THE EARTH SCIENCE NEWS
Volume 59 March 2008 Number 3
EARTH SCIENCE CLUB OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS
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WWW.ESCONI.ORG EARTH SCIENCE CLUB OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS 2008
OFFICE NAME STREET TOWN,ZIP PHONE President Jim Fairchild 1144 Siesta Keys Elgin, 60120 630-497-6278 1st Vice Pres. Rod Sula 1761 Gary Ave. Aurora 60505 630-236-9695 2nd Vice Pres. Irene Broede 2510 S. Forest Ave. N. Riverside, 60546 708-447-5295 Recordng Sec. Karen Nordquist 6340 Americana #808 Willowbrook, 60527 630-325-8189 Corresp. Sec. William Vinikour 7729 Knotty Pine Ct. Woodridge, 60517 630-985-6114 Treasurer John Good 1891 Windward Lane Hanover Park,,60133 630-483-2363 Publicity Don Cronauer 6S180 Cape Road Naperville, 60540 630-357-6570 Librarian Andrew Jansen 2 Langford Ct. Bolingbrook, 60440 630-739-7721 Curator Randall Bultman P.O. Box 2262 Joliet, 60434 815-722-0449 Historian Judy Dedina 11 N. Cumnor Road Westmont, 60559 630-969-2522 Field Trip Richard Rock P. O. Box 726 Wilmington 60481 815-476-7040 Editor Don Cronauer 6S180 Cape Road Naperville 60540 630-357 6570 Circulation Howard Svoboda 17046 W. Bluff Road Lemont, 60439 630-739-7913 Past Pres. John Good 1891 Windward Lane Hanover Park,,60133 630-483-2363 Membership Eileen Mizerk 2094 Windward Lane Hanover Park, 60133 630-289-7736 Liaison Rep John Good 1891 Windward Lane Hanover Park, 60133 630-483-2363
STUDY GROUP CHAIRS Archaeology Bryan Nugent 6621 Westmoreland Woodridge IL 60517 630 960-5147 Lapidary Sheila Bergmann 401 S. Lombard Ave. Lombard, 60148 630-629-5785 Min/Micromt. Kathy Dedina 11 N. Cumnor Road Westmont, 60559 630-969-2522 Paleontology John Good 1891 Windward Lane Hanover Park, 60133 630-483-2363 Junior Open
John Good & Karen Nordquist are delegates to Chicagoland Gems & Minerals Association. Betsy and Floyd Rogers are Show Chair for 2008
The aim of the Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois is to promote an interest in the Earth Sciences. In addition to the regular General Meeting, study group meetings are held monthly. They are held by groups of ESCONI members interested in the studies of Archaeology, Mineralogy, Micromounts, Paleon- tology, and the Lapidary Arts. There are also study sessions for Junior members to help them learn more about the earth sciences. From time to time field trips are arranged. ESCONI has a fine library of books on the earth sciences that are available to members.
We welcome the attendance of all interested persons at any or all sessions. The schedule is printed on the back page (date, time and place of meeting). Specific information is published in this bulletin.
Membership is $20.00 (which includes the Bulletin) for family membership. Dues are payable either at the monthly meetings of by mailing to the Membership Chair listed above.
Deadline for Bulletin articles to the editor is the 2nd weekend of each month.
Articles in this publication may be reprinted if full credit is given the author and The Earth Science News. Exchange bulletins may be mailed directly to the Editor.
ESCONI website is www.esconi.org Webmaster is John Good
MARCH 2008 EARTH SCIENCE NEWS PAGE 1
March 2008 President’s Message
Are you getting tired of the snow? I know we are. We are looking forward to spring when we can go out collecting again!
Do you have a special earth science skill? Do you have a collection of gems, minerals or fos- sils? Do you enjoy sharing your interest in earth science with young people? If you do, there are many ways you could volunteer your time and interests with those of us who share your same interests.
Please think about getting in touch with one of the officers of the club or one of the group lead- ers to plan a time you could come to one of the study groups to discuss your expertise and /or share your collection with us.
Also, please think about donating some time to help us with our big Spring Show which will be held March 15-16 at the College of DuPage in the Building K Commons. We have a great show planned and everyone is very welcome to volunteer. You don’t have to be there all day; just a few hours would be great.
