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ALBANY –New York State Museum geoscientists will discuss their investigations of New York’s past and present and the state’s relationship to the larger world in a series of weekly lectures in April at the Museum.

The free lectures will be offered on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in the Huxley Theater. Scientists will explain how their research in the field lab and office is mixed, on a daily basis, with work involving Museum collections and exhibitions, as well as with outreach to government agencies, teachers, industry and the public.

The schedule and topics are:

• April 1 – “It’s Mines, All Mines.” Dr. William Kelly, state geologist, will discuss his research on the economic impact of mining in New York. He also recounts the adventure of the 1994 collapse of the world’s largest rock salt mine, located in western New York.
• April 8 – “Dates, Rates, and Geologic Hazards: Surficial Geology.” Dr. Andrew Kozlowski, a glacial geologist, will describe several current research projects investigating sediment-landforms, their chronology, and geologic hazards.
• April 15 – “Old Bones, Caves, and Chemistry.” Dr. Robert S. Feranec, curator of vertebrate paleontology, will discuss the importance of recent excavations of fossil mammals in New York and Spain. He also will talk about how paleontologists glean information about paleoecology and dating from the fossils after they are removed from the ground.
• April 22 – “Ancient Seas, Ancient Volcanism.” A geologist’s job is to better understand geological processes and the Earth’s history. Dr. Chuck Ver Straeten, a sedimentary geologist, will examine the mysteries of New York and the world around 400 million years ago and reveal the fate of volcanic ash layers in ancient seas and lakes.
• April 29 – “Understanding the Geology of the Adirondacks.” Dr. Marian Lupulescu, curator of geology, talks about his research topics and how he uses the Museum’s collections and field data to uncover geologic secrets of the Adirondack Mountains and Hudson Highlands.

The New York State Museum is a cultural program of the New York State Education Department. Located on Madison Avenue in Albany, the Museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission is free. Further information can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877 or visiting the museum website at www.nysm.nysed.gov.

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