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Monthly Archives: October 2011

1895 Halloween Earthquake

Shake or Treat?

On Halloween morning 116 years ago, an earthquake estimated at magnitude 6.7 centered near Charleston, Missouri shook a large portion of the central and eastern United States. The temblor was the largest earthquake to occur in the region since the New Madrid earthquakes that occurred in the winter of 1811-12.  The earthquake was felt in 23 states and caused considerable damage to a number of structures in the region. Read about the history of Earthquakes in Missouri.  Visit the New Madrid Bicentennial Earthquake website.  Learn what to do before, during and after an earthquake.  –Joe

Posted on Oct 31, 2011

What Others Say About Us…

“Your museum rocks!”

“Awesome, this was the best!  I love the rocks!” and “An attractive, interesting display.  My hubby is into collecting fossils in Central N.Y.” are just some of the reviews we received from visitors to our museum.  They come from far and wide.  Some travel short distances from locations in Missouri, while others live in Corvallis, Oregon; Elsah, Illinois; Dresden, New York; Union Bridge, Maryland and other locales throughout the United States.  Next time you are in Rolla, stop by — we are open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for self-guided tours.  Admission is free.  The Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology is located in Rolla, Missouri at 111 Fairgrounds Road.  –Joe

Posted on Oct 25, 2011

Division of Energy begins energy stakeholder process to discuss Missouri’s energy future

Stakeholder meeting to be held in Rolla Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011

Energize MissouriThe Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Energy will hold a series of meetings to elicit discussion on complex energy issues, trends, opportunities and challenges for the state.

A diverse group of energy stakeholders such as utilities, energy consumers, state and local agencies, public policy groups, energy and environmental organizations and others identified by the department will identify and prioritize key implementable recommendations for where the department should focus its efforts and expend its resources. Participants in the Energy Stakeholder Process will work together with the department’s project facilitator, The Cadmus Group, to build consensus on what critical energy issues face Missouri today and in the near future.

The first public stakeholder meeting will be held Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011 on our campus in the Annex Conference Room, at 111 Fairgrounds Road, Rolla.  The meeting begins at 10 a.m. and ends 5 p.m.  Subsequent meetings will be held in St. Louis (Oct. 27), Kansas City (Nov. 10) and Columbia (Nov. 14).

All meetings will be open to the public, though the dialogue in the first three of these meetings will be limited to invited participants.  There will be ample opportunity for the public to make comments and raise questions at the public meeting on Nov. 14, 2011.  The energy stakeholder process will consummate Feb. 2012. For more information, see this news release, call the Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Energy at 573-526-5308, or email dalena.hardy@dnr.mo.gov.

Posted on Oct 24, 2011

Waynesville Webelos learn about geology during Earth Science Week

Waynesville Boy Scout Pack 202 visited our museum during Earth Science Week

Scouts to earn geology pin

Boy Scout Pack 202 from Waynesville, Missouri are pictured with Scott Kaden, one of our geologists.

The Webelos visited Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011, which was during Earth Science Week. The scouts learned about geology firsthand from Scott, which is a requirement for earning their geology loop and pin. Following their geology lesson and museum tour, they capped off the evening by going to the always popular, rock garden where they were able to choose a rock to take home to add to their collection. Cheryl Bohannan, Den Leader said, “The scouts really learned a lot about the make up of the planet.  Knowledge is Power! It was an amazing experience and the Webelos definitely finished their geology belt loop and are well on their way to earning their geology pin. We really appreciate the staff who worked with our scouts.”

We are always happy to have visitors. Admission is free. We are open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for self-guided tours. The Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology is located in Rolla, Missouri at 111 Fairgrounds Road.  –Joe

 

 

 

Posted on Oct 24, 2011

White-nose Syndrome Continues to Threaten Missouri Bats

Missouri is home to 15 different bat species

White-nose syndrome, a disease that hits bats during hibernation, continues to be a concern in Missouri.  Known as the “Cave State” with more than 5,600 recorded caves, Missouri will soon be the winter home to many hibernating bats.  Check out this recent Columbia Missourian article that provides details about the fungus that has already claimed more than one million bats in 17 states. –Joe

Posted on Oct 18, 2011

USGS Reports Record Number of Strong Earthquakes in 2011

New record levels recorded

According to research conducted by iWeather Online, earthquake activity (magnitude 6.0 – 7.9) during the period of January 1 to October 12, 2011 reached its highest level in 20 years.

The service also said, “Seismologists argue that an increase in detected earthquakes does not necessarily represent an increase in actual earthquakes.  The USGS, for example, says improved global communication and enhancements in detection technology have both contributed to higher earthquake numbers being recorded over time.”  Read more.  See this website for earthquake facts about Missouri.   –Joe

Posted on Oct 17, 2011

Take a Peek into our Geology Museum

Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology

Students from Belle, Missouri enjoy getting their hands on an impressive calcite specimin.

If you live in Central Missouri, a round-trip to our museum is easily accomplished in less than a day — in many cases, just half a day.  This week is a great time to visit, because it is Earth Science Week (Oct. 9-15).  We are marking National Fossil Day during the week with special exhibits.  Visitors to our museum will receive a Crinoid fossil stem.  The Crinoid is the official state fossil.  We are open for self-guided tours Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Admission is Free.  We are located in Rolla, Missouri at 111 Fairgrounds Road.  Pack a lunch and enjoy it in nearby Buehler Park before or after your visit to our museum.  You may know that the park was named for former state geologist, Henry Buehler.  –Joe

 

 

Posted on Oct 13, 2011

Fossils on Display — Crinoids, Trilobites and a Shark Fin Spine

Come one, come all!

Trilobite fossil

Tomorrow is the last day to be one of many to participate with us during Earth Science Week.  Come see the exhibits waiting for you at the Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology.  We are open for self-guided tours today and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Admission is Free.  We are located in Rolla, Missouri at 111 Fairgrounds Road.  Learn more about Earth Science Week.  –Joe

 

Posted on Oct 12, 2011

Earth Science Week is Underway!

Visit our museum, enter a contest, learn about our ever-changing Earth

Division of Geology and Land Survey

Earth Science Week has arrived.  We are partnering with the American Geological Institute and others to remind people that Earth science is all around us.  Several contests sponsored by AGI are underway during Earth Science Week (Oct. 9-15, 2011) and are open to U.S. residents of any age. Contests include photography, essay and visual arts. Entries are being taken from across the nation. Prizes include $300 and a copy of the AGI’s Faces of Earth DVD. Winners and finalists will also see their names on the Earth Science Week website.

Don’t miss National Fossil Day on Wednesday, Oct. 12. We will have special exhibits in our museum and visitors to the museum will receive a small Crinoid stem fossil to add to their personal collections. The Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology is located in our Geology and Land Survey building, 111 Fairgrounds Road, Rolla. We will be open Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for self-guided tours. Admission is Free. Learn more.  –Joe

Posted on Oct 11, 2011

Missouri’s Ice Age Animals

Educational Series Number One

Missouri’s Ice Age Animals by M.G. Mehl, is a popular offering available in our Missouri Geology Store.  Mehl provides details about Missouri’s ice invasion and describes in laymen’s terms, the many strange vertebrate animals that inhabited the forests and meadows of the state thousands of years ago.  Photographs, details about fossils and remains, and the locations in which they were found are provided in this 104 page book.  For example, did you know that Mastodon bones were excavated near Vienna, Missouri?  –Joe

Posted on Oct 06, 2011