DUES: Send your 2008 $20.00 dues to Eileen Mizerk, Membership Chairman, 2094 Windward Lane , Hanover Park, IL 60133-6183
If your dues are not received by April 1, you will be dropped from the database and no longer receive the bulletins or be allowed to participate in any field trips. If your dues are received later than April 1, you will be reinstated as of that date.
How can you can tell if you are paid for the 2008 membership year? Look at the mailing label on your bulletin. The year printed after your name indicates the year for which your dues have been paid. If it is 2007 – you need to send in your 2008 dues. If it is 2008 – your dues are cur- rent.
As always, don’t hesitate to contact any of the board members with any questions. Comments are always welcome: how we are doing; would you like to see something else in the bulletin; would you like to attend a general meeting or study group with a specific topic in mind? Please send your ideas to any of the officers.
Jim Fairchild, President [email protected] www.esconi.org
DUES! DUES! DUES!
$20.00
Eileen Mizerk, Membership 2094 Windward Lane Hanover Park IL 60133-6183
MARCH 2008 EARTH SCIENCE NEWS PAGE 2
MARCH 2008 ESCONI EVENTS
General Meeting Dealers, Displays, Geode Splitter, Kiddie ESCONI Gem-Mineral-Fossil Show Korner, Demonstrators, Books and 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturday, March 15 Magazines, and Free Door Prizes 10:00 AM to 4:00PM, Sunday, March 16 K Commons Room of the College of Visitors are welcome; parking and admission DuPage are free.
Mineral-Micromount Dan Behnke, Micromount Hall of Fame 7:30 PM, March 8, 2008 photographer, will present a program on College of DuPage K-131 his favorite minerals.
Visitors are welcome. Refreshments will be served.
Paleontology Plan ahead for the meeting next month on No meeting during March due to the April 19, 2008. show.
Archaeology Archaeology of the Mississippian period 7:30 PM, March 22, 2008 will be discussed by Bryan Nugent. College of DuPage K-131 Visitors are welcome. Refreshments will be served. Junior See you at the Gem Show. Check out the Kiddie Korner at the Gem Show
ESCONI Field Trips Look forward to the time that the weather is reasonable; check the web site and meeting minutes. BOARD MEETING 7:30 PM, March 28, 2008 College of DuPage K-131
See Our Web Site, www.esconi.org, for more details
Remember that ESCONI Gem-Mineral-Fossil Show will be held at the College of DuPage on Saturday and Sunday, March 15 and 16, 2008
MARCH 2008 EARTH SCIENCE NEWS PAGE 3
LOCAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Burpee Paleofest 2008 will be March 1 and 2 at the Burpee Museum in Rockford www.burpee.org
The ESCONI Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show will be March 15 and 16 at the College Of Dupage K Commons www.esconi.org
Metro Center Rockford March 12-16, 2008 “Walking With Dinosaurs - The Live Experience” www.dinosaurlive.com
MAPS National Fossil Expo will be April 4-6, 2008 at Macomb Illinois www.midamericapaleo.org
Des Plaines Valley Geological Society 43rd Annual Jewelry, Gem, Fossil, Mineral and Lapidary Arts Show APRIL 12,13 2008 SATURDAY 9;30 TO 5;00 PM SUNDAY 10 TO 4 www.desplainesgeologyclub.org
Editor’s Request
There are a number of very knowledgeable members of ESCONI. As editor, I am suggesting that we increase the number of pages set aside to publish articles sub- mitted by our members. This would demonstrate both our expertise and increase the interest of our readers. There are many times that I participate in discussions at club meetings and shows that would be of interest to others in our club. Let’s pass these along. Please feel free to submit one to four page articles that can be in- cluded in this newsletter. Pictures would also be great!
Sylvia Josefek, honorary ESCONI member died Jan. 14, 2008, in her home.
She and her husband Paul joined ESCONI in January 1976.
They were involved in the club activities and were always at the shows.
MARCH 2008 EARTH SCIENCE NEWS PAGE 4
November 30, 2007
President Jim Fairchild called the meeting to order. He mentioned that new 1st Vice President Rob Sula would be working to get the speakers for future meetings. We would try to get some- one from Burpee for the January meeting. 2nd Vice President Irene Broede reported that K- 161 is reserved for the December and January meetings. Lisa Sago talked to security and told them that we will be meeting in K-161. The rental bill was paid November 18.
