News Release 503

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES HOSTS REGIONAL MEETING OF GEOLOGISTS
Division of Geology and Land Survey hosts AASG Central States Cluster Meeting

Volume 34-503

Contact: Hylan Beydler

(For immediate release)

573-368-2118

ROLLA, MO, NOV. 13, 2006 - The Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geology and Land Survey (DGLS) in Rolla hosted the Association of American State Geologists Central States Cluster meeting Oct. 31-Nov. 2.

The discussion focused on new and ongoing projects for each of the states and ways in which states learn or benefit from the experiences of a neighboring geological survey.

Discussion topics included geologic hazards, mineral and energy resources, geologic maps, earthquakes, oil and gas production, core sample storage, STATEMAP, source water protection, water supply and rights, ethanol plants, and Web site design and maintenance.

"It has been a number years since Rolla has had an opportunity to host a meeting for other state geological surveys in the central region. It was truly our pleasure," said State Geologist and Division Director Mimi Garstang. "We have much in common and it is always helpful to share information."

Halloween night, the group toured the division's Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology and closed the evening with a presentation by Garstang about the December 2005 Taum Sauk Reservoir failure. Cheryl Seeger, a DGLS geologist, followed with a discussion about the incredible geologic history of our state that was revealed at the time of the dam failure and Proffit Mountain scouring.

Central Region members in attendance were: Bekki White, Director and State Geologist, Arkansas Geological Commission; Scott Ausbrooks, Geologist, Arkansas Geological Commission; Vince Matthews, Director and State Geologist, Colorado; Bob Libra, State Geologist, Iowa; Bill Harrison, Director and State Geologist, Kansas; Rex Buchanan, Assoc. Director for Public Outreach, Kansas; Harvey Thorleifson, Director, Minnesota Geological Survey; Mark Kuzila, Director, Nebraska Conservation and Survey; Charles Mankin, Director and State Geologist, Oklahoma; Derric Iles, State Geologist, South Dakota; Eric Potter, Associate Director, Texas Bureau of Economic Geology.

The U.S. Geological Survey staff from Rolla, Colorado and Tennessee were also invited to make presentations at the meeting. Colorado attendees were: Vito Nuccio, Associate Regional Geologist; Randy Schumann, Earth Surfaces and Global Change; Randy Updike, Regional Geologist; Ed Johnson, Acting Chief of Science Energy; Victor Labson, Imaging and Characterization/Geochemical Labs. Also participating were Buddy Schweig, Earthquake Hazards Program, Memphis, Tennessee, and Mike Slifer, Missouri Water Science Center and Kari Craun, National Geospatial Technical Operations Center, both from Rolla.

DGLS offers fact sheets, maps, trading cards and a wide variety of publications on topics such as rocks, minerals and fossils. The division's publications desk in Rolla can be reached by calling 573-368-2125 or 800-361-4827. Also visit DGLS's Web site at: www.dnr.mo.gov/geology.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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Editor: A photo of cluster meeting participants is available online at /newsrel/images/aasg_group.jpg. The cutline is below.

Photo Caption: Association of American Geologists Central States Cluster meeting attendees: Front: Randy Updike, Mimi Garstang, Vince Matthews, Bob Libra and Eric Potter. Middle: Buddy Schweig, Victor Labson, Vito Nuccio, Ed Johnson, Bill Harrison, Bekki White and Scott Ausbrooks. Back: Derric Iles, Harvey Thorleifson, Mike Slifer, Randy Schumann, Mark Kuzila, Rex Buchanan and Charles Mankin. Not pictured, Kari Craun.