News Release, Kansas Geological Survey, March 1, 2007
LAWRENCE--A range of geology-related topics, from dinosaurs to energy resources, will be discussed on the University of Kansas campus during an annual meeting of regional sections of the Geological Society of America.
Sponsored by the Kansas Geological Survey and the KU departments of Geology and Geography, the joint meeting of the North-Central and South-Central sections of GSA will be held in the Kansas Union at KU April 11-13. Approximately 600 scientists and earth-science students are expected to attend. GSA is one of the largest global organizations of earth scientists in the world. Through its meetings, members from academia, government, business, and industry share research.
Keynote speakers include James Kirkland, Utah state paleontologist, who will discuss evolutionary patterns and Asian-North American connections during the Early Cretaceous period at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 12, in the KU Museum of Natural History. Kirkland has been involved in the discovery of many new dinosaurs and appeared in several Discovery Channel documentaries.
Dozens of technical and poster sessions by scientists and earth-science students from throughout the country will be presented on such topics as groundwater flow and water quality in aquifers, geoarchaeology, glaciation, systematic paleontology, geochemistry, and earth-science education.
Six field trips will also be conducted in Kansas and the surrounding states, including trips to the Claussen archaeological site near Paxico in Wabaunsee County, fossil sites in Missouri, and ancient delta deposits in Oklahoma.
"Section meetings are about local outreach," said Greg Ludvigson, KGS geologist and co-chairman of the joint section meeting. "They provide a chance for professionals and students to connect in a personal environment that isn't available at the larger national GSA annual meeting."