Recording Secretary Karen Nordquist presented the Board Meeting minutes for October 26. The minutes were approved as amended. She then presented the draft for the 2008 calendar and after review it was approved. The holiday party will be left as TBD as it was decided that we will not reserve Villa Nova for 2008 at this time. We are having trouble getting 30 people to meet the minimum needed. She then presented the Page One for the Bulletin for review and it was approved. Only the Library position is unfilled at this time. Corresponding Secretary Bill Vinikour had nothing to report. He did ask people to send him e-mails for people to add to his database for contacts for notification for our March Show. John Good mentioned that COD is still sending mail to Joe Kubal and Lizzadro is still sending mail to Karl Everett, both Past Presidents of long ago.
Treasurer John Good passed out his Treasurer’s Report for November. He received a check from the Endowment Fund from Floyd Rogers for $2,000: $1,000 for a the 2007 contribution to Burpee and $1,000 for a 2008 contribution to Burpee. As of now we are about even for the year. A motion was made and seconded to pay for web site and publicity expenses for CGMA for this year of about $100 to help them out. It passed. The Treasurers Report was approved. John Good also had flyers for the March Show although it has one mistake – there will be no refreshments.
Historian Judy Dedina reported that she had prepared the 2007 index for John for the Bulletin. Circulation Chairman Howard Svoboda reported that the Bulletin went out the week before Thanksgiving. Membership Chair Eileen Mizerk reported that she ran 225 labels for the Janu- ary mailing. She reported that dues are trickling in. There are only 24 signed up for the holi- day party.
Under New Business, Jim Fairchild reported that Burpee is asking for an increase in our contri- bution for their big 10th anniversary PaleoFest in 2008. They have a big lineup of good speak- ers and want us to increase from $1000 to $1500. After discussion we voted to offer $500 to Burpee which would make a total contribution of $1500 with the Endowment contribution of $1000. We are going to ask to sponsor the talks of Kirkland, Currie and the Burgess Shale speaker.
The meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted, Karen Nordquist, Recording Secretary
MARCH 2008 EARTH SCIENCE NEWS PAGE 5
J Paleontology Study Group
Meeting
John Good, Chairman Date: January 19, 2008
Chairman John Good welcomed all to the meeting and mentioned that next month’s meeting would be a continuation of tonight’s meeting on sharks. The ESCONI Show will be March 15 & 16 and cases are available. It will be in K Commons here at COD. There are sign up sheets that he circulated for volunteers to sign for cases and to work at the event. MAPS Expo is April 4-6 and John Catalani explained the important tax issue that is being stressed this year. Any- one that has a table there will have to supply a tax number as a sole proprietorship. Burpee PaleoFest is March 1& 2 and ESCONI is sponsoring three of the many speakers this year. Tonight’s program is in two parts; there is a show and tell first and then on to the main pro- gram. Show and Tell
Chris Cozart brought in a lot of fossils that he had found to share with us. He had some shark teeth, brachiopods, gastropods, a crinoid from Lone Star, a crinoid from Alabama, a crinoid calyx from St. Charles Missouri, cephalopod, a trilobite from Jefferson County Missouri, an en- rolled Phacops from Iowa, a cystoid from Tennessee, Silurian coral, an Ordovicain cephalo- pod, and much more. It was a very nice collection.
Bob Beadle shared several fossils from Thornton Quarry including a brachiopod, a nautiloid internal mold, coral and a gastropod internal mold. He also had a scallop from a Quincy road cut and a Mazon Creek ammonite. Sharks I
Tom Williams presented a lot of information he collected on the earliest sharks and their prede- cessors. He started with what is a shark? It is a vertebrate with a cartilage skeleton. If you look at the classification below you can see how it is set up.
The earliest animal in the Cambrian, the Pikaia, had a notochord before a backbone and bones. Here invertebrates were king. All chordates came from Pikaia including fish.
MARCH 2008 EARTH SCIENCE NEWS PAGE 6 Paleontology, Continued
There are some 700 species of sharks today with only a few giving live birth. The first fish in the Late Cambrian were jawless fish. Then in the Early Devonian there were cartilaginous fish and signs of teeth. Then came bony fish and the sharks in the Late Silurian. The Placoderms ruled the seas in the mid-Silurian with their strong jaws.
