Environment, hazards, forensic geology on geoscientists' agenda in Harrisburg next week

GSA Northeastern Section meeting

Boulder, CO - Approximately 800 geoscientists will gather 20-22 March for the 41st annual meeting of the Northeastern Section of the Geological Society of America. The meeting takes place at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel and Conference Center, 1150 Camp Hill Bypass, in Camp Hill/Harrisburg, PA. Topics include environmental issues, geologic hazards, and the emerging science of forensic geology.

Journalists are invited to attend sessions of interest, interview scientists, and visit the exhibit area. Information on complimentary media registration and procedures for arranging onsite and telephone interviews during the meeting are provided below.

MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

A plenary session titled "Mars Exploration Rovers: Latest Geology, Geochemistry, and Mineralogy Results" takes place Monday afternoon, 20 March, from 4:00-5:00 p.m. in the Conference Center Ballroom North. Featured speaker James Bell, Cornell University, will share the latest findings from NASA's highly successful and long-lived Spirit and Opportunity rovers.

A session titled "Forensic Geology: Practical Geologic Experiences that Helped CSIs" explains the role of geoscience in civil and criminal court cases. Among the speakers are popular mystery writer (and geologist) Sarah Andrews, who will provide an overview of forensic geology, and Erich Junger of the Prince William County (VA) Police Department, who will give real-life examples of how geoscience aids in solving crimes. (Session details are provided below.)

Andrews will also speak at the conference banquet on Tuesday, 21 March, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Focusing on her latest book, In Cold Pursuit, Andrews' talk will begin at approximately 8:00 p.m., and media are invited to attend. The cost of the banquet is US$30; a cash bar will be open from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

OTHER TECHNICAL PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

MONDAY, 20 MARCH

Coastal Change: Natural and Anthropogenic Process-Response Systems

Oral Presentations: 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Keystone B/C
View abstracts at http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006NE/finalprogram/session_16619.htm

Poster session: 1:00-4:00 p.m., Ballroom South (Authors present 2:00-4:00)
View abstracts: http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006NE/finalprogram/session_17499.htm

Falling Ground: Landslides, Sinkholes, and Other Collapse Processes

Oral presentations: 10:20 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Governor's B
View abstracts: http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006NE/finalprogram/session_18054.htm

TUESDAY, 21 MARCH

Issues with Acid Mine Drainage in the Appalachians

Oral presentations: 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Keystone B/C
View abstracts: http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006NE/finalprogram/session_16637.htm

Poster session: 1:00-5:00 p.m., Ballroom South (Authors present 2:00-4:00 p.m.)
View abstracts: http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006NE/finalprogram/session_17498.htm

Contaminants in Groundwater and Surface Water of the Northeast: From Arsenic to Xylene

Oral presentations: 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Keystone D/E
View abstracts: http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006NE/finalprogram/session_16639.htm

Poster session: 1:00-5:00 p.m., Ballroom South (Authors present 2:00-4:00 p.m.)
View abstracts: http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006NE/finalprogram/session_17446.htm

Forensic Geology: Practical Geologic Experiences that Helped CSIs
Oral presentations: 1:00-5:00 p.m., Keystone B/C
View abstracts: http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006NE/finalprogram/session_16622.htm

Applied Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology for the 21st Century
Oral presentations: 1:00-5:00 p.m., Keystone D/E
View abstracts: http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006NE/finalprogram/session_16633.htm

Falling Ground: Landslides, Sinkholes, and Other Collapse Processes
Poster session: 1:00-5:00 p.m., Ballroom South (Authors present 2:00-4:00 p.m.)
View abstracts: http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006NE/finalprogram/session_16638.htm

WEDNESDAY, 22 MARCH

Seismology of the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada
Oral presentations: 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Governor's A
View abstracts: http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006NE/finalprogram/session_16625.htm

Applied Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology for the 21st Century
Poster session: 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Ballroom South (Authors present 9:00-11:00 a.m.)
http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006NE/finalprogram/session_17443.htm

To view the entire technical program, please visit http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006NE/finalprogram/

MEDIA REGISTRATION AND PROCEDURES

Eligibility for complimentary media registration is as follows:

• Working press representing bona fide news media with a press card, letter, or business card from the publication.

• Freelance science writers, presenting a current membership card from NASW, ISWA, regional affiliates of NASW, or evidence of work pertaining to science published in 2005 or 2006.

• Public Information Officers of scientific societies, educational institutions, and government agencies.

Complimentary meeting registration covers attendance at all technical sessions and access to the exhibit hall. Media must pay regular fees for paid luncheons, field trips, etc.

Media representatives may register onsite in the Radisson Penn Harris Conference Center lobby. Registration will be open Sunday, 19 March, from 4:00-8:00 p.m., Monday and Tuesday, 20-21 March, from 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., and Wednesday, 22 March, from 7:00 -11:00 a.m. All media registrants will receive a name badge and the program/abstract book upon arrival.

Media registrants may arrange on-site interviews after attending the session in which the talk is given or by leaving a note at the GSA Registration Desk requesting an interview before or after the talk. Interested media unable to attend may telephone the GSA Registration Desk at +1-717-763-7117 ext. 7455 and leave a message requesting a callback from the speaker.

For additional information before 20 March, contact Ann Cairns, GSA Director of Communications, at 303-357-1056. During the meeting, 20-22 March, contact the GSA Registration Desk at +1-717-763-7117 ext. 7455.

Geological Society of America
3300 Penrose Place – Box 9140
Boulder, CO 80301-9140, USA

www.geosociety.org

Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 21 Feb 2009
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