Issue 49:April/July 2010: Editor Sally Taylor:www.rockhoundstation1.com
In this issue...- EARTHS OLDEST ROCKS GOING ON SALE
- Odyssey Marine Exploration
- FOSSIL HUNTING SCOTLAND
- RHS1 News
- EARTHQUAKE WATCH
- Earthwatch. DANGER RADIATION
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EARTHS OLDEST ROCKS GOING ON SALE
On a small obscure island in the Northwest Territories of Canada, a Yellowknife prospector has staked a claim on an outcrop of rock. It's not the usual claim, though. There are no gemstones, there is no gold. There is a lot of very usual looking gneiss. What makes this rock special in any way is that it is the oldest rock known on earth and has been dated at 4.06 billion years old.
Canada had once, a few decades ago, initiated efforts to protect the Acasta gneiss but efforts never found interest necessary to continue conservation legislation. The area is considered mostly self-protecting due to the isolation of the location and the lack of market value of the rock of that region. Prospectors, though, have seen market value in the rock. One prospector already sold a quantity of the rock and Brown has seen enough value to have staked a claim to an outcropping of it.
Brown, as a matter of fact, is in the process of developing a marketing campaign for these pieces of early earth history. He has priced specimens at $149.99 and $249.99 with a display case. His plans include a website and video marketing of the material. Others are not quite so sure of the marketability of the rock. The dating of the rock can be quite expensive and because younger rocks are mixed in with the older ones, each piece would need to be individually dated to be deemed authentic. Mr. Brown has not expressed any intentions to have such authenticating done as it can run thousands of dollars per rock.
It is yet to be seen whether the rock will sell in quantities which will entice the prospector to do any blasting of the outcropping. Canada has not yet expressed any interest in protecting the rock and refusing further claims when his claim expires within the year.
Additional "Black Swan" Briefs Support Odyssey Marine Exploration's Legal Position in Appeal
-June 3, 2010
Several additional appellate briefs and amicus briefs have been filed with the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Odyssey Marine Exploration's (NasdaqCM:OMEX) "Black Swan"case. The filings support Odyssey's argument that the trial court erred in dismissing the case because the recovered coins did not belong to Spain and therefore do not qualify for sovereign immunity, Spain did not have possession of the coins, and sovereign immunity only applies to vessels exclusively on a non-commercial mission.
Among the briefs were two separate filings by groups of descendants whose ancestors owned the cargo shipped aboard the Mercedes. The trial court actually missed the basis of their claims calling them "descendants of those aboard the Mercedes."The trial court, the descendants argue, also missed the fact that no vessel was found at the site and that in any event, property rights to cargo are distinct from the rights to the vessel. An amicus brief (a filing by a "friend of the court"not a party to the case) was also filed by a congressional delegation led by Congressman Gus Bilirakis. That filing clarifies relevant legislation in the case and asserts that if the Mercedes was on a commercial mission at the time of its demise, as all evidence proves, that vessel should indeed be subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. courts.
"We are very pleased that Congressman Bilirakis and the other members of Congress who submitted this brief understand the dangerous implications of the district court's decision here,"said Melinda MacConnel, Odyssey's Vice President and General Counsel. "If any foreign vessel is allowed to escape the jurisdiction of our courts regardless of its mission or the cargo it carries, there could be grave environmental consequences and national security ramifications. It is very clear that only warships on strictly non-commercial missions are meant to enjoy sovereign immunity, and we feel confident that the Eleventh Circuit will confirm that." Additional signatories to the brief include: Congressman Bill Young, ranking Republican Member on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, Congressman Connie Mack, Congressman Vern Buchannan, Congressman Thomas J. Rooney, and Congressman Thaddeus McCotter.
The Historical Shipwreck Salvage Political Action Committee, joined by the Institute of Marine Archaeological Conservation and Fathom Exploration, Inc., also submitted an amicus brief arguing that if the trial court's decision stands it could mean the end of archaeologically sound shipwreck recovery and conservation because salvors would have no incentive to properly document their finds or give notice to parties with potential interest. They echo the praise of Odyssey submitted by some of the descendant claimants as, "dedicated professionals who set the highest standards for maritime salvage and archaeology of deep water wreck...Without the continuing courageous efforts of Odyssey there would be no benefit to the claimants and perhaps of greater importance no benefit to the public."
Peru has also filed an appeal of the trial court's ruling, as has a Florida doctor claiming to have historical contractual rights to any property in Florida owned by Spain. All appellants argue that because the court did not conduct a hearing on any of the issues, there was a violation of due process. In addition, an independent analysis of the district court's decision was published in The American Society of International Law's Cultural Heritage & Arts Review providing a good summary of the status of the case and pointing out the many flaws of the court's factual findings and legal analysis. The article is available for download here: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1619330
The appellate and amicus briefs are available on Odyssey's website click here: .