The Lashley Range in the Antarctic is a site of early shark remains. It is a Middle Devonian For- mation in the Transarctic Mountains where they have found nice teeth with roots and penetrating canals. These sharks had pectoral fins, 2 dorsal fins like modern sharks. Cladoselache (shown in the drawing at left from Long p. 67) had a very large pectoral fin that was very different. They probably had a very good swimming ability which was important because the placoderms were not fast but were powerful. They were also found in the Late Devonian Ohio and Pennsylvania shales.
Another interesting shark of the Late Devonian some 375 MYA was Stethacanthus (left from Maisey p. 96) with a brushlike structure in place of its dorsal fin and spines on top of its head. It is unclear what the structure was used for. Sharks probably spent much of their time in the shallower waters as land was just being invaded by animals during the Devonian.
During the Carboniferous the Appalachian Mountains were forming and there were shallow seas about. There were coal forests in our area, of course, and there was glacia- tion. Sharks became more fresh water toler- ant and there were little sharks in Pit 11. They would hide among the tree mangroves when they were young. Mazon Creek is an estuary deposit and the shark found there has a long nose – Bandringa rayi (pictured above from Richardson’s Guide p.250).
Another Lagerstatten site is Bear Gulch in Montana with its anoxic bottom capturing many animals when it was near the Equator over about 1,000 years in the Upper Mississippian. Because it contained several ecologies, basin, slope, benthic mats and terrestrial, it offers many sites for paleontologists to explore. There are 108 species of fish alone including the first fossil lamprey. There are sharks (including the weird Belant- sea shark seen at left from Long p. 85) and skates and rays also.
MARCH 2008 EARTH SCIENCE NEWS PAGE 7
Paleontology, Continued
Sharks are amazing animals and one important thing about them is their reproduction. Their egg cases may be one reason they have survived extinctions. They develop outside the body.
There is more to come in Sharks II. Several members brought shark fossils. John Catalani had 4 flats of material – many shark teeth, some Pennsylvanian. Tom Williams had a book of teeth that he has collected. Dave Bergmann had some from Morocco that were 30 MY old and some from South Carolina. Rob Coleman had some material in black shale.
Recommended Books: ‘Discovering Fossil Fishes’ by John G. Maisey ‘The Rise of Fishes’ by John A. Long ‘Richardson’s Guide to the Fossil Fauna of Mazon Creek’ ‘’A Pictorial Guide to Fossils’ by Gerard R. Case ‘Sharks – History & Biology of the Lords of the Sea’ by A Mojetta
The meeting was adjourned for refreshments.
Respectfully Submitted, Karen Nordquist, Secretary
Archaeology Study Group Meeting
Bryan Nugent, Chairman Date: January 26, 2008
North American Archaeology Period Review
Bryan Nugent started out with a review of the Archaeology Periods of North America.
Paleo-Indians (15,000 /12,000 BC to 6,000 BC) Archaic Indians (8000 BC—500 BC) Woodland Indians (600 BC—900 AD) Mississippian Indians (900 AD—1500 AD) Protohistoric Indians (1500 AD—1650 AD) Historic Indians (1650 AD—Present)
The Periods overlap in the early ages due to geographic differences.
Don Brazda continued with a discussion about Paleo-Indians. Very little physical evidence ex- ists for the earliest North Americans. Clothing, bones, etc do not preserve well. They arrived in the Midwest about 15,000 to 12,000 BC. They traveled in family groups. The early Pa- leoIndians were not explorers or settlers; they were strictly hunters. They followed herds of mammoths and bison.
MARCH 2008 EARTH SCIENCE NEWS PAGE 8 Archaeology, Continued
The main weapon was a thrusting spear with Clovis or Folsum points. We can assume based on other areas of North America, they had other tools such as end scrapers, side scrap- ers, blades, gouges, drills and some ornaments of bone.
Most likely the late PaleoIndian groups and early Archaic Indian groups lived in close proximity.
