The next big thing? There's nothing passive about the rush toward passive seismic.

Lasers have been synonymous with rock shows for years -- but when it comes to the future of 3-D seismic work, they are about to become important for their rock shows.

Louisiana officials have a message to share: Louisiana is a great place for oil and gas exploration and production.

How much influence do deepwater depositional environments have on hydrocarbon recovery? A new study examines the question.

Quiz time: Now, about that price of oil ...

A scientist/"aquabelle" Sylvia Earle who was Time magazine's first "hero for the planet" has good words for and about today's oil and gas explorers.

WEB SITE EXCLUSIVES:

Good, old-fashioned legwork proving to be profitable for this geologist in the Rocky Mountains.

What? A river stops its stream and reverses it course? Where in the world ...

Perspective provided by three individuals builds a better 3-D picture for Flat Rock Field in Utah.

Rock Star? Norm Hyne's teaching gives a new meaning to the phrase.

The AAPG House of Delegates will have a busy -- and important -- agenda in Salt Lake City.

Volunteers are needed for the Salt Lake City Annual Meeting Update

Membership Drive update: There's still time to bring new members into the fold.

Geologists will be able to study -- and better understand -- outcrops in dramatically improved ways thanks to laser technology that already is providing new perspectives in the hunt for hydrocarbons. Pictured on our cover, along with the laser equipment, is Jerome Bellian, with the Bureau of Economic Geology, who was doing the research for the RCRL Industry Consortium in Chile (top) and Victorio Canyon in west Texas' Permian Basin. The three Permian laser images (of the area behind Bellian in the bottom shot) are examples of what researchers call "great potential" for exploration.

Photographs and laser images
courtesy of the
Bureau of Economic Geology
in Austin, Texas.

STANDING ARTICLES:

Business Side of Geology:
Ethical Conduct Expected, Essential

Director's Corner: AAPG Volunteers Take the Lead

Geophysical Corner: Reservoir Cracks Tell Many Tales

International Bulletin Board: 2003 International Conference

President's Column: AAPG Digits Huge Membership Benefit