Join USGS Scientists to Discover Its Hidden Mysteries

What: Look deep inside the Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater with the U.S. Geological Survey.

*Watch the drill rig bring up samples from within the buried, 35-million-year-old impact crater structure
*See photographs of "shocked quartz," confirming that an impact occurred
*See effects on sediments and rocks of the impact of a comet or asteroid
*Learn how fossils are used for age-dating layers of sediment and rocks
*Learn how this ancient event may affect the region's current and future groundwater supply

When:Thursday, Sept. 28 at 12:30 p.m.

Who:Charles ("Chip") Groat, Director, U.S. Geological Survey
Ward Staubitz, USGS State Representative, Virginia
Greg Gohn, USGS Impact Crater Project Chief
Federal, State & Local Elected Officials (Invited)
USGS and NASA Scientists/Technicians

Where: NASA Langley Research Center, Reid Conference Center, Hampton, Virginia

From Richmond/Williamsburg/Newport News Area:
Take I-64 East to Exit 261B, Hampton Roads Center Parkway, NASA Exit; Proceed to the end of the Parkway moving into the left lane; Turn left onto Armistead Avenue towards NASA/Langley Air Force Base; Go past the Langley Air Force Base West Gate, moving into the right lane. Exit off Armistead Avenue to Commander Shepard Blvd. and the NASA Main Gate.

From Norfolk Area:
Take I-64 West through the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel; Remain on I-64 West to Exit 262B, Magruder Blvd.; Remain on Magruder Blvd. through three (3) traffic lights, moving into the right lane; Exit off Magruder Blvd. onto Commander Shepard Blvd. (Route 172 North, marked "NASA") (approximately 1 mile from last traffic light, and before the overpass); Remain on Commander Shepard Blvd. Through the traffic light (approximately 1.2 miles), and you will be at the NASA Main Gate.

Note: Attendees should dress informally in field attire and be prepared for inclement weather. For media access to the NASA Research Center, you must contact Chris Rink at NASA Langley Public Affairs at 757-864-6786.

Learn more on the web: http://va.water.usgs.gov or http://geology.er.usgs.gov/eespteam/crater/

As the Nation's largest water, earth and biological science and civilian mapping agency, the USGS works in cooperation with more than 2,000 organizations across the country to provide reliable, impartial, scientific information to resource managers, planners, and other customers. This information is gathered in every state by USGS scientists to minimize the loss of life and property from natural disasters, contribute to the sound conservation, economic and physical development of the Nation's natural resources, and enhance the quality of life by monitoring water, biological, energy, and mineral resources.

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