Archaic Indians of Illinois (8000 BC to 1000 BC)
Branches: desert culture (Western NA and N. Mexico) and Eastern Archaic (From Western prairies to Atlantic). Illinois is part of the Eastern Archaic. Weather: The initial climate was much damper and colder. Gradually warmed up until 4000 BC. creating great grasslands from Illinois to New York. After 2000 BC became cooler and by 1000 BC, much like today. People: Few skeletons have been found; all of the mongoloid stock. Not too different from present day Indians. Clothing: None found in Illinois. They must have had very cold winters. Shelter: None found in Illinois. Believed to have used wind branches and rock shelters. Weapons: More sophisticated than the PaleoIndians. Bolas stones, atlatl weights and axes were common. Spears were thrown rather than thrust thru the use of atlatl weights. Lifestyle: Migratory in small groups, gradually becoming more settled, hunting small game and gathering food plants. As seasons changed, they would move from place to place to the ad- vantage of plants and game. In the fall, they would move to groves of nut trees. In the winter, they would move to rock shelters. In the spring and summer, they would have various camp- sites depending on games and plants available or for part-time needs such as flint sources, agate sites. Many sites were used periodically for specialized activities connected to hunter- gather life style. Stages: 1. Foraging stage (8000-6000 BC) 2. Exploitive stage New tools appear about 5000 BC, perhaps indicating more leisure time to craft find tools and ornaments. About this time the first native copper tools ornaments are found. The exploitive stage may have lasted twice as long as the foraging stage. The transition from Archaic to early woodland was so gradual that many suspect that most of the early woodland were in fact peo- ple of the Archaic Culture.
Next Month: The Woodland Period
The meeting was adjourned for refreshments.
References Illinois Archaeology Bulletin #1, Illinois Archaeological Survey Prehistoric People of Illinois, Chicago Natural History Museum American Indian Ways of Life, Illinois State Museum, Story Of Illinois No. 9 The Wisconsin Archaeologist, Vol. 78, No. 1/2 , The Wisconsin Archaeological Survey Prehistoric Indians of Wisconsin, Popular Science Handbook Series No. 4, Milwaukee Public Museum
Submitted by John Good
MARCH 2008 EARTH SCIENCE NEWS PAGE 9 Petrified Forest of Calistoga, CA By D. C. Cronauer
Recently, I was fortunate to visit the petrified forest of Calistoga, CA. This site is lo- cated in the northern area of the Napa Valley. (Actually I was there to sample wine, but a sign caught my attention.)
As the brochures state, about 3 million years ago a volcano in the vicinity of Mt. St. Helena erupted about 7 miles to the Northeast of a forest of redwoods. The trees were all blown down in a Southwest direction. A similar common direction of tree fall was noted for the recent explosion of Mt. St. Helens in Washington State.
These local trees were apparently buried in ash. Currently part of the area is covered by a pale sandy, ashy soil along with agglomerates of sand and rock. Water laden with silicates seeped into the decomposing trees. The silicates, in turn, replaced some of the wood fibers as the trees decomposed. Most of the larger trees still have their bark, while much of the interior wood has been petrified. It is noted that an ocean cov- ered this area several times during the last 3 million years; in addition, fossilized fish and shells have been found along with petrified worms, snails, and clams.
A number of petrified trees have been uncovered, and they are scattered over a rela- tively small area on the side of a hill. The larger trees are 6 to 8 feet in diameter and up to 65 feet in length. “Some of these redwoods were over 2,000 years old when they were buried…”
The following is a collection of pictures taken at the site. (Note the tree growing through a break in the fossilized tree.)
MARCH 2008 EARTH SCIENCE NEWS PAGE 10
Petrified Forest of Calistoga, Continued
The site is open for a reasonable fee, and it is relatively easy to get to north of San Francisco. On a rainy day in January there is no crowd at all.
