Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois

Calendar of Events

Reminder: ESCONI November Junior Meeting, Friday, April 12th, 2019 at 7:00 PM – Topic “Fossils”

Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois Does your child love Fossils? Join us at our junior meeting!Friday January 11th 7pmCollege of DuPageTechnical Education Center West side room 1038BContact gallowayscottf@gmail.com with questionsfacebook.com/ESCONI.fb
Read more: Reminder: ESCONI November Junior Meeting, Friday, April 12th, 2019 at 7:00 PM – Topic “Fossils”
Calendar of Events

Reminder: ESCONI General Meeting on April 12th, 2019 – “Geology of the Illinois Valley”

The speaker at our April meeting will be Mike Phillips, Geology Professor at Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby, IL. The title of his program is "Geology of the Illinois Valley".
Read more: Reminder: ESCONI General Meeting on April 12th, 2019 – “Geology of the Illinois Valley”
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PBS Eons: When Giant Scorpions Swarmed the Seas

PBS Eons has an awesome video about Sea Scorpions. Sea scorpions thrived for 200 million years, coming in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Over time, they developed a number of adaptations–from crushing claws to flattened tails for swimming. And some of them adapted by getting so big that they still hold the record as the largest arthropods of all time.
Read more: PBS Eons: When Giant Scorpions Swarmed the Seas
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Unlaid egg discovered in ancient bird fossil

BARBARA MARRS ScienceMag has a post about the discovery of a fossil bird with an unlaid egg. The original paper appeared in the journal Nature Communications. For the first time, researchers have found an unlaid egg inside a fossilized bird. The find—belonging to a sparrow-size flyer that lived in northwestern China 110 million years ago—is especially remarkable because fully formed eggs typically only stay within an adult bird for about 24 hours. Researchers were initially puzzled by the discovery, as they never suspected the unusual, squashed mass within the headless fossil’s abdomen (seen as a flattened brown layer in the…
Read more: Unlaid egg discovered in ancient bird fossil
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Quicks & Quarks: A catastrophe frozen in time — a new fossil site shows how the dinosaurs died

CBC Radio’s Quicks & Quarks has a segment on a newly discovered fossil deposit that reveals many clues about the asteroid that took out the dinosaurs. The site is a snapshot in time from a few hours after the impact. The North Dakota site, nicknamed Tanis after the “lost” ancient Egyptian city, lies on private land within a tiny outcrop of the larger Hell Creek Formation. There is a paper in the journal PNAS with all the amazing details. In an astounding paleontological discovery, scientists have found direct evidence of animals dying in the hours following the impact that took…
Read more: Quicks & Quarks: A catastrophe frozen in time — a new fossil site shows how the dinosaurs died
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USPS: T-rex Postage Stamps Coming Soon To A Post Office Near You!

The USPS will be releasing a pane of T-rex postage stamps starting June 28th, 2019. Details are here. With this pane of 16 stamps, the Postal Service brings Tyrannosaurus rex to life — some 66 million years after its demise. One design illustrates a face-to-face encounter with a T. rex approaching through a forest clearing; another shows the same young adult T. rex with a young Triceratops — both dinosaurs shown in fossil form. The third and fourth stamps depict a newly hatched T. rex covered with downy feathers and a bare-skinned juvenile T. rex chasing a primitive mammal. The “Nation’s T. rex,” the young adult depicted on two of the stamps, was discovered…
Read more: USPS: T-rex Postage Stamps Coming Soon To A Post Office Near You!
Calendar of Events

