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www.CTScienceCenter.org\galleryscience The program provides a basic understanding of geology, promotes understanding of erosion, and explains how scientists examine historical data to interpret land changes. Visitors get an overview of Connecticut’s unique geology and examine historical data to assess weathering, erosion, plate tectonics and the human-influenced changes on the land. The Dynamic Earth: Geology Art Rocks - Human-Induced Erosion Scientist Bios Providing a scientific and artistic look at human-induced soil erosion, William “Andy” Jones and James “Drew” Hyatt of Eastern Connecticut State University, have been working in Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon” to determine how the landscape has been altered by human-induced soil erosion, while providing an artistic look at the topic. It is an unusual partnership. Providence Canyon State Park, located in southwest Georgia, consists of spectacular 60 m deep canyons often cited as the most extreme example of human-induced soil erosion on the North American continent. These canyons were initiated by poor land management practices in the early 1800’s followed by run-away erosion that has exposed highly colorful 75 million year old sediments. Sediment eroding from the canyon headlands has been deposited on the valley floor creating geologic records of human-induced change. Fourteen sediment vibracores collected and analyzed by Hyatt and Eastern students explain the nature and spacial variability of erosion and deposition. The impressive geology of the canyon made for intriguing vistas with a rich palette of colors, complex forms and challenging textures which led Jones to create a series of oil paintings. James “Drew” Hyatt is chair of the Department of Environ- mental Earth Science at Eastern Connecticut State University. William “Andy” Jones is an associate professor of art at Eastern Connecticut State University. Learn more... Exhibits with these labels support the content of this program. www.CTScienceCenter.org/i4
