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TRANSCRIPT
FEBRUARY MEETING
Join us Tuesday, February 24, 2015
at the Fernbank Museum of Natural
History, 760 Clifton Road NE,
Atlanta GA. The meeting social
starts at 6:30 pm UPSTAIRS!
This month the speaker is Terry
Vines, P.G., the Principal
Petrographer of Argos Ready Mix
USA. He will be speaking on
“Petrographic Analysis of Concrete
and Concrete Materials”
The abstract for the presentation and
Speaker’s Bio are on the next page.
Our sponsor for Tuesday evening’s
meeting is Atlanta Instrument
Rental. Please read their information
on Page 3.
Please come and enjoy the social
time, pay your dues if necessary,
talk with our generous sponsor and
learn from an interesting
presentation.
Next meeting of the Atlanta Geological Society is
February 24, 2015
Fernbank Museum of Natural History (Clifton Road)
Social begins at 6:30 pm – Meeting begins at 7:00 pm
February 2015
Atlanta Geological Society Newsletter
ODDS AND ENDS
Greetings Fellow Geologists! Right away I’m
in a quandary. Clearly we have members that
are not men or boys. I’ll claim that alternate
definition of a person in the same position,
involved in the same activity, or otherwise
associated with another.
synonyms: companion, friend, comrade,
partner, associate, coworker,
colleague;
That about covers it.
As we are starting in a new year, I noticed that
this is the 200th anniversary of William Smith
publishing the first geologic map of a country.
Then I discovered there was more to the story
and decided to wait till next month to explore
this further. Who was George Greenough?
Still there are some interesting items for this
month’s issue. On a logistics note, we will be
meeting upstairs like we did last month. So
please remember to go up the stairs, not down
on Tuesday evening.
Alas, I am called away for work and will not
be at this month’s meeting. No, I am not
looking forward to driving to Nashville at 6
tomorrow morning in the forecasted ice
pellets. Please see Lucy to pay your dues and
have a piece of pizza for me.
Ben Bentkowski, Newsletter Editor
Page 2 AGS FEBRUARY 2015
Petrographic Analysis of Concrete and Concrete Materials
Terry L. Vines, P.G.
Principle Petrographer, Argos USA
Argos Ready Mix, LLC
This presentation provides a short background on concrete as a construction material and how
a petrographic analysis can be used to troubleshoot problems encountered in the field. Several
types of defects are discussed such as cracking, low strength, alkali aggregate reactions, freeze-
thaw damage, carbonation, pop-outs, ice heaving, frost damage and delamination. These
defects are the source of numerous law suits and construction claims. Usually, it is the ready
mix concrete producer that receives the blame unless he can prove his innocence. Specific
examples of the defects are presented and how a petrographic analysis was used to determine
the root cause. A discussion of equipment such as reflected light and polarized light
microscopes, laps, saws, and cameras are discussed.
Speaker’s Biography
Terry Vines, P.G.
Cell: 404-274-0285 email: [email protected]
Terry Vines is the concrete and aggregate petrographer for Argos Ready Mix, LLC. He is an
Atlanta native and went to Georgia State University where he received a BS degree in geology
in 1972. He then attended graduate school at the University of Georgia for one year. He first
worked for Combustion Engineering at Andersonville, Georgia as an exploration geologist. He
then relocated back to the Atlanta area and worked for various geotechnical and drilling
companies. While there, he worked as an engineering geologist in construction inspections
and testing, in soils investigations and in ground water studies. He also was involved as an
exploration geologist for aggregates in Georgia and for coal in Alabama, Georgia, West
Virginia and Kentucky. After the misery of drilling could no longer be tolerated, he became a
concrete specialist for Beers Construction Co. in 1978 on the Southern Bell (now AT&T)
Headquarters building behind the Fox Theater. In 1980, he went to work on the MARTA
system as an engineering geologist for MARTA’s design and construction engineers, Parsons,
Brinckerhoff/Tudor, where he managed their Technical Services Department. While there, he
performed various geotechnical duties but specialized in geotechnical instrumentation. Due to
a hiatus in MARTA construction, he began working for Blue Circle Williams Bros. in 1988 in
their Quality Assurance Department. Blue Circle was bought out by Lafarge and later by
Argos. His duties there have included laboratory manager, materials quality manager,
concrete mix design manager, economic geologist, concrete petrographer, aggregate
petrographer, environmental geologist and exploration geologist.
