GSA GeoHealth Solutions Discussion

Sun., 9 Oct., 2–3 p.m., Mile High Ballroom 2AB/3AB

Advocates: Barb Dutrow, Kasey White

This special session builds upon a National Science Foundation (NSF) invitation to the Earth science community to identify challenges in GeoHealth that can be addressed in the next few years.  Join representatives from NSF and the participating scientific societies to discuss how we move forward to mitigate negative and enhance positive impacts from geologic processes and materials on human health in a changing natural environment.

Speakers include:

Barb Dutrow, GSA Past President and Gerald Cire & Lena Grand Williams Alumni Professor and Adolphe G. Gueymard Professor, Louisiana State University
Barbara Ransom, National Science Foundation, Directorate for Geosciences, Office of the Assistant Director, Integrative Activities Group
Ben Zaitchik, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University and President of the AGU GeoHealth Section
Emma Tipton, Policy Fellow, American Meteorological Society
Kasey White, Director for Geoscience Policy, Geological Society of America

GSA Geophysics and Geodynamics Division 50th Anniversary Special Session and George Woollard Lecture

Mon., 10 Oct., 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Room 205

GSA Geophysics and Geodynamics Division

Advocates: Kevin Mickus; Ting Chen

The GSA Geophysics and Geodynamics Division is one of the oldest divisions within GSA. We want to showcase past George Woollard Award winners presentations, with the last presentation being the current award winner.

The American Geosciences Institute at 75: Implementing a Vision of Sustainability as a Unifying Geoscience Framework

Mon., 10 Oct., 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Mile High Ballroom 2C

Endorsers: GSA Geology and Society Division; GSA Geoscience Education Division; American Association of Petroleum Geologists; American Institute of Professional Geologists; Association of American State Geologists; Mineralogical Society of America; Society of Exploration Geophysicists; Society of Economic Geologists; Geological Association of Canada; Society for Sedimentary Geology; Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration; GSA Energy Geology Division

Advocates: Jonathan Arthur; Paul Weimer; Jonathan Price; David Wunsch

Join past and present leaders of the American Geosciences Institute (AGI) and prominent geoscientists across our community as we recognize the 75th Anniversary of the Institute. Speakers will recall motivations that lead to emergence of the Institute, its impacts on the geosciences and society, and look ahead as our profession faces unprecedented transitions in the scope and imperative of the geosciences: who we are, and how we work. Kick-off speakers include:

• Senator John Hickenlooper
• David Applegate (Director, US Geological Survey)
• Elizabeth Eide (Executive Director for the Division on Earth and Life Studies at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine)
• Scott Tinker (Director, Texas Bureau of Economic Geology)

AGI was founded to foster the geosciences to support society, including the challenges of the Cold War, expanding the geosciences globally, and recognizing and supporting the health of the discipline. This session will scan the horizon of the geosciences in context of past responses to stress points, the challenges of today, and the opportunity of sustainability serving as a unifying framework for the future of the geosciences.

The day will end with an engaging panel discussion and lengthy Q&A focusing on the vital role of geoscience in sustainability and climate change, filling the K–12 education gap, the future of the workforce, and public geoscience literacy. The panelists include:

• Karen Berry, State Geologist, Colorado Geological Survey
• David Curtiss, Executive Director, American Assoc. of Petroleum Geologists
• Deborah Glickson, Board Director, National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine
• Jakob Lindaas, Professional Staff, Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, US House of Representatives
• Naomi Oreskes, Professor and Author, Harvard University
• Eric Pyle, Professor, James Madison University
• Barbara Ransom, Program Director, National Science Foundation

The closing panel is co-moderated by Scott Tinker, State Geologist, Texas Bureau of Economic Geology and Jonathan Arthur, Executive Director, American Geosciences Institute.

A. Keith Turner Memorial Session—Unto the Hills: A Career of Advancements in Digital Mapping, Computer Modelling, Environmental Hazards, and the Collaborations Made Along the Way

Tue., 11 Oct., 1:30–5:30 p.m., Mile High Ballroom 4C

Endorsers: GSA Environmental and Engineering Geology Division

Advocates: Richard Berg; Harvey Thorleifson; Bryan Turner

This session is to honor the memory of A. Keith Turner and his areas of specialty. Keith helped develop the first computer generated geologic maps, advanced research into environmental and geologic hazard mitigation, and developed techniques related to remote sensing and geologic modelling. In spite of these accomplishments, he felt his greatest professional achievement was listening to and collaborating with researchers from different parts of the world and facilitating open channels of communication with the public. We invite talks in the areas of geologic and environmental engineering, hazard mitigation, landslides and rock falls, 3D digital mapping, and 3D computer modelling.

Development Status of Non-Petroleum Geologic Energy Resources and Materials for the Energy Transition

Wed., 12 Oct., 8 a.m.–12 p.m., Mile High Ballroom 2AB/3AB

Endorsers: GSA Energy Geology Division; AAPG Energy Minerals Division Collaboration

Advocates: Jenna L. Shelton; Marc L. Buursink; Denise J. Hills; Mike Bingle-Davis; Justin E. Birdwell

This session will feature invited oral and poster presentations providing overviews of the state of development of non-petroleum geologic energy resources. Topics to be featured include geothermal energy and geologic hydrogen resources, as well as geologic reservoirs and materials that are necessary for essential alternative-energy infrastructure (e.g., critical minerals for batteries, solar panels, etc.; identification and development of subsurface storage capacity for CO2 and energy gases). The session will feature contributors from the GSA Energy Geology Division, members of several commodity committees from the AAPG Energy Minerals Division, and other speakers.