JULY 2003 PROGRAM:

When:       Tuesday, July 8, 2003
Where:     Spenger's Fresh Fish Grotto, 1919 Fourth Street, Berkeley!
Time:        6:00pm Social, 7:00pm Dinner, 8:00pm Speaker

Abstract:
                   Melanges, geologic bedrock units with blocks in a weak, commonly sheared, matrix have been recognized by geologists as significant components of orogenic belts for decades, yet the engineering community has been slow to appreciate their importance. Serious errors continue to be made because of mischaracterization of melanges. The history of mapping of melanges in the Franciscan Complex of California serves as an illustration of how strongly interpretive field geology is, and how drastically different interpretations of the same unit can be. Research shows that the Franciscan is composed of both coherent thrust sheets and melanges, yet many viewed (and still view) the entire Franciscan Complex as a melange. In many engineering projects, melanges are still treated as stratified units, or occasionally mistaken for soil with boulders. Whether a melange is of tectonic or sedimentary origin is unimportant for engineering purposes. In contrast, the grade of metamorphism of the matrix can be important, because significant recrystallization of the matrix strengthens it and reduces block-matrix strength contrasts. A melange of engineering significance has a brittle rather than ductilely-deformed matrix, metamorphosed under greenschist or lower temperature conditions. Recognition of coherent (non-melange) units in contrast to melanges in the field is not trivial; experience with such rocks on the part of the participating geologist(s) and a well conceived exploration plan are critical for adequate characterization. I will present some practical guidelines for identifying and characterizing melanges in the field, based primarily on examples from the Franciscan Complex.

Registration:
                 The deadline for registration is NOON on THURSDAY, June 3rd.
After this date, reservations cannot be guaranteed. Please make your reservation as soon as possible.
For financial reasons, meeting no-shows and last minute cancellations will be charged.

Cost:         Members or Spouses $30, Students $15, & Non-Members $32

Please select a meal choice when making a reservation; Chicken, Fish, or Vegetarian. A reservation form is availible on the last page of the newsletter. Send reservation requests to Chris at (408) 866-9436 (fax) or Chris Hundemer.

Also join us for...

When:        Saturday, July 19th
Where:       Pacific Bell Park, San Francisco... directions
Time:         11:00am Tailgate Party, 1:00pm Game Time

The tailgate party will start at 11:00 am, look for Chris' old tan Dodge truck in parking lot B. Parking lot B is located on 3rd street, approximately 1 or 2 blocks south of the ball park. Barbeques and drinks (pop) will be provided, so feel free to bring along anything to grill or share, B.Y.O.B.

Tickets are going fast, all those interested should call or email their ticket requests to Chris at (408) 866-5436 or Chris Hundemer. Tickets are $30.00. Please send checks to:

Chris Hundemer
Upp Geotechnology
750 Camden Ave, Suite A
Campbell, CA 95008

For reservation info contact:
Chris Hundemer
Upp Geotechnology, Inc.
(p) 408-866-5436
(f) 408-866-9436
Send email to Chris Hundemer (treasurer@aegsf.org)

Hope to see you there,

Craig N. Reid
Webmaster