He has his professional geologist registration in Georgia and Alabama.
AGS FEBRUARY 2015 Page 3
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Page 4 AGS FEBRUARY 2015
AGS FEBRUARY 2015 Page 5
BENEFITS OF AN AGS MEMBERSHIP
Location – AGS meets at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, which is
a truly awesome facility central to most of our membership.
Cost – AGS membership ($25 general; $10 student) is the most inexpensive
for any geological society in the SE.
Active – AGS holds nine lectures a year and is one of the most active
geological societies in the SE.
AEG – For one of our lectures, AGS co-sponsors with the Association of
Environmental & Engineering Geologists to annually present the “Richard
H. Jahns Distinguished Lecturer” while in Atlanta.
PDH – AGS is recognized by Alabama, South Carolina, and other
professional state boards to provide Professional Development Hours for
our lectures, as well as field trips and workshops.
PG Classes – AGS offers nearly monthly Professional Geologist
development training classes in preparation for passing the ASBOG
examinations and has been recognized by the Georgia State Geologist as
enhancing PG test scores for participants.
Free Food – AGS offers free pizza and Coke at all of our regular meetings,
sandwiches and hors d’oeuvres at the Jahns lecture, and a sit-down BBQ
dinner at our June social.
IMAX – As part of the June social, AGS and Fernbank present a free IMAX
movie.
Networking – AGS meetings include professionals, academics, regulators,
and others who all share the same interest in geological sciences.
Resume – AGS membership and even involvement in one of our many
committees will enhance any resume.
Annual membership dues for the Atlanta Geological Society are $25 for
professional membership, $10 for students, and $100 for corporate sponsorship
(which includes up to 4 professional memberships). Please complete
the application form and submit with your payment to the AGS Treasurer, Lucy
Mejia
For further details about membership, please contact the AGS Membership
Chairman – Burton Dixon [email protected]
Page 6 AGS FEBRUARY 2015
Geologists solve tectonic plate mystery with half a tonne of explosives A New Zealand experiment using explosive slurry poured into 50m-deep holes helps measure rock layers on the border of Pacific and Australian plates
Scientists pumped half a tonne of explosive material into 50m-deep holes spread
nearly 100km across New Zealand’s North Island to measure rock layers beneath the
surface Photograph: Diana Plater/AAP
Michael Safi
@safimichael
Geologists may have finally explained how tectonic plates shift by blowing up
hundreds of kilograms of dynamite in New Zealand. Half a tonne of explosive
slurry was pumped into a dozen, steel-cased holes spread nearly 100km across
New Zealand’s north island. The seismic waves produced by the subsequent
explosion reached the base of the tectonic plate and rebounded to the surface,
where they were recorded by more than 1,000 seismographs.
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/feb/05/geologists-solve-tectonic-plate-mystery-with-half-a-tonne-of-explosives
AGS FEBRUARY 2015 Page 7
Geologists solve tectonic plate mystery (cont.)
Because seismic waves encode information about each of the layers they pass
through, an international team of researchers was able to use them to produce
detailed images of what lies beneath the earth’s surface.
They revealed the existence of a narrow, lubricating layer of rock about 73km
deep, over which the plate “skied” several centimetres a year.
The results are published in the latest issue of the scientific journal Nature.
One of the researchers, Professor Tim Stern of Victoria University, Wellington,
said earlier studies had relied on recording the seismic waves produced by
earthquakes.
