Three University of Delaware scientists are studying tidal water flow and sediment movement in a Kent County salt marsh to better understand changes to the marsh ecosystem due to a rising sea level.

An automated, on-site laboratory collects and analyzes water samples for a collaborative project between the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment, DGS, DNREC, and USGS.

4:37 p.m., Oct. 31, 2012--The Office of the State Climatologist and the Delaware Geological Survey (DGS), both based at the University of Delaware, provided the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and the National Weather Service with weather, coastal flooding and stream flooding information for Delaware during Hurricane Sandy.

Delaware Geological Survey recently distributed Earth Science Week teacher kits at Coast Day.

Beach-loving kids can follow their fascination with the sea to Coast Day on Oct. 7 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the University of Delaware’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes. The family-friendly event features fun activities that tap children’s natural curiosity about the ocean.

“This year’s theme is ‘Checking in on Our Coast,’” said event chair John Ewart of Delaware Sea Grant, which presents the event with UD’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment. “Kids can use their senses to explore marine science — and check out the tools our researchers use to do so, too.”

Four UD faculty and staff and a graduate student wrote a chapter in the book Geospatial Techniques for Managing Environmental Resources. The chapter is titled "Use of Geospatial Data in Planning for Offshore Wind Development," and the authors are John Madsen, associate professor, Department of Geological Sciences; Alison Bates, master's degree student, School of Marine Science and Policy; John Callahan, research scientist, Delaware Geological Survey; and Jeremy Firestone, professor, School of Marine Science and Policy, all in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment.

After a nationwide search, David R. Wunsch has been appointed the next Director of the Delaware Geological Survey (DGS) and Delaware State Geologist, effective Nov. 1. He will succeed John H. Talley, who retired on June 30 after more than 38 years of service. Wunsch holds a doctorate in hydrogeology from the University of Kentucky, a master’s degree in geology from the University of Akron, and a bachelor’s degree in geology, with a minor in chemistry, from the State University of New York, Oneonta. In 2011, Wunsch was elected a Fellow of the Geological Society of America. He is an Honorary Member and a past President of the Association of American State Geologists (AASG) and has previously served a term as Secretary of the American Geological Institute.

David R. Wunsch has been appointed the next Director of the Delaware Geological Survey (DGS) and Delaware State Geologist, effective Nov. 1.

John Talley joined the Delaware Geological Survey as a project geologist in 1972, became a senior scientist and hydrogeologist by 1986, and rose to director and state geologist by 2004. He’s consulted with dozens of university, state, and federal governments and groups and amassed a list of more than 50 publications and reports.

The Delaware Geological Survey has unveiled a new version of their public web site. Although many of the technologies employed are consistent with modern web standards, giving the user a familiar feel and comfort level, particular attention has been paid to information and the retrieval of it. The site is designed to encourage users to explore content they wouldn't other wise read.

The University of Delaware's first Geospatial Research Day took place in the Trabant University Center on Thursday, Nov. 19. The free event highlighted the geospatial research being conducted at the University of Delaware and the ways in which UD community members are using geospatial technology.

This free event will showcase UD researchers in their use of geospatial techniques and technologies.

The Delaware Geological Survey, which was created in 1951 by an act of the General Assembly, is a state agency that has been administratively assigned to the University of Delaware since its inception. It previously reported to the vice provost for research and graduate studies, but beginning July 1, it will become formally affiliated with the College of Marine and Earth Studies (CMES).