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MWF News April 2016, Issue No. 551 Page 1
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
MWF News APRIL 2016 - ISSUE NO. 551
WEB SITE - www.amfed.org/mwf
Member of the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies
President David Rich 1166 Broadview Tallmadge, OH 44278 330.630.9625 [email protected]
1st Vice President Tom Whitlatch 1147 Staub Court NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 319.551.3870 [email protected]
2nd Vice President David Root 1051 Meadow Lane Jenison, MI 49428 616-498-4698 [email protected]
Secretary Donna Moore 25235 N. IL Hwy 97 Cuba, IL 61427 309.789.6501 [email protected]
Treasurer Sandy Fuller 8445 Grange Blvd. Cottage Grove, MN 55016 651.459.0343 [email protected]
from Akron Mineral Club President, Joe Spohn, that the Gemboree committee has planned some special exhibits and fun for the whole family.
See the article on page 2 for planned MWF events at the Spring Meeting. Come and see us in Ohio!
Don’t forget that the Youth Poster Contest deadline for “Amazing Agates” is coming up April 15, and entries must be postmarked by that date. Judges Rosemary and Tom McLaughlin of the Summit Lapidary Club are eagerly awaiting entries.
The Convention will be here sooner than you think. Mark the dates on your calendar for South Bend, Indiana, August 20 and 21. Why not get a group from your club or state to travel together to this enjoyable event?
I look forward to seeing many of you in both Ohio and Indiana this year.
by David Rich, MWF President and Top Rock in the Pile
April may bring showers to Ohio, but hopefully it will also bring many of you to the Midwest Federation’s spring meeting. All members in our federation are invited to attend the general meeting on Saturday, April 23.
You are also invited to attend a special field trip to dig for Ohio Flint at Nethers Farm on Friday, April 22, before the meeting. Don’t miss an opportunity to acquire some beautiful Ohio flint.
On Saturday, after the meeting at our clubhouse in Cuyahoga Falls, we can all head over to our club’s Gemboree Show. It is our 40th Anniversary this year!
The Gemboree is sponsored by two clubs, the Akron Mineral Club and Summit Lapidary Club. We have 25+ vendors at our show, and I received an update
WHAT’S INSIDE?
All American Club Yearbook ......................................... 4
Ancient Fossil Forest Unearthed .................................... 9
Convention Show Flyer ................................................ 11
Dinosaur Extinction Theory ........................................... 5
Logo Policy .................................................................. 12
Moh’s Scale 6 - 6.5 ........................................................ 2
MWF News Needs You! .................................................. 3
President’s Message ....................................................... 1
Quest for Unknown Minerals ....................................... 10
Rockhound of the Year ................................................... 3
Rocky Mountain Spring Show ........................................ 4
Silent Auction ................................................................. 4
2016 Spring Meeting ...................................................... 2
Submission of Articles .................................................. 12
Tailgating: How Much Fun? ......................................... 12
Tips for Exhibitors .......................................................... 3
Upcoming Events ...................................................... 6,7,8
Page 2 April 2016, Issue No. 551 MWF News
by Kreigh Tomaszewski
Hardness is a very useful attribute to help with mineral identification and is often the first test normally done on an unknown. Our Mineral Study Group likes to learn about the science and practical uses of the minerals we study, but we really want to learn to hand identify them. Hand identification is a skill you learn from holding and studying many different specimens of a given mineral (and doing some homework on its physical properties). We are currently reviewing minerals by hardness. At our last meeting, we looked at minerals with a hardness of 6 to 6.5 on the Moh’s scale.
We try to do our homework on the science and come prepared to discuss the mineral (class or group) of the month, but we also dig through our collections and come with one or more specimens for everyone to handle. We really do learn from each other, but you have to share your specimens with others before they can be appreciated.
This month we had one or more specimens of Pyrite, Epidote, Rutile, Prehnite, Marcasite, Vesuvianite, Aerigrine, Orthoclase, Pseudobrookite, Columbite, Benitoite, Bixbyite, Tantalite, Anorthite, Labrodorite, Petalite, Jadeite, and Turquois. Some of the specimens were really outstanding.
It is one thing to look at the pretty pictures in the field books, but you get a much deeper appreciation when you can hold a specimen and look at it thru a lens (feel the density, shine a bright light on it, look at it under black light, etc.). And then examine another specimen of the same mineral (and maybe another). And then look at something else that is close, but different.
Some homework was done, and we learned a bit about the specimens we studied during our sharing -- people came with specimens they were unsure about and we tried to identify them while we waited for everyone to arrive.
At the next monthly meeting of the West Michigan MWF Mineral Study Group, we will continue working thru the Moh’s hardness scale, looking at minerals having a hardness of 7 to 7.5, excluding quartz (which we will study in April in all of its forms).
Labradorite
Image courtesy of kidsloverocks.com
MOH’S SCALE 6 - 6.5 2016 SPRING MEETING by Sharon Marburger
The 2016 MWF Spring Meeting will be hosted by the Summit Lapidary Club and the Akron Mineral Society on April 23. Their joint semi-annual show, Gemboree, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, and will be open from 10-6 on Saturday, April 23 and 10-5 on Sunday, April 24.
A field trip is planned to collect Ohio Flint at the Nethers Farm on Friday, April 22. We will meet at the farm near Hopewell, Ohio at 9:00 a.m. The plan is to collect specimens until 1:00ish, then drive back to Cuyahoga Falls to get cleaned up for the Meet and Greet that evening.
The MWF officers will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Summit Lapidary Club’s clubhouse, located at 244 Chestnut Blvd. in Cuyahoga Falls. At 7:00, everyone is welcome to come to the Meet and Greet at the clubhouse. The clubhouse is located on the corner of Chestnut and 3rd, and parking is limited to the side streets.
