USGS expects thousands for open house USGS expects thousands for open house (May 28, 2003)

Pan for gold; learn about volcanoes, earthquakes, fires and floods; check out a rock; pilot a "Flying Eyeball" along the sea floor; talk to a geologist; take a 3-D tour of the geology and ecology of the Bay Area. And so on.

These activities barely touch the variety of scientific endeavor that will be on display this weekend as the U.S. Geological Survey holds its first large, public open house in Menlo Park in three years.

One of the major scientific centers of the Western United States will open its campus at 345 Middlefield Road to the public on Saturday, May 31, and Sunday June 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The campus will be closed to cars, but parking will be available in other parking lots along Middlefield Road.

The last open house in 2000 drew an estimated 15,000 people.

Among this year's other attractions will be hands-on activities for kids; exhibits on earth, water, wildlife, and ecology; and a spectacular exhibit of "Earth as Art." There will be exhibits on San Francisquito Creek and the local watershed, as well as San Francisco Bay. Kids 3-11 can take an earthquake ride on the "Good Shake."

There will be entertainment; sandwiches, snack and soft drinks will be available. For information, call 329-5000, or go to http://openhouse.wr.usgs.gov.