Helen Morningstar
Helen Morningstar was a geologist and paleontologist from Columbus, Ohio. She was born on September 23, 1891 and was an instructor for Ohio State University from 1917-1922. She died on July, 31 1951 at the age of 59 due to health complications. Biography. Education. Morningstar graduated from East Highschool in Columbus, Ohio in 1909. She then furthered her studies in 1913 where she had earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Ohio State University, as well, she decided to continue her schooling to receive a Masters of Arts degree by 1915. During this time she was  a graduate assistant for the English department of the Ohio State University. She then decided to move to Pennsylvania and attended Bryn Mawr College, which offered higher education to women, where she earned her Ph.D in philosophy in 1923. During her time of studies she gained the title of being one of Florence Bascom's top students. The faculty of Bryn Mawr College awarded Morningstar the President's European fellowship. Career. Morningstar started her career as an instructor of Geology and Paleontology at Ohio State University from 1917-1923, it was reported her salary at the time was estimated  around $1,800 USD. She wrote two books during her career '"The Fauna of the Pottsville Formation'" and "'Catalogue of Type Fossils in the Geological Museum at the Ohio State University'". In 1923 Morningstar was commended by Professor Charles Schuchert of Yale and the once President of the Geological Society of America for her work of ""Pottsville Fauna of Ohio"' and praised its contributions towards Paleontology in the ""American Journal of Sciences"". She also wrote a paper with Percy E. Raymond which discusses the future of Pennsylvanian formations in Illinois and the Appalachian basin. As well, she had contributed 5  specimens of Carboniferous bryozoans from Ohio, that were added to the United States National Museum in the year 1922-1923. She also discovered a new species of Pennsylvanian Pseudo zygopleurid Gastropod during her studies. It is distinguishable from other species by its coarse texture of the transverse cords, as well as the flatness of the whorl profile. The new species was named Gamizyga Morningstarae in her honor. Home life. Morningstar decided to marry Raymond Lamborn in 1922 and had 2 children named Charles and Martha Lamborn. Her marriage with Robert was controversial as it seemed she pursued family at the  risk of her career. Death. Morningstar died on July 31, 1951 in her hometown of Columbus, Ohio at the age of 59 from arteriosclerosis and hypertension. She was buried at the Green Lawn Cemetery (Columbus, Ohio). Research. Morningstar wrote a dissertation which was published as part of her doctorate degree of philosophy, titled "The Fauna of the Pottsville Formation of Ohio Below the Lower Merser Limestone (1922)". Her study was focused on the Pottsville formation, varying from 100-350 feet, but averaging 255 feet in thickness and located at the base of the Pennsylvanian system. Her book discusses the stratigraphy  and paleontology of the Pottsville formation, including 3 limestone horizons, boggs, upper and lower Mercer fossils collected at four localitiesThe formation lacked clear division from the Allegheny formations due to shales creating a gradual transition between the formations. There was a large unconformity at the bottom of the formation, characteristic of irregularly shaped surface of the rocks. It was noted the shift in water levels and the alternation of marine sediment and coal that was discovered within the formation. Research on the economic value of the Pottsville Formation: it is a considerable value as it is a natural resource that  accumulates wealth. the lower and upper mercer ores are especially important to economic contribution as they are thick and contain a high amount of iron content. Most of the Coals content is used for local purposes, however it has been mined for commercial use as well. Morningstar provided extensive research on the various members of the Pottsville formation and other geologists roles in their findings. She goes into detail of the different ores she had discovered throughout the counties in Ohio: The Harrison Ore- the oldest member, extremely patchy/ coarse texture, poor an iron content. The Sharon Ore- only found  in extreme southern parts of Ohio, varies in thickness, buff/brown color, course, highly silicious. The Anthony Coal- a thin deposit of Coal laying over the Sciotoville clay. The Quakertown- above the Anthony coal, it is of importance for stratigraphic purposes only and is very important for wealth and economic purposes. The Bear Run Coal Horizon- the next fossiliferous horizon above the Quakertown coal. Lowerville (poverty run) limestone- the oldest of the marine line stones which occur in the Pennsylvanian system and lastly The Boggs member- less than 2 inches thick, hard, blue, fossiliferous and good quality. Helen gives excellent  detail of the ores and fossils that were found through her exploration of the Pottsville Formation and documents her findings within her novel "The Fauna of the Pottsville Formation of Ohio Below the Lower Merser Limestone (1922)."