Don't Panic Geocast

Shannon went to AGU and we're updated on the meeting and what cool new science things she saw! Fun Paper Friday He, Yu, et al. "Superionic iron alloys and their seismic velocities in Earth’s inner core." Nature 602.7896 (2022): 258-262. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo dontpanicgeocast@gmail.com John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin...

Faults are fractures in the Earth's crust where movement has occurred, creating features that are critical to understanding geological processes. In this episode, we explore how to recognize fault zones in the field, examine their widths at different depths, and analyze the breakage patterns and deformation features that define them. Definition of faults and why they matter in geological studies:...

Lithium, often called "white gold," is a critical resource powering modern technologies like electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy storage, and more. This week, we explore lithium's geological formation, mining, processing, and its growing importance in the energy revolution. We also dive into exciting developments in Arkansas, which could make the U.S. a major player in domestic lithium produ...

Gold has been a symbol of wealth, beauty, and power for millennia, but its importance extends far beyond jewelry and currency. From its formation deep in the Earth’s crust to its critical uses in electronics, medicine, and aerospace, this episode explores the fascinating journey of gold and why it continues to captivate us today. Learn More: Gold - Royal Society of Chemistry Gold's Physical and Ch...

Ever wondered how silver journeys from ancient rock formations to the tech in your pocket? In this episode of Don't Panic Geocast, we dig deep into the fascinating world of silver—the metal that's shaped economies, inspired legends, and powers modern technology. From its formation in Earth’s crust to the precise science of extraction and refining, we’ll explore how silver’s unique properties make...

This week, we dive into the fascinating world of coal—its origins, types, and the role it has played in shaping economies, past and present. We discuss coal’s formation in ancient swampy environments, the journey from mining to electricity generation, and the transition we’re witnessing as the world moves toward renewable energy sources. We wrap up with a Fun Paper Friday that challenges the class...

Throughout human history, certain minerals have held immense power, shaping economies, societies, and entire civilizations. In this economic rocks series, John and Shannon discuss how essential minerals like salt, gold, and coal influenced historical events and continue to impact modern geopolitics. This week we start with salt and how it is essential to many aspects of our day to day. Learn More...

In our 400th episode, we take a moment to reflect on some of our favorite past episodes and Fun Paper Fridays that have brought joy, knowledge, and a good laugh to the show. From memorable guests to quirky science papers, this episode is a tribute to everything that makes the Don't Panic Geocast special. Join us for this nostalgia-packed episode where we look back at the highlights of 399 episodes...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making its way into academic research and writing, offering a range of tools that can help streamline workflows, enhance creativity, and improve productivity. In this episode, John and Shannon dive into some of the AI tools they’ve been experimenting with and discuss broader questions about fairness, disclosure, and the evolving role of AI in academia. Elsevier’s Po...

This week, we delve into the fascinating world of the ancient dwelling mounds—terps—of the northern Netherlands. These man-made mounds served as elevated homes for communities living in low-lying, flood-prone areas. Join us as we explore the geology of these mounds, why they were essential for survival, and how modern technology is used to monitor soil subsidence and preserve these unique archaeol...

This week John and Shannon summarize the GEARS 2024 workshop, lessons learned, and talk about a record air pressure that was just a fluke. Fun Paper Friday Bureau of Meteorology says quality checks reveal air pressure record not broken, miscalculations published online Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo dontpanicgeocast@gmail.com John Leeman www.johnrlee...

Learn about the explosion at Yellowstone's Biscuit Basin site and what it means for the park. We also talk about drunk fruit flies and what they are teaching us about alcoholism. Fun Paper Friday Heberlein, Ulrike. "Genetics of alcohol-induced behaviors in Drosophila." Alcohol Research & Health 24.3 (2000): 185. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo don...

This week we look at a geological oddity in Turkmenistan and see how getting a puppy can give you the blues. Video of the Burning Crater Fun Paper Friday Ståhl, Aada, et al. "Development and validation of the puppy blues scale measuring temporary affective disturbance resembling baby blues." npj Mental Health Research 3.1 (2024): 27. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com...