About the "Black Swan"
In May 2007, Odyssey announced the discovery of the "Black Swan," a Colonial-period site located in the Atlantic Ocean which yielded over 500,000 silver coins weighing more than 17 tons, hundreds of gold coins, worked gold, and other artifacts. Odyssey completed an extensive pre-disturbance survey of the "Black Swan" site, which included recording over 14,000 digital still images which were used to create a photomosaic of the site, which is larger than 6 football fields.
The coins and artifacts were brought into the United States with a valid export license, and imported legally pursuant to US Law. Odyssey brought the artifacts under the jurisdiction of the US Federal Court by filing an Admiralty arrest action. This procedure allows any legitimate claimants with an interest in the property to make a claim. For more information on the "Black Swan", visit www.shipwreck.net/blackswan.php.
About Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc.
Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (NasdaqCM: OMEX) is engaged in the exploration of deep-ocean shipwrecks and uses innovative methods and state-of-the-art technology to conduct extensive search and archaeological recovery operations around the world. Odyssey discovered the Civil War era shipwreck of the SS Republic in 2003 and recovered over 50,000 coins and 14,000 artifacts from the site nearly 1,700 feet deep. In May 2007, the Company announced the historic deep-ocean treasure recovery of over 500,000 silver and gold coins, weighing 17 tons, from a Colonial era site code-named "Black Swan." In February 2009, Odyssey announced the discovery of Balchin's HMS Victory. The Company also has other shipwreck projects in various stages of development around the world.
Odyssey offers various ways to share in the excitement of deep-ocean exploration by making shipwreck treasures and artifacts available to collectors, the general public and students through its webstore, exhibits, books, television, merchandise, and educational programs.
Odyssey's operations are the subject of a Discovery Channel television series titled "Treasure Quest," which is produced by JWM Productions. The 12-episode first season aired in the US and the UK in early 2009 and is scheduled to air worldwide throughout 2009. Production on a second season is underway.
Following previous successful engagements in New Orleans, Tampa, Detroit, and Oklahoma City, Odyssey's SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure is currently on exhibit at Discovery Place in Charlotte, NC. Additional information is available at www.discoveryplace.org.
For details on the Company's activities and its commitment to the preservation of maritime heritage please visit www.shipwreck.net.
Odyssey Marine Exploration believes the information set forth in this Press Release may include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. Certain factors that could cause results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements are set forth in "Risk Factors" in the Part I, Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Odyssey Marine Exploration P.O. Box 320057 Tampa, FL 33679-2057 www.shipwreck.net
FOSSILS
FOSSIL HUNTING SCOTLAND
Scotland central geological profile.
If you live in, or plan on visiting Scotland in the near future and love fossil hunting, you will find yourself in luck if you take some time to visit the North Central shorelines.
; In the area of Cromarty you will find The Hugh Miller Museum, which was the home of Hugh Miller who was born in 1802, and became a stone mason, and later a geologist. He gained local fame with his discovery of an amonite fossil along with his other later work in the field which helped to explain much about the earth we inhabit. A fossil hunt along the shores of the Cromarty area will be revealing of how a man in this area of the world would arrive at such status. ;
Scientists from The University of Aberdeen say the fossils of the area are at risk of loss due to erosion. According to these authorities many amateur hunters have been responsible for many rare and important findings. Fossils found in Scotland ranger from some of the earliest land plants, fossil fish, mammal, and dinosaurs, some of which have proven to be some of the most globally important fossil finds.
If you are interested in exciting fossil finds and a chance to uncover something unique and exciting, Scotland is a very good place to start your hunting. Unlike other areas of the world, Scotland welcomes fossil hunters but requests that hunters act with responsibility and follow their Collector's Code which is as follows:
- Seek permission. You are acting within the law if you obtain permission to extract, collect and retain fossils.
- Access responsibly. Consult the Scottish Outdoor Access Code prior to accessing land. Be aware that there are restrictions on access and collecting at some locations protected by statute.
- Collect responsibly. Exercise restraint in the amount collected and the equipment used. Be careful not to damage fossils and the fossil resource
Record details of both the location and the rocks from which the fossils are collected.
- Seek advice. If you find an exceptional or unusual fossil do not try to extract it; but seek advice from an expert. Also seek help to identify fossils or dispose of an old collection.
- Label and look after. Collected specimens should be labeled and stored carefully.
