****************************************************************************** AWG E-MAIL NEWS November 1999 #8 ****************************************************************************** CONTENTS: ANNOUNCEMENTS **An Afternoon at Cal Tech LETTER **Geochemistry student in Iran AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS PROGRAM SPECIAL UPDATE: **Congressional Science Fellowships in the Geosciences BUILDING SAFE COMMUNITIES ON A HAZARDOUS PLANET JOB LISTINGS **Oberlin-Hydrogeology **University of Florida-Organic Geochemistry **University of Virginia STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES **Carl O. Dunbar and Charles Schuchert Grants-in-Aid for Invertebrate Paleontological Research-Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University **Graduate Student-Coral Reef Study, Puerto Rico **University of California-Riverside-Himalayan M.S. project **University of Hawaii Graduate Research Fellowships **University of Maine-Graduate Degree Program in Quaternary Studies ************************************** ANNOUNCEMENT: AN AFTERNOON AT CAL TECH ************************************** AWG MEMBERS AND FRIENDS JOIN US FOR "AN AFTERNOON AT CAL TECH" SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1999 - 1:00 to 3:00 PM Saturday, December 4th, AWG-LA Chapter is privileged to be sponsoring a technical presentation and tour of the Cal Tech Seismology Lab. Cal Tech professor and AWG-LA member, Dr. Joann Stock will be speaking on "The Geological Evolution of the Gulf of California". This presentation will be followed by a tour of the Seismology Lab and its Real Time System led by AWG-LA member, Karen Kahler. Join us for light, holiday refreshments afterwards. For more information on this event, please contact Karen Kahler at 323-254-9600, or Ann Meeker at 949-645-7290. *********************************** LETTER-GEOCHEMISTRY STUDENT IN IRAN *********************************** AWG received this letter from a student in Iran. Ms. Abarghani wants to learn more about AWG and would like to correspond with our members who have an interest in geochemistry. This is great opportunity to do some international outreach. I am a student of sedimentary geology at M.Sc. degree in Dr. Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran. My thesis subject is about Carbonate Geochemistry, and I would like to contact your members who work on carbonates... My best regards, Arash Abarghani Dept. of geology Faculty of Earthsciences Dr.Beheshti university Evin, Tehran, IRAN E-mail: abargany@alborz.sbu.ac.ir **************************************************** AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS PROGRAM SPECIAL UPDATE: Congressional Science Fellowships in the Geosciences **************************************************** IN A NUTSHELL: AGI and several of its member societies are now accepting applications for congressional science fellowships, providing opportunities for qualified geoscientists to spend a year (starting September 2000) working as professional staff in congressional committees and the personal offices of representatives and senators. These fellowships are part of the AAAS Congressional Science and Engineering Fellows Program, which has a 25-year history of placing scientists on Capitol Hill to provide input and gain experience in the federal legislative process. For further information and application deadlines, visit the web sites of AGI , the American Geophysical Union , Geological Society of America , and Soil Science Society of America . It is acceptable to apply to more than one society. Stipends, application procedures, timetables, and deadlines vary. Please pass this message along to anyone who you feel might be interested. Congressional science fellowships represent a unique opportunity to gain first-hand experience with the federal legislative process and make practical contributions to the effective and timely use of geoscientific knowledge on issues relating to the environment, resources, natural hazards, and federal science policy. The 2000-2001 fellows will spend a year to sixteen months (starting September 2000) in Washington working as a staff member in the office of a member of Congress or a congressional committee. AGI's current 1999-2000 Fellow, Dr. Eileen McLellan, is working for Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) on resource and land-use issues. AGU's current fellow, Dr. Bryan Hannegan, is working on climate change issues for the majority staff of the Senate Committee on Energy and Mineral Resources, chaired by Sen. Frank Murkowski (R-AK). GSA Fellow Dr. Melody Brown Burkins works for Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) on environmental issues. