the evening will include samples of ore, geologic maps of mining districts and maps showing major mines and mineral/geothermal resource potential across the state. Expert geologists will be on hand to answer questions about gold, geothermal deposits and exploration activities in ΒιΆΉΣ³». Door prizes will include gold ore samples, a geologic map of ΒιΆΉΣ³» and a geologic map of Virginia City.
The following night, themed "ΒιΆΉΣ³» is Earthquake Country," will highlight ΒιΆΉΣ³»'s position as the third most seismically active state in the country. Craig DePolo, research geologist with NBMG, will present "ΒιΆΉΣ³» is Earthquake Country: How to Protect Life and Property," and other faculty will present "Tectonic Forces that Shape ΒιΆΉΣ³»: ΒιΆΉΣ³»'s mini-San Andreas Fault". Discussions will focus on the impact of tectonic forces on the state, how to analyze faults and how ΒιΆΉΣ³» can prepare and mitigate the effects of earthquakes.
"ΒιΆΉΣ³» is richly endowed with natural resources and has more gold and geothermal resources than any other state," Faulds said. "But our evolving landscapes also make ΒιΆΉΣ³» prone to natural hazards, including earthquakes, floods and landslides." Ongoing displays will include samples of faults, maps showing earthquake distribution and history, earthquake animations, instruments that record earthquakes and a "find-that-fault" exercise. Faculty from both NBMG and will be present to answer questions about ΒιΆΉΣ³»'s earthquakes and evolving landscapes.
"The open house is an opportunity for the general public to discover ΒιΆΉΣ³» and learn more about our dynamic landscapes and unique geology," Faulds said. The Great Basin Science Sample and Records Library houses vast collections of reports and rock and mineral specimens on ΒιΆΉΣ³»'s geology, resources and geologic hazards. Tours of the records library will be given at 5:30, 6 and 8 p.m. on both evenings. The main lectures will begin at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. each night. The ΒιΆΉΣ³» Bureau of Mines and Geology is the state's geological survey and charged with assessing ΒιΆΉΣ³»'s mineral, geothermal and oil-gas resources while also analyzing natural hazards to mitigate their effects. For more information, visit and .
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