Geology On The Rocks

Episode 47 We dare you to say ‘Ice Aged Ice Sheets’ five times fast. But first, in this episode, the GotR Gang dive into all things Glaciers, brrrr. Glaciers and Glaciation, generally speaking, covers the formation, features, effects, and causes of glaciation events on Earth. Ice sheets and alpine glaciers are described, including their movement and erosional features and landforms. Glacial deposits will be examined, including a discussion of the features created by till and stratified drift. Other effects are worthy of discussion, including crustal subsidence and rebound, sea level changes, alterations to streams and stream valleys, and the formation of proglacial and pluvial lakes. However, there is not enough time in one episode to bring you all the fun facts about glaciers. Remember, if you fall down a crevasse, the good news is you will only fall 50 meters. The bad news is that you will fall 50 meters. Between the bars of our main discussion, we present to you another Mineral Minute, then close things out with special guest Joe Guzman of Space Poets to promote his Psychedelic Panther Music Fest during this week’s That Freaking Rocks! Until next time remember to… Be Cool, Stay Tuned, & Keep It On The Rocks

Episode 46! Welcome to Season 5 of Geology on the Rocks! We have special guest Geoarcheologis Dr. David Rachal in this episode to discuss all things balls. Through his research, Dave uses his balls of choice, Ruppia cirrhosa (Ruppia) seeds, to better constrain megafauna footprints in southern New Mexico along the ancient shorelines of the Paleolake Otero. He draws on both geological and archaeological data to support his research. His work infers a dynamic shoreline rather than the current models, which assume a more static landscape. The study suggests that this newer model could have broader implications for understanding human-megafauna interactions. So take a seat, cozy up with your favorite drink, and listen in as Dave offers a firsthand perspective on his amazing work. As always, between the bars of our main discussion, we present to you another mineral minute and close things out with a new That Freaking Rocks. Until next time, remember to be cool, stay tuned, and keep it on the rocks! Find Dr. Rachal’s work here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666033421000034 Cite his work, too!! (APA 7th edition citations below) Rachal, D. M., Mead, J. I., Dello-Russo, R., & Cuba, M. T. (2022). Deep-water delivery model of Ruppia seeds to a nearshore/terrestrial setting and its chronological implications for Late Pleistocene footprints, Tularosa Basin, New Mexico. Geoarcheology, 37(6), 923–933.

Episode 45 A season finale! This episode closes out season 4 with a dang bang! We finally get around to answering some of the questions we have received, such as jobs and career paths in the geosciences, what our favorite geologic structures are, identifying minerals in the field, types of rocks you might encounter in various depositional settings. Carly even shares with us a story about what happens when you give her a geology fact. Between the bars of our main discussion we present another mineral minute sponsored by the hydrated phosphouranlyte mineral, Dewindtite. Until next season, stay tuned, be cool, and keep it on the rocks!

Episode 44! DANG! What better start to an episode could you ask for as we begin our discussion discussing tornadoes and drunk pigs? Our main topic discusses some of the most common environmental problems we face today. What makes it difficult is the nature of the "problems" have changed: where such problems were once primarily scientific and technocratic in nature, they are now almost exclusively problems of politics. The future of the environment, at home and abroad, appears less certain than ever before even at a time when its potential to bring serious negative consequences for all humanity is more well-known than ever before. Problems that affect large groups and require collective action are recognized as some of the most perplexing political conundrums. Even outside the context of American politics, the environment presents challenges of a unique character. By their nature, environmental problems are ‘big’ problems that likewise affect ‘big’ groups of people and require ‘big’ solutions. Clean air cannot be achieved merely through the regulation of one industry in one part of the country, or through the passion of one highly motivated group or individuals. Between the bars of our main discussion, we present to you another mineral minute and before signing off we close things out with another That Freaking Rocks. Sprinkled throughout are tangents that we navigate in this environmental conscious and inclusive episode! Until next time remember to stay tuned, be cool, and keep it on the rocks!