PRESIDENT'S CORNER:
As of this writing, we have once again been jolted and awakened from our extended holiday
weekend reveries. At 1653 hrs today (July 7), a significant shaker occurred in the Borrego
Springs area.
Specifically (from the USGS website), "A M5.4 earthquake occurred in southern California at
4:53 pm (Pacific Time) about 30 miles south of Palm Springs, 25 miles southwest of Indio, and
13 miles north-northwest of Borrego Springs. The earthquake occurred near the Coyote Creek
segment of the San Jacinto fault, which is one of the strands of the San Jacinto fault. The
earthquake exhibited sideways horizontal motion to the northwest, consistent with slip on the
San Jacinto fault. It was followed by more than 60 aftershocks of M1.3 and greater during the
first hour. Seismologists expect continued aftershock activity."
"This M5.4 earthquake follows the 4th of April 2010, Easter Sunday, Mw7.2 earthquake, located
about 125 miles to the south, well south of the US Mexico international border. A M4.9
earthquake occurred in the same area on June 12th at 8:08 pm (Pacific Time). Thus this
section of the San Jacinto fault remains active. "
I have no doubt that the Coyote Creek fault will soon be hosting a swarm of curious and
energized geologists, within the next few days. A timely event, to be sure, given that for this
fall's field trip, we will be exploring the "Geology of the Northern Anza Borrego Desert State
Park Area"! Very kind of the planet to help us advertise the field trip, don't you think?
-- Bryan |
GSA - Call for Papers: Peninsular Ranges Batholith
Deadline for manuscript submission: June 2010.
A GSA volume on the Peninsular Ranges batholith, Baja and
southern California, is currently in the early stages of preparation. The volume will address both the
Jurassic and Cretaceous batholiths and related extrusives. Plans are for a series of overview papers; a
number of trans-batholith transects; topical papers dealing with isotopic, chemical, structural, and
geophysical aspects of the batholith; as well as structural effects recorded in prebatholithic rocks during
the evolution of the batholith. Also to be included are studies of individual plutons, ranging from gabbro to
pegmatites, that characterize various elements of the batholith. A section is planned for geologic
problems, such as Tertiary fault history, that have been solved through the analysis of batholithic data.
If you would like to submit a paper, or if you know of someone who might be interested, please contact
one of the editors: Doug Morton, douglasmmorton@gmail.com; Scott Johnson, johnsons@maine.edu;
Dave Kimbrough, dkimbrough@geology.sdsu.edu; Scott Paterson, paterson@usc.edu; Keegan Schmidt,
klschmidt@lcsc.edu; Vicki Todd, vtodd2@comcast.net; or Paul Wetmore, pwetmore@cas.usf.edu.
Call for Papers for the Upcoming 2010 SDAG/SCGS Joint Field Guide:
"Geology of the Northern Anza Borrego Desert State Park Area"
To be published in association with this years' SDAG/SCGS Joint field trip:"The Lows and Highs of Anza Borrego Desert State Park"
October 15 through 17, 2010
May 1 One-Stop-Wonder: Easter Earthquake Epicenter, Baja, Mexico
Dr Tom Rockwell (SDSU) provided a "once in a lifetime" hike/tour along the surface fault rupture from the
MW 7.2 Sierra El Mayor-Cucapah Earthquake that occurred in Northern Baja California, Mexico on April
4, 2010. Ten 4x4's filled with 41 SDAG members carpooled thru Tecate, Mexico and eastward on the
scenic toll road to the surface fault rupture approximately 15 west of Mexicali. The epicenter was
positioned approximately 30 miles south southeast of Mexicali in the farming communities on the western
side of a broad flat extensional sedimentary basin. The surface fault rupture was mapped in the
uninhabited area west of the epicenter in the rugged Sierras Cucapah and El Mayor mountain ranges.
The surface rupture extended northwest from the epicenter area through the mountain range towards the
US-Mexico border. The earthquake was consistent with a strike slip segment of the plate boundary
between the North American and Pacific plates that coincides with the southeastern part of the Laguna
Salada fault system. The event had an east down motion along faults on the eastern edge of the Sierra
El Mayor, and a combination of right lateral and east down motion father to the northwest in the Sierra
Cucapah mountain areas. This earthquake was the largest event to strike this area since 1892.
-Diane Murbach
THE OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2011 SDAG FIELD TRIP
Speaking of field trips, the ball is now rolling to organize the field trip for 2011! The focus area
will be eastern Imperial County, which encompassesexotic locales such as the Cargo Muchacho
Mtns., Algodones Dunes, Chocolate Mtns., the Picacho Area, Peter Kane Mountain, the Little Mule
Mtns., the Palo Verde Mtns... In light of recent earthquake activity, the focus may shift (no pun
intended) to include more western areas of geologic interest. Subject matter for the accompanying
guidebook will include anything geological, hydrological, and historical; lots of mines in the area as
well, a gunnery range or two... Perhaps some SDSU geology majors could conduct a few senior
theses this year within the area, for inclusion in the guidebook! Please contact next year's SDAG
vice president Todd Wirths at 858-337-0098 or todd@wirths.com for ideas, papers, people,
places, etc.
