For Immediate Release: ENERGY RESOURCES, CLIMATE CHANGE, COASTAL ISSUES AT GSA ANNUAL MEETING IN PHILADELPHIA THIS MONTH

[Denver Makle <dmakle@xxxxxxxx>]

6 October 2006
   Geological Society of America
   Release No. 06-43
   Contact: Ann Cairns
   +1-303-357-1056
   acairns@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

   Media Advisory 2

   For Immediate Release

   ENERGY RESOURCES, CLIMATE CHANGE, COASTAL ISSUES AT GSA ANNUAL MEETING
   IN PHILADELPHIA THIS MONTH

   Boulder, CO – Geoscience research, public policy considerations, and
   perspectives from a variety of scientific disciplines will come together
   this month at the Geological Society of America Annual Meeting,
   Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, 22-25 October. Journalists
   are cordially invited to attend; eligible media representatives will
   receive complimentary registration (see below) and are invited to use
   GSA's Newsroom facilities while at the meeting.

   I. Program Highlights

   The scientific program encompasses a wide variety of geoscience and
   integrative science topics of international, national, and regional
   interest. A few highlights are noted below. View and search the complete
   technical program at http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006AM/finalprogram/.

   U.S. ENERGY RESOURCES

   *U.S. Energy Resources: Options, Scenarios, and Policy*
   Tuesday, 24 October, 1:30-5:30 p.m., PCC 113A
   This session addresses U.S. energy needs and options, including oil and
   gas, coal, geothermal, nuclear, and gas hydrates. Perspectives on future
   energy mix and climate change will be discussed. Speakers' affiliations
   include the White House Office of Science and Technology, U.S. Climate
   Change Science Program Office, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
   National Energy Technology Laboratory, BP America Production Company,
   and U.S. Geological Survey.
   Abstracts:
   http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006AM/finalprogram/session_18092.htm

   COASTAL GEOSCIENCE

   *Identifying our Most Vulnerable Shorelines: Science and Policy*
   Tuesday, 24 October, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., PCC 109B
   Extreme storms, sea-level rise, and other phenomena are discussed, along
   with implications for damage to areas as diverse as New York City,
   coastal National Parks, and barrier islands.
   Abstracts:
   http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006AM/finalprogram/session_18157.htm

   GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE

   *Biotic Response to Global Environmental Change: Analogs for the Future
   of Life on Earth*
   Sunday, 22 October, 1:30-5:30 p.m., PCC 104B
   Issues addressed include global warming, ocean acidification, elevated
   carbon dioxide concentrations, and a possible new source of
   paleoenvironmental history.
   Abstracts:
   http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006AM/finalprogram/session_17336.htm

   CORAL REEF PALEOECOLOGY

   *Applied Reef Coral Paleoecology*
   Wednesday, 25 October, 1:30-5:30 p.m., PCC 108A
   Topics include the impacts of global change and climate warming.
   Abstracts:
   http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006AM/finalprogram/session_17703.htm

   PALEONTOLOGY/GEOBIOLOGY/GEOMICROBIOLOGY

   *Mass Extinctions: New Approaches Analyzing Process Links Between Land
   and Sea*
   Tuesday, 24 October, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., PCC 105AB
   A variety of perspectives involve ocean chemistry, types of terrain hit
   by bolides, positive feedback loops, and more.
   Abstracts:
   http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006AM/finalprogram/session_17549.htm

   PUBLIC POLICY – GEOSCIENCE ADVOCACY

   * Judicial Independence - A Trial Judge's Reflections after Kitzmiller
   v. Dover*
   Judge John E. Jones III
   Geology & Society Division 2006 Distinguished Lecture
   Monday, 23 October, 5:45p.m., PCC 105AB.
   Jones presided over the first direct challenge in federal court against
   a school district that mandated the teaching of intelligent design.
   After ruling the mandate unconstitutional in December 2005, he was named
   one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of the Year. His
   lecture will be followed by a discussion session.

