KINGSTON, R.I. — March 16, 1999 — Professional geologists, including experts from the University of Rhode Island, will identify fossils, gems, minerals and rocks found by the public during the 34th Annual Meeting of The Geological Society of America Northeastern Section. The sessions, which are free and open to the public, will be held on Monday, March 22, from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., and on Tuesday, March 23, from 3 – 5 p.m. The sessions will be held in the Narragansett Ballrooms, A and B, at the Westin Hotel in Providence, R.I. “Occasionally people will come in with objects they think might be meteorites,” said Don Hermes, chairman of the Geology Department at URI. “Usually they aren’t—but these finds might be something else that is interesting.” Hermes said it is common for adults and children alike to find artifacts while strolling along the beach, hiking in the woods, or even digging in their gardens. Collectors might look through a book to identify what they’ve found. But amateurs generally do no more than wonder. The free identification sessions will provide a chance for collectors and amateurs alike to discover if the found object is a “treasure” worth keeping. URI is one of the hosts for the 1999 meeting of the Geological Society of America Northeastern Section. The meeting, which lasts from March 21 – 24, is expected to draw 700 scientists and includes 40 sessions on topics ranging from “Saving the Beach: Successes and Problems” to “Hydrogeologic Issues Behind A Civil Action” (the book by Jonathan Harr). For More Information: Deborah Grossman-Garber, 874-5401 Ann MacDonald or Jhodi Redlich, 874-2116