ASSN. OF EARTH SCIENCE EDITORS (AESE) VICTORIA B.C. September 10-15
http://www.aese.org
GSA ANNUAL DENVER Oct 29-Nov 3
http://geosociety.org/sectdiv/cord/2010mtg/
SDGS/SDAG
As many of you are aware, the San Diego Geological Society (SDGS) was formed early this year as an
official non-profit 501(c)3 corporation, and SDAG is now an organization under this corporation. The
reasons for doing this were many and they are spelled out in an informational sheet, the Business Plan
of SDGS. The officers of SDGS should be very familiar to you, as they are all past presidents of SDAG.
For those of you that would like to read more about SDGS and what it means to SDAG, check out the
informational page on the website. Also check out the website www.sandiegogeologicalsociety.org.
Note from our SDAG Editor-in-chief: From now on please send all correspondence related to SDAG editing to Carole Ziegler via
SDAGeditor@gmail.com
This includes any manuscripts, editing questions, etc.
Any SDAG related activities may also be sent to this address for Carole Ziegler. Please send all other
correspondence not related to SDAG to Cactus12Carole@gmail.com
Please note that Carole is spelled with an "e" Nice to be unique, but a pain when doing things like getting
people to remember how to spell your name and, of course, Ziegler is worse. (PTF note: try 64 years of
"Farquharson"!)
Thanks, CaroleZ
New Volume:
"Atlas of Coastal Ecosystems in the Western
Gulf of California"
Dr. Jorge Ledesma Vázquez, Associate Dean of the Facultad de
Ciencias Marinas at the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California
in Ensenada, has announced the publication of a new volume by
The University of Arizona Press, titled "Atlas of Coastal
Ecosystems in the Western Gulf of California: Tracking Limestone
Deposits on the Margin of a Young Sea" (192 pp., 32 color
photos, 24 maps, cloth binding, with CD-ROM).
"...this atlas captures the dynamics of natural cycles in the fertility
of the Gulf of California that have been in near-continuous
operation for more than five million years. The book is designed
to answer key questions that link the health of coastal ecosystems
with the region's evolutionary history: What was the
richness of "fossil" ecosystems in the Gulf of California? How has
it changed over time? Which ecosystems are most amenable to
conservation?" For more information and ordering, go to
http://www.uapress.arizona.edu/BOOKS/bid2141.htm.
FOR LEASE
1250 FAYETTE STREET,
EL CAJON, CA 92020
- Four units available, each with 3,125 square feet of warehouse and office space.
- Contact Terry Cochran at 619-258-4905, ext. 110 or tcochran@sunbeltpub.com for more information.
FOR SALE
The following groundwater level equipment items are for sale:
1. Solinst Model 101 Water Level Meter (used to measure depth of water in wells, boreholes and standpipes.)
2. Campbell Monoflex Pneumatic Integrated Vacuum Pressure Controller (designed to operate pumps and samplers to depths of 250 ft. with a maximum operating pressure of 125 PSI, with quick disconnect air fittings.)
3. Model 601 Standpipe Piezometer ( designed to be placed within a drilled hole to provide a filtered inlet point.)
If interested, please contact Mrs. Jacqueline Sorben at (858) 278-8897.
SDAG Wear - Monte (Murbach) has a variety of shirts, hats, visors and even a nice vest with the SDAG logo. A small selection is available for purchase at the meetings; all SDAG wear can be ordered from Monte.
California Geology Board eliminated; folded under Engineer Board
Read CA State Assembly Bill
On July 28, 2009, the governor approved Assembly Bill No. 20 (4th Extraordinary Session 2009-10). As part of this bill to reorganize regulatory boards of the Department of Consumer Affairs, it eliminated the Board for Geologists and Geophysicists (BGG). The bill requires the Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (BPELS) to administer the Geologists and Geophysicists Act. The bill makes conforming changes and requires BPELS to receive 2 personnel-years that were previously allocated to the Board for Geologists and Geophysicists for the performance of responsibilities under the act. BPELS "shall succeed to and is vested with all the duties, powers, purposes, responsibilities, and jurisdiction previously vested in the Board for Geologists and Geophysicists," according to the newly amended version of Section 7801 of the Business and Professions Code. The new law takes effect on October 23, 2009, 90 days from July 23.
This is a done deal. The Board for Geologists and Geophysicists will cease to exist after October 23. This action took place without consultation with either BGG or BPELS. Neither were public hearings held on this matter. However, all the functions of BGG are to be administered by BPELS. What it means is that the BGG Executive Officer will be speaking to the BPELS Executive Officer to plan for a smooth transition. It is likely that two staff members from BGG will continue their work at BPELS. However, the law does not require it, so this is uncertain.