If you need a place to stay, it is recommended to look for rooms near the town of Stow, Ohio, which is about a 10 minute drive to the show. Suggestions are:
Courtyard Marriott, 4047 Bridgewater Parkway, 866.573.4035, around $159 per night
Hampton Inn, 4331 Lakepoint Corporate Drive, 866.925.8679, around $169 per night
Staybridge Suites, 4351 Steels Point, 330.945.4180, around $141 per night
Country Inn and Suites, 1420 Main St, Cuyahoga Falls, 866.538.6252, around $135 per night
If you don’t mind being further out from the show (about a half-hour drive), there are some inexpensive hotels in the Akron area.
Remember to check the bedbug registry at www.bedbugregistry.com to see if your selected hotel has had any reports of bedbugs.
Don’t forget to check out the Gemboree following the MWF meetings. There will be 30 dealers participating in the Gemboree, and they will have for sale: minerals, rocks, gemstones, jewelry, beads, findings, gem tree supplies, tools, and lapidary materials. Food service is available and parking is free.
Support our host clubs and make the MWF presence known. Most of all, get ready to have some FUN!!!
MWF News April 2016, Issue No. 551 Page 3
by Steve Shimatzki
Therese and Duane Cushing have been named Rockhounds of the Year for 2015 by the Rock River Valley Gem & Mineral Society.
They have been very helpful with all of our activities: field trips, swap meet, open house, Facebook page and our silent auction. Our summer picnic for club members was hosted by the Cushings this year. Last but not least, they are responsible for compiling and editing our very fine monthly newsletter.
Thanks and congratulations to the Cushings!
********************************************* I’m still getting Rockhound of the Year (ROTY)
Nominations for 2015. I think we need to start thinking about 2016 and who your new nominations are. Just send the following information by e-mail, snail mail, or maybe even text:
1) The Person’s Name 2) Accomplishments to warrant the nomination. (How
you would like it to read in the MWF News announcement.)
3) Name, phone number, and address of where the award is to be sent, not necessarily the recipient if you plan to present it to the recipient at a club event.
4) The year the award is for. 5) Deadline if award is needed by a particular date.
My contact information is: MWF Rockhound of the Year C/O Stephen Shimatzki 4295 County Rd. 16 Woodville, OH 43469 [email protected] Cell: 567-868-8794 (Feel free to call or
text)
THE MWF NEWS NEEDS YOU!! by Sharon Marburger, Editor
I have hinted at retiring from the MWF News editor position. No one seems to take me seriously. I have held the position for seven years now. I have enjoyed being editor, meeting new people, and making new friends. But it is time for me to step down and give someone else the satisfaction of putting out a great and informative newsletter. Do you feel inspired to take over as editor of the MWF News?
Let me or one of the Federation officers know that you are willing to take on this position. We need a new perspective and new talent to keep the newsletter from becoming boring. Let me know if you have questions on what the job entails; I will be happy to answer.
ROCKHOUND OF THE YEAR
by Anne Cook
So you have agreed to put in an exhibit for your next club show. Good for you! Here are some thoughts to consider.
1. Start to plan it early. The exhibit will always be improved by not having to be done at the last minute.
2. Think about what you want to show. You do not need to put everything you have ever made (or all that you own) into the case. It is much better to be selective, rather than produce a crowded case.
3. Make enough labels so that the casual viewer can understand what you are trying to show. A case with no labels may cause the viewer to say, “Oh, isn’t that pretty,” but not understand more than that. A case that says on a larger label on the back, “Some Ways of Making Jewelry,” then a smaller label saying “Wire Wrapping” with some examples, another label of similar size to the second saying “Bead Stringing,” still another, “Faceted Stones” and so forth, all with suitable examples, can lead to understanding. A case that shows many examples of calcite, with the locations where each one was found, can help the viewer appreciate the variety within a single mineral.
4. Have someone else proof-read your labels; we never see all of our own mistakes.
5. If there is a qualified judge at your show, ask her or him to privately look at your case and judge it, then talk it over together. Even if you never expect to enter it competitively, the ideas you will get are worth considering.
SOME TIPS FOR EXHIBITORS
Page 4 April 2016, Issue No. 551 MWF News
IT’S TIME FOR THE ALL AMERICAN CLUB YEARBOOK ENTRIES!
by Regina Kapta
What is the purpose of your club – what is the mission? The mission statement is usually stated in a club’s charter or by-laws, and is seen on club websites and membership materials, but how well is that mission fulfilled? As clubs grow and change, does the mission still fit? Most clubs have a blended goal of promoting the hobby via education, community outreach, attracting new members, and providing a space where our geology interest can be fostered. How well your club accomplishes that mission can be reflected in your AACA yearbook, as it provides an opportunity to look at the big picture – how do the monthly programs, annual shows, junior activities, community involvement, and member events satisfy that mission throughout the year?
Each yearbook entered is evaluated based on proven facets that grow a club. From junior meetings and workshops to shows, publicity, and community involvement – all contribute to a club’s growth and ultimate survival. In an age where many other interests compete for our members’ attention, it takes several
By Susan Stanforth, Silent Auction Chairman
GREETINGS, ROCKHOUNDS!!!!! So who’s ready for another thrilling, emotional roller coaster ride that I call our Silent Auction? If you were there last year, it wasn’t exactly “silent”, was it? The Michiana Gem & Mineral Society is kind enough to allow us to put on the MWF silent auction on Sunday, August 20, 2016 in South Bend, Indiana. Now, I’m hoping that I get another huge response for donations. So start thinking about what wonderful items you will donate. Please ask the members of your club to provide auction materials. We had quite a club competition last year and I hope to continue that this year. Lots of accolades to those who donate the best and most. AND, if you cannot bring the items to the show, contact me ([email protected] or 815.229.4009) and I’ll find a way to get them. Also, filling out the bid sheets is extremely important because only you know how much a specimen is worth. The bid sheets are found on the MWF website.
