Episode 406 - "Taking In All The Really Interesting Things" Don't Panic Geocast podcast

45:27

Ever wondered how geologists figure out when a landslide happened? Or how ancient river terraces and glacial deposits get dated? This week, we dive into the detective work behind dating geomorphic features! 🌍🔬 From tree rings to cosmic rays, we explore the fascinating methods geologists use to reconstruct Earth’s history and assess natural hazards. Why Dating Landslides and Other Features is Hard Landslides can reactivate multiple times, fluvial deposits get reworked, and glacial features have complex histories. What are we really dating—the event, the material, or the last exposure? Dating Techniques in Geology Dendrochronology 🌲 – Tree rings reveal landslides, floods, and debris flows. Radiocarbon Dating 💀 – Organic material like charcoal and buried soil horizons provide time markers. Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) 🌞 – Measures when quartz grains were last exposed to sunlight. Cosmogenic Nuclide Dating ☄️ – Tracks surface exposure using cosmic rays. Other Methods – Lichen growth, volcanic ash layers, and earthquake trenching. Fun Paper Friday Ever wondered if your favorite neon-orange snack has hidden superpowers? This study explores how strongly absorbing molecules, like those found in food dyes, can reduce light scattering in biological tissues—making them temporarily more transparent! Researchers applied tartrazine (a common food coloring) to live mice and were able to see internal structures like blood vessels without invasive procedures. The discovery could improve biomedical imaging, but we’re mostly just fascinated that Dorito dust might have unexpected side effects! Ou, Zihao, et al. "Achieving optical transparency in live animals with absorbing molecules." Science 385.6713 (2024): eadm6869. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo dontpanicgeocast@gmail.com John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin…

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Episode 410 - "GEARS OIL UTEP" 48:18

hace 24 días48:18

48:18

We just wrapped up our first-ever on-site GEARS Workshop at UTEP and it was a massive success! 🎉 Tune in as we break down the highlights, what we learned, and how this hands-on geoscience training is evolving for the future. Fun Paper Friday Can paranormal lights actually be tied to earthquakes? Hough, Susan E. "Haunted Summerville: Ghostly Lights or Earthquake Lights?." Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo dontpanicgeocast@gmail.com John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin…

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Episode 409 - "Resolutions" 1:07:10

hace 5 weeks1:07:10

1:07:10

This week, it's time for our 2025 resolutions show, where we see how we can improve this year and discuss everything that's changed in the past year! Fun Paper Friday We are all overloaded with surveys and requests, but can a chocolate bar increase the response rates? Jamtvedt, Gro, et al. "Chocolate bar as an incentive did not increase response rate among physiotherapists: a randomised controlled trial." BMC research notes 1 (2008): 1-4. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo dontpanicgeocast@gmail.com John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin…

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Episode 408 - "Everywhere there's cottonwood trees" 41:23

hace 6 weeks41:23

41:23

This week we wrap up our finding faults show started oh so long ago! Learn how to identify faults in the field and then relax with a coffee with a physicist! A perfectly spherical coffee on a frictionless plane that is! Fun Paper Friday Bossart, Aleksi, Romain Fleury, and Benjamin Apffel. "Science of a coffee cup: a physicist walks into a bar..." arXiv preprint arXiv:2501.01180 (2025). Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo dontpanicgeocast@gmail.com John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin…

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Episode 407 - "If you like dragons, that's important to you" Joshua Pearce 1:12:22

hace 9 weeks1:12:22

1:12:22

This week, we’re thrilled to welcome Joshua Pearce to the show! We dive into the world of open-source hardware for academic labs, the challenges and rewards of open-sourcing projects, and the exciting opportunities it creates for researchers and the general public alike. Tune in for a fascinating discussion about innovation, making, and the future of accessible technology! Joshua Pearce Open-Source Lab: How to Build Your Own Hardware and Reduce Research Costs Create, Share, and Save Money Using Open-Source Projects To Catch the Sun: Inspiring stories of communities coming together to harness their own solar energy, and how you can do it too! Feeding Everyone No Matter What: Managing Food Security After Global Catastrophe @ProfPearce Fun Paper Friday This Study Was Hailed as a Win for Science Reform. Now It’s Being Retracted. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo dontpanicgeocast@gmail.com John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin…

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Episode 406 - "Taking in all the really interesting things" 57:26

hace 10 weeks57:26

57:26

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 @ShannonDulin…

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Episode 405 - "Getting Tensor" 56:20