We went to watch Twisters and review it from the standpoint of two people who have chased storms professionally. Also what do philosophers have to say about the original movie and its mythological reconsiliations? Fun Paper Friday King, Geoff. "The scientist as pioneer hero: Hollywood's mythological reconciliations in twister and contact." Science as Culture 8.3 (1999): 371-379. Contact us: Show S...

This week we talk about when and how things get revised from classes to papers to theories. Also we read a paper about a curious cure for poisoning. Fun Paper Friday Sasanami, Misa, et al. "Oral ethanol treatment for ethylene glycol intoxication." Cureus 12.12 (2020). Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo dontpanicgeocast@gmail.com John Leeman www.johnrleem...

This week we discuss JMARS and how you can explore the planets at home with just a few clicks of the mouse. Field camp is almost over and we'll be back to our regular shorts soon! JMARS Site Fun Paper Friday What happens when scientists look for a fast cup of cold brew coffee? Ultrasonic experiments of course! Chiu, Shih-Hao, et al. "Coffee brewing sonoreactor for reducing the time of cold brew fr...

What is a flume and how do sedimentologists used them to understand depositional systems? This and how likely you are to be bitten by a rattlesnake if you step on it in this summer's first Don't Panic Summer Short! emriver St. Anthony Falls Lab Fun Paper Friday WPR News Article Morris, M. Cale. "Rattlesnakes in the Classroom: A Research-based Model for Educational Outreach Programs." Biology of Ra...

Stop losing power and data in the field. John and Shannon discuss the new FieldVolt open power standard. FieldVolt Standard Fun Paper Friday Dean, Isabelle, and Michael T. Siva-Jothy. "Human fine body hair enhances ectoparasite detection." Biology letters 8.3 (2012): 358-361. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo dontpanicgeocast@gmail.com John Leeman www.j...

This week John and Shannon talk about what some of the weird weather radar terms that get thrown around mean and how you can use them to keep up with storms impacting you. Then things get morbid with a mouse experiment that ended in an idiocrasy style extinction. Fun Paper Friday Calhoun, John B. "Death squared: the explosive growth and demise of a mouse population." (1973): 80-88. Contact us: Sho...

John went to the Geoprobe open house to look at drilling rigs and then we discuss the optimum way to plan a large number of Christmas parties. Earth Day Google Doodle Geoprobe Fun Paper Friday Grüneberg, Reuben. "Hospital Christmas parties." British Medical Journal 281.6256 (1980): 1667. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo dontpanicgeocast@gmail.com John...

What's tiny, rocky, and alive? Forams! Learn about forams and what diseases James Bond may get while traveling to study them. Fun Paper Friday Graumans, Wouter, William JR Stone, and Teun Bousema. "No time to die: An in-depth analysis of James Bond's exposure to infectious agents." Travel medicine and infectious disease 44 (2021): 102175. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocas...

John and Shannon both traveled to see the great eclipse of 2024 and share their experiences this week as well as talk about one of those rare times when ice is not a mineral. Fun Paper Friday We always talk about ice being a mineral, but what about when it isn't? Rosu-Finsen, Alexander, et al. "Medium-density amorphous ice." Science 379.6631 (2023): 474-478. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon!...

This week we interview YouTube science creator, science writer, and communicator Alexis Dahl to learn about the rocks of Michigan's UP and how scientists can do a better job of sharing what they do. Alexis' YouTube Channel Alexis' Website Fun Paper Friday What should you drink after fondue to prevent "chesse baby" feelings? Heinrich, Henriette, et al. "Effect on gastric function and symptoms of dr...

This week we see how scientists break down the Earth into 7 or more spheres and why that is and isn't a good idea. We also explore a fun paper about graphene that is just full of crap. Fun Paper Friday Graphene is an amazing material, but are all of the papers about it full of crap? This one certainly is! Wang, Lu, Zdenek Sofer, and Martin Pumera. "Will any crap we put into graphene increase its e...

What can we get from mining the moon? Should we? Who can do it? Why should we do it? That and more in this week's show! Fun Paper Friday Do we live in 3D? Can you prove it? Morley, Tom. "A simple proof that the world is three-dimensional." SIAM review 27.1 (1985): 69-71. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo dontpanicgeocast@gmail.com John Leeman www.johnrl...