Every year since 1998, the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology at the University of Nevada, Reno has invited the public to bounce along bumpy backroads to explore the incredible geology of Nevada as part of the celebration of National Earth Science Week. This year, participants can explore from the comfort of their couches.

Due to the coronavirus, the Bureau will not lead a physical field trip. Instead, they have created a virtual field trip and story map about the Hot Springs Mountains in west-central Nevada, northeast of Fernley, as they aim to bring the outdoors and wonders of the unique state geology to you remotely.

Topics include the geology and natural history of the area, mining activities and hot springs and geothermal energy. The public is invited to join the tour with geoscientists from the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, a public service department of the College of Science that is the State of Nevada geological survey.

This year, Earth Science Week is celebrating the theme “Earth Materials in Our Lives.” In conjunction with the theme, the virtual field trip will tour the natural history and geological resources in the Hot Springs Mountains of west-central Nevada; bringing some beautiful scenery, fascinating geology and natural history directly to participants, wherever they are.

Details on how to participate will be available before the event on the Bureau’s Earth Science Week webpages.

Governor Steve Sisolak, in an official proclamation, declared Oct. 11-17 as Earth Science Week in Nevada.

The Bureau of Mines and Geology, a statewide public service unit within the College of Science at the University, coordinates annual geology field trips for the public during, or near, Earth Science Week each fall season. These field trips are fun, educational, family oriented and always free. The Bureau has been an active participant in Earth Science Week since it began in 1998.

Information on previous Earth Science Week field trips is available on the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology website.

For more information about educational activities during Earth Science Week, go to the national Earth Science Week website.