Explore Great Basin geology

Far from a barren desert, Dr. Chip Carroon, retired geologist, photographer and world traveler, considers the Great Basin a uniquely fascinating place because of its great diversity and complexity of geological features.

"Furthermore," he said, "features can often be observed without the obscuring effect of vegetation. Also, the weather is typically not extreme so areas are accessible most of the year."

Carroon will share his appreciation for the region with a slide lecture, "Views of Great Basin Geology," at the Nevada State Museum at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24.

"Hot springs in the Great Basin are one of its most interesting features," he said. "Attractive springs are present in many places in the world, but the sheer number of springs in the Great Basin is notable. This is because the earth's crust here is only about half as thick as normal since it is being pulled apart by tectonic forces. Fractures provide passageways for circulating waters to encounter very hot material at shallow depth. This is also why Nevada may become ground zero for geothermal development in the United States.

Viewed through his photographer's eye, Carroon considers the sand dunes in this area some of the most picturesque anywhere.

In his slide lecture, Carroon will also address the varied geological history of the Great Basin over time. Although the processes that created some of the region's features may seem like pure fantasy, he will explain how they are indeed possible, given the expansive freedom of geologic time.

Carroon received a bachelor's degree in geology from the University of California at Santa Barbara and a doctorate in geology from Stanford University. He taught geology and worked for the geological industry, then spent most of his life traveling the world as an independent geologist and photographer. He moved to western Nevada in 2006. He is teaching a spring-semester field geology class in Death Valley National Park through Western Nevada College, Carson City.

Doors open at 6 p.m. for the slide lecture and regular museum admission fees apply: $8 for adults and free for children 17 and under and museum members. For more information, contact Deborah Stevenson, curator of education, at dstevenson@nevadaculture.org or 775-687-4810, ext. 237.

The Nevada State Museum actively engages people in understanding and celebrating Nevada's natural and cultural heritage. The museum is open 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday.

Current exhibits include "Smoke & Shadow: An Exploration of Nevada Landscapes," art by Patricia Wallis on display outside the Natural History Gallery and "Nevada: The Photography of Cliff Segerblom," on display in the South Changing Gallery.