Celebrate Earth Science Week - October 8 - 14, 2017
Maryland Geological Survey and Earth Science Week 2017
Governor Larry Hogan proclaimed October 8-14, 2017, to be Earth Science Education Week in Maryland. To see the proclamation see: http://www.mgs.md.gov/news/2017_earth_science_week_proclamation.html
The purpose of Earth Science Week is to promote understanding and appreciation of the Earth Sciences and its relevance to our daily lives. Earth Science Week gives the public new opportunities to discover and learn about the Earth Science and stewardship of the Earth.
“Earth and Human Activity”
Each year Earth Science Week has a new theme. The 2017 theme, “Earth and Human Activity,” focuses on “what geoscience tells us about human interaction with our planet’s natural systems and processes”.
The term geoscience refers to a group of disciplines and generally includes geology, geophysics, hydrogeology, as well as aspects of oceanography, atmospheric science, environmental science and planetary science. Geoscientists gather and interpret data about the Earth and other planets and use the knowledge to increase our understanding of Earth processes and find solutions to some of society’s challenging problems.
Focus Days
During Earth Science week specific themes are being promoted each day. See https://www.earthsciweek.org/focus-days for a complete list of the themes.
Wednesday, Oct. 11 is National Fossil Day. The Maryland Geological Survey has information online about Maryland fossils. Here are a few of the resources for information on:
- Maryland’s official state fossil shell
http://www.mgs.md.gov/geology/fossils/maryland_state_fossil_shell_fs.html - Maryland State Dinosaur
http://www.mgs.md.gov/geology/fossils/maryland_state_dinosaur.html - Characteristic Fossils of Maryland
http://www.mgs.md.gov/geology/fossils/fossil_distribution.html
http://www.mgs.md.gov/geology/fossils/characteristic_fossils.html - Shark’s teeth of Calvert County Maryland
http://www.mgs.md.gov/geology/fossils/miocene_shark_teeth_fs.html - Dinosaurs in Maryland
http://www.mgs.md.gov/output/reports/ES/ES_6.pdf
Geoscience at the Maryland Geological Survey
Geologists and geoscientists at the Maryland Geological Survey assess and evaluate geologic conditions and resources in Maryland. The Maryland Geological Survey often works cooperatively on projects with local, state, and federal agencies. Here are a few examples of what we currently do:
- Forecast potential effects of water demand and land use on groundwater levels, stream flows, water quality, salt-water intrusion, and land subsidence
- Help maintain a statewide water quality network of wells and springs
- Characterize the sediments and conditions at the bottom of the Chesapeake Bay for oyster restoration projects
- Monitor/map shoreline erosion over time and after specific events, such as hurricanes
- Monitor and assess sediments dredged from shipping channels
- Monitor earthquakes via the Maryland seismic network
- Map rock/sediment units, geologic structures, and use of mineral resources to provide a basic framework for related investigations (such as soils mapping) and planning (such as land use and resource development or protection)
- Map and assess geologic hazards (such as sinkholes and sinkhole-prone areas) and determine factors that contribute to, and approaches to minimize, hazard development
You can visit the Maryland Geological Survey website for more information about geology and geoscientists in Maryland (http://www.mgs.md.gov).
Earth Science Week materials and contests
The American Geological Institute, a non-profit group of 43 geoscience organizations, has many ways to get involved in Earth Science week. These include national contests in art, writing and photography that are going on now (see contests under “Upcoming Events” below). For more information on Earth Science Week for teachers, students, the general public and the media see: http://www.earthsciweek.org