2021: 85TH ANNUAL FIELD CONFERENCE
OF PENNSYLVANIA GEOLOGISTS
GEOLOGY OF OHIOPYLE STATE PARK AND
THE LAUREL HIGHLANDS OF SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
The FCOPG planning committee is postponing the 85th Annual Field Conference of Pennsylvania Geologists to Fall 2021 to protect the health and well-being of our loyal conference attendees from the threats posed by COVID-19. This is not a decision made lightly as the Conference has been held annually since 1931, with the exceptions being 1942-1945 due to World War II travel limitations, and an 18-month period between the Fall 1956 and Spring 1958 meetings. We are now contributing to the FCOPG's history by adapting to and enduring a pandemic.
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Conference planning will continue, because as stated in our announcement email, we are determined to showcase all the work that has been done in the area! The one-year delay in the 85th Field Conference has opened the opportunity for a guidebook rich in research articles highlighting geologic research in the State, particularly projects that have been completed or are in progress in the region covered by the 2020-21 conference. Articles from students and early-career geoscientists are particularly welcome. The articles can be on any geoscience or related topic including geologic mapping, trail guides, environmental geology, history of geology, geoarcheology, and geologic education. We will be experimenting with a guidebook review process that would allow for the articles to count as published papers and be cited as peer-reviewed science. Authors are encouraged to assemble a guidebook manuscript and submit it for peer review to two colleagues who will comment on the quality of the data and interpretations and make suggestions on how it can be improved. The author then revises the manuscript according to the reviews and submits the entire package including original manuscript, reviews, and revised manuscript to guidebook editor Kristen Hand 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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Finally, we are exploring the possibility of holding a virtual pre-conference this Fall. Stay tuned.
Schedule: Fall 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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The 85th Annual Field Conference of Pennsylvania Geologists will be held in the Fall of 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.
Registration Fees:
2019 Field Conference Re-Cap
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October 17, 2019 - Thanks to everyone for their patience, perseverance and adaptability. All preconference trip attendance certificates have been emailed. If you did not receive one contact Craig.
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Next year's conference will focus on the unique geoheritage of the Ohiopyle and Laurel Highland region, and will be led by Jim Shaulis, PA Geological Survey and Frank Pazzaglia, Lehigh University. If anyone would like to run a preconference trip, please contact Kristen or Craig.
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Dates: October 8-10, 2020
Headquarters: Seven Springs Mountain Resort
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See you next year!
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