The Geologists and Geophysicists Act requires licensure of the practice of geology. Therefore, candidates for licensure will continue to apply for licenses, pay fees, and take exams, as usual. Also, existing licenses to practice will be renewed by the paying of fees in the usual way.
It is uncertain how the enforcement of geologic practice will function under BPELS. However, there is anticipated to be no change in pending enforcement actions.
There is no provision in the new law to change the name of the Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors to include "Geologists." Neither was any provision made for geologist or geophysicist representation on the BPELS. In states where a single board regulates the practice of geology and other professionals, at least one member of that board is a geologist. For example, in Pennsylvania the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists consists of 5 engineers, 2 geologists, 2 land surveyors, 3 public members, and a commissioner. In Arizona the Board of Technical Registration consists of 2 architects, 3 professional engineers, 1 public member, 1 landscape architect, 1 geologist or assayer, 1 land surveyor. The Arizona board regulates a larger set of professions than in California.
Many of the functions of the BGG are handled by the volunteer board members and volunteers on various committees including the Examination Committee, Policy Committee, Enforcement Oversight Committee, and Professional Affairs Advisory Committee. It is unclear if these committees will continue under BPELS.
As professional geologists it is our professional duty to stay active or become more active in the regulation of our practice in California. We need to let our elected representatives know that we are concerned about maintaining high standards of practice. The BGG had been singled out as a model board in the Department of Consumer Affairs. We will want to make sure that our license fees go toward functions and activities related to geologists and geophysicists. We also want to work toward representation on the board that will regulate our profession.
This is an opportunity to work closer with engineers with whom many of us already have close working relationships.
Please keep current and active as the functions of the Geologists and Geophysicists Act are transferred to the Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.
Legal Updates on the elimination of the Geology Board: On February 8, 2010, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL GEOLOGISTS (CAPG) filed a Petition for a Writ of Mandate and First Amended Complaint for Declaratory Relief against Governor Schwarzenegger and Brian Stiger (director of DCA). This supersedes the Preliminary Injunction motion. A hearing date for the Writ of Mandate will be set. This will be a long battle and funds are still direly needed to support this effort. If CAPG wins on the Petition for Writ of Mandate, BGG would be reinstated.
The Geology Board is currently under the Engineers Board: The Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (BPELS) has a LISTSERVE which automatically sends out information to people who sign up. We encourage all geologists to sign up. The link to subscribe is https://www.dca.ca.gov/webapps/pels/subscribe.php.
BPELS is now soliciting members for its Geology and Geophysics Technical Advisory Committee. Please pass this on to anyone you know who might be interested (including the former PAAC members, SDAG, and SCGS, etc.) and encourage them to apply. The link for more information is http://www.geology.ca.gov/licensees/tac_vacancies.shtml.
2010 SDAG Membership Please consider renewing for 2010. It is our active membership that makes SDAG able to do what we do: monthly presentations at dinner meetings, annual field trip, student scholarships, publications, education sponsorship, half-day and full-day field trips and other activities.
DO YOU HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT?? Do you have an event, job opening, field trip or other announcement you would like to share with our members??
Just call or email our SDAG Secretary.
Wednesday seminars, 1 - 2 pm, SDSU in the Chemistry-Geology Building, room CSL-422. Check http://www.geology.sdsu.edu/seminars/ for details.
Department of Geological Sciences
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-1020
FAX (619) 594-4372 VOICE (619) 594-6394
*****Parking near campus is limited. There are two lots of meters on the SE side of campus off College, for example and it would be about a 5 minute walk from there. The first lot is meters, and the deeper lot is less expensive ticket machine. *****
The Gordon Gastil Endowed Scholarship Fund continues to seek donations of any amount. Gifts of $ 500.00 or more will be recognized on a plaque to be placed in the remodeled Geology Building. Donations can be sent through SDAG, or contact Pia or Marie, Department of Geological Sciences, SDSU, at (619) 594-5586.
Meetings are generally held the 4th Thursday of the month at 11:30AM at the Grand at Willow (check their website http://www.labgs.org/ for their newsletter, for more details, and to make a reservation). Reservations Are Essential.
The SCGS usually meets on the first Monday of every month, in Orange County. For more SCGS information, visit their website at: http://www.southcoastgeo.org, or contact this year's SCGS President, Monte Murbach.
Check the West Coast Petroleum Technology Transfer Council website http://www.westcoastpttc.org/ for workshop date and location.
Our website manager, Carolyn Glockhoff, can create a link from any Corporate Sponsor's listing on the SDAG website to its company website, if one exists. Also, please send the URLs of your favorite geology sites to carolyn@caro-lion.com for listing on the Geologic Links page. These could be data resources, schools, useful government contacts, geologic software, contractors, laboratories, your own company's website, or anything you think would be useful to your colleagues.
DO YOU HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT?? Do you have an event, job opening, field trip or other announcement you would like to share with our members?? Just call or email Todd Wirths 2010 SDAG Secretary. Any news regarding upcoming events that may be of interest to the Association or news of your business can be submitted.
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