PlanetGeo: The Geology Podcast

Download the CampGeo app now at this link . On the app you can get tons of free content, exclusive images, and access to our Geology of National Parks series. You can also learn the basics of geology at the college level in our FREE CampGeo content series - get learning now! Like, Subscribe, and leave us a Rating! —————————————————— Instagram: @planetgeocast Twitter: @planetgeocast Facebook: @plan...

Download the CampGeo app now at this link . On the app you can get tons of free content, exclusive images, and access to our Geology of National Parks series. You can also learn the basics of geology at the college level in our FREE CampGeo content series - get learning now! Like, Subscribe, and leave us a Rating! —————————————————— Instagram: @planetgeocast Twitter: @planetgeocast Facebook: @plan...

In this episode of "Planet Geo," we delve into whether geological events such as earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and extreme weather are becoming more common or severe. Through a lively and humorous discussion, including a guest appearance from Joyce!, we explore the statistical analysis of earthquakes over the past 35 years, concluding that large earthquakes are not increasing in fr...

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating concept of hypsometry and its applications in understanding Earth's topography. We start with a light-hearted email from a listener, but quickly transition into discussing the principles of hypsometric curves. We break down how these curves provide insights into the distribution and stability of Earth's crust, oceanic and continental. Throug...

In this episode we engage in a lively conversation with Dr. Rachel Phillips, popularly known as GeoGirl on YouTube . Rachel shares her journey from resisting geology despite her geologist parents, to embracing it due to a chemistry class in college. She discusses her PhD research on ancient ocean chemistry and reveals her recent focus on geoscience education and communication through an NSF fellow...

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of geological sampling. We start with a humorous discussion on episode titles and then transition into the complexities of geological sampling, including personal anecdotes about our own experiences and lessons learned. We discuss the importance of sample size, statistical models, and challenges in the field, as well as the significance of detai...

In this episode of Planet Geo, we delve into the geology of the Michigan Basin, focusing on its formation, sedimentary layers, and economic significance. We discuss the concept of a self-fulfilling prophecy in basin formation, explaining how deposition and subsidence work together to create and deepen basins over time. We also highlight the unique characteristics of the Michigan Basin, including i...

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating topic of garnet eyes, discussing how these unique geological features form and what they reveal about the history of metamorphic rocks. We explore different types of reaction rims and depletion halos, breaking down the complex processes that create these striking features. We also share personal stories and insights from our own experiences with garne...

In this episode of PlanetGeo, we delve into the fascinating world of eskers, exploring their formation, significance, and economic importance. We explain how eskers, sinuous ridges formed by pressurized meltwater channels at the base of glaciers, provide crucial geological insights and serve as valuable tools in mineral exploration, such as in diamond mining. We share personal anecdotes and compel...

Dr. Jesse Reimink and Chris Bolhuis share their firsthand experiences and insights from recent fieldwork. The episode delves into their fascinating observations and discussions about various geological features, including lava inflation structures, such as tumuli and inflation pits, the stunning landscapes shaped by fjords in Iceland, and the deposits of eskers in the Northwest Territories. They h...

Dr. Jesse Reimink and Chris Bolhuis delve into the fascinating geological phenomenon of columnar jointing, sharing insights from Chris's recent trip to Iceland. They discuss the formation, size variations, and unique patterns of these striking hexagonal columns found in basaltic lava flows, addressing questions such as why they form, why some flows exhibit them while others don't, and th...

In this episode of Planet Geo, Dr. Jesse Reimink and Chris Bolhuis delve into the fascinating and sometimes perilous world of landslides, focusing on a recent landslide known as the Big Fill landslide that occurred in the Teton Pass. They discuss the various triggers and mechanisms behind landslides, including the impact of water, earthquakes, and human activities. The hosts also highlight key his...

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jesse Reimink and Chris Bolhuis delve into part two of their discussion on Earth's oldest rocks, specifically the Acasta Gneiss. They explore the origin, complex history, and significance of these ancient rocks, including insights from Dr. Reimink's PhD research which suggests an Icelandic rather than subduction zone setting for their formation. The conversat...

