Thursday, August 04, 2016

Environmental Award to New Mexico

This year's John C. Frye Memorial Award for Environmental Geology, co-sponsored by GSA and AASG, is going to authors at the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, for the publication,

Geology and Hydrology of Groundwater-Fed Springs and Wetlands at La Cienega, Santa Fe County, NM .

An excerpt of the report summary notes: "La Cienega's springs and wetlands are important hydrologic, ecologic and cultural resources, and provide many beneficial water-related functions. The wetlands discharge groundwater from regional and local aquifers that provide the sole water source for the southern Santa Fe region. We investigate the wetland system by examining the hydrologic interactions manifested in the wetland water balance."

The award will be presented at the GSA Annual Meeting in Denver in September.


Roy Breckenridge, former State Geologist of Idaho

Roy Breckenridge, former State Geologist and Director of the Idaho Geological Survey, passed away on Monday, August 1.


Ed Ratchford, the current director, reports that he visited with Roy a few weeks ago in an assisted living facility after he suffered a major stroke at his home in Moscow. Ed notes that "He was still smiling and laughing during my visit which is a testimony to his character in spite of the damage from the stroke. Roy was an accomplished geologist and served as State Geologist and Director of the Idaho Geological Survey for many years. He was particularly well versed in Quaternary geology and was quite involved in the Ice Age Flood National Trail before and after his retirement."

Tributes are pouring in from Roy's colleagues and friends around the country.

Update 8-5-16, 9am:   Roy's obituary was published in the Coeur d'Alene newspaper at