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow Dr. Christy Johnson, a geoscientist, is working on environmental issues for Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT). SSSA Fellow Dan Byers begins work in the office of Rep. Nick Smith (R-MI), who chairs the House Basic Research Subcommittee, this coming January. The fellowship experience begins with an intensive orientation program on the legislative and executive branches, organized by AAAS, which also guides the placement process and provides educational and collegial programs for the class of over two dozen science and engineering congressional fellows as well as fellows working in various federal agencies. For the AGI fellowship, prospective applicants should have a broad geoscience background and excellent written and oral communications skills. Minimum requirements are a master's degree with three years of post-degree work experience or a Ph.D. at the time of appointment. Although prior experience in public policy is not necessary, a demonstrable interest in applying science to the solution of public problems is desirable. Our goal in offering the AGI fellowship is to draw on all sectors of the geoscience community. Applicants must be a member of one of AGI's member societies, and preference is given to applicants who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The AGI Congressional Science Fellowship carries an annual stipend of up to $42,000 plus allowances for health insurance, relocation, and travel. Funding for the fellowship is provided by the AGI Foundation. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and a curriculum vitae with three letters of reference to AGI Congressional Science Fellowship, 4220 King Street, Alexandria VA 22302-1502. All application materials must be postmarked by February 1, 2000. For further details, visit the AGI web site at , call 703-379-2480, or e-mail . AGI is an equal opportunity employer and especially welcomes applications from women and minorities. ************************************************ BUILDING SAFE COMMUNITIES ON A HAZARDOUS PLANET ************************************************ By Charles Groat, Director, U.S. Geological Survey World Disaster Reduction Day, October 13. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then recent images of the suffering caused by earthquakes in Turkey and Taiwan, as well as by the ongoing drought and Hurricane Floyd along our own East Coast, speak volumes. With television images piped into our homes the moment a disaster occurs, we are increasingly aware of how fragile our existence really is and how much devastation can be caused through natural eventsŠ The geologic record tells us that earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes and other natural hazards have been with us for millions of years. However, during past decades the frequency of natural disasters, as opposed to hazards, has increased dramatically. Both the number and the complexity of natural disasters are rising for several reasons. First, more people are choosing to live in harm's way: Today, more than half the U.S. population lives within 50 miles of the coast, and the market value of insured properties in those areas now exceeds $3 trillion. Second, people increasingly live in large cities whose complex infrastructure is especially vulnerable to disaster. As we recently saw, rainstorms in New York can shut down the subways and the local economy for a day. A major San Francisco Bay Area earthquake would not only shut down the regional economy for days or weeks but would also depress the national and global economies for much longer. According to the World Disasters Report 1999, an annual survey released by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, last year's season of natural disasters was the worst on record, causing more damage than ever before. Floods, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes and volcanoes have all recently made their mark on the Earth's surface. In Fiscal Year 1999, which just ended, President Clinton issued 52 major disaster declarations in 35 states. In some recent years, natural disasters have cost victims, insurance companies, and U.S taxpayers more than $1 billion each week. United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan declared: "We can no longer afford, financially or socially, to rely only on the expectations of relief, when disaster strikes. Preparedness measures will remain necessary, but we must first turn much greater attention to the introduction of preventive strategies aimed at saving lives and protecting assets before they are lost." "Science and technology play a central role in reducing the economic and social consequences of natural hazards. This year's observance of the World Disaster Reduction Day highlights the importance of information in communicating these technical abilities and in sharing practical experiences to make communities safer," he said. Meanwhile, with population increases along the West Coast in recent years, the potential for catastrophic property loss in that region is sobering. The 1994 earthquake in California was the most costly natural disaster in U.S. history, with losses of more than $40 billion. A major earthquake (magnitude 7.5 or more) could cost more than $100 billion if centered near San Francisco or Los Angeles. We cannot solve hazards. They are a fundamental part of