Thacher State Park: A Classic North American Geologic Site

Abstract: In the mid-nineteenth century, the Helderbergs of eastern New York were of such esteem geologically that Sir Charles Lyell wrote, “The Helderberg outcrops must be known to every geologist if he were to understand his science.” The area was investigated by geological forefathers like Lyell, Agassiz, William Logan, and James Hall. In 1914, a segment of these lands were set aside as a park and geological reserve. Now approaching 2300 acres, John Boyd Thacher State Park remains one of New York’s and the region’s key geologic sites. In addition to its classic Silurian-Devonian strata, more recent work has documented altered volcanic ashfall layers, thrust faults and folds, karst and weathering, a large post-glacial slide block that slid upright about

Speaker: Dr. Chuck Ver Straeten New York State Museum and Geological Survey

MARCH 16h, 2016

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Hudson – Mohawk Professional Geologists Association

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M A r c H M e e t I N G

About the Presenter: Dr. Chuck Ver Straeten is the curator of Sedimentary Geology at the New York State Museum and Geological Survey. He is a research geologist who specializes in the Devonian period and examines a variety of topics including sea level history; mountain building, sedimentation, paleoecology and, the deposition and preservation of volcanic ash layers in shallow seas and lakes.

Reservations are required by Monday March 14th, 2016

Whether attending the dinner or only the presentation on March 16th, 2016

Register on-line at www.hmpga.wildapricot.org

Call or email Marie Cole at (518) 724-7254 • marie.cole@obg.com

Location: Century House 997 New Loudon Road Latham, NY 12110

Time: Social Hour 5:00pm Dinner 6:00pm Program 7:00pm

Cost: $10.00 for student members • $20.00 for dormant geologists $25.00 for members • $30.00 for non-members • program only: Free

Communications/ Educational Outreach

Jen Kotch jrkotch@yahoo.com

Membership Josh Gowan jgowan@alphageoscience.com

Newsletter Liz Haight lhaight@aztechenv.com

Program Jesse Vollick Jesse.vollick@obg.com

Webmaster Scott Hulseapple shulseapple@alphageoscience.com

H M P G A P r O G r A M D I r e c t O r s Being active in HMPGA is a fully volunteer activity that often demands a great deal of attention.

The following members chair this year’s committees and we thank them:

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Abstract Continued: 200 feet down from the park’s Indian Ladder cliffs, Middle Devonian coral reefs just outside the park, and various other features. From these, geologists continue to piece together local to global history and processes from the rocks, about paleoenvironments, sequence stratigraphy, paleovolcanism, Acadian +/- Alleghenian orogenesis and deformation, retreat of the “Indian Ladder” cliffs, and more.

http://www.hmpga.wildapricot.org/�mailto:marie.cole@obg.com�mailto:jgowan@alphageoscience.com�mailto:lhaight@aztechtech.com�mailto:Jesse.vollivk@obg.com�mailto:shulseapple@alphageoscience.com�

O f f I c e r s

President Frank Williams (518) 560-5912 Fwilliams@Brwncald.com Vice President Sarah Benson (518) 453--8749 sdbenson31@gmail.com Treasurer Scott Hulseapple (518) 348-6995 shulseapple@alphageoscience.com Secretary Kevin Phelan (518) 348-6995 kphelan@alphageoscience.com Past President Tanjia Maynard (518) 275-5688 tanjiam@gmail.com B O A r D M e M B e r s

Luanne Whitbeck (518) 475- 1008 luanne.whitbeck@gmail.com Jen Kotch jrkotch@yahoo.com Jesse Vollick (518) 724-7265 Jesse.vollick@obg.com Josh Gowan (518) 348-6995 jgowan@alphageoscience.com Joe Osso (518) 452-7826 Joseph.osso@arcadis-us.com Brian Taylor (518) 560-5907 BFTaylor@BrwnCald.com

P r e s I D e N t ’ s M e s s A G e

March 2016

Bob Fakundiny, State Geologist Emeritus, reports that something good

is happening in the State Legislature. A bill has been introduced in both

the Assembly and Senate that will form a task force to establish a series

of geology parks that will showcase the great geological sites of the

State. The bill was written by a good friend of Bob’s after talking about

the loss of Austen Glen to students and researchers in Catskill. The bills

are S5498, introduced by Senator Amedore, and A6681, introduced by

Assemblyman Englebright. This project would promote to the public the

beauty and scientific value of the fantastic geology we have exposed to

us in New York State. It would combine recreation with scientific

education. It would also help reveal the value of professional geologists

and their enterprises, as well as the great value of the State Geological

Survey.

