In this episode, I talk about the science of Tsunamis - those horrifying waves that spread around the oceans after certain geological events. What are those events? How do the waves travel? How can we warn people? What if I am on the coast - what should I look for? If you want a classroom activity, have a go at constructing this 3D paper tsunami model . Just print out, cut, and glue. Interested in joining us on a trip? Check out our field adventures here. Support the show...
May 11, 2020•16 min•Season 1Ep. 19
In this episode, I talk about solution (Limestone/marble) caves and how they form. What is the chemistry behind their formation and their cave formations like stalactites and stalagmites? In fact, I mention the chemical equation that drives this reaction... click here to see it. Caves are fascinating places, and I hope this makes it easier for you to understand how solution caves form. If you want a fun activity, have a go at constructing this 3D paper cave . Just print out, cut, and glue. Inter...
May 04, 2020•13 min•Season 1Ep. 18
In this episode, we chat about the Earth's magnetic field and how that is recorded in igneous rocks. We discuss how this was worked out, how it was used to plot Apparent Polar Wandering Curves, and how we use magnetic stripes recorded in the rocks of the seafloor as evidence for Plate Tectonics. And quite a bit more... Interested in joining us on a trip? Visit us at www.geoetc.com Support the show...
Apr 26, 2020•12 min•Season 1Ep. 17
In this episode, I talk about the differences between a mineral occurrence, a mineral deposit, and an ore deposit. And most of that is about the finances (profit and loss) of mining that resources than about the geology. This is a great primer for teaching students about mineral resources or to understand what these terms mean if you see them on a map. You can always real more about geology topics on www.geoetc.com And you can find out more about all our field trips here . Support the show...
Apr 20, 2020•10 min•Season 1Ep. 16
How is oil formed and trapped so we can use it as a resource? Learn about source rocks, reservoir rocks, trap-rocks and different forms of oil traps. For more information about geology topics, come find us at www.geoetc.com Support the show
Apr 12, 2020•11 min•Season 1Ep. 15
How does a geologist work out the sequence of events when looking at outcrop? How do uniformitarianism, superposition, fossil sequences, and cross-cutting relationships all tie together to work out what came first and what came last? This episode I talk through the processes for sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks and structures like faults, folds, and unconformities. All of that in just 12 mins! You can find the GEO podcast on iTunes right here. And go and visit www.geoetc.com ! Support ...
Apr 05, 2020•13 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Erosion is the moving of broken-down rock materials from one place to another and can be caused by the action of gravity, water, wind or ice. In this session, I talk about each of those factors and examples of how they work. For more information on geoscience, come visit our site at www.geoetc.com Support the show
Mar 30, 2020•14 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Often the most misunderstood part of the tri-process weathering-erosion-deposition cycle, weathering is the critical part of how rocks are recycled. In this episode, I discuss how rocks break down through physical, chemical and biological ways. You can find out more about topics like this on our website www.geoetc.com Support the show
Mar 29, 2020•10 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Today we talk about places you can go to start collecting rocks and minerals - and they are all places close to you home. When starting off you just don't have to go far or to famous places, but you can look in your backyard, front driveway, or local parks. Gary then explains what he takes into the field when he collects - to bring his treasures home - and how he labels and records information about his specimens. And if you want to read more including learning how to ID samples, why not get Gar...
Mar 22, 2020•15 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Gold is an amazing metal and has been used by humans for thousands of years. But do you know the properties of gold and how you can use them to find gold in nature? Do you know how to tell gold from fools gold? This episode explains all these things (and a little more). You can find more about gold at www.geoetc.com Support the show
Mar 15, 2020•16 min•Season 1Ep. 10
What are earthquakes? How are they formed? What is causing the shaking? How do we record them? What should you do in an Earthquake? Learn all about Earthquakes in less than 15 mins. Learn about seismic waves (P, S and surface waves), learn terms like fault, focus, and epicenter. Understand the term magnitude and how much energy is released. Support the show
Mar 09, 2020•14 min•Season 1Ep. 9
The silicate minerals are the building blocks for all the rocks on Earth. They follow a system of formation and therefore classification - and in this episode, I explain the fundamental building block (silicon tetrahedron) and how that is used to form all the different types of minerals. For more information, see this blog post on the Silicate Minerals . And finally - if you are new to rock and mineral collecting, or have a child who would like to learn more, check out the book I wrote... Suppor...
Feb 17, 2020•13 min•Season 1Ep. 8
There are just so many different roles and specialties in the field of geology. Many of these jobs have different titles or names, and so in this episode, I go through some of the major ones and outlines (roughly) what those people do in the field of geology. I know I did not cover all of the types of jobs...but this will give you, students and rockhounds a pretty good idea of the variety of roles a geologist can play in understanding our planet. Support the show...
Feb 09, 2020•11 min•Season 1Ep. 7
In this episode, I talk about the plutonic igneous rock known as granite - why I love it, the minerals it contains and what it tends to look like in the landscape. This is a perfect primer for rockhounds, teachers, and students on how to ID granite. You can find the full episode notes, including images of granite here: https://geoetc.com/ episode6 / Support the show...
Feb 06, 2020•11 min•Season 1Ep. 6
In this episode, I outline the simple classification of rocks into the groups igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. You can find the episode notes here: https://geoetc.com/episode5/ Support the show
Feb 02, 2020•9 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Learn the basics of the theory of Plate Tectonics in less than 10 minutes! Why do earthquakes and volcanoes occur where they do? Why does the earth have mountain ranges and deep ocean trenches? And you can find the full episode links here: https://geoetc.com/ episode4 / Support the show
Feb 02, 2020•10 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In this episode, I talk about mineral color and streak as ways to identify minerals in your collection. The big take away from this episode is that color alone is not a good way to ID minerals and that using streak (the color of the powdered mineral) is a better ID tool. For the full notes and links to streak plates, go to www.geoetc.com/episode3 Support the show
Jan 29, 2020•10 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Mineral hardness is one of the most important properties you can use to identify a mineral you have been given or even collected in the field. In this episode I walk about Mohs Scale of Hardness and how it works, as well as how you can create your own mineral hardness testing kit using common items around your home or garage. Support the show
Jan 27, 2020•9 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Let's chat about how I became hooked in geology - maybe my story is similar to yours. I also provide some thoughts on the four reasons geology is now so important. Support the show
Jan 26, 2020•16 min•Season 1Ep. 1
