Thanks to reader Tony Kress who identified my mystery fossil from last week as Eocrinoid (Ascocystites), one of the earliest groups of echinoderms. They lived from the early Cambrian–late Silurian, and despite their name, may not have been directly ancestral to true crinoids. Like crinoids, Eocrinoid had a stalk and holdfast, and was a benthic suspension feeder, but its calyx was vase-shape.
During downtimes at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Shows, I managed to venture outside the city to explore some other interesting geo-sites. I’d love to show you what I found! Let’s go.
Sharon Lyon
Editor, GeoLifestyle
Biosphere 2
Me at the entrance to Biosphere 2
Located 50 miles north of Tucson, Biosphere 2 is a fully enclosed 3.14-acre earth science research facility. Inside are five of the world’s largest controlled ecosystems—tropical rainforest, fog desert, savanna grasslands, mangrove wetlands, and ocean.
About Biosphere 2:
Constructed between 1987 and 1991 as a prototype for colonizing outer space, Biosphere 2 was modeled on Earth (Biosphere 1).
The facility encompasses 7.2 million cubic feet under sealed glass, with 6,500 windows. It is sealed from the earth below by a 500-ton welded stainless steel liner. An onsite energy center provides electricity from two generators, using natural gas and diesel. In 2009, 470 photovoltaic solar panels were added.
An ambitious project:
In 1991, eight ‘Biospherians’—four women and four men—were enclosed in the facility for two years amid much media coverage.
The goal of the project was to support its inhabitants without any outside help. The inhabitants would grow their own food on the half acre farm and allow the five wilderness areas to naturally recycle the air and water while undertaking scientific experiments.
The project ran into trouble as carbon dioxide built up inside the facility. Injection of oxygen and implementation of a CO2 scrubber were needed to keep the atmosphere safe. Food had to be supplemented with seed stock. Over two years, the crew became stressed and separated into factions.
A second enclosure experiment in 1994 lasted only six months. The team achieved food sufficiency and did not require oxygen injection; however, ownership and management crises shut down the facility.
Becoming a tourist spot and research facility:
In 1995, Columbia University took over management. Research during this time demonstrated the impacts on coral reefs from elevated atmospheric CO2 and ocean acidification.
Today, Biosphere 2 is owned by the University of Arizona and serves as a research base aimed at quantifying some of the consequences of global climate change.
Inside the previous greenhouse, the Landscape Evolution Observatory (LEO) monitors millions of pounds of volcanic rock to see how nonliving soil develops into soil capable of supporting plant life.
How to visit: You can tour Biosphere 2 using their self-guided app. There are also undergraduate internship opportunities and summer programs available.
Go deeper: Learn more about some of the facility’s current research here.
A message from AAPG and MicroSeismic
In continued celebration of International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11 and the upcoming International Women's Day on March 8, AAPG and MicroSeismic are showcasing interviews from women leaders in geoscience. This week's featured leader is Asya al Rawahi, senior geologist at Occidental in Oman. Here is a sneak peek from her interview:
“What I love most about my job is adding value—not just to my company, but to my beloved country Oman as well. Early in my career, I was fulfilled by drilling highly productive wells, which contributed directly to energy production. Now, my focus has shifted to developing young geoscientists, mentoring them, and preparing them to take over the industry. Seeing the next generation grow and succeed is incredibly rewarding.”
Saguaro Cacti; This red Cretaceous mudstone in the Tucson Mountain District was deposited in a prehistoric swamp.
Saguaro National Park gets its name from the tree-like saguaro cactus that is endemic to the Sonoran Desert. The cactus provides food, shelter, and protection for hundreds of other desert species.
Saguaro National Park has two separate areas—the Tucson Mountain District to the west of Tucson and the Rincon Mountain District to the east. The rocks exposed are different at each. The mountains and the intervening Tucson Basin are part of the Basin and Range Province which extends from northern Mexico to southern Idaho.
More about the park:
The oldest rock found in the park is the Precambrian Pinal Schist, which represents the original crust in southern Arizona.
Throughout the Paleozoic, shallow seas covered the area, and limestones, sandstones, and shales were deposited.
During the early part of the Mesozoic Era, the land was uplifted and the rocks were eroded. The sediments were deposited by streams in swamps, mudflats, and floodplains in intermontane basins.
During the Laramide orogeny 80–50 million years ago, extensive volcanic activity and mountain building occurred. The resulting volcanic rocks compose the majority of the Tucson Mountains to the west. Masses of granite were emplaced below. Observe the volcanics and underlying sedimentary rocks along the Bajada Loop Drive in the western park.
About 30 million years ago, crustal stretching displaced rocks from beneath the Tucson Mountains along the Santa Catalina Fault, a low-angle detachment fault. These displaced rocks were uplifted and domed to form the metamorphic core complex of the Rincon Mountains to the east.
Although the volcanic rocks of the Tucson Mountains are not found in the Rincon Mountains, the underlying granite (metamorphosed Catalina Gneiss) has been exposed by erosion. Foliated schist, gneiss, and granite can be seen along Cactus Forest Loop Drive in the eastern park.
Tucson sits in a down-faulted valley between the two mountain ranges, a topography typical of the Basin and Range.
Dinosaurs in the Desert at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum; A sign unique to the area
Adjacent to the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park (west of Tucson), the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a combination of a science center, zoo, and botanical garden.
About the museum:
The Earth Sciences Center tells the story of the geology of Arizona with mineral exhibits, including a fluorescent display. You can climb through a limestone cave replica.
The grounds are recognized as one of the top ten public gardens in the United States. Trails meander around the gardens, which are planted with a variety of native plants from the Sonoran Desert region, including a cactus garden, agave garden, and desert grassland.
View owls, vultures, and hummingbirds in separate aviaries. A mountain lion took a nap in the Mountain Woodland.
Hike the half-mile Desert Loop Trail. Just don’t feed the coyotes.
We happened to visit in time to experience the Dinosaurs in the Desert exhibit, animatronic dinosaurs roaring and growling in the museum’s gardens. The exhibit is on display through April.
I was less thrilled to observe the many different kinds of rattlesnakes in the Reptile Hall, but if venomous snakes are your thing, they have you covered!
The bottom line: The museum and gardens are breathtaking and informative—well worth the price of admission. Lunch in the food court was surprisingly delicious, if you are looking for a spot to stop and eat.
Go deeper: Read about the museum’s conservation efforts here.
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