“But those earthquake waves are very low-frequency, wobbly looking waves,
and they haven’t really given us the details we need,” he said.
Detonating 500kg of dynamite – the equivalent of more 2,600 sticks – provided
far sharper echoes.
The 50m-deep explosive holes were dug in a line parallel to the border of the
Pacific and Australian plates, Stern said. The two plates meet at a relatively
shallow 12- to 15-degree angle, making the area ideal for rebounding seismic
waves, which he likened to “bouncing light off a mirror”.
Once triggered, the explosion caused the earth to shake and produced a “big
whoomp” that could be heard from 10km away. “But that’s about all,” Stern
said.
While the discovery of the slippery 10km layer explains how the plates move,
what causes them to do so remains unclear.
One leading theory suggests the plates are pulled or pushed along their edges.
Another, posits that the plates are connected to a deeper layer of hot, convecting
mantle and getting dragged.
He suggested the world’s continents had once been fused together in a
supercontinent he named Pangaea (“all the world”), but had since broken up
and drifted to their present locations.
Earlier theories had suggested the world’s continents had been connected by
massive land bridges, which have since broken off and sunk. http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/feb/05/geologists-solve-tectonic-plate-mystery-with-half-a-tonne-of-explosives
Page 8 AGS FEBRUARY 2015
P.G. STUDY GROUP Date: February 28, 2015 Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Venue: Fernbank Science Center Annex
156 Heaton Park Drive,
N.E. Atlanta, GA 30307
678-874-7102
http://fsc.fernbank.edu/ Map to Fernbank
Speaker: Jim Kennedy, PhD, PG
Subject: ENGINEERING GEOLOGY & GEOHYDROLOGY
Dr. Kennedy will give a presentation of engineering geology and geohydrology. These two
categories account for a significant portion of the exams. If you are taking the exam(s) March
6, you will not want to miss this presentation.
Jim is the Georgia State Geologist and holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in physics and geophysical
sciences from the Georgia Tech and a Ph.D. in geology from Texas A&M where he did
research on reclaimed lignite mines. As State Geologist, he has worked on the Coastal Sound
Science Initiative to manage salt-water intrusion into the Upper Floridan aquifer, permitting
of coastal groundwater supply wells, and the State Water Plan. He also has provided expert
testimony at the Office of State Administrative Hearings in support of landfill, quarry, and
water withdrawal permits issued by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. Prior to
joining the EPD, Dr. Kennedy worked as a consultant and conducted engineering geology,
groundwater supply, and environmental remediation projects in various areas of the United
States and Europe.
Please join us and forward this message to anyone interested in becoming a Georgia
Registered Professional Geologist, or anyone who might be interested in the topic. Two
Professional Development Hours are available for attendees of the class. The classes are open
to all, membership in the AGS is not required, but for $25/year ($10 for students), it is quite a
bargain! Please consider joining, the AGS is one of the most active geological organizations in
the Southeast.
For more information on becoming a member,
visit www.atlantageologicalsociety.org . Contact us at the addresses below if you have
questions about the workshop or the exams.
Atlanta Geological Society
Professional Registration/Career Development Committee
Ken Simonton, P. G., [email protected]
John Salvino, P. G., [email protected]
Ginny Mauldin-Kenney, ginny.mauldin@gmailcom
AGS FEBRUARY 2015 Page 9
I would personally like to thank Board Member , Dr. Richard Espisito for Coordinating this event.
