Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators from across the country have come together in support of the American Geosciences Institute’s 19th annual Earth Science Week celebration. The coalition, which consists of Members of Congress from Alaska to Florida, formally introduced a Senate resolution officially designating the week of October 9, 2016 through October 15, 2016 as “Earth Science Week.” “What this resolution clearly shows is that earth science impacts us all,” said Allyson K. [Read More]

As we celebrate National Fossil Day, EARTH Magazine brings you a story set in Pleistocene South America, where the climate was warming following an ice age. At this time, Patagonia was home to large megafauna species like giant sloths and saber-toothed cats. A new predator was on the block: humans. By luck, numerous remains were preserved in cool volcanic and lakeshore caves. The chilled environment spared the DNA from destruction, providing scientists a unique opportunity for study. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA - What’s old is new again! Join in celebration of the 7th annual National Fossil Day on Wednesday, October 12, 2016. National Fossil Day is organized by the National Park Service as part of AGI’s Earth Science Week to promote public awareness and stewardship of fossils, with the goal of inspiring the next generation of paleontologists and fossil enthusiasts. On National Fossil Day, scientists and park rangers will share fossil discoveries at special events nationwide and explain the importance of preserving fossils for future generations. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA - Server farms require significant amounts of energy to keep servers running and even more water to keep them functioning and cool. Tech giants like Facebook, Google, and Microsoft have started building data centers in out-of-the-way places with local climates that can reduce the energy and water needs for operations. The semiconductor industry is also innovating to reduce their water usage. The October issue of EARTH Magazine explores how the tech industry is addressing the hard reality of water as a finite resource. [Read More]

Geoff Camphire (gac@americangeosciences.org) Where can you find out about educational resources, events, and opportunities available through Earth Science Week, the annual worldwide celebration of the geosciences? Start by going online to view a new webcast titled “Get Involved: Earth Science Week 2016”! This free webcast, narrated by AGI’s Brendan Soles, provides an overview of learning activities, instructional materials, career resources, upcoming events, networking opportunities, contests, videos, and other programs available through Earth Science Week. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA - The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is pleased to recognize Stanford University’s Mark Zoback for his contributions to the public understanding of geoscience. He has made outstanding and seminal contributions towards advancing the fields of earthquake physics and reservoir geomechanics to solve wide-ranging problems of scientific, engineering and economic importance. Zoback began his career by studying geophysics at the University of Arizona. He spent two years working as a geophysicist in the oil industry before continuing his geophysical studies at Stanford, earning a Master’s degree and a Ph. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA - The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is recognizing John C. Steinmetz with the William B. Heroy Jr. Award for Distinguished Service to AGI. He has served as a leader between AGI and the Association of American State Geologists for two decades and has been a long-standing member of the GeoRef Advisory Committee. In 1993, Steinmetz served as an advisor for the three-phase National Geoscience Data Repository System project, which improved access to critical geoscience data such as rock cores and cuttings, well logs, paleontological and geochemical samples, and digital seismic data. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA - The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is pleased to recognize Berry H.“Nick” Tew, Jr., the State Geologist of Alabama, with the AGI Medal in Memory of Ian Campbell for Superlative Service to the Geosciences, its highest award. He is recognized for his roles, abilities and successes in bringing academia, government, industry and the public together to address major societal challenges in the geosciences. Dr. Tew has served as State Geologist and Oil and Gas Supervisor of Alabama for 14 years and, in these capacities, he directs the Geological Survey of Alabama and the State Oil and Gas Board. [Read More]

The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is pleased to welcome Dr. Eve S. Sprunt as President-Elect and Dr. Carolyn Olson as Member at Large to its 2016-2017 Executive Committee. These distinguished individuals will begin their leadership roles on September 27, 2016 at the Geological Society of America Annual Meeting in Denver. Dr. Eve Sprunt has a 35-year career in the petroleum industry and has extensive professional society and business management experience. Her career has afforded her global experiences in the petroleum industry, alternative energy, environmental policy, venture capital, university relations, building educational programs in developing countries and workforce issues including those impacting dual career couples and women, and attracting and retaining technical professionals. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA - The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is pleased to welcome Dr. Jean M. Bahr as the 2016-2017 President of its Executive Committee. Bahr is currently a professor at the University of Wisconsin at Madison and holds degrees from Stanford and Yale. She was appointed by President Obama to the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, is a fellow at the Geological Society of America (GSA), and is an editor for the American Geophysical Union journal, “Water Resources and Research. [Read More]