MARCH 2008 EARTH SCIENCE NEWS PAGE 11
Medullary Bone Update – Three Specimens
We are familiar with the T. rex fossil found to have a layer of lamellar bone in the leg speci- men indicating that she was in a reproductive state at the time of her death. This is similar to other birds like chickens that carry this extra calcium rich bone layer in the marrow cavity just before egg laying as a resource for making egg shells. Now there is an Allosaurus aged 10 and a Tenontosaurus aged 8 that also contained medullary tissue. The T. rex was aged 18 at the time of death. All three dinosaurs might be expected to live to age 30. The Tenontosaurus is the first plant eater to show this medullary bone and it was found in both the femur and tibia of the animal. This dinosaur lived in the Early Cretaceous of North America 125-105 MYA and would grow up to 27 feet long. Allosaurus bones were studied from the Cleveland Lloyd Quarry in Utah from the Late Jurassic of 155-145 MYA. They have found thousands of bones from at least 70 Allosaurs there. The medullary tissue was found in one tibia in the University of Utah collection. (Lee & Werning in Proc Natl Acad of Sci) Huge Rodent Found in Uruquay – Josephoartigasia
The South American island rodents evolved in isolation and they got big. Until now the big- gest one was Phoberomys pattersoni, a huge guinea pig-like rodent that grew to 1,500 pounds. It was found in 2003 in Venezuela. This new rodent named Josephoartigasia monesi lived in the rain forests of Uruguay some 2 to 4.5 MYA and weighed in at 2,200 pounds based on the well preserved skull that has been found. The skull is 21 inches long and probably meas- ured about 10 feet long nose to tail. It probably looked a lot like the capybara, the world’s largest living rodent now living in South Amer- ica. But it belongs to a rodent family with a single living surviving member – the pacarana, a rare species of central South America. It weighs up to 33 pounds. This new rodent has small molars suited to aquatic plants and fruits, but big broad incisors, which are puzzling. It is possible that they were used for defense. (Rinderknecht et al in Proc Roy Soc B)
New Enantiornitine Bird from China – Paraprotopteryx
This new bird is from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation in northern Hebei Province of China and has been named Paraprotopteryx gracilis. An interesting feature is the Y- shaped furcula with a long hypocleidum and a narrow interclavicular angle. It is the first record of a Mesozoic bird with four long rectrices (tail feathers used for flight control). They may represent secondary sexual characters or may have offered a functional advantage to supplement lifting surface to assist during unskilled flight. (Zheng et al in Acta Geologica Sinica 81/5)
MARCH 2008 EARTH SCIENCE NEWS PAGE 12 Karens Komments, Continued
Tuberculosis in Humans May go Back 500 kya
An accidental finding in Turkey may reveal the earliest evidence of tuberculosis in Homo erectus. While processing travertine into tiles fragments of a human skull were revealed and when studied it was determined that they were the remains of a 500,000 year old skull. It is the first H. erectus found in Turkey. The signs of the disease are in- side the skull where the disease can sometimes affect the lining of the brain. There are stippling points around the eye orbit as seen in the photo at the pointer. Previously the earliest confirmed evidence of the disease was in an Egyptian mummy dated at 5,400 years old. DNA evidence dates the disease to an origin some 3 MYA in East Africa. Now this new evidence strengthens the claim that it has an earlier origin. Of course, there are skeptics of this fossil who want to see more of the specimen particularly the spine and they are looking for it. However, they may have to look for tiles made at the quarry that could be found in someone’s kitchen by now. (Kappelman et al in Amer J of Phys An- thro: photo from article in ScienceNews Dec. 15, 2007)
Embryo of Elephant Bird Described – Aepyornis
The embryo of the elephant bird has been unknown because there was a reluctance to cut into the egg and damage it. Now with high resolution X-ray computer tomography that problem can be overcome. Now an egg has been analyzed and its age determined. The egg measures 315 mm (12.4 in.) long and 224 mm (8.8 in.) wide. The contents of the egg in the digital picture at left have settled to the bottom as the embryo decomposed. The authors were able to see and de- scribe many of the bones of the embryo although some of the bones could not be found, primarily some of the bones from the left side. It is an important specimen because the bones of this embryo are robust com- pared to those of other animals like ostriches and rheas. They were able to reconstruct the skull as seen at the right. In the adult they are fused so it is impor- tant to see them separate in their embryonic status. The authors were able to determine that the embryo was about 80-90% developed when it died in the shell. (Balanoff and Rowe in JVP Vol. 27 Supp. Vol. 4 Dec 12, 2007)
Karen Nordquist, Paleontology
MARCH 2008 EARTH SCIENCE NEWS PAGE 13
ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS
The planet's wandering magnetic poles help reveal history of earth and humans
Hikers in the wilderness often place their faith in a trusty com- pass. But any navigator worth his salt knows that compasses can't truly be trusted: Only along certain longitudes in the North- ern Hemisphere does a compass needle point due north. In other locales, a compass needle slews either to the left or the right of true north by a certain angle, a process commonly known as declination. That's because a compass isn't attracted to the north geographic pole, the point at which Earth's rotational axis pierces the Arctic ice. Instead, the needle is attracted to the north magnetic pole, the spot where the planet's invisible mag- netic field lines burst from the surface and point directly upward.