I am so honored to chair this event. And thank YOU so much for your help and support.
2016 MWF CONVENTION SILENT AUCTION
different approaches to get a person’s interest, keep their interest, and promote active participation. We all need active members, and the challenge of finding them is one of the biggest problems that clubs can face. The AACA yearbook criteria promotes different aspects that are vital to a club’s survival. The award winners in each yearly contest can serve as models to inspire, and a resource for some great ideas for your club.
One thing I would like to point out is that club entries are not evaluated against each other, but for the aspects that makes a strong active club serving it’s mission. Each entry begins with 100 points, and judges look to match club activities to those criteria.
The AACA contest is a two-tier competition – the first tier is entry in the Regional Federations’ contest, and the top three entries are submitted to the AFMS level for judging. Check with your regional chairs for their deadline. The deadline for entry in the AFMS contest is April 15, 2016. A copy of the Entry Form for year 2015 is on the AFMS web site. Please contact me with questions, at [email protected].
MWF News April 2016, Issue No. 551 Page 5
DINOSAUR EXTINCTION THEORY: NEW RESEARCH MAY DRAW 'CURTAIN OF FIRE' ON THEORIES
Source: University of Leeds Date: November 23, 2015
The role volcanic activity played in mass extinction events in Earth’s early history is likely to have been much less severe than previously thought, according to a study led by the University of Leeds.
Asteroid impacts and long-lasting volcanic eruptions called continental flood basalts -- the two most commonly cited possible causes of mass extinction events -- would have propelled gas and dust into the atmosphere and altered climate for years. But, until now, the impact of years of sulphur dioxide emissions from continental flood basalts was unknown.
In a study published online in Nature Geoscience, researchers have provided for the first time a quantitative estimate of the degree and nature of the effects that such eruptions had on Earth’s climate, vegetation and oceans.
Study lead author Dr. Anja Schmidt, from the University’s School of Earth and Environment, said:
At the time when the dinosaurs reigned, numerous long-lasting eruptions took place over the course of about a million years. These eruptions, called ‘continental flood basalts’ were not like volcanic eruptions we often see today, with lava gushing from the ground like a curtain of fire.
Each eruption is likely to have lasted years, even decades, and eruptions were separated by periods without volcanic activity. The lava produced by an eruption of average intensity would have filled 150 Olympic-size swimming pools per minute.
In the new study, the researchers used a sophisticated computer simulation of the spread of the gas and aerosol particles, which showed that the climatic impact of flood basalts was less grim than scientists had previously suggested. They found that only if such flood basalts oozed for hundreds of years, without interruption, may the climatic impacts have had a severe effect on plants and animals.
The researchers used information on the duration and intensity of continental flood basalt eruptions, such as the Deccan Traps eruptions 65 million years ago, which covered one-third of what is now India, to estimate the climatic and environmental effects of the
huge quantities of sulphur dioxide gas emitted by these eruptions.
Their computer simulation showed that temperatures on Earth were indeed cooler as a result of the eruptions -- by as much as 4.5 degrees Celsius -- but that the temperature would return to normal within 50 years after an eruption ceased.
Dr. Schmidt noted that the conclusions are based on the assumption that climate feedbacks were very similar to those today.
“Perhaps most intriguingly, we found that the effects of acid rain on vegetation were rather selective. Vegetation in some but not all parts of the world would have died off, whereas in other areas the effects would have been negligible,” said Dr. Schmidt.
The new findings will challenge the Earth sciences community as a whole to re-examine the causes of mass extinctions and the role of volcanism. “We now need to better understand how long both the individual eruptions and the periods without volcanic activity lasted,” concludes Dr. Schmidt.
Story Source: The above post is reprinted from materials provided by University of Leeds. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. University of Leeds. “Dinosaur extinction theory: New research may draw ‘curtain of fire’ on theories.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 23 November 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151123205753.htm>.
Page 6 April 2016, Issue No. 551 MWF News
UPCOMING EVENTS Apr. 2, 2016
Sat 10-3 Rock River Valley Gem &
Mineral Society [open house] North Suburban Library, 5562 Clayton Cir.
Roscoe, IL John Wood, 815.978.6960
[email protected], [email protected]
Apr. 2-3, 2016 Sat 10-6; Sun 11-5
Columbus Rock & Mineral Society Northland Performing Arts Center, 4411 Tamarack
Blvd., Columbus, OH
Craig Kramer, 614.436.4511 [email protected],
www.ColumbusRockAndMineralSociety.org
Apr. 2-3, 2016 Sat 9-5; Sun 10-5
Lincoln Gem & Mineral Club, Inc. Lancaster Event Center, 4100 N. 84th St.
Lincoln, NE
Ed Dvorak, 402.946.3041 [email protected],
www.lincolngemmineralclub.org
Apr. 2-3, 2016 Sat 9-5; Sun 10-5
Stark County Gem & Mineral Club Stark County Fairgrounds, 305 Wertz Ave. NW
Canton, OH Barry Hicks, 330.868.4047
Apr. 7-9, 2016 Thurs & Fri 9:30-9, Sat 9:30-8
Indian Mounds Rock & Mineral Club Roger’s Plaza, Clyde Park & 28th St.
