Bearded Geology

As 2019 ends, Forbes just published this article on the top ten false or misleading geological statements that needs to die. They're the kind of thing that gets written in tabloids with volcanoes and earthquakes abound. The article is basically a rant by a geologist - Dr. Robin Andrews (Twitter:  @SquigglyVolcano ) - that deservedly wants an end to sensationalized headlines misrepresenting our field of science. As do we all.

I just ran across this really good Associated Press article titled " AP: At least 1,680 dams across the US pose potential risk ," from last month about dam hazards and recent dam failures. Here's a brief summary: A more than two-year investigation by The Associated Press has found scores of dams nationwide in even worse condition, and in equally dangerous locations. They loom over homes, businesses, highways or entire communities that could face life-threatening floods if the dams don’t hold. A review of federal data and reports obtained under state open records laws identified 1,688 high-hazard dams rated in poor or unsatisfactory condition as of last year in 44 states and Puerto Rico. The actual number is almost certainly higher: Some states declined to provide condition ratings for their dams, claiming exemptions to public record requests. Others simply haven’t rated all their dams due to lack of funding, staffing or authority to do so.  Deaths from dam failures ...

Gemstones are inherently in demand, and as such, there are many who attempt to either create an imitation (simulant) gemstone or create a lab-grown (synthetic) gemstone. Simulant gemstones are those that mimic another, but have different properties and compositions than the imitated gem, such as a red-dyed quartz simulating a ruby (a variety of corundum) ( read more here about simulants ). Whereas, synthetic gemstones are those that have the same chemical composition and properties as the imitated gem ( read more here about synthetics ). Synthetic gemstones are not a new concept; rubies have been known to be synthesized since the late 19th century and emeralds (a variety of beryl) since the 1930s. Undoubtedly many antique jewelry items bear synthetic gems such as ruby and emerald, and as technology and techniques advance, more and more gems are becoming replicated. Real rhodochrosite cabochons (two on the left) and imitated rhodochrosite (two on the right). The banding of the simu...

In 1857, twenty-one years after Arkansas gained statehood, the Arkansas legislature approved funding for the first geological survey of the state. Governor Elias N. Conway commissioned Dr. David Dale Owen to lead the survey beginning in 1857 to 1859 with funds of $4,800 per year, plus a salary of $1,800, and continuing from 1859 to 1860 with $6,000 per year, plus $2,500 salary. Owen was no stranger to government surveys; he also served as the State Geologist of Indiana (1837-1838) and Kentucky (1854-1857), as well as a geologist for the U.S. Government on a survey of Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and parts of Illinois and Nebraska (1839-1840, 1847-1850). David Dale Owen (image credit: Smithsonian Archives/ Wikimedia ) Owen commenced the Arkansas survey in Greene County with laboratory and field assistance of William Elderhorst - professor of chemistry and mineralogy at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Edward T. Cox - who later would be State Geologist of Indiana, Robert Pete...

Looking through the department's collection for the most difficult rock and mineral samples to put on the lab exam... Happy Finals Week!!