Hope Pauline
Executive Assistant
334-420-7205 NOTE: AGENDA ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE
Page 10 AGS FEBRUARY 2015
A TRAINING OPPORTUNITY:
Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Geologists
Fourth Annual Continuing Education
April 21, 2015, 8:30 – 5:00
Birmingham Marriott, 3590 Grandview Pkwy, Birmingham, AL 35243
Agenda:
8:25 – 8:30 Welcome and Introductions: Marsha Andrews, ABLPG Chair
8:30 - 9:15 Dr. Nick Tew, (State Geologist of Alabama, Geological Survey of Alabama)
“Overview of Oil & Gas Development in Alabama”
9:15 – 10:00 Dr. Bennett Bearden (Special Counsel on Water Law and Policy, Alabama Water
Agencies Working Group) “Water Policy and Law Update: Report from the Alabama Water
Agencies Working Group”
10:00 – 10:45 Mr. Steven Stokowski (TEC Services) “Petrography for the Built Environment”
10:45 – 11:15 Mrs. Denise Hills (Geologic Survey of Alabama) “Unconventional Oil & Gas
Assessment and Development in Alabama”
11:15 - 11:45 Dr. Richard Statom (University of North Alabama Department of Physic and Earth
Sciences) “Hydrogeology and Water Resources of North Alabama”
11:45 - 1:00 Lunch & Networking
1:00 – 1:45 Dr. Marlon Cook (Geologic Survey of Alabama) “Groundwater Assessment and
Sampling Methodology in Alabama”
1:45 - 2:30 Mr. Robert Perry “Recent Geological and Archaeological Collaboration in East
Alabama”
2:30 - 3:15 Dr. Samantha Hansen (University of Alabama Department of Geologic Sciences)
“Evaluation of Tectonic Models for the Antarctic”
3:15 - 4:00 TBD
4:00 - 4:45 TBD
4:45 – 5:00 Closing Statements and Meeting Adjourned: Abner Patton, ABLPG Vice Chair
AGS FEBRUARY 2015 Page 11
It is soon time for the Annual AEG/AGS presentation of the Jahns Lecture. Here
are some details about the upcoming speaker Eldon Gath.
http://www.aegweb.org/jahns-lecturer/2015-jahns-lecturer
Eldon Gath has been named the 2014-2015 Richard H. Jahns Distinguished
Lecturer in Applied Geology. The lectureship is awarded jointly by the
Environmental and Engineering Geology Division (EEGD) of the Geological
Society of America [GSA (awarded at the Vancouver, BC Annual Meeting,
October 2014)] and the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists
[AEG (awarded at the Scottsdale Annual Meeting, September 2014)]. The purpose
of the lectureship is to promote student awareness of Applied Geology. The
Jahns’ Lectureship has been jointly awarded annually since 1988.
Biography
Eldon, a consulting engineering geologist, has more than 30 years of experience in
the identification, investigation, and remediation of geologic hazards, involving
land use planning, environmental assessments, field exploration programs, and
presentation of findings. He has particular experience with the evaluation of
active faults for construction site planning, the development of seismic safety
programs and policies, and is currently engaged in efforts to modernize
California’s 40-year old active fault zoning act (Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault
Zoning Act).
Eldon is the President of Earth Consultants International, a geological consulting
firm [helping our clients solve complex earth-science problems around the world]
that he co-founded in 1997, following 12 years with Leighton Consulting in
southern California. He has considerable international experience including field
projects in Turkey, Panama, Mexico, Costa Rica and Papua New Guinea, as well
as project involvement in many others.
Page 12 AGS FEBRUARY 2015
ELDON GATH (cont.)
Eldon is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, Institute of Technology,
with a BS degree in Geology in 1978. He has been in graduate school ever
since; MS program at Cal State LA (1982-1990), PhD program at UC Riverside
(1993–1996), PhD program at UC Irvine (1998–2008), but despite getting very
close, he has never managed to complete the degree due to his busy consulting
responsibilities, professional organization involvement, and travel schedules;
or conflicted priorities, if you ask his advisors.