- Donate. If you are considering donating a fossil or collection choose an accredited museum, or one local to the collection area.
RHS1 Members News 
First off this month, I'd like to say "GET WELL FAST, PAL" to Indiana, (Robert Velare) our site designer. He is undergoing surgery on his jaw and claims it is all just routine, simple, and nothing for me to get worried about. Well, that's not likely to happen. It's hard not to worry about someone who lives in an area that you can't just drop in and make sure all is going well.
With that said - rather than canceling this month's newsletter completely, I am sending him a light letter this month and when we see it online, we'll know that all is well with our favorite site designer and friend.
A GIFT FOR OUR STAR GAZERS
Collinder
I ran across a business associate of mine, Ken Caudill, the other day who has an informative little guide for beginning star gazers. His interest in the subject surprised me a bit so I asked him how he got interested in the subject.
He told me "My daughter got me interested in astronomy when she dragged me out to see a meteor shower -- hell of a show. I bought her a telescope and the interest grew from there."
Well, thinking about that answer, I had to figure that a lot of our rockhounds out there probably find themselves gazing at the stars around campfires at night with their own little ones. Kids know how to ask questions, too. A LOT of questions. How many of our crowd can give the right answers when their kids start getting curious about the sky?
That's a problem you don't need to worry too much about now, because Ken, has given me a copy of this awesome guide to give to my readers - free of charge.
Get a copy of STAR GAZER Right HERE: (Format pdf)
Thanks Ken. That is really just down home rock solid of you.
If you enjoy the Star Gazer Guide, drop by one of Ken's websites below and drop him a thank you note. I'm sure he'd appreciate knowing you enjoyed his gift.
EARTHQUAKE WATCH
After a year beginning with some major calamitous quakes and intense aftershocks, we are seeing a slowing of quakes back to normal numbers. We have had only one magnitude 8 event, and around seven magnitude 7 events, which evens out to a normal number of events of this sort. Aftershocks seem to have amplified a bit bringing higher numbers of lesser, but still strong quakes, but nothing that could clearly be called unusual.
The one statistic that is inconsistent with normal figures is that all of the major quakes, as well as many of the lesser quakes around the globe are taking place at the same depths, 10 kms and 35 kms. While different quake depths are beginning to show in the statistics again, there are still many going on at these depths.
The Cascadia Subduction Zone is one area that remains under intense scrutiny as it is over-due for a major quake at this time. A few swarms of small quakes have been experienced recently in this region which would, in effect, release tension in that region, but whether these quakes are harbingers of a larger quake ensuing or whether they will work to relieve enough tension to mitigate a larger quake is yet to be seen. As of this writing, there are no present quake swarms in the region. Scientists are still much in agreement that the Cascadia zone will experience a major quake within the next 50 years, though, and many studies are being done on what can be accomplished in architecture to mitigate the damages to structures and protect the masses of population in that region in case of a major event.
MINNESOTA NEXT NUCLEAR WASTE DUMPING GROUND?
Because of Minnesota geology, which contains some of the oldest granite in the US, the state is now being considered for the building of a nuclear waste repository. This consideration comes after the US department of Energy has discontinued funding for the Yucca Mountain repository site. With alternative energies to fossil fuels being examined in light of climate change, nuclear energy seems back on the agenda of energies under consideration along with solar and wind.
The granite in Minnesota, which is a billion years old is being considered the safest place for the storage of the nuclear waste due to its solidity and stability. It takes 25,000 years for nuclear waste to degrade to a non-toxic state, and being that these rocks have proven to have the longevity to contain the waste, it makes sense to the Department of Energy that this location would be the safest resource. They are a bit under the gun to find a location as well, in consideration of the lawsuit being waged against them for not having upheld it's promise to provide such a repository. Excel Energy's Monticello and Prairie Island nuclear plants are currently be stored on site in thick metal caskets and they are asking that the surcharge on each kilowatt of energy be dropped because of the DOE's failure to provide a repository for the spent fuel rods.
Minnesota residents are not proving to be happy about having their state chosen for repositories, however, and it is pointed out that there are many things that can go wrong with the storage - guaranteed safe transport being one of them. In light of Murphy's Laws being quite active in the field of government policies and environmental issues, one can't blame Minnesotans for being skeptical about having toxic material shipped into their backyards. Perhaps it is a better idea for our DOE to find safe methods of producing energy rather than dwelling on just one more source of energy that can go very wrong in so many ways. One has to wonder after the announcement of uranium supplies depleting, if there has been any consideration of any form of energy that will not provide pocket-lining for our government while solving the previous pocket-lining form of energy - fossil fuel.
Sally Taylor... RHS1 Earthwatch.
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