Astronomers have long known that a compass doesn't always point true north, a bearing in the night sky that lies within 0.5° of Polaris, the North Star. Their measurements of declination, along with those made by seafaring explorers, enabled 16th- century sailors to better navigate along their trade routes, espe- cially those linking the New World to the Old. What many scien- tists didn't appreciate until the 1600s, after they had compiled a few decades' worth of precise measurements at astronomical observatories, was that declination varied through time. Sud- denly, they realized: The magnetic pole moves!
What difference does this make in today's world, where pilots, navigators, and even backcountry campers increasingly depend on satellite-based technology such as Global Positioning System MOVED BY MAGNETISM. equipment to find their way? In practice, not much: Earth's mag- Explorers first found the netic poles are located in remote regions and in recent times north magnetic pole at they've moved, at most, only a few dozen kilometers a year. Canada's Cape Adelaide in 1831. Dots (direct surface However, a slowly wandering magnetic pole is a boon for ar- observations) and current chaeologists and other researchers who study the past. Often dots (models using satellite magnetic substances in rock, paint, and other materials become data) denote the pole's aligned with Earth's magnetic field under certain conditions, ena- movement since then. bling researchers to, say, determine when a mural was painted, Green dots indicate the when a town was built, or when a fireplace was used for the last pole's future location if its time. current rate and direction of motion continue. (Science News)
MARCH 2008 EARTH SCIENCE NEWS PAGE 14 Archaeology News, Continued
Ancient pyramid found in central Mexico City
Archeologists have discovered the ruins of an 800-year-old Aztec pyramid in the heart of the Mexican capital that could show the ancient city is at least a century older than previously thought.
Mexican archaeologists found the ruins, which are about 36 feet (11 meters) high, in the central Tlatelolco area, once a major religious and political center for the Aztec elite.
Since the discovery of another pyramid at the site 15 years ago, historians have thought Tlatelolco was founded by the Aztecs in 1325, the same year as the twin city of Tenochtitlan nearby, the capital of the Aztec empire, which the Spanish razed in 1521 to found Mexico City, conquering the Aztecs.
The pyramid, found last month as part of an investigation begun in August, could have been built in 1100 or 1200, signaling the Aztecs began to develop their civilization in the mountains of central Mexico earlier than believed.
1,800-year-old terracotta discovered
The Khulna office of the Archaeology Department has discovered a 1,800-year-old terracotta plaque bearing the image of the only female Jain Tirthankar, Mallinath.
The rare terracotta piece was discovered after digging a large mound of earth at Damdampir of Manirampur upazila in Jes- sore* on December 18 but the discovery was kept secret for security reasons.
Besides the seven-inch-long red sandstone terracotta im- age of Jain Mallinath, more antiques including earthen- ware from the 200-year-old Jain dynasty were discovered at the site, Shihabuddin said.
Mallinath was the daughter of Kumbharaja of Mithila and Prabhavati. Mallinath was 19th of the 24 Jain Tirthankars. (The Daily Star)
* Jessore is in Bangladesh
MARCH 2008 EARTH SCIENCE NEWS PAGE 15
Museum Events
BURPEE MUSEUM EVENTS
Thursday, March 6, 7 – 8 pm Pioneering Women Geoscientists
This first person historical presentation is part of the City-wide celebration of Women’s History month. From Mary Anning (1799–1847) to Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer (1909–2004), experi- ence the lives of seven women who in skirts, wielding rock hammers, impacted the world of science with their discoveries. Members: Free, Non Members $5 per person
Metro Center Rockford
March 12-16, 2008 “Walking With Dinosaurs - The Live Experience” Dinosaurs return to earth in this live theatrical show, based on the award-winning BBC Televi- sion Series. After playing for ten sold-out weeks in Australia, WALKING WITH DINOSAURS – The Live Experience is now on tour in North America. The live show features 15 life-size me- chanical dinosaurs, with the largest of them - the brachiosaurus - reaching 45 feet tall! The su- per-realistic show is part art, part science, but it's all entertainment! Price Level 1 $69.50, Price Level 2 $47.50, Price Level 3 $32.50 Website: www.dinosaurlive.com Box Office: 815-968-5222
LIZZADRO MUSEUM EVENTS
March 8 “StarLab: Introduction to the Constellations”
Diane Sipiera of the Planetary Studies Foundation presents the 48 major constellations in a unique planetarium setting. Using the well known constellation identification system of author H.A. Rey, this entertaining and educational program provides children and adults the opportu- nity to see the basic constellations, hear mythological stories and learn astronomy facts. This program qualifies for Scouts earning their Astronomy badge.