nature. Efforts to control Nature with concrete and steel-to eliminate hazards-have often proven ineffective, costly, and environmentally unsound. Disasters, in this sense, are unnatural. They result from the collision of the man-made environment with natural processes. So what can we do? There are three ways to reduce our risk. We can stay out of harm's way by choosing to build and live in places that have less risk. We can reduce our vulnerability by building structures and communities that are more resistant to damage from disasters. And when we are warned that Nature is threatening, we can get out of harm's way safely. The foundation for all three approaches is sound, objective, accessible science. The USGS, working in every state, is proud to be the leading natural science agency seeking to broaden and integrate our understanding of the physics, geology, biology, hydrology, geomorphology and other aspects of the earth and the hazards we face. The USGS continues to monitor those hazards and transmits real time alerts to officials who make life-safety decisions. The USGS maps hazard-prone areas and provides those maps to people who can then make more informed decisions on land use. But science by itself will not protect us. Federal, state and local governments, the private sector, volunteer and charitable organizations and individual citizens must work together in applying the science to make our communities safer. These partnerships are beginning to emerge. The USGS, as a member of the federal subcommittee on Natural Disaster Reduction, is working closely with the Institute for Business and Home Safety, the American Red Cross, and other private and non-profit organizations to explore new approaches to reduce the human and economic toll of natural disasters. Similarly, under the leadership of James Lee Witt, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is partnering with federal, state and local governments, the private sector and individuals to make communities more resilient to disaster through FEMA's Project Impact, of which USGS is a proud partner. As we approach the twenty-first century, population growth, rapid industrialization and urbanization, and other factors make the risk of major disasters in this nation and around the world higher than ever. We can-we must-prevent natural events from turning into major social and economic disasters. Working together, we can build safer communities for ourselves and our children. For more information contact Gail Wendt, Chief, Customer Relations and Communications, Office of Information, WRD, USGS, 439 National Center, Reston, VA 20192, 703-648-5604, 703-648-5644 (fax), gwendt@usgs.gov -Submitted by Karen Spaulding ********************* CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS ********************* Have you or has someone you know been wrongfully denied tenure or terminated from an American college or university for racist, sexist, ageist, heterosexist or other discriminatory reasons? Submissions are sought for inclusion in a volume "Exiled from Academia: Women and Discrimination in Higher Education" by Victoria D. Heckler, offering topics that clarify, dignify, and/or politicize the problems of racism, sexism, ageism, heterosexism or any other type of discrimination faced by women seeking tenure/advancement in American colleges and universities. The purpose of this research is to augment existing statistical research on the underrepresentation of women in tenured positions at American colleges and universities through the use of personal narratives. As evidenced by the number of cases of discrimination in hiring and tenuring presented in the media, there are many women with powerful stories to tell about their experiences of being wrongfully denied tenure or terminated from their positions at colleges and universities across the US. This research will provide a venue for those stories to be told. Guidelines for Submissions: Submissions should take the form of personal narratives and essays. Academic submissions will be considered, but are not encouraged. Submissions may be of any length, although longer submissions (3000+ words) may be truncated for publication. Technical guidelines for submissions are as follows: Typed Submissions: Must be double-spaced, in a minimum 10-point font and accompanied by a hard copy on an IBM-compatible disk. Electronic Submissions: Via e-mail with either MS Word or WordPerfect attachment. Deadline: December 1, 1999 Please address your submissions, comments, or questions to: Victoria D. Heckler, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 25530 DPO Way, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8705; Phone: (908) 835-0405 E-mail: vdheckler@aol.com -Submitted by Pam Hallock Muller ************ JOB LISTINGS ************ ***OBERLIN COLLEGE FACULTY VACANCY IN HYDROGEOLOGY The Department of Geology at Oberlin College invites applications for a non-continuing faculty position in the College of Arts and Sciences. The appointment is for the second semester of the 1999-2000 academic