What We Do
Events we sponsor or participate in each year:
- Monthly Meetings with Networking and Lectures by Distinguished Geologists (September to May)
- Joint Meetings with ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers), AEG (Association of Engineering Geologists), PAPG (Pittsburgh Association of Petroleum Geologists), SME (Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration)
- Student Research Showcase (in April)
- Spring Field Trips
- Occasional Short Courses or Workshops
- Publications
- Geology Outreach Events for local K-12 Educators (Allegheny Intermediate Unit)
- Carnegie Science Awards STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Program
- Covestro Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair
- Regional Conferences such as the 2017 Northeast-North Central Joint Sections of the Geological Society of America Meeting and 2018 Eastern Section of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (both held in Pittsburgh)
Our History
The Pittsburgh Geological Society, more familiarly known as PGS, was founded in 1945. Its purpose was to serve the professional interest of the society's membership. In the forties, the membership was mainly interested in petroleum technology, and affiliation with the American Association of Petroleum Geologists came a few years later. Early meetings were held in downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland. The membership quickly showed the oil and gas industry an ability to produce superior geological publications. This capability has continued to the present time.
Dinner meetings in the fifties through seventies generally featured topics of interest to the oil and gas community. The emphasis on oil and gas has changed to a broad range of geologically related subjects including environmental, geotechnical, and coal/mineral resources. The speakers at these meetings continue to be top quality. This has enabled the society to attract professionals from a broad range of interests.
Society presidents and officers have been elected from a broad cross-section of the geologic community. They include: oil and gas personnel, university professors, environmental professionals, state survey geologists, consultants, US Army engineers, representatives from coal, refractory and steel companies, and interested others.
Meetings of the society give individuals an opportunity to hear many diverse subjects and to meet people interested and employed in a vast array of geologically related subjects. The social hour prior to dinner offers the chance to discuss problems and become acquainted with other professionals. The current meeting location is Cefalo’s Banquet and Event Center in Carnegie, PA.
The PGS monthly newsletter has been the backbone of the Society. The editors present a brief abstract of the next meeting, along with a calendar of coming events and timely notes of general geologic interest. PGS sponsors one-day field trips that broaden the understanding of local geological conditions. The Society also sponsors short courses, science fair judging, awards, and joint meetings with other area societies. The Society endeavors to maintain high standards in all activities, as the membership, both past and present, has given many hours of their time and talents to the Society.
PAUL W. GARRETT
Pittsburgh Geological Society Historian
Dinner meetings in the fifties through seventies generally featured topics of interest to the oil and gas community. The emphasis on oil and gas has changed to a broad range of geologically related subjects including environmental, geotechnical, and coal/mineral resources. The speakers at these meetings continue to be top quality. This has enabled the society to attract professionals from a broad range of interests.
Society presidents and officers have been elected from a broad cross-section of the geologic community. They include: oil and gas personnel, university professors, environmental professionals, state survey geologists, consultants, US Army engineers, representatives from coal, refractory and steel companies, and interested others.
Meetings of the society give individuals an opportunity to hear many diverse subjects and to meet people interested and employed in a vast array of geologically related subjects. The social hour prior to dinner offers the chance to discuss problems and become acquainted with other professionals. The current meeting location is Cefalo’s Banquet and Event Center in Carnegie, PA.
The PGS monthly newsletter has been the backbone of the Society. The editors present a brief abstract of the next meeting, along with a calendar of coming events and timely notes of general geologic interest. PGS sponsors one-day field trips that broaden the understanding of local geological conditions. The Society also sponsors short courses, science fair judging, awards, and joint meetings with other area societies. The Society endeavors to maintain high standards in all activities, as the membership, both past and present, has given many hours of their time and talents to the Society.
PAUL W. GARRETT
Pittsburgh Geological Society Historian