   REGIONAL INTEREST

   *The Late Cretaceous-Early Tertiary Interval in the Atlantic Coastal
   Plain*
   Tuesday, 24 October, 1:30-5:30 p.m., PCC 105AB
   Abstracts:
   http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006AM/finalprogram/session_18052.htm

   Two talks that may be particular interest from this session:

   *The Late Cretaceous/Early Paleogene Record at Bass River Borehole, New
   Jersey Coastal Plain*
   Richard K. Olsson, Rutgers University
   Tuesday, 24 October, PCC 105AB, 1:35-1:50 p.m.
   Sediments collected via the New Jersey Coastal Plain Drilling Project
   show evidence of: the asteroid impact at Chicxulub, Mexico, 65 million
   years ago; a tsunami following the impact, possibly triggered by massive
   slumping on the Atlantic slope; and warming of the ocean related to lava
   outpouring from the Deccan Traps in India.
   Abstract:
   http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006AM/finalprogram/abstract_109476.htm

   *Winners and Losers: Vertebrate Faunal Succession in the Late
   Cretaceous-Paleocene Interval of New Jersey*
   William B. Gallagher, New Jersey State Museum
   Tuesday, 24 October, PCC 105AB, 3:10-3:25 p.m.
   Southern New Jersey fossil evidence figures prominently in this talk
   about patterns of extinction and survival following the Chicxulub
   asteroid impact 65 million years ago.
   Abstract:
   http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006AM/finalprogram/abstract_111863.htm


   II. Hot Topics: Spirited Lunchtime Presentations, Discussions, and
   Debates

   Hot Topic sessions take place daily, Sunday through Wednesday, 22-25
   October, 12:15-1:15 p.m., in PCC Room 108A.

   * Sunday, 22 October: Avian Influenza
   * Monday, 23 October: Afghanistan Reconstruction – USGS Activities
   * Tuesday, 24 October: Global Warming and CO2-Are we Headed for Global
   Catastrophe in the Coming Century?
   * Wednesday, 25 October: The Future of Land Remote Sensing

   For complete descriptions of these sessions, see
   http://www.geosociety.org/meetings/2006/hotTopics.htm


   III. Public Forum on Climate Change

   *Understanding Global Climate Change: What Is It? What Does It Mean?
   What Can We Do?*
   Saturday, 21 October, 2-4:00 p.m., PCC Auditorium Lecture Hall, 1101
   Arch Street. Speakers are Richard Alley, Evan Pugh Professor of
   Geosciences, Penn State University, and Robert Jackson, Nicholas
   Institute Professor, Department of Biology and Nicholas School of the
   Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University. Presentations are
   geared for a non-technical audience and questions are encouraged. For
   more information on GSA's fourth annual Public Forum and speaker bios,
   see http://www.geosociety.org/meetings/2006/ePublicForum.htm.


   IV. Onsite Newsroom

   GSA will operate a full-service Newsroom in PCC 305/306. Computers with
   internet and printer access, outgoing telephone lines, and space for
   interviews will be available. Continental breakfast and lunch are
   complimentary for journalists covering the meeting.

   Beginning Saturday, 21 October, the Newsroom telephone number for
   incoming calls will be +1-215-418-2039.

   Newsroom hours of operation (Eastern Daylight Time) will be:

   * Saturday, 21 October, 3-5 p.m.
   * Sunday through Tuesday, 22-24 October, 7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
   * Wednesday, 25 October, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.


   V. Media Participation

   Eligibility for media registration is as follows:


   * Working press representing bona fide, recognized news media with a
   press card, letter, or business card from the publication.


   * Freelance science writers, presenting a current membership card from
   NASW, ISWA, regional affiliates of NASW, ISWA, CSWA, ACS, ABSW, EUSJA,
   or evidence of work pertaining to science published in 2005 or 2006.


   * PIOs of scientific societies, educational institutions, and government
   agencies.


    Journalists and PIOs must pay for any short courses or field trips in
   which they wish to participate.


   Representatives of the business side of news media, publishing houses,
   and for-profit corporations must register at the main registration desk
   and pay the appropriate fees.

   For additional meeting information and to access media registration,
   visit http://www.geosociety.org/meetings/2006/rMedia.htm.
   Pre-registration deadline for media is Monday, 16 October 2006. After
   that date, journalists are welcome to register onsite in the GSA
   Newsroom.

   Contact Ann Cairns, GSA Director of Communications/Marketing/Sales for
   additional information and assistance (acairns@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx).

   www.geosociety.org

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