Here’s to a year of discovery: in the field and at home
By Lucia Torrado
This month’s Bulletin opens the new year with something a little different and a little fun on exploration: not in the traditional resource sense, but in the broader way geologists are explorers by nature. Our curiosity doesn’t always require a distant field area or a remote basin; sometimes, exploration begins right where we live and work.
I recently had the opportunity to tour the tunnel systems of downtown Houston. Although I’ve lived in the city for several years, I had never worked downtown and was struck by the extent of the tunnels, the rich history behind many of the buildings, and the architectural framework, along with the interesting -and at times romantic- stories tied to their most visible details.
In the weeks that followed, while walking along one of Houston’s bayous, I noticed a recently cleared meadow that - after a quick Google search on the spot - revealed one of the city’s oldest African American historic cemeteries, long overlooked despite being hidden in plain sight. Shortly after, while driving along the Fourth Ward, exposed red bricks beneath modern pavement led me to the history of Freedmen’s Town. Again, a quick internet search led me to the significance of those bricks, made from locally sourced clay. While it may seem surprising to associate Houston with quarrying because of the flat landscape and lack of nearby mountains, the cost-effectiveness of local brick manufacturing at the time made sense.
All of this is to say that geology is present in many aspects of our daily lives, the history that shaped our present and in the very buildings that surround us, as reflected by both the Technical Article and the Featured Article of this issue of the Bulletin. Centered on Houston, it highlights the many ways geology touches our city and our lives, reminding us that the study of rocks extends well beyond traditional resource exploration.
While this issue may step beyond what has traditionally appeared in the Bulletin, that’s the beauty of geology: it spans far more than a single discipline or setting. I would also like to invite our newest members to reflect on their professional New Year’s resolutions and consider the Bulletin as a platform to share their work and ideas. Traditional technical contributions remain a cornerstone. and I also welcome stories that highlight curiosity, observation, and exploration in everyday settings.
Finally, I would like to sincerely thank all of the authors and contributors who have shared their time and expertise with the Bulletin so far in 2025. Your enthusiasm and generosity are what make this publication possible.
In this Issue of the Bulletin
• Geoscience Meets History from Above
Muhammed Bugti, a researcher from the University of Houston, teaches us how drone photogrammetry (or “uncrewed aerial vehicles”, UAV) technology is being applied to locate African American tombs in the Houston area, demonstrating how modern geoscience tools can illuminate cultural and historical landscapes in urban environments.
• Reading the Rocks Where We Work
Explore downtown Houston like never before with self-guided building stone tours curated by a local geologist. The article highlights structures where oil and gas companies currently operate or once had offices. Inspired by historic downtown tunnel tours, these loops offer both a staycation stroll and a geologic perspective on familiar streets.
• Geo-Picks: A Pocket Geologic Map for Everyday Exploration
Discover the RockD app, a mobile geologic tool that brings real-time maps, stratigraphic charts, geologic unit information, and age data to your fingertips, whether you’re around town or on your next trip. This app is compatible with iOS and Android, and is one of my favorite apps on my phone.