Wyoming, MI Kreigh Tomaszewski, 616.243.5851
[email protected], www.indianmoundsrockclub.org
Apr. 9, 2016 Sat 9-4
Central Arkansas Gem, Mineral & Geology Society [rock swap]
Elder Johnson Pavilion, Burns Park North Little Rock, AR
Mike Austen, 501.868.4553 [email protected], centralarrockhound.org
Apr. 9-10, 2016 Sat 9-5; Sun 9-4
Badger Lapidary & Geological Society Monroe Senior High School, 1600 26th St.
Monroe, WI Deb Wehinger
[email protected], www.badgerrockclub.org
Apr. 9-10, 2016 Sat 9:30-5; Sun 10-4
Des Plaines Valley Geological Society Des Plaines Park District, 2222 Birch St.
Des Plaines, IL Lois Zima, 847.298.4653
Apr. 9-10, 2016 Sat 10-6; Sun 10-4
Fulton County Rockhounds Donaldson Community Center, Wallace Park
250 S. Ave. D, Canton, IL George Coursey, 309.368.2947
Apr. 9-10, 2016 Sat 9-5; Sun 10-4
Neville Public Museum Geology Club Green Bay Ramada Plaza Hotel, 2750 Ramada
Way, Green Bay, WI Randy Phillips, 920.437.4979
Apr. 9-10, 2016 Sat 10-6; Sun 10-5
Southern Illinois Earth Science Club Pavilion of the City of Marion, 1602 Sioux Dr.
Marion, IL Mike Chontofalsky, 618.532.0455 [email protected], siesclub.org
Apr. 16-17, 2016 Sat 8:30-6; Sun 9:30-5
Cedar Valley Rocks & Minerals Society Hawkeye Downs Expo Center, 4400 6th St. SW
Cedar Rapids IA Marv Houg, 319.364.2868
[email protected], www.cedarvalleyrockclub.org
Apr. 16-17, 2016 Sat 9-6; Sun 10-4
Central Illinois Gem & Mineral Club Progress City, Lester Building
Decatur, IL Tony Kapta, 217.233.1164
Apr. 16-17, 2016 Sat 10-5 & Sun 12-4
Parma Lapidary Club Parma Lapidary Club, 2130 W. 110th St.
Cleveland, OH Sue Zabrowski, 440.213.1153
[email protected], parmalapidary.com
Apr. 23-24, 2016 Sat 10-6; Sun 10-5
Akron Mineral Society & Summit Lapidary Club
Emidio’s & Sons Expo Center, 48 E. Bath Rd. Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Bob Powers, 440.237.6170 [email protected]
Apr. 23-24, 2016 Sat 9-5; Sun 10-4
Blackhawk Gem & Mineral Club Hotel Davenport, 5202 Brady St.
Davenport, IA Craig & Kellie Moore, 563.445.3034
Apr. 23-24, 2016 Sat 10-6; Sun 10-4
Brukner Gem and Mineral Club Miami County Fairgrounds, Duke Lundgard Bldg
North County Road 25-A, Troy, OH Judy Burton, 937.339.1966
Apr. 23-24, 2016 Sat 9-5; Sun 10-4
Chippewa Valley Gem & Mineral Society Eau Claire Expo Center, Lorch Ave.
Eau Claire, WI Paul Tubbs, 715.834.5747
Apr. 29-May 1, 2016 Fri 4-8; Sat 10-6; Sun 10-5
Kalamazoo Geological & Mineral Society Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 2900 Lake St.
Kalamazoo, MI Jerry VanNocker, 269.979.3348
[email protected], kalamazoorockclub.org
Apr. 30-May 1, 2016 Sat 10-5; Sun 10-4
Heart of Wisconsin Gem & Mineral Society
Marshfield High School Field House, 1401 E. Becker Rd., Marshfield, WI
Cynthia Kelman, 715.387.8782 [email protected], www.fromtherockroom.com
Apr. 30 – May 1, 2016 Sat 9-5; Sun 11-4
River Valley Rockhounds, Inc. Iowa Central Community College East Campus,
2031 Quail Ave., Fort Dodge, IA Jim Baumer, 515.955.6783 [email protected].
May 6-8, 2016 Fri 12-7; Sat 9-5; Sun 12-4
Central Missouri Rock & Lapidary Club Bob LeMone Building, 510 State Hwy. 00
Hallsville, MO Esta Helms
May 7-8, 2016 Sat 9-5; Sun 10-4
Cuyuna Rock Gem & Mineral Society Crow Wing County Fairgrounds, 2000 SE 13th St.
Brainerd, MN Sharon Smith, 218.343.7037
[email protected], cuyunarockclub.org
May 13-15, 2016 Fri & Sat 9-6; Sun 9-3
Tri-State Gem & Mineral Society Joplin Museum Complex, 504 Schifferdecker Ave.,
Joplin, MO Chris Wiseman, 417-623-1180 [email protected]
May 14-15, 2016 Sat 9-6; Sun 12-6
Blossomland Gem & Mineral Society Lake Michigan Catholic Elementary School
3165 Washington Ave. St. Joseph, MI
Larry, [email protected] or Nancy, 269-983-4900
May 14-15, 2016 Sat & Sun 10-5
Parma Lapidary Club Soccer Sportsplex, 31515 Lorain Rd.
North Olmsted, OH John & Sue Zabrowski, 440.213.1153
[email protected], parmalapidary.com
May 14-15, 2016 Sat & Sun 10-5
Wisconsin Geological Society Hart Park – Muellner Building, 7300 Chestnut St.