Reminder: Wheaton College GeoSale – April 6th, 2019

FOR COLLECTORS AT ALL LEVELS, INCLUDING THE MOST ADVANCED, TEACHERS, SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, ARTISANS IN JEWELRY AND LAPIDARY, AND KIDS OF ALL AGES. SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE FOR DEALERS. THE GEOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT AT WHEATON COLLEGE WILL HOST THEIR LARGEST SALE EVER OF ROCKS, MINERAL SPECIMENS, FOSSILS, MAPS, GEOLOGICAL INSTRUMENTS, DESIGNER-DISPLAY PIECES, AND RELATED ITEMS. IT IS RECOMMENDED FOR SOME COLLECTORS, THAT YOU ASK ABOUT PARTICULAR MATERIALS THAT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN. THE SALE OFFICIALLY RUNS FROM 9AM TO 7PM ON SATURDAY, APRIL 6TH, 2019; TAKING PLACE IN THE LOWER LEVEL OF WHEATON COLLEGE’S MEYER SCIENCE BUILDING. PARKING…
Read more: Reminder: Wheaton College GeoSale – April 6th, 2019
Calendar of Events, Field Trips

ESCONI Field Trip: Friday, May 3rd, 2019 to St. Paul Quarry, St. Paul, IN

There will be a field trip to St. Paul Quarry (Silurian; Waldron Shale) on Friday, May 3rd. 2019. Please note: the date is subject to the Quarry’s work schedule and may be moved or canceled. Minimum age is 18 years old and the trip is limited to 20 participants. We will meet at the quarry office just south of the town of St. Paul at 8:45 AM EDT (7:45 Chicago time) to sign in. You must be a member of ESCONI on or before Saturday, April 20th, 2019. Sturdy construction or hiking boots are required — NO canvas/athletic shoes, street…
Read more: ESCONI Field Trip: Friday, May 3rd, 2019 to St. Paul Quarry, St. Paul, IN
Around the Web, Calendar of Events, ESCONI in the News

Roy Plotnick: A Fossil Park for Illinois

Roy Plotnick has a great post on Medium about the Fossil Park proposal for the old Lone Star Quarry in Oglesby, IL. Anyone that visited the site in the past remembers the abundant fossils to be had. Brachiopods were just spilling out of the ground. The quarry was recently acquired by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). And, Roy, along with Dave Carlson (of ESCONI) and Mike Phillips (of the Illinois Valley Community College – come hear him speak at the General Meeting on April 12th!) proposed the IDNR with the “fossil park” idea. The proposal is supported by…
Read more: Roy Plotnick: A Fossil Park for Illinois
Calendar of Events

ESCONI Events April 2019

Field trips require membership, but visitors are welcome at all meetings! Fri, April 12th ESCONI Junior Meeting, 7:00 PM College of Dupage – Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map) – Topic: Fossils Fri, April 12th ESCONI General Meeting, 8:00 PM College of Dupage – Tech Ed (TEC) Building, Room 1038B (Map) – Topic: “Geology of the Illinois Valley” by Mike Phillips, Geology Professor at Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby, IL Sat, April 13th ESCONI Field Trip, Vulcan Dekalb Quarry, 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM – Details here Sat, April 20th ESCONI Field Trip, Belvidere Quarry, 9:00 AM to 12:00…
Read more: ESCONI Events April 2019
Calendar of Events

Des Plaines Valley Geological Society’s 54th Annual Jewelry, Gem, Fossil, Mineral and Lapidary Arts Show – April 6-7, 2019

Des Plaines Valley Geological Society’s 54th Annual Jewelry, Gem, Fossil, Mineral and Lapidary Arts Show! April 6-7, 2019 Saturday, 9:30-5 and Sunday, 10-4 Des Plaines Park District Leisure Center 2222 Birch Street (Just west of River Road off Touhy) Des Plaines, IL Free Parking Admission – Adults $3, seniors $2 Students with school ID $1 Children under 12 FREE when accompanied by an adult Fine gem, mineral, fossil, gold panning and jewelry dealers, kids’ room, live demonstrations, educational exhibits and silent auction. New this year – treasure hunt and fluorescent mineral display.
Read more: Des Plaines Valley Geological Society’s 54th Annual Jewelry, Gem, Fossil, Mineral and Lapidary Arts Show – April 6-7, 2019
Calendar of Events, Field Trips