Bob urges all of us to review these bills and consider them for support.

He believes we need to put the value of geology back before the public

and encourage the new Commissioner of Education to focus on the

value of the State Geological Survey within the State Museum.

I ask you to consider contacting your Senator and Assemblymen to

promote the passing of the bill.

And, on a more serious note, be sure to read Kevin Phelan’s MARCH

GEOCRYPTOCIPHER. It’s nationwide. We had a solution last month

from a reader in Florence, Alabama!

Please volunteer for the annual high school field trips to Howe's Cavern

(free carbonate refresher included).

See you at our meeting on the 16th.

Frank

President 2015-2016

MAR 2016 3

mailto:Fwilliams@Brwncald.com�mailto:Sdbenson31@gmail.com�mailto:shulseapple@alphageoscience.com�mailto:kphelan@alphageoscience.com�mailto:tanjiam@gmail.com�mailto:shulseapple@alphageoscience.com�mailto:uanne.whitbeck@gmail.com�mailto:jrkotch@yahoo.com�mailto:Jesse.vollick@obg.com�mailto:jgowan@alphageoscience.com�mailto:Joseph.osso@arcadis-us.com�mailto:jgowan@alphageoscience.com�mailto:BFTaylor@BrwnCald.com�

Each date needs two volunteers per day to make this a success. Volunteer for multiple days! You also have the option to be on the alternate list. If your schedule will allow and you can fill in last minute as needed, please let me know. One volunteer will stay in the rock garden area to answer student questions regarding their work packet, while the second volunteer will accompany the students into the cave.

A new scavenger hunt style exercise has been developed and the directions and answer key will be provided beforehand. If there is enough of an interest we can meet prior to the field trips to go over what to expect. Please let me know if you are interested in meeting (location TBD).

Jen would like to thank all of the volunteers, past and present, for making the annual field trips a success for our members and for the students of Guilderland and Schalmont High Schools alike!

Please feel free to email me with questions • JRKotch@yahoo.com Jennifer Kotch, Geologist and Board Member

Spring is coming and it is time to volunteer for Howes Cave 2016!!

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

April 14 April 15 April 18 April 19 April 20 April 21 April 22

May 4 May 5 MAY 9 May 10

HMPGA members are asked to volunteer for just half a day to participate with high school students at the Cave House. The field trips usually run from about 8:30 am to around 1:00 pm. This year’s dates include:

MAR 2016 4

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MAR 2016 5

NEGSA needs help with Career Blast Mentors from the professional community.

F R E E P I Z Z A !

The 2016 NEGSA meeting in Albany is looking for Career Blast mentors from the professional geology community to meet with students 7:30-9:00 p.m., Monday, March 21, in the Convention Hall at the Empire State Plaza. Mentors discuss professional careers with students and are rewarded with free admission and pizza. If you're interested or curious, send me an email: Jacquie Smith at smithj@strose.edu • http://www.geosociety.org/sections/ne/2016mtg

See next page for event announcement. Vo

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The Central New York Chapter of the Air & Waste Management Association in conjunction with the Central New York Chapter of the American Industrial Hygiene Association is very

excited to announce the 20th Annual Technical Conference! Click here download the conference program (PDF).

Tuesday, March 22, 2016, at the Welch-Allyn Lodge in beautiful Skaneateles, New York. Register here.

mailto:smithj@strose.edu�http://www.geosociety.org/sections/ne/2016mtg�http://www.awma-cny.org/pdf/AWMA_2016_Program.pdf�http://www.awma-cny.org/awmatechconf16.html�

MAP & CAREER NETWORKING BLAST

“ Connecting Students with Opportunities” Everyone is seeking motivated and qualified geotechnical employees, but it can be frustrating to find them via the usual methods. Here’s a local, fun and efficient way to meet a virtually unlimited number of potential applicants. Come to the Map & Career Networking Blast at the Northeast Section meeting of the Geological Society of America in Albany. Your firm or organization will be provided with unrestricted access to up to 800 qualified students and professionals seeking employment and internship opportunities. This is a great chance to meet potential employees in a casual setting, without the formality of the usual hiring process.