Dive into the fascinating world of Mammoth Cave with Dr. Jesse Reimink and Chris Bolhuis in this episode of Planet Geo. From understanding the types of passageways formed by ancient underground rivers to exploring the intricate and beautiful cave decorations like stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone, this episode provides a comprehensive and engaging look at one of the natural wonders of the wo...

In this episode of Planet Geo, Chris Bolhuis and Dr. Jesse Reimink dive deep into the geology of the Grand Teton National Park. They cover the park's ancient rock formations, from the Archean gneiss to the granites formed around 2.5 billion years ago. The discussion also explores significant geological events like the Severe and Laramide orogenies, the impact of the Yellowstone Hotspot Track,...

Download the CampGeo app now at this link . On the app you can get tons of free content, exclusive images, and access to our Geology of National Parks series. You can also learn the basics of geology at the college level in our FREE CampGeo content series - get learning now! Like, Subscribe, and leave us a Rating! —————————————————— Instagram: @planetgeocast Twitter: @planetgeocast Facebook: @plan...

This episode is Part 2 of our Mammoth Cave series - where we discuss the geological setup that enabled creation of the longest cave system in the world.  The geology of the region, including the Green River, set the stage for the formation of Mammoth Cave, the largest cave system that has been mapped.  Stay tuned for our third installment on Mammoth Cave, where we discuss the cave 'decoration...

Download the CampGeo app now at this link . On the app you can get tons of free content, exclusive images, and access to our Geology of National Parks series. You can also learn the basics of geology at the college level in our FREE CampGeo content series - get learning now! Like, Subscribe, and leave us a Rating! —————————————————— Instagram: @planetgeocast Twitter: @planetgeocast Facebook: @plan...

This is the first episode in a series of 3 on the world's longest cave system - Mammoth Cave in Kentucky.  In this episode, Chris and Jesse talk a little about Mammoth and some of its impressive statistics.  The focus however, is more about the necessary ingredients for cave development in general.  We talk about the 4 general ingredients: suitable rock type, a solvent, hydraulic gradient, an...

In this episode, Jesse and Chris talk about the geology of Iceland - although we keep it at a high level.  We're going to come back to this - Iceland - later after Chris returns from his trip.  Then, we'll get into some of detail that makes Iceland so unique.  Here, we discuss how Iceland might be a prototype for the formation of continents and also talk a bit about the diversity of igne...

Hardpan!  Where did this idea for an episode come from?  Chris has  been doing a ton of yard work lately and it’s not uncommon come across a layer when digging a hole that is next to impossible to penetrate. He has to bust out my pick axe to get through it.  It's  Called Hardpan. Really dense layer that often occurs below the topsoil.   Problems: Roots can’t penetrate into the hardpan (Hayden...

Download the CampGeo app now at this link . On the app you can get tons of free content, exclusive images, and access to our Geology of National Parks series. You can also learn the basics of geology at the college level in our FREE CampGeo content series - get learning now! Like, Subscribe, and leave us a Rating! —————————————————— Instagram: @planetgeocast Twitter: @planetgeocast Facebook: @plan...

Today we really go into the weeds. Jesse and a colleague just published a paper in the journal Nature that proposes a new model for how continents became stable. Stable continents have all the granite at the surface, which contains all the heat producing elements like U and Th and K - elements that decay away. Today, we discuss that paper in detail, and along the way learn a bit about the early Ea...

Today, Chris and Jesse get into a discussion about Earth’s oldest material.  Earth is 4.568 Billion years old.  First of all, that’s amazing the geochronologists have refined this down to 3 decimal places.  How do we know this?  The oldest grains ever found are 4.38 billion years old.  If that’s the case, then how do we know the Earth is significantly older than that?  Join us as we answer that an...

In this episode, we tackle a listener question regarding planning a geology trip for students.  Both Chris and Jesse have quite a bit of experience in planning and executing field excursions for students.  We believe that seeing geology in the field is one of the most powerful learning opportunities for students of all levels.  In our discussion, we talk about the difficulties in convincing the hi...