Geological Society to 'rock' WMU with 47th annual Section Meeting

KALAMAZOO—About 400 geoscientists from the north-central United States and beyond will gather early next month on the Western Michigan University campus to celebrate the Geological Society of America's 125th anniversary and dig into the latest developments in the field.

The Geological Society of America's North-Central Section Meeting is Thursday and Friday, May 2-3, in the Fetzer Center and other locations on campus. Geoscientists will discuss new science, expand on existing science and explore the unique geologic and historic features of the region via 300 oral and poster presentations, four field trips, a short course at WMU's Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education, and a keynote address featuring Dr. William F. Ruddiman, who is widely known for his contributions to the early anthropogenic hypothesis for climate change.

Dr. William F. Ruddiman

Ruddiman, professor emeritus of environmental sciences at the University of Virginia, will speak at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Brown Auditorium at Schneider Hall on "When Did We Transform Earth's Surface?" Ruddiman is the author or editor of 137 papers and eight books. In 2012, he received the Distinguished Career Award of the American Quaternary Association. His books include "Earth's Climate: Past and Future," "Plows, Plagues and Petroleum" and his newest, "Earth Transformed."

Also at the meeting

Other meeting highlights include a session on carbon dioxide storage and greenhouse gases led by Dr. Charles W. Rovey II, associate professor of geology at Missouri State University, on Thursday and a Friday session titled "Paleontology as a Murder Mystery: How the Study of Predation and Taphonomy Reveals the Means, Motives and Opportunities of Ancient Perpetrators and their Victims," led by Dr. Karen A. Koy, Missouri Western State University assistant professor of biology, and Dr. Joseph E. Peterson of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

A long list of "theme sessions" will address "Advances in Glacial Sediment Characterization: Implications for Groundwater Flow and Contaminant Transport Modeling," "Applications of Near-Surface Geophysics," "Cultural Geology: Heritage Stone, Buildings, Parks and More" and "Mapping the Glacial Geology of the Great Lakes States."

The Geological Society of America, founded in 1888, is a scientific society with more than 25,000 members from academia, government and industry in more than 100 countries. Through its meetings, publications and programs, the society enhances the professional growth of its members and promotes the geosciences in the service of humankind. Registration is required to attend the 47th annual Section Meeting.

For more information or to register, visit geosociety.org/Sections/nc/2013mtg.