There will be FREE pizza dinner and a cash bar available.

Monday, March 21, 2016 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Convention Hall • Empire State Plaza Convention Center, Albany, NY

No GSA meeting registration is required for this special evening program. Come by yourself or bring members of your staff, along with a supply of business cards, a project poster or two, or a more elaborate corporate display if you like. Free poster stands will be available. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hilton Albany Hotel. Individual and double rooms for professionals at $172 per night can be reserved by calling 1-800-445-8667 and referring to the “NEGSA conference.” Rates do not include 14% New York tax. If you are interested in participating, please contact meeting Co-Chair Helen Mango helen.mango@castleton.edu. Information about the meeting is available at the frequently updated website http://www.geosociety.org/Sections/ne/2016mtg/.

MAR 2016 6

Geological Society of America, NE Section Meeting March 21 through March 23, 2016 in Albany, New York

For more information: http://www.geosociety.org/Sections/ne/2016mtg/registration.htm

mailto:Helen.mango@castleton.edu�mailto:Helen.mango@castleton.edu�mailto:Helen.mango@castleton.edu�mailto:Helen.mango@castleton.edu�mailto:Helen.mango@castleton.edu�http://www.geosociety.org/Sections/ne/2016mtg/�http://www.geosociety.org/Sections/ne/2016mtg/�http://www.geosociety.org/Sections/ne/2016mtg/�http://www.geosociety.org/Sections/ne/2016mtg/�http://www.geosociety.org/Sections/ne/2016mtg/�http://www.geosociety.org/Sections/ne/2016mtg/�http://www.geosociety.org/Sections/ne/2016mtg/�http://www.geosociety.org/Sections/ne/2016mtg/�http://www.geosociety.org/Sections/ne/2016mtg/�http://www.geosociety.org/Sections/ne/2016mtg/registration.htm�

M e M B e r s P O t l I G H t

Brian F. Taylor Hydrogeologist III for Brown and Caldwell, Albany, NY

Q: How did you become interested in Geology? My path to geology began with an interest in earth science while I was in elementary school. Twice a year I got to visit Mohonk Preserve, in New Paltz, New York, where I learned of the many glacial striations found on the exposed outcrops of the Shawangunk Formation. During high school, my general interest in earth science became focused on meteorology. This would later have me applying and accepting admission to SUNY Oneonta’s Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department as a meteorology major. While enrolled in the department, I took an array of earth science related courses, including Introduction to Hydrogeology. Dr. Devin Castendyk, the professor of the course who would later serve as my mentor, recommended that I take the class. From the first lecture, I was hooked.

MAR 2016 8

Hiking at the M

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It would not be long before I was changing my major to earth science and minoring in water resources.

Q: What is your current position? I am a Hydrogeologist working in the remediation group at Brown and Caldwell. I began working for Brown and Caldwell in June 2011, upon graduating from SUNY Oneonta. My work has me primarily focused on remedial and pre-design investigations at former manufactured gas plants, remediation oversight, and post-remedial monitoring at a mercury superfund site. I have been able to enjoy both fieldwork and project manager related duties in my position.

Q: Do you have a favorite rock? What is it? Yes, the cross bedded sandstones and conglomerates of the Shawangunk Formation.

Q: What made you decide to pursue this career path? Upon being introduced to hydrogeology in college, I knew I wanted to continue to take courses that would support this career path. Classes included groundwater modeling, geochemistry, and fluvial geomorphology. I excelled in these courses because I found something I was passionate about. This ultimately led me pursuing a career in hydrogeology and water resources.

Q: What other people, interests or activities do you enjoy? I enjoy going for hikes, playing golf, going to Mets games, and exploring new places. When I get the chance to travel, I enjoy checking out local breweries and breakfast spots.

Q: Describe your most memorable experience in your profession? Many of my memorable experiences are associated with my time completing field work. Some of those experiences are memorable because of the successes-- drilling to 100 feet in the Oswego sandstone to hit a fracture projected from a few miles away, the failures-- having to fish out a ½ inch bailer from a 2 inch well at a depth of 50 feet, and the disgusting-- sampling a septic tank.

