Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois

Calendar of Events

May 2017 General Meeting: “Tropical Permian Pangaea: Cradle of Biodiversity, Museum, or Both?”, by Dr. Ken Angielczyk of the Field Museum

Our speaker at the May 12th general meeting will be Dr. Ken Angielczyk from the Field Museum. The title of his talk is: “Tropical Permian Pangaea: Cradle of Biodiversity, Museum, or Both?” A new early Permian continental tetrapod fauna from South America in tropical Western Gondwana sheds new light on patterns of tetrapod distribution. Northeastern Brazil hosted an extensive lacustrine system inhabited by a unique community of temnospondyl amphibians and reptiles that considerably expand the known temporal and geographic ranges of key subgroups. These findings demonstrate that tetrapod groups common in later Permian and Triassic temperate communities were already…
Read more: May 2017 General Meeting: “Tropical Permian Pangaea: Cradle of Biodiversity, Museum, or Both?”, by Dr. Ken Angielczyk of the Field Museum
Calendar of Events, Field Trips

ESCONI Field Trip to Vulcan Kankakee Quarry May 20, 2017

There will be an ESCONI Field Trip to the Vulcan Kankakee Quarry on Saturday May 20, 2017 from 8:30 AM to noon. The quarry is located at 1277 County Highway 28.The rules are shown below: 1. You must be an ESCONI member as of May 13th and at least 18 years old to attend this trip. 2. Maximum attendance is 30. 3. Follow any directions given by quarry management on parking. 4. We will have site-specific training, and everyone will sign a waiver. I will distribute the waiver forms by email a few days before the…
Read more: ESCONI Field Trip to Vulcan Kankakee Quarry May 20, 2017
Calendar of Events, Field Trips, Mazon Creek

ESCONI Field Trip: Braceville, IL – Saturday, May 13th and Sunday, May 14th, 2017

May 13th-14th, 2017 Braceville – Mazon Creek Fossils Collecting Mazon Creek Fossils on private property. Meet at 8:00 AM Saturday or Sunday at the BP Amoco in Coal City. No Age Limit. Hard Hats not required. Take I-55 to Exit 236 (Coal City). Take a right onto Highway 113 (Division Street). Go west to Broadway Street and Division in Coal City. We will be collecting Mazon Creek concretions from an old spoil pile on private property. Hard hats are not required. Boots are recommended. An Estwing rock hammer is the best tool. A small shovel or pick is helpful. Gardening…
Read more: ESCONI Field Trip: Braceville, IL – Saturday, May 13th and Sunday, May 14th, 2017
Mazon Creek

Mazon Creek: Carbon Hill School Museum

Possibly of interest to Mazon fossil collectors is the Carbon Hill School Museum, home of the Carbon Hill Historical Society. Located at 875 N. Second Street in Carbon Hill, it is open on Monday afternoons from noon to 4 p.m. This museum has a number of Mazon fossils donated to it by Tom Testa, who is a resident of Carbon Hill. Among the items displayed in the schoolhouse museum are artifacts from coal mines and the coal fields of Grundy and Will Counties, plus a diorama of Carbon Hill in its mining heyday, circa 1900. Anyone interested in this museum…
Read more: Mazon Creek: Carbon Hill School Museum
Around the Web

Three Rivers Library Minooka Branch Hosting an Exhibition of Locally Found Pleistocene Mammal Fossils

The Three Rivers Library Minooka Branch is currently hosting an exhibition of Pleistocene mammal fossils found by a local farmer, John Bamford. in rural Minooka. The bones, found in 1901, were rescued from deterioration and oblivion by George Langford Sr. in 1912. The bones eventually were acquired by The Field Museum. The most famous of these fossils was dubbed the Minooka mastodon (actually a group of mastodon specimens). One of the tusks, still in its field jacket, is on display along with other mastodon fossils and animal fossils excavated from a Pleistocene bog in what is now Kendall County, IL. The…
Read more: Three Rivers Library Minooka Branch Hosting an Exhibition of Locally Found Pleistocene Mammal Fossils
Mazon Creek

Paul Mayer Lecture at the Grundy County Historical Society, Tuesday, April 25th, 2017 at 7:00 PM