Wauwatosa, WI Paul Schmidt, 414.771.8668
[email protected]; wisgeologicalsociety.com
May 28-29, 2016 Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5
Chicagoland Gems & Minerals Association [40th Annual Show!!]
DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Rd., Wheaton, IL
Jeanine Mielecki, 312.623.1554 [email protected], www.cgma.squarespace.com.
Jun. 4-5, 2016 Sat 9-5; Sun 10-4
Coulee Rock Club Viroqua Middle School Gym, 100 Blackhawk Dr.
Viroqua, WI Allison Conrad, 507.895.8109
MWF News April 2016, Issue No. 551 Page 7
UPCOMING EVENTS - CONTINUED Jun. 4-5, 2016
Sat 9-4; Sun 9-4 Ozarks Mountain Gem & Mineral Society
[Gem Fair]
Missouri Institute of Natural Science Museum 2327 W. Farm Rd. 190
Springfield, MO
Charles Smith, 417.887.4755 [email protected]
Jun. 4-5, 2016 Sat 10-6; Sun 11-5
Richland Lithic and Lapidary Society Richland County Fairgrounds, 75 N. Home Rd.
Mansfield, OH Tom Kottyan, 419.562.1152
Jun. 10-12, 2016 Fri & Sat 9-6; Sun 9-4
Mineral Area Gem Mineral Society Missouri Mines Historic Site at St. Joe State Park,
4000 St. Hwy. 32, Park Hills, MO Boneta Hensley, 573-760-0488
Jun. 11, 2016 Sat 11-5
Chicago Rocks & Mineral Society [annual rock swap]
St. Peter’s United Church of Christ Gymnasium 8013 Laramie, Skokie, IL
Jeanine Mielecki, 312.623.1554 [email protected], www.chicagorocks.org
Jun. 11, 2016 Sat 9-noon
Indian Mounds Rock & Mineral Club [tailgate sale]
Wesley Park U.M. Church, 1150 32nd St. Wyoming, MI
Gordon Spalenka, 616.249.0513 [email protected],
www.indianmoundsrockclub.com
Jun. 11, 2016 Sat 8-1
Sac & Fox Lapidary Club Howard Park Court & Grimes
Fairfield, IA Florence Stevens, 641.470.1517
Jun. 17-19, 2016 Fri 2-6; Sat 9-6; Sun 9-3
Osage Rock & Mineral Club Eldon Community Center, 309 E. 2nd St.
Eldon, MO Steve Rudloff, 573.690.7348
Jun. 18-19, 2016
Sat 10-5; Sun 10-4
Indianhead Rock, Gem & Mineral Society
Frederic High School, 1437 Clam Falls Dr. Frederick, WI
Roy Wickman, 715.357.3223 [email protected]
Jun. 24-26, 2016 Fri 10-6:30; Sat 9-6:30; Sun 10-4
Lawrence County Rock Club Lawrence County Fairgrounds, US Hwy 50
Bedford, IN Dave Treffinger, 812.295.3463
[email protected], lawrencecountyrockclub.org
Jul. 12-17, 2016 10-8 Daily
Lake Agassiz Rock Club Red River Valley Fairgrounds, 1805 W. Main
Ave., West Fargo, ND Chris Patenaude, 218.861.6409
Jul. 15-16, 2016 Fri 10-6; Sat 9-5
Lakeland Gem Club Lakeland Union High School, Hwy 70 West
Minocqua, WI Pattie Hartmann, 715.477.2519
[email protected], www.lakelandgemclub.com
Jul. 16-17, 2016 Sat 9-5; Sun 9-4
Carlton County Gem & Mineral Club Moose Lake High School, 413 Birch Ave.
Moose Lake, MN Carol Risdon, 218-879-3968 [email protected]
Jul. 23-24, 2016 Sat 9-6; Sun 9-4
Ozark Earth Science Gem, Mineral & Fossil Club
Baxter County Fairgrounds, Educational Bldg. 1507 Fairgrounds Dr., Mountain Home, AR
Ed Hakesley, 870.424.0956 [email protected]
Susan Britt, 870.371.1658 [email protected]
Aug. 6, 2016 Sat 9:30-4:30
Ishpeming Rock and Mineral Club Elks Club Hall, 597 Lake Shore Dr.
Ishpeming, MI Ernie Johnson, 906.228.9422, [email protected],
ishpemingrocks.org
Aug. 9-12, 2016 Tues - Fri
Copper Country Rock & Mineral Club [Keweenaw Week]
Keweenaw Peninsula Steve Whelan, 906-337-2599
[email protected], www.ccrmc.info
Aug. 12-14, 2016 Fri 1-8; Sat 10-6; Sun 11-3
Copper Country Gem & Mineral Show Houghton Elementary School
Houghton, MI Norm Gruber, 906-228-6764
Aug. 13, 2016 Sat 9-4
Flint Rock and Gem Club [rock, craft, & rummage sale]
Flint Rock and Gem Club, 11350 N. Saginaw Clio, MI
Bill Wendling, 810.638.5796 [email protected], flintrockandgem.org
Aug. 13-14, 2016 Sat 10-5; Sun 10-4
North West Wisconsin Gem & Mineral Society
Barron County Fairgrounds, Youth Expo Bldg. Rice Lake, WI
Roy Wickman, 715.357.3223 [email protected] OR Dave Skrupky, 715.986.2547
Aug. 19-21, 2016 Fri 3-8; Sat 10-6; Sun 11-5
Greater St. Louis Association of Earth Science Clubs
Machinists Hall, 12365 St. Charles Rock Rd. Bridgeton, MO
Robert Morse, 636.462.4423 [email protected], www.stlearthscl.org
Aug. 19-21, 2016 Fri 12-7; Sat 10-6; Sun 10-5
Michiana Gem & Mineral Society St. Joseph County 4-H Fairgrounds, 5117 S.
