Personal Log
BackgroundPhilosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the mud stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime records unique, violin player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Dr. Watson, in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes,
"The Five Orange Pips"(1892), referring to the limits of Holmes’s knowledge and character.
Where ya from? Born in Madison, Indiana. But our family moved many times. People think that we must have been a military family. But no, my Dad was in the shoe industry. It was a dying industry in this country 50 years ago. It is now gone except for a few specialty manufacturers. Went to high school at Alhambra High, just outside of Los Angeles, California. Started out in college as a chemistry major but quickly changed to geology. Thought I wanted to go into oceanography, but I ended up staying on land.
Sometimes you wonder how you got on this mountain.
But sometimes you wonder, "How will I get off?"
Joan Manley, U.S. publisher
I went to school at these and other institutions. (Now I am the product of over education.)
University of Alabama, School of Law, Tuscaloosa, AL,. J.D.
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM. Ph.D. in Geology.
University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX. M.S. & B.S. in Geology.
The "other institutions" include the University of Alaska (Fairbanks) and
the California State University Los Angeles
The state says I can do this stuff. (Danger Will Robinson! Danger!):
Attorney at Law (Ala.)
Licensed Professional Geologist (Ala.)
This keeps me off the street. (During the day)
Assistant to the VP Research / Central Analytical Facility Director /
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Geology,
Office of Research, University of Alabama,
Courses taught: Physical Geology; Historical Geology;
Economic Geology; Micro-Analysis.
Walter Winchel)A long long time ago. (Nothing recedes like success ---
E. Hemingway)Geologist / Operations Manager / Director, Pangea Resources Ltd. (Pangea Explorations).
Primarily responsible for exploration / development of the Paupers Dream Project, Helena, MT.Geologist / Vice-President Exploration, Moruya Gold Mines N.A., Inc.
Primarily responsible for the exploration and development of the
Golden Reward Project, Black Hills, SD.Consulting Geologist, - Work included: 1.) Queenstake Minerals - precious metals exploration
in Montana and Nevada. Nevada work was significant in helping to delineate an Au deposit
which is now in production (Rea Mines). 2.) Nicor Minerals - precious metals exploration along
detachment faults throughout Calif. and Arizona. 3.) Mobil Oil Minerals Div. - oversee uranium
in situ leach drill program in southern Texas. 4.) Trend Energy Reserves, Inc. Responsible for
development of oil and gas exploration targets.Exploration Geologist, Phillips Petroleum Inc., Minerals Division, Responsible for conducting
geological, geochemical, and geophysical exploration projects; development and management of
exploration projects in the Basin/Range of Utah, Arizona, and California; and precious metals exploration
in Australia.Geologist, Cities Service Minerals Corp. Responsible for geologic, geochemical,
geophysical (IP & magnetic), and drilling projects for Cu-Mo in northern New Mexico.Geologist, RioAmex (Div. of Rio Algom), Engaged in geologic and geochemical exploration
projects for Au/Ag in Nevada and Arizona.Professional Activities. (Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk.
That will teach you to keep your mouth shut. --
Investigation Committee - Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Geologist - 2000-2005;
Recent doings: (Of this, I would like to do more)
M.G. Bersch, V. Murgulet, P. Aharon, 2006, Visualization of Elemental Distributions Using High-spatial Large-area X-ray Maps of a Stalagmite; Karst Water Symposium
Zuluaga, C.A., Stowell, H.S., Bersch, M.G., 2005, Sector and Oscillatory Zoning in Metamorphic Aluminum Garnet: A Newly Reported Occurrence and Inferred Changes in Crystal Morphology, North Cascades, WA; Geol. Soc. America Annual Meeting, Abstracts with Program 37 (7): 226.
M.G. Bersch and N. Green, in prep, Complexly Zoned Pyroxene Megacryst in Lamprophyre, Magnet Cove, Arkansas.
D.W. Haywick, D. C. Kopaska-Merkel, and M.G. Bersch, 2006??, A Coral Mound Complex: Key to Early Diagenetic Processes in the Mississippian Bangor Limestone; accepted.
M.G. Bersch, 2002, Obtaining monazite microprobe ages – A novice’s questions and need; Geol. Soc. America Annual Meeting, Abstracts with Program 34 (6): 67.