The Paul Mayer lecture to the Grundy County Historical Society (open to everyone, member or not) will focus on Mazon Creek fossils. The lecture will happen Tuesday, April 25, 2017, at 7 p.m. in the lower level of the Morris, IL, public library. The library is located at 604 Liberty Street in Morris. Google it for exact directions. Parking is on-street though the library has a small parking lot at the north end of the library building. Mr. Mayer, of The Field Museum, is well-known to ESCONI members. The Grundy County Historical Society’s Museum (GCHS) already has a small, but very…
Read more: Paul Mayer Lecture at the Grundy County Historical Society, Tuesday, April 25th, 2017 at 7:00 PM
Calendar of Events, Field Trips

ESCONI Field Trip: St. Paul, IN, Friday, May 5th, 2017

ESCONI Field Trip to St. Paul quarry in St. Paul, IN. We will meet at the quarry office BEFORE 8:00 AM Eastern Time to sign waivers and receive instructions. As always, the trip is tentative based on quarry activity. Map This trip is open to 20 members. There will be a waiting list, if necessary. Trip rules: To sign up, contact John Catalani at Fossilnautiloid@aol.com. You may also sign up at the April General and Paleo meetings. NOTE: participants must be ESCONI members by April 16th, 2017.
Read more: ESCONI Field Trip: St. Paul, IN, Friday, May 5th, 2017
Calendar of Events, Field Trips

ESCONI Field Trip to Rockford-area quarry Sunday, May 7, 2017

There will be a field trip for ESCONI members on Sunday, May 7, 2017 to the Porter quarry near Rockford. The trip starts at 9 AM and ends at 12 noon. Rules are as follows: 1. You must be an ESCONI member as of May 1st. 2. Everyone in your party must be at least 18 years of age. 3. Because this is a combined trip, there are only 15 open slots for ESCONI members. 4. The address of the quarry is 6832 Swanson Rd, Roscoe, IL. 5. We will have site-specific training, and everyone…
Read more: ESCONI Field Trip to Rockford-area quarry Sunday, May 7, 2017
Around the Web

The FOSSIL Project Newsletter Spring 2017

Volume 4, Issue 1, Spring 2017|FOSSIL Project Newsletter Spring 2017
Read more: The FOSSIL Project Newsletter Spring 2017
Calendar of Events

Lyme Regis Presentation Announcement for Paleo Group meeting, April 15th, 2017

ESCONI Presentation – Saturday, April 15, 2017Paleontology Study Group Meeting – 7:30 PM College of Dupage – Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B In the Footsteps of Mary Anning: Collecting England’s Jurassic Coast.This past February, five ESCONI Women took to the beaches of Lyme Regis and Charmouth of famed Dorset County where Mary Anning made numerous paleontological discoveries. In her time, the ichthyosaur, plesiosaur, and pterosaur had no place in the popular conception of the history of the planet, nor were women recognized for their academic contributions. Today, Mary is celebrated as a pioneer in the field and the fragile…
Read more: Lyme Regis Presentation Announcement for Paleo Group meeting, April 15th, 2017
Calendar of Events

April 2017 General Meeting: “Venus’ Craters, Coronae, and Chasmata: What’s Going On?”

At our April 14th meeting Dr. Paul Stoddard of NIU will present a program called: “Venus’ Craters, Coronae, and Chasmata: What’s Going On?” This will be a brief history of the exploration of Venus, the results of that exploration, and the questions raised by those results.
Read more: April 2017 General Meeting: “Venus’ Craters, Coronae, and Chasmata: What’s Going On?”
Calendar of Events

ESCONI Events April 2017

Field trips require membership, but visitors are welcome at all meetings! Sat, April 8th ESCONI Minerology Study Group Meeting, 7:30 PM College of Dupage – Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map) – Topic: “Slide Program on Micromounting” We will review the slide program on micromounting, which was recently digitized, with a view to updating it Fri, April 14th ESCONI General Meeting, 8:00 PM College of Dupage – Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map) – Topic: “Venus’ Craters, Coronae, and Chasmata: What’s Going On?” by Dr. Paul Stoddard of NIU Sat, April 15th ESCONI Paleontology Study Group Meeting, 7:30…
Read more: ESCONI Events April 2017
Calendar of Events

Reminder: MAPS 2017 starts today Friday, March 31st thru Sunday, April 2nd, 2017

That’s today! Don’t miss it. It’s always a great time! The MAPS National Fossil Expo #39 will be held from Friday, March 31st to Sunday, April 2nd, 2017. This years topic is “The Silurian Period”. The show’s informational newsletter is here. And, the keynote speaker is Dr. Carlton Brett, of the University of Cincinnati. The title of his talk is “Fossil Echinoderms of the Middle Silurian in North America: An Age of Crinoids and ‘Anachronistic’ Faunas”. It is scheduled for 6:00 PM on Saturday at the Clarion Hotel (AKA The Highlander). The schedule for daily events can be found here.…
Read more: Reminder: MAPS 2017 starts today Friday, March 31st thru Sunday, April 2nd, 2017
Field Trips