Lecture - 8 yrs. to Adult - 50 minutes - 2:00 p.m. Admission: $4.00 per person Reservations Required: (630) 833-1616
March 29 “Mazon Creek Fossil Collecting Field Trip”
Join Jim Fairchild of the Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois on a trip to Braidwood, Illinois to collect Mazon Creek fossils at the world famous site Pit 11. Learn what to look for when col- lecting these special fossils and how to open them. Travel by motor coach, bring a sack lunch and get ready to collect. Make reservations early this field trip fills up fast!
Field Trip - 8 yrs. to Adult - 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. $25.00 per person, Museum Members $20.00
Special Exhibit February 3 to May 25, 2008 “ Walter Arnold Stone Sculptures”
MARCH 2008 EARTH SCIENCE NEWS PAGE 16
Lapidary Courses at the Elmhurst Park District for 2008
Basic Beading #2 3/27/2008 – 4/24/2008 Basic Wirewrapping #2 – Jewelry 3/26/2008 – 5/28/2008 Cutting Opals for Jewelry Spring 2008
All courses are held at the Crestview Park Recreation Bldg., Lower Level, 656 Howard, Elmhurst, IL. Contact Elmhurst Park District at 630-993-8900 Sponsored by West Suburban Lapidary Club
ESCONI Books
The Mazon Creek Fossil Flora by Jack Wittry Keys to Identify Pennsylvanian Fossil Animal 313 color pictures, 113 taxa, 145 drawings of the Mazon Creek Area $65 hard covers for ESCONI Members 125 Pages, 212 Black and White Drawings $35 soft and $6 to ship $12.00, $5 to Ship Make check out to ESCONI Associates Andrew Jansen 2 Langford Ct. Bolingbrook, 60440 630-739-7721 [email protected]
E.S.C.O.N.I. GEM-MINERAL- FOSSIL SHOW COLLEGE OF DUPAGE ______
Saturday March 15, 2008 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. Sunday March 16, 2008 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.
FREE ADMISSION & PARKING
Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois WWW.ESCONI.ORG
Dealers Attractions
Rib River Fossils Demonstrations
Exclusive Inspiration Geode Splitter Mineral Miner Book Sale
Southwest Treasures Kids Korner
Silvertown Fine Jewelry Live & Silent Auction Lavin's Gems and Jewelry Museum Exhibits Geodon Gems Door Prizes Blackberry Creek Minerals Ginkgo Trees
College of DuPage – K Commons (see map on back) or www.cod.edu College of DuPage - Glen Ellyn, IL
22nd
Lambert Road Park Blvd
College Of DuPage K Commons MARCH 2008 EARTH SCIENCE NEWS PAGE 19 2008 ESCONI CALENDAR
Revised 12/02/07 GROUP GENR’L MICRO PALEO ARCH BOARD JUNIOR MGTS. Mineral January 11 12 19 26 25
February 8 9 16 23 22
March 15-16 8 X 22 28 SHOW April 11 12 19 26 25
May 9 10 17 24 30
June 13 14 X X X
July X X X X X
August X X X X 22
September 12 13 20 27 26
October 10 ? 11 18 25 24
November 14 8 15 22 X
December 7 6 X X X HOLIDAY DAY 2nd FRI 2nd SAT 3rd SAT 4th SAT 4th FRI 2nd FRI
TIME 8:00 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:00
Dates are subject to change: see Bulletin.
College of DuPage (COD) Building K, Room #161 for most meetings, but note that the room number is subject to change – there will be a note posted on the entrance door.
ESCONI Show March 15-16 in Commons Room of Building K.
The Flea Market is under consideration.
No scheduled meetings for Lapidary; contact Don Cronauer for information. (Lapidary may meet in Room #162, Arts Center if there is sufficient interest)
EARTH SCIENCE CLUB OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS BOX 321 NON-PROFIT ORG. DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS 60515 U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 114 DOWNERS GROVE DATED MATERIAL! IL 60515
E.S.C.O.N.I. Meetings Held In Building K Room 131
SEND EXCHANGE BULLETINS TO Don Cronauer; 6S180 Cape Road; Naperville, IL 60540