February 2025 Luncheon

CHANGING LANDSCAPE: GEOHERITAGE, SAMPLING ETHICS, TECHNOLOGY

Marjorie A. Chan, Distinguished Professor of Geology Emeritus-University of Utah

Today, earth science is experiencing rapid change and now is an opportune time to consider our future. The diverse terrains where geologists conduct research comprise our geoheritage – the geologic sites or areas with significant scientific, educational,cultural, and/or aesthetic value.Geoheritage sites are vital to advancing knowledge and raising public awareness. The complex issues and ethics of geologic sampling are relevant to teaching, research,and our geoheritage. Ultimately, sample and data repositories with key metadata can be valuable for future generations of geoscientists. Both geoheritage studies and sampling efforts of the past, present, and future can benefit from the use of digital technology, accompanied by open data and more avenues for communicating our science.