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GSOC First Annual Newport Fossil Fest Weekend
by Janet Rasmussen
The Geological Society of the Oregon Country (GSOC)planned a weekend trip to the coast for members during Fossil Fest weekend at the Hatfield Marine Science Center. Board member Larry Purchase organized the trip, which was attended by ten members. Six of us shared a rented condo north of Newport, with a lovely view of the beach. Bev and Bart had a room at a motel downtown. Mysteriously, their room, number 310, was found in the basement level, below the other floors! They joined us for dinner at Georgie's Grill on Friday evening.
Most of the participants drove south on Hwy. 101, and Larry caught this nice shot of the ocean spray at Depoe Bay.
On Saturday, we met at the Marine Science Center, where there were fossil displays, free fossils, and two lectures. The first was by Dr. Ellen Bishop Moore, who spoke about climate change and a new non-profit, Oregon Paleo Lands Institute, based in Fossil, Oregon. The second speaker was Dr. William Orr, who gave a lively lecture on fossil insects, with great photographs of many interesting specimens.
John Newhouse and Rosemary joined us just for the day. Pictured are John, Doug, Trish, Larry, Rosemary, Bart, Janet, Bev, and Jan.
Our President-elect, Richard "Bart" Bartels.
Who can resist this charmer? Doesn't he remind you of someone you know?
This brittle star was in a small tank with a high rate of flow and purple light.
The octopus, which has been at the Center for about two years, is named "Reuben".
During the lunch break, Doug and I met Dave Logsdon for lunch. He brought along some fossils he had found, and showed us a good place to find more under the north end of the bridge. We found some there, but they're lying around loose with the other fill rock.
After the last speaker, we all went to the beach to find some of our own fossils. Here's a section of worm-eaten wood fossilized along with shells, in the 12 million year old Astoria Formation.
Later, we found a contemporary piece of wood with teredo worm holes on the beach.
A nicely labeled specimen of this wood was on exhibit at the Marine Science Center.
The fossils were in separate layers, some only a couple feet thick. Here Jan climbs up on the rocks to get a closer look.
There must have been some oil spill to leave these rather pretty iridescent bubbles on the beach.
Fossil shells were thick in some layers.
The weather was cool and drizzly, but the rock formations on the beach were spectacular.
Waves sculpted these rocks along fracture surfaces.
Winter storms take away the sand that covers these exquisite rocks. What a reward for enduring the cold and rain!
We walked on the beach Sunday morning before heading home.
Our accomodations were luxurious, though close inspection revealed many flaws in its design and construction. It was fun to cook and eat together--Bev and Bart joined us for dinner Saturday night. Later, Jan, Trish, Wenonah, and I had a couple games of Authors.
The condo contingent: Larry and Wenonah, Trish and Jan, Doug and Janet
Later, I looked in Ellen Bishop Moore's field guide to identify the fossils we had found.
