NBMG Earth Science Week
Ancient Volcanics, Glacial Lakes, and Natural History of the Lovelock Area
Location: Starts at Great Basin Science Sample and Records Library, 2175 Raggio Parkway, Reno, NV 89512, 8:00 am, Saturday, October 17, 2026. We will depart from the GBSSRL at 8:30 a.m sharp.
Please join us for our 2026 Earth Science Week field trip for a day exploring the geology, natural history, and human history of the Lovelock area. This field trip will take us from the shores of ancient lakes to caves, mining districts, volcanic landforms, and hot spring deposits. Field trip details will be shared to those registered during the week of October 12th.
Photograph by Jack Hursh.
FREE PUBLIC FIELD TRIP
Click here to sign up for the ESW Field Trip. Registration ends Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 5pm PST.
2026 ESW Waiver (PDF)
Thank you to the Geological Society of Nevada for their involvement this year to help make this annual free public field trip a success!
LOGISTICS
Approximate Schedule (TBA)
We'll begin at the Marzen House Museum in Lovelock, then travel to Lovelock Cave, where we'll explore the geology and natural history of the area, including ancient Lake Lahontan, early paleovalleys of the West Humboldt Range, and local limestone formations. We'll also make a brief stop along the historic California Emigrant Trail. We will then travel back into Lovelock for lunch and a tour of the Marzen House Museum, including exhibits highlighting the Rochester Mining District, Native American artifacts recovered from Lovelock Cave, and an impressive mineral collection.
After lunch, we'll head to Lone Mountain to explore a fascinating landscape shaped by both ancient and modern geologic processes. Along the route, we'll see hot spring and shoreline tufa formations, unusual granitic weathering features, and observe younger volcanic rocks in the area. Following the field trip, participants are welcome to stay in Lovelock for dinner at a local restaurant.
The field trip starts at the Great Basin Science Sample and Records Library / Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Publication Sales and Information Office, which we refer to as the Gold Building. To navigate to the Gold Building from downtown Reno, take US-395 North to Exit 71 for Dandini Blvd. Follow Dandini Blvd. east, veer right onto Raggio Pkwy, and the Gold Building will be on your left. The address is 2175 Raggio Parkway, Reno, NV 89512.
Please plan to arrive at the Gold Building parking lot by 8:00 am. Following some introductory comments, route plans, and discussion, we will depart by 8:30 am. We will be traveling on paved highways and dirt roads that require a little clearance. There will be short hikes at some of the stops. Because of the nature of where we are going on this trip, carpooling will be particularly important.
Since parking is anticipated to be tight in many places we will not be maintaining a caravan as we have in years past. We will provide locations for each of our stops in Google Maps. Please work your way to these stops and park smartly and wisely, where legal to do so. Once parked, please meet up with the rest of the group and once we reach critical mass, we'll begin our discussions.
Please pack a lunch and snacks, and bring plenty of water, sturdy shoes, appropriate gear, camera, hand sanitizer, and a smile.
IMPORTANT REMINDER!
Please remember to download, print out, read, and sign a liability waiver form for each attendee and bring it with you to turn in to us at our meeting place before the field trip.
If you do not have access to a printer, we will have printed copies of the waivers for you at the meeting place in the morning. Attached is a PDF of the field guide for our trip. We will be providing printed copies of this guide tomorrow morning.
Click here to sign up for the NBMG newsletter and receive information on upcoming Earth Science Week Field Trips!
MORE RESOURCES
Earth Science Week is October 11-17, 2026. For more information about educational activities during Earth Science Week, go to the national Earth Science Week website at: http://www.earthsciweek.org
"Since October 1998, the American Geosciences Institute has organized this national and international event to help the public gain a better understanding and appreciation for the Earth sciences and to encourage stewardship of the Earth."
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