Earth Science Hall

Located on the second floor of the museum, the Earth Science Hall focuses on the characteristics of Planet Earth such as geology and tectonics, weather and climate and their inter-relationship with life, both past and present.

EXHIBITS

SAMSON: The Colossal T. rex Discovery

A magnificent 40-foot fossil of one of Earth's most fearsome carnivores is now on display in the Earth Science Hall. The 66-million-year-old skeleton known as SAMSON* is one of the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons in existence. 56% of SAMSON's original bones, including the nearly complete skull, are on exhibit. SAMSON is smaller but close in length to the T. rex known as Sue, the largest T. rex yet discovered.

Science On a Sphere

Science On a Sphere (SOS) is a six-foot suspended globe that uses computers and video projectors to display dynamic animated images of the Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, animal migration patterns, global warming trends, hurricane paths, and more. Projected images also include the surface of the sun, Mars, and moon. Pre-programmed data sets are organized through play lists, much like an MP3 player, but the system also has the capacity for live demonstrations and special programming options.

Ocean Today Kiosk

The Ocean Today Kiosk is a multi-media experience that helps visitors understand the ocean's influence on them and their influence on the ocean by providing timely, diverse, and updated content. A dynamic interface comprised of ocean imagery, sounds and video clips, invites visitors to explore several content areas including Ocean News, Ocean Life, Ocean Science & Technology, and Recent Discoveries.

The Big Pipe

Take an above ground look at the problem of combined sewer overflows (CSOs), and learn about one of the biggest CSO solutions - the West Side Big Pipe project - currently under construction along the Willamette River. The exhibit's six interactive stations feature videos, models, maps - even a toilet - to explain the history of Portland's outdated sewer system, the negative affect CSOs have on the Willamette and the complex, three-phase project that will help clean up the river. With a special focus on the West Side Big Pipe project, the 500 square-foot display is designed to give visitors of all ages a better understanding of what's going on above and below ground, and why this project is so important for a cleaner Willamette and healthier ecosystem. Exhibit produced by OMSI, in partnership with the City of Portland's Bureau of Environmental Services.

Hanford at the Half Life

Hanford at the Half Life takes visitors to Richland, Washington to learn how one of the world's most serious environmental hazards came to be and about the clean up methods currently in use. In 1942, Hanford was selected as the site of the United States "secret, military, war industry" to produce plutonium for atomic weapons ahead of Germany and Japan. Following the war, Hanford continued to produce plutonium for thermonuclear weapons. The by-product was millions of gallons of radioactive fluids and tons of waste. In Hanford at the Half Life, visitors measure radiation, discover how radioactive fluids have seeped into the soil, undergo a radiation exposure screening, and learn about the efforts to control the contamination and protect the Columbia River from a major environmental disaster.

LABS

The Watershed Lab allows visitors to create their own rivers; watch salmon develop from eggs to smolts; explore the microscopic world that supports us all, and see how we all fit into the region we call the Northwest.

The Earth Science Hall also houses the Paleontology Lab, where staff and volunteers excavate real dinosaur and ancient Oregon fossils from plaster casts in a setting open to the public.

WATCH & LEARN

Predicting Eartquakes & Volcanic Eruptions:

What Can and Can't Now Be Done

Dr. Stephen Malone

Professor Emeritus

Department of Earth & Space Sciences

University of Washington

Click here to watch the lecture.

For best viewing quality allow video to completely load. Adobe Flash Player required

CHECK OUT OMSI's INFRARED CAM!

This camera detects infrared radiation—a type of invisible energy similar to radio waves and microwaves.

Infrared radiation is not the same as heat, but it can be used to measure temperature.

Click here to see in INFRARED Vision

ONLINE ACTIVITIES 

Estimate your annual radiation dose with our Hanford at the Half Life Radiation Calculator. (Note: This activity requires the free Macromedia Flash Player.)

Check out satellite images from NASA's Earth Observing System at the website for OMSI's Eyes on Earth traveling exhibit. Includes an Educator's Guide with lots of great classroom activities on satellite technology and imagery.

For more information about the Earth Science Hall and Labs, please contact us at earthsci@omsi.edu or call us at 503.797.4587.