ESCONI Field Trip to Belvidere Quarry April 20, 2019

There will be a field trip to the Irene Quarry near Belvidere, Illinois on Saturday, April 20, 2019, from 9AM to 12 noon. The rock is Ordovician, Galena Group. This is a “hard-rock” quarry (dolomite). If you like Hormotoma or Receptaculites, this is the place for you! The quarry has been active so there is new rock exposed. Rules 1. Everyone in your group MUST be an ESCONI member as of April 17, 2019. 2. Everyone in your group MUST be at least 18 years of age. 3. Everyone MUST have and wear a hard hat, safety vest, and sturdy boots while in…
Read more: ESCONI Field Trip to Belvidere Quarry April 20, 2019
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FOSSIL Project Newsletter Spring 2019

Volume 6, Issue 1, Spring 2019| FOSSIL Project Newsletter Spring 2019
Read more: FOSSIL Project Newsletter Spring 2019
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NYT: ‘Scotty’ the T. Rex Is the Heaviest Ever Found, Scientists Say

The NY Times has a piece about Scotty the Tyrannosaurus rex. The specimen was discovered in Saskatchewan in 1991. A paper published in the scientific journal “The Anatomical Record estimates Scotty to have weighed 19,555 pounds, which would make it heavier than SUE – estimated between 12,000 – 14,000. Size and age are also seen as similar to SUE. In May, a new, updated cast will go on display at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum in Regina, Saskatchewan. There are big dinosaurs. There are old ones. And then there is Scotty, a giant among them all. A Tyrannosaurus rex found in…
Read more: NYT: ‘Scotty’ the T. Rex Is the Heaviest Ever Found, Scientists Say
ESCONI Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show

2019 ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show – Displays

Awesome Fossil Displays from the 2019 ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show.
Read more: 2019 ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show – Displays
ESCONI Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show

2019 ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show – Pictures

Here are some scenes from the 2019 ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show.
Read more: 2019 ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show – Pictures
ESCONI Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show

2019 ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show – Auction Videos

Here are some videos of the live auction of a large quartz crystal from Spain and a nice geode during the 2019 ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show last weekend.
Read more: 2019 ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show – Auction Videos
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AP: Montana Legislature clarifies ownership rights of fossils

The AP is running a story that reports on the Montana legislation to clarify ownership of fossils. The Montana Legislature unanimously passed a bill last Friday that designates ownership of fossils as part of the property’s surface rights, not its mineral rights, unless there is a contract separating those rights. The state Senate passed the bill 50-0 after it passed the House 100-0 in February. It now passes to the Governor for his signature. The bill, sponsored by Democratic Rep. Brad Hamlett, was prompted by a legal challenge over the ownership of valuable dinosaur fossils unearthed on an eastern Montana…
Read more: AP: Montana Legislature clarifies ownership rights of fossils
Calendar of Events

Reminder: MAPS: Mid-American Paleontology Society Annual Show – March 29th-31st

The Mid-American Paleontology Society (MAPS) will hold its 41st National Fossil EXPO on March 29th-31st, 2019. This is the largest fossil only show in the world. The topic this year is Trilobites and the keynote speaker is Dr. Jonathon Adrian of the University of Iowa. The keynote will be at 6:00 PM on Friday, March 29th, 2019. MAPS EXPO: Friday March 29: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday March 30: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Sunday March 31: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Hotel Show: Wednesday March 27: 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm Thursday March 28: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm Friday March 29:…
Read more: Reminder: MAPS: Mid-American Paleontology Society Annual Show – March 29th-31st
Calendar of Events, ESCONI Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show

2019 ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show March 23th and March 24th – New Auction Material for Sunday

Come on out to the show! There is a bunch of new live and silent auction material! Additionally, the vendors will be back again for another day of fun and great deals!
Read more: 2019 ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show March 23th and March 24th – New Auction Material for Sunday

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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