Field Trip: ISGS Field Trip on Thursday, April 27th, 2017 – “Viewing the Glacial Geology and Geomorphology in Western Champaign County”

Overview: This Illinois Geographical Society- sponsored tour explores the geological features as well as man’s impact on the landscape in this 4-hour excursion around western Champaign County. The tour is self-pay for all meals and will be led by a staff member(s) of the Illinois State Geological Survey. Meeting Point: Meet at JT Walker’s Restaurant and Brewery, 401 East Main Street, Mahomet, IL 61853, 217/586-1100, www.jtwalkers.com/ at 12:00 Noon on Thursday, April 27, 2017. We will have lunch (on your own) prior to the trip. Tour cost: Self-pay. Field guides [CITATION Gri16 \l 1033 ] are $15 cash and must…
Read more: Field Trip: ISGS Field Trip on Thursday, April 27th, 2017 – “Viewing the Glacial Geology and Geomorphology in Western Champaign County”
Calendar of Events, Membership Information

ESCONI Hats!

They were available at the show last week and should be available at general meetings, maybe at MAPS this weekend. Get them while you can… they were a hot item at the show!
Read more: ESCONI Hats!
Around the Web

Chocolate Megalodon Teeth

Fossilera has chocolate Megalodon teeth. There’s three flavors to choose from, milk, dark, and white chocolate. Get your sweet tooth satisfied in a MEGA way!
Read more: Chocolate Megalodon Teeth
Calendar of Events

Reminder: MAPS 2017 is Friday, March 31st thru Sunday, April 2nd, 2017

That’s this Friday! Don’t miss it. It’s always a great time! The MAPS National Fossil Expo #39 will be held from Friday, March 31st to Sunday, April 2nd, 2017. This years topic is “The Silurian Period”. The show’s informational newsletter is here. And, the keynote speaker is Dr. Carlton Brett, of the University of Cincinnati. The title of his talk is “Fossil Echinoderms of the Middle Silurian in North America: An Age of Crinoids and ‘Anachronistic’ Faunas”. It is scheduled for 6:00 PM on Saturday at the Clarion Hotel (AKA The Highlander). The schedule for daily events can be found…
Read more: Reminder: MAPS 2017 is Friday, March 31st thru Sunday, April 2nd, 2017
ESCONI Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show

More ESCONI 2017 Show Pictures

Various pictures from the vendors tables…
Read more: More ESCONI 2017 Show Pictures
ESCONI Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show

Saturday Pictures from the ESCONI 2017 Show

Mazon Creek Auction Material
Read more: Saturday Pictures from the ESCONI 2017 Show
ESCONI Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show

Today and Tommorrow are the 2017 ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show

Come out and enjoy! Saturday, March 25th – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Sunday, March 26th – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admittance and parking! Exploreyour interests Shop for jewelry, gems, fossils, minerals from world-class vendors! Mineral Miner KU Minerals Exclusive Inspiration Rock Stars Rib River Lavin’s Gems Circle of Stones Fossil Hut Southwest Treasures Jackangeline Pop Up Rock Shop Find unique and interesting books at the used book sale Learn from members of club demonstrating their hobbies and collections Bid and buy gems, minerals and fossils at the Silent Auction and Live Auctions(photos of some items will be…
Read more: Today and Tommorrow are the 2017 ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show

Friday, April 10th	General Meeting – 8:00 PM via Zoom. Jessica Hull will present “Life in the Devonian Period, The Age of Fishes.”
Saturday, April 11th	Junior Study Group Meeting – 2:00 PM, in person at the College of DuPage Technical Education Center (TEC) Building – Room 1038A (Map). Katherine Howard will present on Sand and Sediment Collecting. Specifics of this meeting are available from Scott Galloway, 630-670-2591, gallowayscottf@gmail.com.
Saturday, April 18th	Paleontology Study Group – 7:30 PM via Zoom and in person at the College of DuPage, TEC, Room 1038B (Map). Keith Robitschek will present “Digging the Marl of the Lance Formation.”
Friday, April 24th	MAPS Expo XLVII – Springfield, IL.
Saturday, April 25th	MAPS Expo XLVII – Springfield, IL.
Sunday, April 26th	MAPS Expo XLVII – Springfield, IL.
No meeting this month	Mineralogy Study Group

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