News

by: Mario Coniglio

Washington Geology, Volume 28, No. 3. May 2001.

by: Wendy Gerstel

Washington Geology, Volume 28, No. 3. May 2001.

by: Sherry L. Weisgarber

We think rocks last forever. The boulder we played on in our parents' front yard when we were children is still there for our grandchildren to enjoy. The rock steps to the church are still in use a hundred years later, and the gravestones in the cemetery still mark where our ancestors were laid to rest. These rocks, to us, have lasted forever. But, if you look closely, change is taking place.

by: Alan Morgan, Jose Melo, Peter Russell

On December 1st, 2001, a monolith of gneiss was installed in the foundation of the Center for Environmental and Information Technology on the University of Waterloo campus.   

Quaternary Sciences Institute - University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 361

by: Alan Morgan

Introduction

In October 2001 I had the opportunity of attending the Ontario Association of Geographic and Environment Education Conference at Niagara Falls. As a Quaternary geologist I was particularly interested in attending a session by Paul Hackl and Ling Wong of Riverdale Collegiate Institute, Toronto, with the fascinating title of "Rockwood Conservation Area Field Trip: A Search for Pattern and Process in Landscape".

Location - Lafarge Quarry

The Lafarge Quarry is located in Dundas Ontario, near Hamilton, on highway 5, 6km west of the junction between highway #5 and highway #6.

Geology

1.8 metres, (6 feet) of Guelph dolostone underlain by 13 metres (44 feet) of Eramosa Dolostone of the Lockport Formation.

By: Amy Widdifield, Co-op high school student from Eastwood Collegiate Institute, Kitchener.

When most of us think of fossils, we think of dinosaurs. A fossil is the remains, or some other evidence, of a prehistoric plant or animal. Usually for fossilization, hard materials such as bone or shell are needed. After an organism dies, a quick burial in sedimentary material helps prevent decay, allowing the sediment to harden undisturbed over a long period of time. Very few organisms actually end up as fossils as the condtions needed are rarely found in nature.

By: Kristina Anderson, assistant curator

Today, planet Earth is believed to be around 4.6 billion years old. The geological time scale, which is in continual reconstruction, divides Earth history into broad spans of time. Many boundaries are marked by a biological event, such as the appearance of a new species. The Precambrian was originally defined as the time before life began. We now know this isn't true and even have examples within Ontario of life during the Precambrian.

By: Barbara Elve, UW Gazette

One of four new Networks of Centres of Excellence announced by the federal government this week -- the Canadian Water Network (CWN) -- will be based at the University of Waterloo under the direction of Earth sciences professor Bob Gillham (right). "The quality and safety of our drinking water is a top priority for Canadians," says Gillham. "Our research will focus on the effects of global climate change, declining water levels, and land use and its impact on Canada's supply of clean water."

By: Peter Russell

With the new focus on Earth Sciences in the curriculum teachers are looking for hands-on activities. I have had success with a fossil fish digging activity which has become very popular at gemshows, science openhouses and other events. Mothers and fathers assist their children to extract fossils sometimes for over an hour at a time! I am sure this enthusiasm will be generated for you too.