Welcome to the Colorado Scientific Society
The oldest scientific society in the Rocky Mountain region
Founded in 1882, the Colorado Scientific Society promotes knowledge, the understanding of science, and its application to human needs, focusing primarily on earth science, but welcoming members with interests in all fields of science. Learn more.
March Meeting
Thursday, April 19, 2018
The Role of the USGS (US Geological Survey) and CGS (Colorado Geological Survey)
Eugene (Buddy) Schweig, Director, USGS Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
Karen Berry, Director and State Geologist, Colorado Geological Survey
Geological studies at the USGS in Denver: Where are we now and where are we headed?
Eugene (Buddy) Schweig, Director, Center for Geosciences and Environmental Change, U.S. Geological Survey, Lakewood, CO
The U.S. Geological Survey is undergoing some profound changes and these are affecting the research that the geology groups are doing at the Denver Federal Center. In spite of this and extreme budget uncertainty, we are looking at exciting new directions in geological mapping and mineral resources that will have implications for our work in Colorado and adjacent states for years to come. I will talk about the range of our projects in Colorado, what is coming to an end, and our plans for the next few years.
The present and future of the Colorado Geological Survey
Karen Berry, Director and State Geologist, Colorado Geological Survey
What has the Colorado Geological Survey been up to since it moved to Mines five years ago? Karen Berry will discuss some of the current and future projects CGS is working on and opportunities for collaboration.
See this video of West Salt Creek landslide
Download this flyer for Colorado Scientific Society April 2018 meeting
All are welcome to our meeting; no admission charge.
6:30 PM, Social time
7:00 PM, Program
The Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church,
11500 W. 20th Ave., Lakewood CO
Map for Shepherd of the Hills
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
The Story of Earth: How Life and Minerals Co-Evolved
Robert M. Hazen, Senior Staff Scientist at the Geophysical Laboratory Carnegie Institution, Washington, D.C.; Clarence Robinson Professor of Earth Sciences at George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia; Executive Director of the Deep Carbon Observatory
Dr. Hazen’s visit is co-sponsored by Colorado School of Mines and Colorado Scientific Society
Download the Hazen visit event flyer April 2018 for more details about Dr. Hazen’s visit.
Lecture 1, Wednesday, April 25, 2018, 7:00 pm:
Mineral Evolution and Ecology: Tracing Earth’s History Through Time and Space
Berthoud Hall, Room 241, Colorado School of Mines, Golden. (Seating is limited; please pre-register at http://bit.ly/2HO5mIZ.)
Abstract: A fundamental challenge in geology is to understand the evolving diversity and distribution of rocks and minerals through more than 4 billion years of Earth history–changes that reveal much about our planet’s co-evolving geosphere and biosphere. Mineral evolution and mineral ecology, which explore mineral occurrences through time and space, exploit large and growing data resources to detect previously hidden patterns in nature. We find dramatic changes in Earth’s mineralogy as a consequence of physical, chemical, and most surprisingly biological processes. Powerful analytical and visualization methods are now allowing us to predict Earth’s “missing” minerals–a prelude to the discovery of new ore deposits and other natural resources.
Lecture 2, Thursday, April 26, 2018, 7:00 pm:
Big-Data Geology: Visualizing Earth’s Co-Evolving Geosphere and Biosphere
Berthoud Hall, Room 241, Colorado School of Mines, Golden. (Seating is limited; please pre-register at http://bit.ly/2pmpGcS.)
Abstract: The distribution of minerals, rocks, and fossils on Earth mimics social networks, as commonly applied to such varied topics as Facebook interactions, the spread of disease, and terrorism networks. Applying network analysis to these natural objects provides a powerful visual approach to understanding the diversity and distribution of species, while revealing patterns that help predict “missing” deposits. These patterns provide new insights into the way planets evolve, especially the co-evolving geosphere and biosphere, while comparisons of networks for Earth materials with those of Mars and other worlds hint at why Earth is unique.
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Emmons Lecture:
High Drama at the Paleocene/Eocene Boundary:
Climate and Biology, Perspectives from the Paleocene/Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) in the Bighorn Basin; Implications for Today
Will Clyde, University of New Hampshire
On the Colorado School of Mines campus
Future Colorado Scientific Society Meetings and Field Trips
September 8-9, 2018; CSS Fall Field Trip
Geology of the Upper Arkansas Valley
Cal Ruleman (USGS) and Karl Kellogg (USGS, Emeritus)
In collaboration with RMAG
See all of our upcoming CSS meetings in 2018.
March for Science, April 14, and Vote for Science
The Colorado Scientific Society will take part in the March for Science in downtown Denver again this year on April 14, 2018. We will have a table at the Denver Civic Center again. Please plan to join us.
The March for Science organization also has a Vote For Science initiative to try to bridge the gap between advocating for science and civic engagement. If you are interested in getting more information on this initiative and ways to educate your community and your representatives on why science and science policy matter, please go to this website:
Vote for Science
Read the April 2018 CSS Newsletter
Renew your membership with the
CSS 2018 Membership Form
Abstracts of Past Colo. Scientific Society Meetings
The Colorado Scientific Society was founded in 1882 as a forum for the exchange of observations and ideas on the topics of earth science. Our lecture series occurs on the third Thursday of each month, from September through May. Lecture topics largely focus on earth science, and are open to the public. In addition to our monthly lecture series, the society is also active in public service. We fund student research grants, construct and post signs that describe local geologic features, and organize and lead several field trips.
The Colorado Scientific Society usually meets on the third Thursday of the month from September through May at The Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church, 11500 W. 20th Ave., Lakewood CO
Social time is at 6:30; meeting & program at 7:00
(In the summer months of June-August, too many are off in the field.)
Map for Shepherd of the Hills
Corporate Sponsorship of the Colorado Scientific Society
Corporate sponsorship helps the Society continue to provide earth science-related talks, field trips, and other events to a broad cross-section of Front Range geologists and interested people. Please accept an invitation from the Colorado Scientific Society to become a corporate sponsor, enabling us to continue and expand our programs.
Details of corporate sponsorship of the Colorado Scientific Society
The Colorado Scientific Society is an Associated Society of the Geological Society of America.
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