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March 2010 Issue

Geothermal map
The Indiana Geological Survey is a member of a large, new U.S. Department of Energy project to assess the geothermal potential of most American states.

The Survey is participating in a comprehensive nationwide inventory of geothermal data to help identify and assess new geothermal resources for potential development. The IGS, along with 40 other state geological surveys, have formed a coalition to populate a new National Geothermal Data System with relevant, state-specific geothermal data. Over the 3-year life of the project, the Geothermal Data Consortium will receive $17.79 million from the DOE with the IGS receiving $300,000.

"This project will help us understand the geothermal potential in Indiana to an extent never possible before," said Indiana State Geologist and IGS Director John Steinmetz. "It's exciting to be part of this national effort among so many other state geological surveys to address such a critical renewable energy need for the state and the country."

As a member of the Consortium, the IGS will be collecting data from across Indiana that will aid government, academia, and industry in the identification and development of geothermal energy, and integrating them into the National Geothermal Data System.

"Once these data are compiled for the entire nation, they will be integrated into a searchable, Web-based data system that can then be used to drive renewed efforts to identify, assess, and exploit geothermal energy resources across America," said principal investigator and IGS Center for Geospatial Data Analysis Director Shawn Naylor.
Todd Thompson, IGS geologist, works with students at the Indiana Science Olympiad Tournament.
Spring is coming and so is fieldtrip season! The IGS will be hosting a fieldtrip for the Indiana Earth Science Teachers Association on April 24 from 9 am to 2 pm. For more information, members of the organization can contact Walt Gray at 812-855-1378 or grayw@indiana.edu.

A class and fieldtrip, "Geodes from Birth to Death," will be offered by IGS geologist Nelson Shaffer on May 20 and 22, through IU Bloomington's Continuing Studies Department. For more information or to register for the class visit their Web site.

The Indiana Mineral Aggregates Association (IMAA) Teachers' Workshop is scheduled for June 22-24, 2010. For additional information visit their Web site.

The IGS hosted two events last weekend at the Indiana Science Olympiad State Tournament---"Dynamic Planet" and "Fossils." For more information about Science Olympiad, visit the Indiana Science Olympiad Web site.

Part of the IGS booth at HASTI 2010.
This year's at the HASTI (Hoosier Association of Science Teachers, Inc.) conference in Indianapolis in early February, the IGS hosted a booth that provided educators with a wide variety of resources. IGS geologists also gave two presentations: Meteorites of Indiana by Nelson Shaffer and Discover IndianaMap by Kimberly Sowder and Walter Gray. Todd Thompson, Brian Keith, and Walt Gray taught a workshop entitled Indiana Geology.

Thanks to all you who stopped by the booth to talk and to browse our educational materials. We also welcome the new subscribers to eGeoNews who signed up during the conference.
Nelson Shaffer, IGS geologist (left), receives the IMAA "Aggie Award."
The Indiana Mineral Aggregates Association recently honored Nelson R. Shaffer, Ph.D., geologist and head of the Indiana Geological Survey's Coal and Industrial Minerals Section, with the honorary "Aggie Award" for 2009. This prestigious award recognizes an exceptional contribution to the Indiana aggregates industry by a non-member of the Association.

Nelson Shaffer was presented the award for over 35 years of service to the aggregates industry. During that period of time he has conducted research projects that have benefited the industry, given numerous geologic presentations at the organization's meetings, assisted with training the organization's members through the Indiana Department of Transportation's Certified Aggregates Producers Program, assisted with the association's annual Teacher's Workshop, helped many individual companies with geologic questions related to starting and operating aggregate mines, and given of his time to help establish and maintain the grounds of the Koinonia Talking Rocks and Mineral Resources Trail at Manchester College's Environmental and Retreat Center.

In November, Shaffer was also awarded the Distinguished Geologist award by the Professional Geologists of Indiana in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the practice of geology and geological sciences.
Meteorites of Indiana Poster
Meteorites of Indiana is a full-color 26 by 34 inch poster featuring fascinating meteorites that have been recovered in Indiana. The poster details the formation of meteorites and explains the difference between "meteor," "meteorite," and "meteoroid," as well as highlighting the different types of meteorites. These cosmic visitors have always inspired awe and curiosity; rocks from space are intriguing for geologists, astronomers, and collectors.

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Indiana Geological Survey

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