EUGENE, Ore. -- (Oct. 30, 2009) – The Earth has many faces. Some are smooth and flowing, others rocky and ravaged; all are shaped by dynamic geologic processes. The landscapes that we see today are the result of more than four and half billion years of transformation by powerful forces such as volcanoes, oceans, earthquakes, rivers and glaciers.

Understanding how this transformation takes place, University of Oregon geology graduate students and faculty photographed the ever-changing planet for an exhibit, "Down to Earth: A Geologist's Perspective." The exhibit at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History will open with a free community reception from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6. The photographers will discuss and answer questions about their work.

The exhibit is presented by the UO Department of Geological Sciences. The museum is located at 1680 E. 15th Ave.

Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Admission is $3 for adults; $2 for seniors and youths ages 17 and under; and $8 for families (two adults and up to four youths). Museum members, university faculty and staff and students are admitted free. Admission is free for the public on Wednesdays.

About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of the 62 leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.

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