OCTOBER 7-9, 2021: THE 85TH ANNUAL FIELD CONFERENCE
OF PENNSYLVANIA GEOLOGISTS
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GEOLOGY OF OHIOPYLE STATE PARK AND
THE LAUREL HIGHLANDS OF SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
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We are excited to announce that the Field Conference of Pennsylvania Geologists will be returning as an in-person conference this fall. We hope you will be able to join us on October 7-9 when we visit the Ohiopyle State Park area. All attendees are encouraged to receive their COVID-19 vaccine.
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Registration Opens: August 2, 2021
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Schedule: October 7-9, 2021
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Location: Ohiopyle, PA
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Trip Leaders: Jim Shaulis, PA Geological Survey
Frank Pazzaglia, Lehigh University
Steve Lindberg, Energy and Earth Resources Dept., University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
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Headquarters: Seven Springs Mountain Resort
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GUIDEBOOK REMINDER
We are accepting submissions for the conference guidebook. We welcome articles highlighting geologic research in the state, especially projects that have been completed or are in progress in the region covered by the 2021 conference. Articles from students and early-career geoscientists are particularly welcome! Articles can be on any geoscience or related topic including geological mapping, trail guides, environmental geology, history of geology, geoarcheology, and geologic education.
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We are experimenting with this conference's guidebook by allowing for articles to count as published papers and be cited as peer-reviewed science. Authors are encouraged to assemble a guidebook manuscript and submit it to two colleagues for peer-review. The reviews should focus on data quality and interpretations and include suggestions to improve the manuscript. The author will then revise the manuscript accordingly and submit the entire package including the original manuscript, reviews, and revised manuscripts to Kristen Hand. Articles are due by Friday June 4, 2021. Specific guidelines for article format, construction of figures, citation of references, and the submission process are forthcoming.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR PRE-CONFERENCE TRIPS: We are looking for pre-conference trip ideas for October 7. If you have an idea for and can lead a field trip please contact us ASAP!
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR FUTURE CONFERENCES: The FCOPG is looking for volunteers to lead future conferences, beginning as soon as 2022. If you are interested in leading a conference please contact us ASAP!
The 85th Annual Field Conference of Pennsylvania Geologists will be held October 7-9, 2021 and focus on the geology of Ohiopyle State Park and surrounding areas in the Laurel Highlands with a special emphasis on geoheritage attributes of several sites. During the last half of the 18th century George Washington and other adventurers made some history while they ventured over the rock strata in this region. In 1877, J.J. Stevenson, was the first to notice that the Youghiogheny River at one time flowed across the narrow neck of what today is known today as the Ferncliff Peninsula (see photo above).
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In the FCOPG’s 89-year history it has visited Ohiopyle twice, but the last time was nearly 60 years ago. Since then the area has been made into a state park and we’ve learned more about the geology and evolutionary history of its landscape. Topics to be discussed include: Pleistocene weathering and erosion rates related to Lake Monongahela and knickpoint migration in its Youghiogheny tributary; weathering rates of Homewood sandstone on Laurel Ridge related to the formation of Turtlehead Rock Bog and the preserved ecological record; understanding the complexity of ground water movement in Mississippian Mauch Chunk and Burgoon strata to form caves and its impact on underground mining and springs; the Paleozoic stratigraphy and structural geology of the area; and also some unique geologic and culturally historic aspects of Pennsylvanian and Mississippian strata exposed at quarries, water falls, rail trails, ridgelines and caves. The headquarters will be the Seven Springs Resort in Somerset County.
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