M I N e r A l O f t H e M O N t H

Lazulite Magnesium iron aluminium phosphate hydroxide mineral, found in metamorphic rocks.

Group: Monoclinic • Formations: dipyramidal crystal, granular and massive • Localities: Worldwide • Chemical Composition: (Mg,Fe)Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 • Hardness: 5.5 to 6.

Called the “Stone of Heaven”.the word Lazulite is derived from the Persian (or Arabic) word lazhward, which means blue.

MAR 2016 9

MAR2016 10

The Annual Shenendehowa Science and Health Discovery Night

Friday April 15th from 6:30 to 9pm

The event is free and open to anyone in the Capital District. Every year brings more and more kids (last year's attendance exceeded 3,000!) and exhibits often include: crime scene investigation, robotics, nanotechnology, chemistry, veterinary medicine, various health sciences, herpetology, forestry, etc. There is even a real flight simulator! HMPGA has a table display dedicated to volcanic rocks from Alaska, Hawaii, and Iceland and also an outdoor presentation involving a simulated volcanic eruption. The table offers hands-on activities including floating pumice in water and a petrographic scope to look at ash, olivine-rich magma, sulfur, and varying volcanic sands. The outdoor eruption is recreated every 30 minutes and is a main feature at the Science Night. The event will be held at High School East on the Shenendehowa campus on Friday April 15th from 6:30 to 9pm. Please contact Chris Monaco at akcsm@yahoo.com if you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help out.

MAR 2016 11

Ads in the HMPGA Newsletter range from $100-$200 annually. For more information contact Joshua Gowan, P.G., Alpha Geoscience jgowan@alphageoscience.com

Magical Rainbow Mountains Of China Part of the Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park, the layers of different colored sandstone and minerals were pressed together over 24 million years and then buckled up by tectonic plates.

MAR 2016 12

IF WALTHER PENCK COULD NOT CLEARLY EXPRESS HIS CHALLENGE TO WILLIAM

MORRIS DAVIS’ CYCLE OF EROSION, IS THAT A PEDIMENT IMPEDIMENT?

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CLUE: A = R each letter of the expression is substituted by another letter.

CMRP MR XQBY, “XMR’X Q DJLLR!”, XMR LVVF BL QX

LMR MBKMRXL GVAE VG GHQLLRAZ.

Send your so lu t ions to kphelan@alphageoscience .com

F E B R U A R Y ’ S S O L U T I O N G E O - C R Y P T O C I P H E R

mailto:kphelan@alphageoscience.com�

The Tongue Mountain Range is composed of quartz-bearing syenite. It runs 10 miles (16 km) south into Lake George at the southern end of the Narrows Group of lake islands. Tongue Mountain used to be part of the separation between two ancient rivers preceding the modern Lake George. Photos from Jen Kotch

MAR2016 13

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syenite�

C a v e H o u s e M u s e u m o f M i n i n g a n d G e o l o g y

Paul Griggs is upgrading the geologic and mining sample descriptions for the Cave House Museum of Mining and Geology in Howes Cave, New York. The Cave House was the last hotel for Howes Cave and later served as a boarding room, quarry office and cement plant lab before being turned into an all-volunteer educational museum focusing on mining, geology, biology and caving. Each year, thousands of students visit the Cave House. There are several hundred samples which at this point only have simple labels such as "Quartz, Mt. Ida, Maine". The museum would like to come up with one-half to one page descriptions of each sample so that visitors to the museum can learn more about the samples, what they are used for, where they come from, how the samples were formed (or made), etc. If you can help, please contact Paul for photos of the samples and the current description, along with a template/example to use to expand the display text. Paul Griggs - pgriggs@griggs-lang.com • (518) 270-5920