Eldon has received several research grants from the U.S. Geological Survey’s
National Earthquake Hazard Research Program, the Southern California
Earthquake Center, and the National Science Foundation for earthquake
geology research in California, including paleoseismology of the Whittier fault,
tectonic development of the San Joaquin Hills, tectonic geomorphology of the
Eastern Los Angeles Basin, and the seismic hazards of the Santa Ana
Mountains. He served as the geosciences member on a National Research
Council panel to develop the research agenda for the NEES program, he
served on the LA County Land Development Technical Advisory Committee
for a decade, served on the California Board for Engineering, Land Surveyors
and Geologists’ Technical Advisory Committee for two years, and has
participated multiple times as an Occupational Expert for the US Department
of Labor.
A FEW HUMEROUS ITEMS
5 Things everyone should know about geologists
Added by Antoine McGuilicuddy on February 20, 2015.
http://www.provedplusprobable.com/5-geo-remix/
In your spare time check out this YouTube and you will get a lesson in
Appalachian Geology by Brad Pasley. http://youtu.be/qF0iC6DXMQ8
Everybody Needs a Rock by Byrd Baylor, illustrated by Peter Parnall
http://freethoughtblogs.com/entequilaesverdad/2015/02/04/a-perfect-book-for-hooking-kids-on-rocks/
AGS FEBRUARY 2015 Page 13
AN Updated set of Photos about the comet satelite Rosetta and detailed phjotos of
commet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko Note these phots have a resolution of 0.76
m per pixel.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2015/02/16/rosetta_closeup_photos_fro
m_a_low_pass_over_the_surface.html
See page 16 for greater detail. Also, sorry for the familiar tone; it is from the author,
not a scientist. Glad to see the photos, though as a follow up to a few months ago.
Page 14 AGS FEBRUARY 2015
The Power of Poison On view February 7 – May 3, 2015
From the pages of fairytales to the journals of modern medicine, the story of poison is surprising at every turn.
Join the investigation to uncover the secrets of poison while exploring its role in nature, myth and human health.
This new special exhibition creates an engaging and immersive environment through the use of interactives,
models, multimedia and live animals.
Poison in Nature: Learn about toxic animals and plants in a remote Columbian forest, where poisons are
just one of the many tools in an organism’s struggle to survive.
Poison in Literature: Find out which familiar tales of illness, enchantment or death by poison contain
kernels of truth.
Detecting Poison: Play detective with an engaging live show that delves into some of history’s most
intriguing poisoning cases, then try to solve a case yourself in a hands-on investigation that puts your inner
sleuth to the test.
Poison for Good: From fatal dosages to life-saving drugs, discover how some poisons have become
critical players in the advancement of new medicines.
Whether as a defense against predators, a source of magical strength or a lethal weapon used in lifesaving
medical treatment, the story of poison is surprising at every turn.
Additional details, including special events, field trip opportunities and more will be available soon.
The Power of Poison is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York (www.amnh.org).
Principal Investor: The Marcus Foundation, Inc.
AGS FEBRUARY 2015 Page 15
Now Showing in the Fernbank IMAX movie theater:
Galapagos: Nature’s Wonderland Last Days, Ending March 5th
Travel to a paradise like no other. The Galapagos Islands is a wonderland of nature, a universe of
remarkable and unique creatures that learned to survive against all odds on this volcanic
archipelago that is constantly evolving.
Humpback Whales Take an extraordinary journey into the mysterious world of one of nature’s most awe-inspiring
marine mammals. Set in the spectacular waters of Alaska, Hawaii and the remote islands of Tonga,
this ocean adventure offers audiences an up-close look at how humpback whales communicate, sing,
feed, play and take care of their young.
Learn more
Coming Soon Mysteries of the Unseen World Opens March 6, 2015 Go to places on the planet you've never been before and see things that are beyond your normal
vision yet are literally right in front of your eyes. Mysteries of the Unseen World reveals phenomena
that can’t be seen with the naked eye, taking audiences into earthly worlds secreted away in different
dimensions of time and scale.