Ironwood Rd., South Bend, IN John Davis, 574.232.8823
[email protected], www.michianagms.org
Aug. 20, 2016 Sat 10-5
Heart of Wisconsin Gem & Mineral Club [rock swap]
Parking lot behind Applebee’s, 5609 US Hwy 10 Stevens Point, WI
Sandy Brandl, 715.326.1609 [email protected]; www.heartofwisconsinrocks.com
August 27, 2016 Sat 7-5
Chippewa Valley Gem & Mineral Society [Annual Swap]
Eau Claire Expo Center, Lorch Ave. Eau Claire, WI
Paul Tubbs, 715.834.5747 [email protected]
Aug. 27-28, 2016 Sat 9-5; Sun 10-5
PAS Geology Travelodge, 4400 N. Brandywine Dr.
Peoria, IL Jim Travis, 309.645.3609
[email protected], www.pasgeology.com
Sep. 9-11, 2016 Fri 2-8; Sat 10-6; Sun 11-5
Toledo Gem and Rockhound Club Stranahan Theatre Complex, 4645 Heatherdowns
Toledo, OH John Capuano, 419.882.1733
Sep. 10, 2016 Sat 9-5
Coulee Rock Club [rock swap] Stoddard Park, Hwys. 162 & 35
Stoddard, WI Jerry Haavind, 608.457.2170
Sep 16-18, 2016 Fri 9-8; Sat 9-7; Sun 11-5
Tulip City Gem & Mineral Club The Soccer Stop, 5 River Hills Dr.
Holland, MI Sue Goedest
[email protected], www.tulipcity.org
Sep. 17, 2016 Sat 10-4
Rock River Valley Gem & Mineral Society [rock swap]
Odd Fellows Hall, 6219 Forest Hills Rd. Rockford, IL
John Wood, 815.978.6960 [email protected], [email protected]
Sep. 17-18, 2016 Sat 9-7; Sun 10-4
Cedar Valley Rocks & Mineral Society [rock swap]
Amana RV Park & Event Center, 39 38th St. Amana, IA
Marvin Houg, 319.364.2868 [email protected], Cedarvalleyrockclub.org
Page 8 April 2016, Issue No. 551 MWF News
UPCOMING EVENTS - CONTINUED Sep. 17-18, 2016
Sat 10-6; Sun 10-4 Livingston Gem & Mineral Society
Hartland Consolidated School, 9525 Highland Rd., Howell, MI
Ed Oller, 810.241.8801
Sep. 17-18, 2016 Fri & Sat 9-5; Sun 9-5
Mozarkite Society of Lincoln, Inc. Lincoln City Park, 2 blocks east of Casey’s
Lincoln, MO Kelly Blum, 816.835.2044
[email protected], Mozarkite.com
Sep. 17-18, 2016 Sat 9-5; Sun 10-4
Oshkosh Earth Science Club Sunny View Expo Center, 500 E. County Road Y
Oshkosh, WI Ann Voges, 920.725.1640 [email protected]
Sep. 23-25, 2016 Fri & Sat 9-6; Sun 9-3
Tri-State Gem & Mineral Society Joplin Museum Complex, 504 Schifferdecker Ave.,
Joplin, MO Chris Wiseman, 417-623-1180 [email protected]
Sep. 24-25, 2016 Sat 10-5; Sun 11-4
Grand Traverse Area Rock and Mineral Club
To be announced Traverse City, MI
Lauren Vaughn, 231.276.6150 [email protected], www.tcrockhounds.com
Oct. 1-2, 2016 Sat & Sun 9-5
Central Arkansas Gem, Mineral & Geology Society
Jacksonville Community Center; 5 Municipal Dr. Jacksonville, AR
Tom Sharp, 501.379.8653 [email protected], centralarrockhound.org
Oct. 1-2, 2016 Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5
Lincoln Orbit Earth Science Society (LOESS)
Orr Building (new location), State Fairgrounds Springfield, IL
Ed Wagner, 309-838-7782 [email protected]
Oct. 1-2, 2016 Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4
Midwest Mineralogical & Lapidary Society [SuperSwap]
Wayne County Fairgrounds, 10871 Quirk Rd. Belleville, MI
Tom Morris, 313-278-5063 or William Barr, [email protected]
Oct. 1-2, 2016 Sat 9-5; Sun 10-5
Rock River Valley Geological Society Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 503 N. Jackson
Jefferson, WI Steven Streich, 608.655.1011
Oct. 7-9, 2016 Fri 6-10; Sat 9-6; Sun 10-5
Sac & Fox Lapidary Club Fairfield Arts & Convention Center, 200 N. Main
Fairfield, IA
Betty Morris, 641.233.0366 [email protected],
www.sacandfoxlapidary.com
Oct. 14-16, 2016 Fri 9-6; Sat 10-7; Sun 11-5
Michigan Mineralogical Society Macomb Sports & Expo Center, Building P, 14500
E. 12 Mile Rd., Warren, MI Patti Graves-Wesolosky, 586.531.1680
[email protected], www.michmin.org
Oct. 14-16, 2016 Fri & Sat 10-6; Sun 11-5
Three Rivers Gem & Mineral Society Allen County Fairgrounds, 2726 Carroll Rd.
Fort Wayne, IN Russell Greim, 260.403.0450
[email protected], http://bit.do/3rivers-show
Oct. 15-16, 2016 Sat 9-5, Sun 10-4
Des Moines Lapidary Society Iowa State Fairgrounds, Animal Learning Center,
Des Moines, IA Karen Leibold, 515.205.8875
[email protected], www.dmlapidary.org
Oct. 15-16, 2016 Sat & Sun 10-5
Flint Rock and Gem Club Carter Middle School, Rogers Lodge Dr.