MAR2016 14

mailto:pgriggs@griggs-lang.com�

c O r P O r A t e M e M B e r c O N t A c t s

Adirondack Environmental Services Mark Willson 518.434.4546

AECOM Walter Howard 518.951.2200

Alpha Analytical Patrick Filey 800.642.9220

Alpha Geoscience Scott Hulseapple 518.348.6995

Aquifer Drilling & Testing, Inc. Joe Miranda 518.326.1441

Arcadis US/Malcolm Pirnie Joseph Osso 518.250.7324

Aztech Environmental Technologies Liz Haight 518.229.0173

Bond, Schoeneck & King Kevin Berstein 315.218.8329

Brown and Caldwell Frank Williams 518.560.5912

Callanan Industries, Inc. Peter Zeh 518.374.2222

Cascade Matt Ednie 518.355.2201

CHA Sarah Benson 518.453.8749

Cobleskill Stone Products Michael Moore 518.234.0221

Con-Test Analytical Labs Lauren Tirrell 413.525.2332

Continental Placer Bill Miller 518.458.9203

Geosyntec Eric Lovenduski 518.785.0800

Geotech Environmental Equipment, Inc. Peter Murray 802.651.3050

Griggs – Lang Consulting Geologists Jeff Lang 518.270.5920

H2H Associates Richard Hisert 518.270.1620

Hager – Richter Geoscience, Inc. Dorothy Richter 603.893.9944

Hanson VanVleet, LLC Kirby VanVleet 518.371.7940

HDR, Inc. Michael Lehtinen 518.937.9500

HRP Associates Jolene Lozewski 888.823.6427

Hydrogeologic, Inc Eric Evans 518.877.0309

Layne Christiansen Steve Crook 518.295.8288

Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc. Frank Getchell 201.818.0700

Pace Analytical Bill Kotas 518.346.4592

Parratt Wolff, Inc. Danylo Kulczycky “DK” 800.782.7260

Phoenix Environmental Laboratories Buddy Beames 518.232.2420

PSI Paul Misiaszek 518.377.9841

PVE Sheffler Chris Brown 845.454.2544

Regenesis Maureen Dooley 781.245.1320

SJB Jim Vincent 518.899.7491

Sterling Environmental Engineering, P.C. Mark Williams 518.456.4900

TRC Solutions Marc Flanagan 518.348.1190

Walden Environmental Engineering Michael Maegerle 201.481.0351

As of 3/7/2016

Eastern New York (ENY) Chapter of the Air & Waste Management Association (MASS-A&WMA). They encompass the greater Capital District and Hudson Valley region of eastern New York State. A professional non-for‐profit association of engineers and scientists working in the environmental field, with a particular focus on issues related to air and waste. www.awmanenychapter.wildMAYicot.org

The Geological Society of America (GSA) strives to be a leader in advancing the geosciences, while enhancing the professional growth of its members, and promoting the geosciences in the service of humankind. www.geosociety.org

The New York State Museum is a major research and educational institution. It is dedicated to promoting inquiry and advancing knowledge in the fields of geology, biology, anthropology, and history, through the investigation of material evidence germane to New York State's past, present and future. www.nysm.nysed.gov

New York State Council of Professional Geologists (NYSCPG) strives to strengthen and advance the geologic sciences as a profession, promote the protection of public health and welfare and the environment through the professional practice of geologic sciences, and create high standards of ethical conduct among its members and within the profession of geology, as well as the legal standing of geologists and their ability to practice geology in New York State by promoting the licensing of geologists in New York State through statutory regulation. www.nyscpg.org

http://www.geosociety.org/�

The Capital District Environmental Breakfast Club is an informal group of environmental professionals that meets monthly to discuss current environmental issues. Each meeting features a speaker on a topic of interest, a regulatory update, and an open forum. Meetings are held on the first Friday of each month except July and August. The Environmental Breakfast Club meets at the Holiday Inn Turf on Wolf Road in Colonie, New York. Meetings start at 7:30 am. The cost is $15 per person, which includes a full breakfast buffet. www.youngsommer.com

Buffalo Association of Professional Geologists (BAPG) conducts regular membership meetings on the third Wednesday of the month, January through June and September through November. Meetings feature distinguished speakers and interesting topics. Field trips and technical seminars sponsored by the BAPG encourage the exchange of scholarship and expertise. www.bapg.org

Central NY Association of Professional Geologists (CNYAPG) conducts regular meetings on the second Thursday of each month, unless otherwise posted, from September to May. Meetings feature dinner and distinguished speakers whose presentations invite comment and discussion. www.cnyapg.org

Long Island Association of Professional Geologists (LIAPG) is a not-for-profit professional organization dedicated to the professional and business needs of geologists located in the Long Island / Metro New York area. www.lipg.org

HMPGA P.O. Box 5506 Albany, NY 12205--0506 Forwarding Service Requested First Class

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