Membership Dues Payment Status:
Professional Student Corporate* Complimentary
2003 62 22 5 15
2004 81 3 8 15
2005 26 0 3 16
TOTAL 168 22 14 15
* 14 corporate sponsors with329 of 56
individual memberships in active use
Finances:
The AGS account balance is
growing as we receive new 2005
dues payments, advertising, and
sponsors.
Account Balance
as of January 10,
2005 - $ 8,017.69
Fernbank Museum of Natural History (All programs require reservations, including free programs)
Page 16 AGS FEBRUARY 2015
Note the layering! On Earth or Mars a feature like that is from sedimentary action; deposited season after
season by rains and flooding bringing sediment into a lake. But on a comet? I’d guess that this represents
the exact opposite: As the comet orbits the Sun on an ellipse, it gets farther and nearer to our star. When it
gets closer, the ice near the surface turning to gas will drop the surface down a bit, and that stops as the
comet moves away from the Sun. Then the cycle starts up again, over and over. The plateau is probably
rockier material, exposed more and more every orbit as the ice goes away.
Note also the circular crater-like features to the right. Those almost certainly aren’t impacts! More likely
they are where gas is escaping the comet, the pits forming and growing over time as the area around the
venting region loses ice.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2015/02/16/rosetta_closeup_photos_from_a_low_pass_over_t
he_surface.html
AGS FEBRUARY 2015 Page 17
AGS Committees
AGS Publications: Open
Career Networking/Advertising: Todd Roach
Phone (770) 242-9040, Fax (770) 242-8388
Continuing Education: Currently Open
Fernbank Liaison: Chris Bean
Phone (404) 929-6313 [email protected]
Field Trips: Open
Georgia PG Registration: Ken Simonton
Phone: 404-825-3439
John Salvino, P.G.
Ginny Mauldin-Kenney,
ginny.mauldin@gmailcom
Teacher Grants: Bill Waggener
Phone (404)354-8752
Hospitality: Currently open
And in need of a volunteer or two.
Membership Burton Dixon
Social Media Coordinator: Carina O’Bara
Newsletter Editor
Ben Bentkowski
Phone (404) 562-8507, (770) 296-2529
Web Master: Kathaleen Bentkowski
www.atlantageologicalsociety.org
AGS 2015 Meeting Dates
Listed below are the planned meeting dates for
2015. Please mark your calendar and make
plans to attend.
February AGS meeting, February 24, 2015
February P.G. Study Class, February 28, 2015
Dr. Jim Kennedy Hydrogeology
March PG Study Group March 28, 2015
March AGS Meeting, March 31, 2015
Jahns Lecture Joint AEG/AGS meeting
April PG Study Group, April 25, 2015
Dr. Grant Boardman, Paleontology
April AGS Meeting, April 31, 2015
May AGS meeting, May 26, 2015
May PG Study Group May 30, 2015
June PG Study Group June 27, 2015
June AGS meeting June 30, 2015
AGS Officers
President: Nils Thompson
Phone (678) 486-2766
Vice-President: Shannon George
Phone (717)-343-4452
Secretary: Rob White
Phone (770) 891-0519
Treasurer: Lucy Mejia
Page 18 AGS FEBRUARY 2015
ATLANTA GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
www.atlantageologicalsociety.org
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FORM
Please print the required details and check the appropriate membership box.
DATE:
NAME:___________________ _
ORGANIZATION:____________________________________________________________
TELEPHONE (1): TELEPHONE (2):
EMAIL (1): EMAIL (2):
STUDENT $10
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP $25
CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP $100 (Includes 4 professional members, please list names and emails below)
NAME: EMAIL:
NAME: EMAIL:
NAME: EMAIL:
NAME: EMAIL:
For further details, contact the AGS Treasurer: [email protected] .
Please make checks payable to the “Atlanta Geological Society” and remit with the completed form to:
Atlanta Geological Society
c/o Golder Associates
Attn: Shannon George
3730 Chamblee Tucker Road
Atlanta, GA 30341
CASH
CHECK (CHECK NUMBER: .)