Embark on an intellectual journey and discover interesting facts about Nevada's landscape and the precious metals and minerals that have been the bedrock of Nevada's economy, at the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology's open house Oct. 27 and 28.

The Great Basin Science Sample and Records Library holds many samples and items of rock types. Participants will learn about rocks, earthquakes, maps, metals and other interesting facts about Nevada's terrain.

The NBMG, a public service department in the College of Science, is Nevada's Geological Survey. An immense collection of reports and rock mineral specimens on Nevada's geology, resources and geologic hazards are housed at the Great Basin Science Sample and Records Library, which is built on top of unaltered andesite and is further surrounded by various rock types.

"The bureau faculty really enjoy this event as it provides a venue for connecting to the general public and finding out about their questions, curiosity, enthusiasm and concerns about anything geologic," NBMG Director and State Geologist Jim Faulds said. "We are hoping that this becomes an exciting, annual event for the community, including our University students."

Registration is not required and people of all ages are encouraged to attend either evening of the two-day open house, scheduled from 5-8 p.m. During each night, attendees can meet scientists, enjoy refreshments, take tours of the Great Basin Science Sample and Records Library, play rock bingo and participate in a pet rock adoption.

Participants are encouraged to bring rocks to the event that they would like to have experts identify. Other activities will include finding earthquake faults on aerial photos and using interactive hazard tools. There will be maps and equipment on display entitled "Seeing Geology in Action using GPS" and "How Geologic Maps are Made." Various publications and books will be available for purchase - just in time for the holidays - many produced by the NBMG.

"An important aspect for the open house is to convey information to the general public and to students about Nevada's amazing geology and landscapes that involve our rich natural resources and geologic hazards," Faulds said.

The first night, Tuesday, Oct. 27, themed "Nevada Geologic Hazards Night," will target Nevada's history and current position with earthquake activity. Nevada is the third-most seismically active state, and is a continuing participant in the Great ShakeOut earthquake drills. NBMG Research Geologist Craig dePolo will give the 6:30 p.m. presentation, "Nevada's Big One: The 1915 Pleasant Valley Earthquake," and the 7 p.m. presentation, "The Capital of Earthquake Country: Earthquake Hazards of Carson City."

The following night, Wednesday, themed "Nevada Resources Night," will highlight the importance of various types of maps and metals. Faulds will give the 6:30 p.m. presentation, "Discover Nevada through Maps," and NBMG Economic Geologist Mike Ressel will give the 7 p.m. presentation, "From Comstock to Carlin: Nevada's Booming Legacy of Precious Metal Discoveries."

"We are celebrating the 200-year anniversary of the first geologic map this year," Faulds said. "So, it will be exciting to talk about how such maps have become so important to society in terms of finding natural resources, understand geologic hazards like earthquake faults, and providing a window into how our amazing landscapes were formed and continue to evolve."

The library is located at 2175 Raggio Parkway. For more information on the event and the library, go to http://www.nbmg.unr.edu/GBSSRL/Tour.html.