year (i.e. will end June 30, 2000), and will carry the rank of Assistant Professor or Instructor. The incumbent will teach an introductory course on surface hydrology and an intermediate undergraduate course in groundwater hydrogeology. He or she will also be expected to aid in supervising undergraduate research projects. We seek an individual with the Ph.D. degree in hand or nearly completed. Candidates must demonstrate interest and potential excellence in undergraduate teaching. Successful teaching experience at the college level is desirable. The Department consists of four full-time faculty members. We currently have about 35 junior and senior majors, with approximately equal numbers of men and women. The faculty encourages students to conduct Honors and other research projects. The Department has extensive teaching collections as well as a technician to aid in preparing laboratories and demonstrations. We are in the process of drilling local wells to support laboratory exercises for the groundwater hydrology course. To be assured of consideration, letters of application, including a curriculum vita, graduate academic transcripts, and three letters of recommendation should be sent to Steven F. Wojtal, Chair, Department of Geology, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH 44074 (steven.wojtal@oberlin.edu) by December 1, 1999. Application materials received after that date may be considered until the position is filled. Salary will depend on qualifications and experience. Oberlin College has admitted women since its beginning in 1833 and has been historically a leader in the education of African Americans. ***UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA The Department of Geological Sciences invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor position in the general area of organic geochemistry to begin with the 2000-2001 academic year. Possible areas of specialization include: biogeochemistry, environmental geology, astrobiology, paleoceanography, etc. Preference will be given to quantitative,process- oriented scientists who will develop vigorous,innovative research programs, and who have a strong commitment to teaching. More information on the Department is available at web.geology.ufl.edu Applicants should send a letter of interest, including a statement of research and teaching goals, a curriculum vitae, and the names and addresses of three references by December 15, 1999 to: University of Florida, Dr. Paul A. Mueller,Department of Geological Sciences, 241 Williamson Hall, P.O. Box 112120, Gainesville FL. 32611-2120. phone: 352-392-2231, FAX 352-392-2231, or mueller@geology.ufl.edu. The University of Florida is an equal opportunity employer; qualified women and minorities are especially encouraged to apply. ***UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Geosciences The Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professorship in geosciences. The department is an interdisciplinary community of process-oriented scientists representing atmospheric sciences, ecology, geosciences and hydrology. The department offers B.A., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees. We strongly encourage prospective candidates to review our departmental website (http://www.evsc.virginia.edu/) prior to applying. We encourage applications from scientists whose research and teaching strengths and interests show promise for capitalizing on the unique interdisciplinary nature of our department, and to build upon our existing strengths in low temperature geochemistry and geomorphology in particular. Examples include but are not limited to landscape-scale geomorphic processes, field-oriented coastal and estuarine sedimentary processes, geochemical processes in soils and sediment, environmental geochemistry and geochronology. The successful candidate will be expected to develop outstanding programs in research and teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and to participate in teaching our undergraduate core course in Physical Geology. Applicants must show demonstrated excellence in their research and a strong commitment to quality teaching. Applicants should include one-page statements on their research and teaching interests and experience, a curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of three references. The application deadline is December 15, 1999. Applications should be sent to: James N. Galloway, Professor and Chair, Department of Environmental Sciences, Geosciences Search Committee, University of Virginia, Clark Hall, Charlottesville, VA 22903; Tel: 804-924-0561 We encourage applications from under-represented groups. The University of Virginia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. ********************* STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES ********************* ***Carl O. Dunbar and Charles Schuchert Grants-in-Aid for Invertebrate Paleontological Research Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University The Division of Invertebrate Paleontology at the Yale Peabody Museum is