Clio, MI Bill Wendling, 810.638.5796
[email protected], flintrockandgem.org
Oct. 15-16, 2016 Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4
Minnesota Mineral Club National Guard Training & Community Center,
8180 Belden Blvd., Cottage Grove, MN Maureen Scaglia, 612.798.0485
Oct. 15-16, 2016 Sat 10-5; Sun 10-4:30
Ozarks Mountain Gem & Mineral Society Expo Center, 635 E. St. Louis St.
Springfield, MO Larry Lillich, 417.882.8448 [email protected]
Oct. 15-16, 2016 Sat & Sun 10-5
South Suburban Earth Science Club Prairie State College, 202 S. Halsted
Chicago Heights, IL Daniel Bolm, 708.822.0361 [email protected]
Oct. 21-23, 2016 Fri 6-9pm; Sat 10-6; Sun 11-5
Central Michigan Lapidary & Mineral Society
Ingham County Fairgrounds, Main Arena, 700 E. Ash St., Mason MI
Roger Laylin, 517.349.3249 [email protected], michrocks.org
Oct. 22-23, 2016 Sat 10-6; Sun 10-5
Akron Mineral Society & Summit Lapidary Club
Emidio’s & Sons Expo Center, 48 E. Bath Rd. Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Bob Powers, 440.237.6170 [email protected]
Oct. 29-30, 2016 Sat 10-5; Sun 10-3:30
Blackhawk Gem & Mineral Club Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, 2815 W. Locust
St., Davenport, IA
Craig & Kellie Moore, 563.445.3034 [email protected];
blackhawkgemandmineralclub.com
Oct. 29-30, 2016 Sat 10-7; Sun 12-5
Evansville Lapidary Society Washington Square Mall, 5011 Washington Ave.,
Evansville, IN Sara Rappee, 812.589.3079
Nov. 4-6, 2016 Fri 8-10; Sat 8:30-5; Sun 9:30-3
Micromineral Society of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval, Univ. Circle, Cleveland, OH
Dick Green, [email protected]
Nov. 5, 2016 Open 6:00 p.m., Auction at 7:00
Midwest Mineralogical & Lapidary Society of Michigan [Auction]
Democratic Club of Taylor, 23400 Wick Rd. Taylor, MI
Dan Gumina, 313.766.8944 [email protected]
Nov. 12-13, 2016 Sat 9-5; Sun 10-4
Northwest Illinois Rock Club Highland Community College, 2998 W. Pearl City
Rd., Freeport, IL
Brian Green, 815.745.2228 [email protected];
nwirockclubfrpt.blogspot.com
Nov. 14, 2016 Mon 7pm-9:30pm
Michigan Mineralogical Society [auction] Cranbrook Institute of Science, 39221 Woodward
Bloomfield, MI Brad Zylman, 612.600.9484
[email protected], www.michmin.org
Nov. 18-20, 2016 Fri 3-7; Sat 10-7; Sun 10-5
St. Louis Mineral and Gem Society White Rodgers Affton Community Center, 9801
Mackenzie Rd., Affton, MO Melissa Perucca, [email protected]
stlrockclub.com
Nov. 19-20, 2016 Sat 10-5; Sun 10-4
Anoka County Gem & Mineral Club Crystal Community Center, 4800 Douglas Dr. N
Crystal, MN Martha Miss, 651.459.0343
MWF News April 2016, Issue No. 551 Page 9
Source: Cardiff University Date: November 19, 2015
United Kingdom researchers have unearthed ancient fossil forests, thought to be partly responsible for one of the most dramatic shifts in Earth’s climate in the past 400 million years.
The fossil forests, with tree stumps preserved in place, were found in Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago situated in the Arctic Ocean. They were identified and described by Dr. Chris Berry of Cardiff University’s School of Earth and Ocean Science.
Professor John Marshall, of Southampton University, has accurately dated the forests to 380 million years.
The forests grew near the equator during the late Devonian period, and could provide an insight into the cause of a 15-fold reduction in levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere around that time.
Current theories suggest that during the Devonian period (420-360 million years ago) there was a huge drop in the level of CO2 in the atmosphere, thought to be largely caused by a change in vegetation from diminutive plants to the first large forest trees.
Forests pulled CO2 out of the air through photosynthesis -- the process by which plants create food and tissues -- and the formation of soils.
Although initially the appearance of large trees absorbed more of the sun’s radiation, eventually temperatures on Earth also dropped dramatically to levels very similar to those experienced today because of the reduction in atmospheric CO2.
Because of the high temperatures and large amount of rainfall on the equator, it is likely that equatorial forests contributed most to the drawdown of CO2. Svalbard was located on the equator around this time, before the tectonic plate drifted north by around 80° to its current position in the Arctic Ocean.
“These fossil forests shows us what the vegetation and landscape were like on the equator 380 million years ago, as the first trees were beginning to appear on Earth,” said Dr. Berry.
The team found that the forests in Svalbard were formed mainly of lycopod trees, better known for
ANCIENT FOSSIL FOREST UNEARTHED IN ARCTIC NORWAY
growing millions of years later in coal swamps that eventually turned into coal deposits -- such as those in South Wales. They also found that the forests were extremely dense, with very small gaps -- around 20cm -- between each of the trees, which probably reached about 4m high.
Dr. Berry had previously worked with American colleagues to describe another slightly older forest, at Gilboa in upstate New York. The Gilboa forest was located at least 30° south of the equator at that time, and the tree stumps in place belonged to different types of plants.
