Field Trip A

Aggregates/Geological Survey/Seismic Center

Ohio Geological Survey - Horace R. Collins Laboratory & Ohio Seismic Network Center at Alum Creek

The Division of Geological Survey sample repository, housed within the “Horace R. Collins Laboratory” is a “State-of-the-art” facility that houses approximately 4,300 sets of well cuttings, 230,000 feet of core, and other geological samples available for study.

The Collins Laboratory is a multi-use facility. In addition to the sample repository, the Division of Geological Survey maintains its publications inventory at the Collins Lab. A learning center is being developed which will highlight rock, mineral, and fossil displays, maps and posters on Ohio geology, and Survey activities. One wing of the building houses Survey laboratories that are being developed for core and well-cuttings preparation, sample examination, petrographic studies, sedimentation research, and aggregate testing.

Housed within the Collins Laboratory, the Ohio Seismic Network (OhioSeis) consists of 25 volunteer, cooperative seismograph stations located at colleges, universities, and other institutions, and coordinated by the Division of Geological Survey of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Network operations are managed from the Ohio Earthquake Information Center at the Division's facility at Alum Creek State Park in Delaware County, which also hosts a U.S. Geological Survey National Seismic Network station. The OhioSeis network was begun in 1999 with partial funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency through the Ohio Emergency Management Agency. Each station uses a Macintosh computer, an EAI S102 broadband vertical seismometer, and a GPS receiver to continuously record ground motion throughout the state for detection and location of local and regional earthquakes. All stations are connected to the Internet for real-time data access by researchers with appropriate hardware and software. The system was designed and developed by Dr. Larry J. Ruff at the University of Michigan.

More information at:
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/corelib/hrclab/tabid/7943/Default.aspx

Olen Corporation -Sand & Gravel Dredging

Tour members will enjoy lunch and have the opportunity to climb aboard the pride of The Olen Corporation, the 1,200 tons/hour dredge operation just south of the City of Columbus. This state of the art, bucket-ladder dredging provides much needed aggregates to the metropolitan and surrounding areas.

The dredge is quiet and environmentally friendly as the lake being created is within the acquifer used by the city of Columbus for its drinking water supply.

The Olen Corporation has been providing aggregate products to contractors in Central Ohio for over 30 years. This proud history began at Olen’s first quarry off Route 315 in Columbus, Ohio. When it came time for Olen to move, they fulfilled their obligation to the community by restoring the site to a condition that is as good or better than before mining started. That site is now Antrim Park, an attractively landscaped lake and public area enjoyed by the citizens of Columbus. The Olen Corporation offers many other assets in addition to the quality of its products. Personal service and an understanding of our customer’s needs is a high priority. Community involvement means action at Olen, whether it is the development of Antrim Park of assisting in scholarships for troubled youth. Olen remains Ohio owned and operated.

More information at: www.theolencorp.com

Shelly Materials / Columbus Limestone- Limestone Blasting

This tour will be a real “Blast” as skilled miners; blasters and seismologist demonstrate the technology and safety practices involved in blasting limestone from a quarry face.

The Columbus Shelly Division employs 787 men and women, and serves customers throughout Central Ohio. Comprised of 6 modern asphalt plants and 4 sand, gravel, and 3 limestone facilities, Shelly Columbus produced more than 1,700,000 tons of asphalt last year that was used by our construction crews and other contractors to pave more than 2,000 miles of roads in the region with the highest quality materials available in the industry.

More information at: www.shellyco.com