SAGEEP 2024 Luncheons/Conference Events/Activities

Luncheons:

Monday, March 25, 2024
SAGEEP Luncheon - What’s the problem with geophysics? 
Speaker: Dale Werkema, Ph.D., US Environmental Protection Agency
Time:  12:00 Noon - 1:30 pm 

Several questions and uncertainties hinder widespread applications of geophysical methods for environmental and groundwater investigations. This contribution identifies three main impediments to the application of geophysics for environmental and groundwater investigations and presents some strategies for mitigation. To utilize geophysical methods to the fullest capability, we suggest that geophysical surveys should be completed or included before any subsurface investigation to understand earth processes, monitor these processes, and to characterize systems and structures. In academia, innovation and development continues at a great pace; but has the practice and application of geophysics kept up? Is geophysics avoided by scientists and/or project managers who had bad experiences with geophysics in the past? Do potential end users not understand geophysical terminology and what geophysics can and cannot accomplish?

We suggest that the impediments to advancing geophysical applications in groundwater and environmental applications may result from failures that fall under three broad headings: “Bad Choices”, including failures of method selection or survey design; “Unrealistic Expectations”, comprising communication breakdown or overselling; and “Lost in Translation”, due to failures in the transfer of geophysical results to end users. 
 

Tuesday March 26, 2024
Luncheon:  Preparing for the Applied Geophysics Workforce / Panel Discussion
Moderator:  Sarah Morton Rupert, PhD - Bureau of Reclamation
Time:  12:00 Noon - 1:30 p.m.

The Education Committee cordially invites you to join us for lunch and a panel discussion to learn about the skills and qualities that public and private sector professionals are seeking from rising geophysicists. Discussions will be catered toward those interested in entry level positions and related early career topics. A Mentoring365 Circle will be made available so that attendees may submit questions before the panel starts.  

Geophysicist Panel:
Hunter Knox, PhD - Pacific Northwest National Lab (PNNL)
Alastair McClymont, PhD - BGC Engineering
Jacob Sheehan - Schnabel Engineering
Emily Snyder - TerranearPMC

This event is sponsored by Iris Instruments.

Events and Activities

Monday, March 25, 2024
Outdoor Demonstrations
Time:  4:00 - 6:00 pm
Outside the Exhibit Hall Doors

Monday, March 25, 2024
Student-Industry Networking Event:  “SAGEEP a la mode”
Time:  7PM

The Screamery (0.5mi, 10 min walk from Tucson Convention Center - TCC)
250 East Congress Street, Tucson, AZ 85701

After the first day of SAGEEP oral and poster presentations, we invite all attendees to take a short stroll and chill out! Come network with fellow EEGS members and SAGEEP attendees at The Screamery over your favorite scoop (or two) of ice cream! Attention Students: The first 50 students will receive their first scoop FREE after introducing yourself to the Education Committee Chair!  (Need to do a bit of research?  Hint:  Committee Chairs.)  This event is sponsored by the EEGS Education Committee.

Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Conference Evening
Time: 6:00 – 9:00pm
Location:  Corbett's; 340 N 6th Ave Tucson, AZ (approximately 5 minutes from the TCC)

Corbett Building, which was designed in 1930 by Tucson architect Roy Place, is located at one of the most historic addresses in Tucson. Enjoy a delicious buffet from the kitchen of Chef Omar Huerta, a complimentary drink, music and the option to participate in one of the fastest growing sports in America:  Pickleball.  (Be sure to bring sneakers!)  SAGEEP attendees will have exclusive use of 2 courts during the evening curtesy of EXPLORATION INSTRUMENTS.

Thursday, March 28, 2024 - THE FIELD TRIP IS FULL and no more registrations will be accepted.
Field Trip:  Electrifying our Future – A Tour of Two Arizona Copper Projects 
Time:  Pick up at 8:30am, Return at 4:30pm (Meet at the west entrance of the Tucson Convention Center, in the parking lot.)
All participants will be required to sign a liability waiver.  View here (document can be printed and signed prior to the trip).

The Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society is collaborating with American Institute of Professional Geologists to host a field trip that will be open to conference participants and AIPG Arizona Section members. We will be visiting two different mineral deposits located near the town of Casa Grande, Arizona. The deposits are portions of a large porphyry copper system that has been dismembered and displaced by northwest trending faults. We will stop first at the Cactus Project, which is owned by Arizona Sonoran Copper Company, Inc. The Cactus Project includes the historic Sacaton open pit mine, which was operated in the 1970s and 1980s. The Cactus Project includes the existing open pit and stockpile, plus exploration of an adjacent deposit. The second stop will be at the Ivanhoe Electric Santa Cruz Project, located in close proximity to the first stop, and is believed to be geologically related. The Santa Cruz Project consists of five separate areas. There were a variety of geophysical surveys carried out in 2021 through 2022.

The drive to the first stop will take about 1.5 hours and will give participants a chance to see the Sonoran Desert, which is characterized by broad valleys separated by mountain ranges and dotted with saguaro cacti. While at the Cactus Project we will learn about the studies associated with the project, see the open pit, leach stockpile, tailings storage facility and visit the coreshack to examine the local lithologies. The Santa Cruz Project visit will include a visit to the coreshack.

Lunch will be provided as part of the field trip. Please wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. Bring a safety vest (there will be a limited number of vests available for those who aren’t able to bring their own).  The field trip will depart at 8:30 am from the Tucson Convention Center (TCC) and return to the TCC at 4:30 pm. Transportation will be provided for participants, but limited spots are available.