MGU Announcement: Fifth Annual Michigan Geophysical Union, March 14, 2008
The Michigan Geophysical Union is a friendly forum for graduate and undergraduate students to present their current research in various aspects of earth, oceanic, atmospheric, and space sciences.

Nano-coatings Grease Earthquake Zones
Samples of rock from deep inside the San Andreas Fault could shake up scientists' notions about why some fault zones move slowly and steadily while others balk for a time and then shift suddenly and violently, producing major earthquakes. "There's been strong interest in finding signatures in rocks that would characterize a fault as creeping or seismic," says geological sciences Professor Ben van der Pluijm, who discussed recent findings Oct. 30 at a symposium during the 119th annual meeting of the Geological Society of America in Denver.

Dan Fisher Studying Baby Mammoth
Dan Fisher and GeoSci graduate student Adam Rountrey are part of an international team studying a baby Siberian mammoth.

Iceland Journey Unveils Geological Treasures
Led by GeoSci Chair Samuel Mukasa and Holli Frey (PhD 2005), 28 undergraduate and graduate students traveled to Iceland last summer. Geological Sciences offers field trips every summer, but previous trips have been designed for GeoSci students and have focused exclusively on Earth Sciences. This year, the Department teamed up with GIEU to offer the experience to non-science students and integrated a cultural component into the curriculum.

Sam Mukasa is New Chair
Sam Mukasa became the new Chair of Geological Sciences July 1, 2007. Dr. Mukasa's research focuses on geochronology and radiogenic isotope geochemistry.