NEW SCOTLAND — The rocks of Thacher Park record the history of Earth from the deep geologic past to recent times.  Modern and ancient earthquakes, ancient seas, and today’s retreat of the Indian Ladder cliffs can be “read” from the rock layers.

Chuck Ver Straeten, a Devonian/Sedimentary geologist and curator of Sedimentary Rocks at the New York State Museum, will speak about the rocks at Thacher during a gathering of the New Scotland Historical Association on Oct. 4 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. The free program, “Thacher State Park – A Classic North American Geologic Site,” which is open to the public, will take place at the Wyman Osterhout Community Center, off of Route 85 in New Salem.

Ver Straeten has a doctor of philosophy degree and a master of science degree in geological sciences from the University of Rochester; he also has a bachelor of science degree in geology from Empire State College.  He and his wife, Nancy Engel, live in the Helderbergs. His wife is the director of the Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center.

If you have any questions, please call (518) 765-4212.

Editor’s note: Ethie Moak is the publicity chairwoman for the New Scotland Historical Association.