2019 Earth Science Week Open House on October 16th has record number in attendance
A record number of families, classes from area schools, and people who wanted to learn more about Geology spent the evening at the Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS) on October 16th. The 2019 Earth Science Week Open House was the 20th year for this event and approximately 350 people attended. Exhibits such as the streamflow table showed how flood events can impact our daily lives. Rock, fossil, and mineral collections included examples from Kentucky and many children took a rock specimen home with them. The Earth Science Week Open House also included a volcano demonstration. KGS’ employees shared with people how seismic data is collected at KGS and how it is used for earthquake monitoring. In addition to KGS staff, representatives from UK’s Earth and Environmental Sciences Department, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, UK’s Mining Engineering Department, Bluegrass Grotto, Bluegrass Rock and Mineral Club, and the Kentucky Paleontological Society participated and exhibited at the event.
A future scientist learns about viewing rock specimens under the microscope.
Steve Evans with KWRRI demonstrates varied amounts of precipitation and shows attendees how this variation can impact whether a flood event occurs or if sediment is transported.
Pete Idstein with UK's Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences prepares for the next volcano demonstration.
Open House Attendees show and talk about the specimens they are taking home with them!
Representatives of Bluegrass Grotto talked with attendees about their caving or spelunking adventures and showed examples of the equipment used for spelunking.
Seth Carpenter with KGS talks with Open House attendees about the Kentucky Seismic and Strong-Motion Network and how the data is used to identify seismic hazards and develop policies to address these hazards.
Jason Dortch and Sarah Arpin with KGS demonstrate stream flow to Earth Science Open House attendees.Attendees viewed rock and fossil specimens.
Andrea Conner and Emily Morris with KGS talked with Open House attendees about geologic sources of radon in Kentucky and the equipment used to measure radon. Children took radon-focused coloring books home with them.
