Episode description

In the 1950s, when Marie Tharp mapped the ocean floor and noticed what appeared to be a rift valley at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, her idea was ridiculed by a male colleague as "girl talk". But nowadays that rift valley is evidence that Earth's crust is in constant motion, resulting in earthquakes, volcanoes, and continental drift. Author Hali Felt, whose book Soundings details the life and work of Marie Tharp, talks with us about the process of writing such a fun and engaging book when people know so little about its subject.

We also break down our song "Girl Talk," a funky tune about Marie's amazing discovery.