Date: August 19, 2009
Contact: Bill Parker, 928-524-6228 x262
Petrified Forest National Park Science and Education Center Lecture Series
Petrified Forest, AZ― In September, the Petrified Forest National Park Science and Education Center presents “The Making of an Accurate Geological Map of Petrified Forest National Park and its Significance” by Dr. Jeff Martz.
In order to understand how and why changes in the history of the Earth and its living organisms took place, we have to understand the order in which events occurred. This can only be done by tracing out rock layers containing fossils to show the order that they lie in, the same way that a book can only tell a coherent story if the pages are in the right order. In Petrified Forest National Park, where the rocks of the Chinle Formation record the beginning of the Age of Dinosaurs, this has never been done with the degree of detail and accuracy needed to really understand this critical episode in the history of life.
Geologist Jeff Martz discusses his work mapping the rocks of the Chinle Formation in order to reconstruct the story of the beginning of the Age of Dinosaurs.
The presentation will begin at 10 am on Wednesday, September 2, 2009, and will be held at the Painted Desert Visitor Center Community Building in Petrified Forest National Park. The PDVC is located at Exit 311 on Interstate Highway 40. This presentation is open to the public and admission is free.
The Petrified Forest National Park Science and Education Center was established to bring park visitors and researchers together to foster understanding and appreciation of the natural and cultural resources of the park and the Colorado Plateau. Lectures are held the first Wednesday of each month on a variety of topics including geology, paleontology, archaeology, and biology.
For more information call (928) 524-6228; or write to the Superintendent, Petrified Forest National Park, P.O. Box 2217, Petrified Forest, AZ 86028; or e-mail the park Superintendent.
