Local Dinosaur Tracks, Extinct Volcanoes Included In New Guide
Dinosaur tracks, extinct volcanoes, abandoned tin mines and the weathered wings of the Native American Thunderbird are part of the natural amusement park within driving distance of El Paso.
William C. Cornell, Ph.D., associate professor emeritus of geological sciences at The University of Texas at El Paso, wrote A Pocket Guide to Geological Sites of El Paso to raise awareness of the area’s desert treasures and to encourage responsible journeys that are within a full gas tank of most trucks or sports utility vehicles.
Cornell will have a reception to celebrate his published book from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13, at the Centennial Museum at the corner of University Avenue and Wiggens Road. The event is free and open to the public.
The paperback, which was created in collaboration with the museum, is part history lesson / part geology class, but without the scientific terminology. Color photos taken by Scott Cutler, museum curator, break up the text, but not the pace as readers “travel” to 35 locations around El Paso, Las Cruces, N.M., and Ciudad Jurez, Mexico.
The author ends the book with three suggested “field trips” that are highly-detailed for people afraid about getting lost. Some familiar destinations include Mount Cristo Rey, Hueco Tanks, Crazy Cat Mountain and McKelligan Canyon.
In addition to the book launch, the museum will unveil a new ceiling mural in the Paleontology Gallery, painted by UTEP student-artists Marcela Varona, Lacey Mills and Irene O’Leary.
The events commemorate National Fossil Day, which is part of Earth Science Week (Oct. 10-16). It encourages people everywhere to explore the natural world and learn about the geosciences.
Source: UTEP
