Alexandria, VA - The American Geological Institute (AGI) is proud to announce the 2005 Earth Science Week contest winners. The contests encourage the public to participate in this annual celebration, which recognizes the importance of the earth sciences in our lives. Selecting from among more than 500 entries, AGI is pleased to name the three winners: Brandy Anglen, of Fresno, California, won the Photography Contest with her photo of scientists testing water for sulfur isotopes on Lake Hoare in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica. [Read More]

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The American Geological Institute (AGI) announces the publication of the fifth edition of the Glossary of Geology. This book has served as an important resource to geoscientists in all fields. The fifth edition, edited by Klaus K.E. Neuendorf, James P. Mehl, Jr. and Julia A. Jackson, reflects advances in scientific thought and changes in word usage. Of the 40,000 entries, approximately 3,600 are new additions, and 13,000 entries have been updated, providing the most comprehensive set of geological terms in publication. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — The American Geological Institute (AGI) announces the relaunch of GeoSpectrum. Formerly a newsletter about the activities of the Institute, GeoSpectrum now has been revamped into a quarterly electronic magazine (e-zine) with a new design, new medium and new purpose — to cover news and information about the geoscience profession. The new GeoSpectrum will be an outlet for AGI’s Member Societies to share information with each other and the entire geoscience community. [Read More]

The American Geological Institute (AGI) is providing dozens of free, new educational resources to boost awareness about the geosciences and the many exciting career opportunities in the field for Earth Science Week 2005 (October 9-15). Educators, parents, and interested citizens are invited to order a free Earth Science Week Kit (plus $4.95 shipping and handling), which includes posters, DVDs, CD-ROMs, maps, flyers, contest details, fun learning activities linked to the National Science Education Standards, information tailored for Spanish-speaking audiences, and much more. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — About 75 million Americans in 39 states face a significant risk from a strong earthquake. Because of this significant risk, the Congressional Hazards Caucus Coalition will sponsor an earthquake hazards briefing Tuesday, September 20 at 3:00 pm, in room 2325 of the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill. The recent Hurricane Katrina disaster highlights the importance of being prepared for and responding to natural hazards. Thus, it is imperative to prepare the public and their communities in advance to minimize the loss of life and property. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — The American Geological Institute (AGI) is pleased to welcome its newest president, Dr. Ernest A. Mancini, who is a Distinguished Research Professor of geology at the University of Alabama (UA), Director of the Center for Sedimentary Basin Studies at UA and the Eastern Gulf Region Director of the Petroleum Technology Transfer Council. In 1976, after receiving his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University, Mancini joined the UA geology department as faculty and simultaneously worked for two state agencies including the Geological Survey of Alabama. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — The American Geological Institute (AGI), in conjunction with the American Geophysical Union (AGU), released an analysis of employment patterns and demographics of 2003 Ph.D. recipients in the earth and space sciences.* Results from the survey show that employment opportunities remain stable for geoscientists going into the workforce, with 87 percent of respondents finding work directly related to their field. Starting salaries also remained steady or increased slightly in 2003, compared to recent years. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — The American Geological Institute’s publication Why Earth Science?, promoting the importance of earth science in K-12 education, has been disseminated to more than 100,000 people through geoscience agencies, organizations, and schools. In an effort to address the growing concerns about the health of earth science within the Spanish-speaking community, Why Earth Science? has been translated into Spanish. It was decided to translate the publication into Spanish “to reach a wider, more diverse audience with the message that earth science knowledge is important to all citizens,” says Ann Benbow, Director of Education and Outreach at AGI. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA - The History of Earth Sciences Society (HESS) joined the American Geological Institute (AGI), unanimously approved by the AGI Member Society Council, as the federation’s 43rd member society. “Knowing the history and progressive nature of our field is an important component of understanding the development of theories and systems in earth sciences. We look forward to their participation in the federation,” says AGI Executive Director, Marcus Milling. HESS, formed in 1982, is an international society concerned with the advancement of the discipline and the various ways in which earth sciences has been perceived throughout history. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA - The American Geological Institute (AGI) is looking forward to enhancing the breadth of participation and perspective in the development of the International Year of Planet Earth (YPE) initiative. As the first U.S. organization to become a founding partner of the YPE, AGI will significantly benefit the U.S. geoscience community by giving U.S. geoscientists access to the conceptual and operational aspects of IYPE. AGI’s Executive Committee voted on June 19 to become a founding partner of YPE. [Read More]