The Hall of Planet Earth displays one of the most outstanding collections of geological specimens ever displayed in an exhibition hall. Between 1996 and 1998, Museum teams embarked on dozens of reconnaissance trips and 28 acquisition expeditions to distant locations, from Indonesian volcanoes to the Sahara Desert in West Africa. Each trip included working with local experts to uncover the most geologically significant rocks. Every specimen and model was chosen to illustrate an important aspect of Earth's dynamic story.
To tell the most significant stories of Earth, from its early evolution to the earthquakes and storms we encounter today, the 8,830-square-foot Hall is organized into exhibition zones based on five major questions.
- How Has The Earth Evolved?
- Why Are There Ocean Basins, Continents, And Mountains?
- How Do We Read The Rocks?
- What Causes Climate And Climate Change?
- Why Is Earth Habitable?
Four years in the making, HoPE features 168 rock specimens and 11 full-scale models of classic outcroppings from 25 countries — including Australia, Indonesia, Italy, Kazakhstan, Mauritania, Scotland, Switzerland, and Venezuela — and five ocean floor regions, as well as an array of specially created videos and computer interactives that allow visitors to both explore geologic time and gain an understanding of the methods scientists use to study vast Earth systems.
Support
David S. and Ruth L. Gottesman provided generous support for this Hall. Public support of the Rose Center has been provided by the State of New York, the City of New York, Office of the Mayor, the Speaker and the Council of the City of New York, and the Office of the Manhattan Borough President. Programming and educational support has been provided by The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Design
The Gottesman Hall of Planet Earth is designed by the exhibition design firm of Ralph Appelbaum Associates, working closely with David Harvey, the Museum's vice president for Exhibition, and his staff, and the architectural firm of Polshek Partnership Architects. Morse Diesel International, Inc. is the construction manager.
