The presentations for the Fall 2017 meeting are now posted and can be found on the following link:
Fall 2017 Meeting

The Geological Society of Maine
2018 Spring Meeting

Featuring
Student Research Presentations
Friday, April 6, 2018, 1:00pm
Hosted by the Earth and Environmental Science Program at Unity College
Unity College Center for the Performing Arts
Unity, ME

This is an opportunity for students to present current geologic research in a formal yet collegial
atmosphere. Students from Maine schools, or students enrolled elsewhere and working in Maine are
invited to present their work in oral or poster format. Members of the Society are eager to learn
what students are doing. Interested students must submit an abstract by March
21, 2018 (midnight).

Information Flyer

Parking Information

The State of Maine is seeking proposals for services as the lead hydrographer for the Maine Coastal Program’s Mapping Initiative.

A copy of the RFP, as well as the Question & Answer Summary and all amendments related to this RFP, can be obtained at the following website: http://www.maine.gov/purchases/venbid/rfp.shtml

Proposals must be submitted to the State of Maine Division of Procurement Services, located at the Burton M. Cross Office Building, 111 Sewall Street – 4^th Floor, Augusta, ME 04330.  Proposals must be submitted by 4:00 pm, local time, on March 6, 2018, when they will be opened.  Proposals not received at the Division of Procurement Services’ aforementioned address by the aforementioned deadline will not be considered for contract award.

The Maine Coastal Program’s Mapping Initiative acquires seafloor and marine habitat information including bathymetry and backscatter data, sediment information, fauna type and abundance, and water column data. The data contribute to numerous ongoing efforts including identification and characterization of potential sand and gravel resources that may be used for beach replenishment, assessment of nearshore sand movement over time to inform beach nourishment projects, investigations of cable areas and other State Submerged Lands Programs interest areas, and marine habitat modeling. This project also provides new data that are incorporated into National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) nautical charts.

Again as in the past 10 years, Alison Jones and Fred Beck will be leading an 8-day rafting trip of about 188 miles through the Grand Canyon.   Many GSM members have made this trip in the past, some going twice.  The trip begins at Lee’s Ferry, Arizona, and ends at Whitmore Wash followed by a short helicopter ride to an airstrip at the Bar 10 Ranch on the North Rim.  The dates are August 6-13, 2018.  From there you will be flown to Las Vegas or Lee’s Ferry.

The emphasis of these trips is of course about the geology, from Precambrian through the Permian as well as an abundance of more recent events including volcanism, breccia pipe formation, spring deposited travertine, debris flows and much more.   At least two modest hiking trips are made each day into slot canyons or other side canyons and tributaries to visit waterfalls, fossils, archaeological sites and just to get out and stretch our limbs or swim in clear warm water.  Some choose not to do some of the side trips and just relax or read near the rafts while others go adventuring.

There are usually as many non-geologists on these trips as geologists and they get as much out of the trip as the geologists; a perfect geologic classroom.  We have often had teenagers on these trips and that has added to the fun.

The outfitter we use is Hatch River Expeditions, one of the most experienced companies licensed to operate in the Grand Canyon.  There will be two 34-foot inflatable boats powered by 30 HP outboards.  No paddling or rowing on this trip.  Each raft accommodates 16 people as well as all our gear, food, etc.   All meals are prepared by the Hatch guides and Hatch also provides all tents, cots, bedding, etc.

If you are interested in more details, contact Fred Beck at fmbeck@fmbeck.net or Alison Jones at ajones@clearcreekassociates.com.  We anticipate that we will have a full complement of travelers by the end of this September so an early commitment is advised.

2017 Geological Society of Maine Summer Field Trip
Southern Maine
August 5 and 6

Please Register!!

Registration Form

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GSM members and friends,

As described in the June Newsletter, the 2017 GSM Summer Field Trip will be held the weekend of August 5 and 6 in southern Maine.  Registration is open from now until Friday, July 14.  Please look at the attached registration form, choose your options, and mail it with whatever payment is needed to Steve Kelley at the address on the form (and as shown below).  Yes, you’ll need to find a postage stamp.

Because of this year’s location in the heart of summer tourist country, we are asking everyone who is going on the trip to register.  Please don’t just show up!  Logistics are tight but manageable if we know how many people are coming.  If you can bring a van or minivan to help carpool, it would alleviate traffic and parking pressures and make the trip more enjoyable.

One preposterous feature of this year’s trip is the early starting time Saturday morning.  There’s simply no way around it.  We must begin at 7:15 am in order to get in and out of Ogunquit before the beach crowd swells to gridlock proportions.  The Marginal Way geology is well worth the effort.  If this absurd time is too early for you, you can join the trip at 1:00 pm when we circle back to the starting point.  However the day goes, I hope everyone will join us for the cookout Saturday evening, the annual centerpiece of the summer field trip.

I also recommend getting the T-shirt designed especially for the field trip, as well as Arthur Hussey’s marvelous book which is available to us at a discounted price.

I am so excited to be visiting these classic localities.  This has all the earmarks of another memorable GSM field trip.  I hope to see you there.

Henry Berry

henry.n.berry@maine.gov

287-7179