Geologist Jeri Jones presents “Your Backyard Geology,” on Thursday, May 1 at 7 p.m. at the Church of the Apostles, 336 Barnett Avenue in Waynesboro. Admission is free and all are welcome.
Hosted by Buttonwood Nature Center in partnership with the Franklin County Rock and Mineral Club, the program combines fun with education and continues Buttonwood’s popular Geology Rocks! annual geology series.
The program highlights the types of rocks found in the local region, including mineral resources, geologic hazards and some of the new geologic discoveries in the area.
“Waynesboro is positioned within the Great Valley Section known for its limestone,” Jones said. “To the west are the world-famous Appalachian Mountains and to the east is South Mountain, which contains some of the oldest rocks in the entire state.”
All three areas contain a different chapter of the areas’s geologic history.
“South Mountain is also the northern extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and North Carolina,” Jones said. “Participants will learn how recent research in South Mountain has developed new thoughts on its rocks and origins.”
Questions are welcome and samples of minerals and fossils will be available.
The program is a good introduction for a geology field trip, “Exploring Local Wonders,” on May 3. For more information on the program or the field trip, visit www.buttonwoodnaturecenter.org.
A native of York, Pa., Jones has been a geologist for 45 years. He holds a degree in geoarchaeology. His research includes special interests in mining and geologic history, groundwater resources and southeastern Pennsylvania earthquakes. Jones has conducted field trips and programs across the U.S., and is a consultant to several area quarries.
Jones teaches lifelong learning classes at Penn State-York. He received the Digman Award for Geologic Excellence from the Eastern Chapter of the National Association of Geoscience Teachers. The author of four books and numerous articles, Jones also narrated a geologic education video series.
This program is underwritten in part by Marge Kiersz, Lucinda D. Potter, CPA, and SEK CPAs & Advisors. Additional support provided by Buttonwood’s Today’s Horizon Fund contributors: The Nora Roberts Foundation; APX Enclosures; Don Gibe and Nancy Erlanson; and the family of the late Carolyn Terry Eddy, with daughters Connie Fleagle & Kim Larkin.
