Midwest GeoSciences Group

08/24/2026

Here's the story behind the letter "M" used for the Group Symbol for SILT (ML) with the Unified Soil Classification System.

08/23/2026

Thank you to Chris, Kat, and Andrea for managing all of the on-site in-person details during The Geology of Beer event during the AAPG-SEG 2026 IMAGE Conference. Special thanks to Patrick at City Orchard for hosting AAPG Women's Network, Association of Women Geoscientists Lone Star Chapter, and Midwest GeoSciences Group for this unique event. And big thank you to all of the attendees.

07/31/2026

07/27/2026

This training experience is designed for ground water scientists and engineers, project managers, compliance program managers and remedial design managers.

The course begins with a brief overview of hydrogeologic principles of pumping and slug testing then continues at an advanced level throughout the course to cover the range of conditions typically encountered during field investigations.

Data analysis exercises include both simple and advanced pumping and slug test analyses to match the range of conditions typically encountered during field investigations.

06/04/2026

Another "first experience" during our recent training at VASSAR COLLEGE was a classic VASSAR experience....... the "VASSAR DEVILS" performed a harmonious Capella during a lunchtime. It's fun to recognize the songs but hear them sang so differently and beautifully with perfect timing and harmony.

We are grateful to the VASSAR DEVILS and especially Martha Barry for arranging the wonderful performance.

06/02/2026

Rock core boxes under the baby grand piano with Cissy Ming at the keyboards after Day One at VASSAR COLLEGE during our 2-day training CONTAMINANT FATE AND TRANSPORT IN FRACTURED BEDROCK. Cissy also played each morning before we started class; it was a first for Midwest GeoSciences Group. Thank you, Cissy.

05/05/2026

Course #2 of MODERN CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY class photos.
Free download of new book at The Groundwater Project:
https://gw-project.org/books/modern-subsurface-contaminant-hydrology/

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day! I thought I’d write a little tribute to Artemis II reflecting on how the Dark Side of the Moon is different than the Far Side of the Moon.

There’s a cosmic coincidence that the duration of Artemis II communication black out was about 41 minutes long – when they were on the far side of the moon – and the duration of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon is about 42 minutes long. Cosmic!

Everyone probably already knows that we, on Earth, only see the same side of the moon every time we look at it. Thanks to a phenomenon called tidal locking, the Moon keeps one hemisphere permanently turned away from Earth. It’s another cosmic coincidence that the moon rotates once every 30 Earth Days, therefore we never actually see the “far side of the moon”.

That’s doesn’t mean, however, that the far side of the moon isn’t dark. The moon rotates so there’s always one side of it that’s facing the sun and one side that’s facing away from the sun. This explains why we have full moons, crescent moons, and a full moon. But no matter the phase, we always see the same side of the moon.

The first photo of the Moon’s far side was taken by NASA in 1959. It wasn’t until December 1968 when the Moon’s far side was finally seen with human eyes by the Apollo 8 crew during their historic circumlunar flight.

Astronauts from Artemis II saw the far side of the moon. As they moved around the far side, they experienced a 50+ minute total solar eclipse ending just before when Earth became visible on the Moon’s crescent horizon. So those four amazing astronauts can exclusively say they witnessed the far side of the moon as the dark side of the moon.

Cheers and Happy Earth Day,
-Dan Kelleher

04/19/2026

Calgary Flames mentioned Midwest GeoSciences Group during their game against the Colorado Avalanche.
Avalanche 3
Flames 1
We were joined by other geoscientists and geoengineers from AAPG and AAPG WN right smack in the center of the Avalanche cheering section next to their bench. Thank you to the Flames staff, super fans, and vendors for your gracious hospitality.

04/18/2026

Thank you to the participants who attended the 2-day training course MODERN CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY in Calgary.

Thank you to MONTROSE ENVIRONMENTAL who hosted us in their outstanding training room.

You made the training experience fun for Tom and me, but more importantly, you made it inspiring. Professionalism abounds in Calgary and this event reflected that professionalism. Tom and I appreciated all the discussions, the questions, and especially the personal connections made during the course. Tom and I were both inspired by the pride people have in their work along with the mutual support and respect demonstrated between everyone. We tip our hat to you.

You heard me say that that the mission of MIDWEST GEOSCIENCES GROUP is to simply help people however we can. It's a mission we don't take lightly, or for granted.

Tom Sale and I appreciate the opportunity to meet the participants, engage in conversations, and share our humble insights. Thank you for the privilege to contribute to your inevitable success.