“This demonstrates that there was already geographical diversity of forest plant types and ecology just as soon as they had evolved,” Dr. Berry continued.
During the Devonian Period, it is widely believed that there was a huge drop in the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, from 15 times the present amount to something approaching current levels.
The evolution of tree-sized vegetation is the most likely cause of this dramatic drop in carbon dioxide because the plants were absorbing carbon dioxide through photo-synthesis to build their tissues, and also through the process of forming soils.
Svalbard is currently one of the most northernmost inhabited areas in the world with a population of around 2,500.
Svalbard now plays host to the “Global Seed Vault” -- a secure, underground frozen seed bank in which a large variety of plant seeds are preserved. The vault functions to provide a safety net against a loss of diversity in a global crisis.
“It's amazing that we’ve uncovered one of the very first forests in the very place that is now being used to preserve the Earth’s plant diversity,” continued Dr. Berry.
Story Source: The above post is reprinted from materials provided by Cardiff University. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. Cardiff University. “Ancient fossil forest unearthed in Arctic Norway.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 19 November 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151119103544.htm>.
Page 10 April 2016, Issue No. 551 MWF News
THE QUEST FOR UNKNOWN MINERALS
have one, and you can use this opportunity to get it described and documented. If you do, you can have a hand in naming it, too. The challenge runs until 2019, when the Observatory will issue a report on the results. Here is an opportunity for the amateur mineral collector to get involved in helping with some important science.
Bill Cordua, MWF Geology Chair
We have many listings of what minerals are known, their properties, and occurrences (for example the MINDAT at http://www.mindat.org). But how many earth minerals are there yet to find? Geologist Robert Hazen and colleagues, using sophisticated statistical techniques, estimate that, in addition to the nearly 5,000 minerals we know about, there are over 1,550 still out there on earth for us to find. (See Hazen, et al.’s article, “Earth’s Missing Minerals,” in the October, 2015 issue of The American Mineralogist for more details.) The findings show minerals that are colorful or well crystallized are more likely to have been described, as are those with economic importance. Thus, those containing copper, chromium, uranium, or nickel probably form a lower proportion of the undiscovered minerals than those containing sodium, magnesium or aluminum. Minerals that are white and blend in with more common minerals, or minerals that are water-soluble, hence ephemeral, are much more likely to be overlooked. A lot of the known minerals are extremely rare, with many found at one, or perhaps, a few localities in the world, forming under odd conditions not readily duplicated. In the past, the search for undetected minerals has been haphazard. Now that we know what environments are “mineral rain forests” for particular elements, we can be more organized in the search for undiscovered minerals. The development of increasingly sophisticated analytical techniques will speed the discovery of rare minerals that only occur as specks. Each new mineral found tells us more about our planet, and can reveal properties that we can use. Technological advances in optics, radioactivity, lasers, electricity, ferromagnetism, superconductors, and many other fields were first revealed by studying minerals.
One group of under-represented minerals are those containing carbon. The inventory of carbon-bearing substances on earth is crucial to understanding the earth’s carbon cycle, with applications to climate change, biomineralization, hydrocarbon fuel formation, and deep earth processes. The Deep Carbon Observatory has issued a “Carbon Mineral Challenge.” They estimate there are more than 140 unrecognized carbon-bearing minerals on our planet. Some are likely sitting un- or mis-identified in museums and amateur collections. The challenge is to find these undescribed carbon minerals. Here’s the link with more information: https://deepcarbon.net/feature/announcing-carbon-mineral-challenge-worldwide-hunt-new-carbon-minerals#.VsJIhYQqbHh. Who knows? Maybe you
Calcite, the most common crustal carbon-bearing mineral. How many more carbon-
bearing minerals are out there? Specimen is calcite on drusy quartz with
pyrite from the Magmont Mine, SE Missouri Lead District.
MWF News April 2016, Issue No. 551 Page 11
Page 12 April 2016, Issue No. 551 MWF News
Sharon Marburger, Editor Midwest Federation of Mineralogical and Geological Societies [email protected] 402.792.2348 P.O. Box 64 Hickman, NE 68372
Non Profit Org U.S. Postage
PAID Fiatt, IL
Permit No. 1
TAILGATING: HOW MUCH FUN CAN IT BE? by Julia Donker
Rock hunting is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding pastimes for rockhounds. It is also a wonderful way to meet new friends! New hobbyists collect many specimens, and after a while, it is time to reduce and organize one’s collection. This is the time to clean those specimens and sell some of the extras.
You may have run across advertisements for tailgating. Several Michigan gem and mineral clubs are adding and increasing tailgating events. Events can be held at churches, large mall parking lots, or at the club’s property. The activity usually begins with setting up the personal tents and tables, in case of rain or hot sun, making sure to secure the tents should the wind begin to blow. Have plenty of towels on hand to clean displays in case of dust or curious shoppers with wet hands.
Clean specimens draw attention to a display. Information about the specimens will enhance
customers’ desire to own them. Hand created artistic jewelry, Petoskey specimens, copper, coprolite, agate, stone carvings, and amethyst are just a few of the items found at tailgating events.
Remember to advertise in newspapers, hand out flyers at museums, children and adult libraries, radio, schools, and club shows. Advertising will draw non-rockhounds, geology professors, school teachers, John Q. Public, and members of rock clubs.
Tailgating can be a good way to entice curious shoppers to join your Club! First-time visitors always have questions and club members are always eager to share information, identify specimens, and spread their love of the hobby.
Utilize tailgating events to meet new people, hand out business cards and membership applications, and just have a great time!
