The University of Nevada, Reno is hosting the first Discover Nevada open house on October 15-16 at the Great Basin Science Sample and Records Library. The open house is part of National Earth Science Week and will include presentations and displays about Nevada's geology, gold and mineral resources, geothermal activity, and earthquakes. The first night will focus on Nevada's gold history and deposits, while the second night will highlight Nevada's earthquakes and evolving landscapes. Experts will be on hand both nights to answer questions. Tours of the library's collections will also be provided. The goal is for the public to learn more about Nevada's unique geology and natural resources.

1. unr.edu http://www.unr.edu/nevada-today/news/2014/discover-nevada-open-house
Discover Nevada Open House:
University of Nevada, Reno
Discover Nevada Open House, part of National Earth Science Week, opens to the public Oct. 15 and 16 at the
Great Basin Science Sample and Records Library in north Reno.
The National Earth Science Week celebration continues with an exhibition of
Nevada's enticing geological history. The University of Nevada, Reno Nevada
Bureau of Mines and Geology is hosting the first Discover Nevada open house at
the Great Basin Science Sample and Records Library, 2175 Raggio Parkway,
between 5 and 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 15 and Thursday, Oct. 16.
The first night, themed "Nevada Gold Day," will focus on Nevada's position in the
Gold Rush. Presenters will provide insight on related topics through engaging
keynote lectures. John Muntean, NBMG associate professor and director of Economic Geology, will present
"Nevada: America's True Golden State;" and Jim Faulds, state geologist and director of the bureau, will present "Why
is Nevada in Hot Water: Overview of Nevada's Vast Geothermal Resources." Nevada is currently in the midst of the
biggest gold boom in the history of America. More gold has been mined in Nevada in the last 35 years than was ever
mined in California. Ironically, settlers trekked over most of Nevada's gold as they rushed to find gold in California.
Speakers will discuss why this gold was missed, how it forms, how one explores for it and what the Nevada Bureau
of Mines and Geology does to help maintain this modern-day gold rush.
Ongoing displays of the evening will include samples of ore, geologic maps of mining districts and maps showing
major mines and mineral/geothermal resource potential across the state. Expert geologists will be on hand to answer
questions about gold, geothermal deposits and exploration activities in Nevada. Door prizes will include gold ore
samples, a geologic map of Nevada and a geologic map of Virginia City.
The following night, themed "Nevada is Earthquake Country," will highlight Nevada's position as the third most
seismically active state in the country. Craig DePolo, research geologist with NBMG, will present "Nevada is
Earthquake Country: How to Protect Life and Property," and other faculty will present "Tectonic Forces that Shape
Nevada: Nevada's mini-San Andreas Fault". Discussions will focus on the impact of tectonic forces on the state, how
to analyze faults and how Nevada can prepare and mitigate the effects of earthquakes.
"Nevada is richly endowed with natural resources and has more gold and geothermal resources than any other
state," Faulds said. "But our evolving landscapes also make Nevada prone to natural hazards, including
earthquakes, floods and landslides." Ongoing displays will include samples of faults, maps showing earthquake
distribution and history, earthquake animations, instruments that record earthquakes and a "find-that-fault" exercise.
Faculty from both NBMG and Nevada Seismological Laboratory will be present to answer questions about Nevada's
earthquakes and evolving landscapes.
"The open house is an opportunity for the general public to discover Nevada and learn more about our dynamic
landscapes and unique geology," Faulds said. The Great Basin Science Sample and Records Library houses vast
collections of reports and rock and mineral specimens on Nevada's geology, resources and geologic hazards. Tours
of the records library will be given at 5:30, 6 and 8 p.m. on both evenings. The main lectures will begin at 6:30 and
7:30 p.m. each night. The Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology is the state's geological survey and charged with
assessing Nevada's mineral, geothermal and oil-gas resources while also analyzing natural hazards to mitigate their
effects. For more information, visit http://www.earthsciweek.org/upcoming-events#state and
http://www.nbmg.unr.edu/.
University of Nevada, Reno | 1664 N. Virginia Street, Reno | (775) 784-1110

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