pleased to announce a Grants-in-Aid program for systematic research. Two awards up to $500 will be granted to graduate students or young professionals who wish to visit our collections. Funds may be used for transportation and housing expenses. Logistical information is available at http://www.peabody.yale.edu/collections/ip. Proposals should include a one page description of a research project, anticipated time of visit, a budget and a letter of support from their faculty advisor. Proposals are due by 15 January 2000, with notification by 1 February 2000. Award recipients are expected to complete their Peabody visit by 15 December 2000. Visit our website (www.peabody.yale.edu/collections/ip) or reply off list for further information. Send proposals to: Invertebrate Paleontological Research Grants, Division of Invertebrate Paleontology, Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, 170 Whitney Avenue, PO Box 208118, New Haven, CT 06520-8118, USA ***Graduate Student-Coral Reef Study, Puerto Rico I have an opening for one graduate student for the fall semester 2000. grant support will start spring 2001; two years at $10,000 per year for the student. Student thesis should relate to coral reef research on theeffects of nutrients and sediments at Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. The research program for the thesis will be supported under the grant. The degree will be in marine sciences, marine geology speciality contact jack morelock - morelock@coqui.net ***M.S. Project in Himalayas I was recently fortunate to receive an NSF grant that will involve stratigraphic work in the Neoproterozoic and early Paleozoic the Himalaya and Tibet. I'm now looking for a graduate student to be a part of this project. I have funding to take them with me to the Himalaya and for some RA support. My preference would be for a Master's student. The person will get training in field geology, Neoproterozoic/Cambrian paleontology (both trace and body fossils), biogeogrpahy etc. The project is in collaboration with Paul Myrow, the incomparable sedimentologist/stratigrapher/bluesman, and so the student will obtain an excellent exposure to field and lab-based stratigraphic geology in an area of outstanding natural beauty and adventure. I'm looking for a bright, articulate, cheerful, fit, adaptable, and companionable geology student to join UCR for a Master's (or possibly PhD) in Fall 2000 but be available for fieldwork in the Himalaya for a month next summer.The UCR grad school deadline is December 30th. Please contact: Dr. Nigel Hughes, Dept. of Earth Sciences, University of California, Riverside CA 92521; hughesnc@mail.ucr.edu ***University of Hawaii Graduate Research Fellowships The Center for Conservation Research & Training (CCRT) at the University of Hawaii has been awarded an NSF Training Grant to provide Graduate Research Fellowships to students admitted into the Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology (EECB) Graduate Program. In addition to a minimum stipend of approximately $14,000/annum, the Graduate Fellows who are awarded fellowships will be provided with a stipend and a small amount of funds that can be used to carry out their own research in completing their degree requirements. The Graduate Fellows will also be required to spend a minimum of 15 hours per week as partners and mentors to K-12 teachers and assist in teaching biology (from the perspective of evolutionary and conservation biology) to K-12 students. It is expected they will integrate their research into their activities with K-12 teachers and students as much as possible. Inquiries regarding the GK-12 Fellowship program can be directed to Dr.Ken Kaneshiro, Director of CCRT (phone 808-956-6739, email kykanesh@hawaii.edu); or to Dr. Sheila Conant, Chair of EECB (phone 808-956-8241; email conant@hawaii.edu); or send email request to Rena Duhl (duhl@hawaii.edu) for information packet about the EECB Graduate Program. website: http://www.hawaii.edu/eecb ***University of Maine-Graduate Degree Program in Quaternary Studies The Institute for Quaternary Studies at the University of Maine offers a 2-year Master of Science degree in Quaternary Studies. Drawing on its expertise in archaeology, glacial geology, glaciology, paleoecology, paleo- climatology, and other related fields, the Institute offers multidisciplinary training focused on the last two million years of earth history. The degree program combines coursework with a research thesis on a topic agreed upon by each student and her/his graduate committee. For further information, please visit our website at: http://iceage.umeqs.maine.edu/ You can also email Dan Sandweiss, the interim grad coordinator, at or write him at: Dept. of Anthropology, S. Stevens Hall, University of Maine, Orono ME 04469-5773 USA. For an application form, please contact the Graduate School, http://www.umaine.edu/graduate/ or The Graduate School, University of Maine, 5782 Winslow Hall, Orono, Maine 04469-5782 USA; Tel. (207) 581-3218; FAX (207) 581-3232; EMail: graduate@maine.maine.edu