hace 12 weeks56:20

56:20

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: USGS - Earthquake Glossary Importance of identifying faults for earthquake research and infrastructure planning: Seismic Hazard and Risk - IRIS Indicators such as fault scarps, offset layers, and linear valleys: Geology.com - Recognizing Faults Explanation of slickensides and fault breccia: Fault Surface Features - ScienceDirect How vegetation and water accumulation signal fault traces: Hydrology and Fault Zones - Nature Observing stratigraphic offsets and deformation in rock layers: Structural Geology Basics - USGS Characteristics of shattered rock zones and mylonites: Mylonites in Fault Zones - Geological Society Narrow zones in brittle rocks vs. wider zones in thrust faults: Fault Zone Width Variability - ResearchGate Examples of strike-slip vs. thrust faults: Geological Features of Faults - Springer Discussion of fault core and damage zone broadening: Deep Fault Zones - ScienceDirect How depth impacts fault geometry: Fault Depth Behavior - Wiley Online Fault breccia and gouge as indicators of brittle behavior: Fault Breccia Properties - GeoscienceWorld Hazards like landslides and slope instability: Fault Zone Hazards - USGS Fun Paper Friday Are those Christmas puddings good for you? Wallach, Joshua D., et al. "Association of health benefits and harms of Christmas dessert ingredients in recipes from The Great British Bake Off: umbrella review of umbrella reviews of meta-analyses of observational studies." bmj 383 (2023). ## Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo dontpanicgeocast@gmail.com John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin…

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Episode 404 - "So Many Paperclips" 50:22

hace 13 weeks50:22

50:22

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 production. Learn More: Pegmatite Geology - USGS Lithium in Clays - Nature Lithium Triangle Overview - Mining Technology Hard Rock Lithium Mining - Geology.com Lithium Extraction from Pegmatites - Minerals Education Coalition Brine Extraction Methods - International Energy Agency Clay-Based Lithium Extraction - ScienceDirect Lithium in Batteries - Energy Storage Journal Environmental Impacts of Lithium Mining - Earthworks Arkansas Lithium Resources - USGS Direct Lithium Extraction Explained - Mining Journal Arkansas Mining Projects - Reuters Fun Paper Friday Can geomagnetic storms change flight characteristics and drag on satellites? This week we find out. Parker, William E., and Richard Linares. "Satellite Drag Analysis During the May 2024 Geomagnetic Storm." arXiv preprint arXiv:2406.08617 (2024). Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo dontpanicgeocast@gmail.com John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin…

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Episode 403 - "My Dad Caught my Mom's Pants on Fire" 50:12

hace 14 weeks50:12

50:12

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 Chemical Properties - Geology.com : Gold Formation - USGS Orogenic Gold Deposits - Earth Science Reviews Gold Mining Methods - World Gold Council Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASM) - UNEP Applications of Gold - Royal Society of Chemistry Gold in Medicine - The Lancet Environmental Impacts of Gold Mining - Earthworks Fun Paper Friday Can pee be used to 3D print homes on the moon? Pilehvar, Shima, et al. "Utilization of urea as an accessible superplasticizer on the moon for lunar geopolymer mixtures." Journal of Cleaner Production 247 (2020): 119177. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo dontpanicgeocast@gmail.com John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin…

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Episode 402 - "Shoes in a dryer on turbo" 44:58

hace 15 weeks44:58

44:58

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 it indispensable in everything from solar panels to medical tools. Tune in to learn why this shiny element is more valuable—and more complicated—than you might think! Hydrothermal Ore Deposits - Earth Science Reviews Geology of Silver - US Geological Survey Sedimentary Ore Deposits - Journal of Geology Mining Methods - Open Pit and Underground - Minerals Education Coalition Underground Mining Techniques and Risks - World Coal Association Froth Flotation Process - Journal of Chemical Engineering The Leaching Process in Silver Extraction - Environmental Chemistry Merrill-Crowe Process for Silver Recovery - Mining Engineering Electrowinning Process in Silver Extraction - Metallurgy and Mining Review Smelting and Refining of Silver - International Smelting Association Electrolytic Refining of Silver - American Journal of Chemistry Conductivity of Silver in Electronics - IEEE Transactions on Electrical Engineering Silver in Solar Panels - Solar Energy Journal Medical Applications of Silver - The Lancet History of Silver in Currency - Economic History Journal The Role of Silver in Photography - Journal of Photographic Science Economic Significance of Silver - World Silver Survey Environmental Impacts of Silver Mining - Environmental Science & Technology Supply and Demand of Silver - International Silver Council Antimicrobial Properties of Silver - Journal of Applied Microbiology Fun Paper Friday Can seeing a bad (dad) joke actually make you funnier? This week’s Fun Paper Friday dives into the surprising effects of both funny and unfunny examples on our ability to create humor. It turns out that even groan-worthy jokes can fuel creativity—though they might make you work harder for the punchline! Shin, Hyelim, et al. "Creative fixation is no laughing matter: The effects of funny and unfunny examples on humor production." The Journal of Creative Behavior 54.2 (2020): 487-494. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo dontpanicgeocast@gmail.com John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin…

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Episode 401 - "I fell into a lot of bogs" 58:05

hace 16 weeks58:05

58:05

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 classic "Infinite Monkeys Theorem"—could monkeys really type out Shakespeare if given enough time? How Coal Forms and Coal Types - World Coal Association Energy Density of Coal Types - Hypertextbook Mining Methods and Processing - National Academies Coal Transportation - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Coal’s Role in the Industrial Revolution - History.com Global Coal Power Statistics - Statista Future of Coal in Energy Transitions - International Energy Agency (IEA) Fun Paper Friday Can monkeys really type out Shakespeare? This study explores the probability of typing coherent text with a finite number of monkeys and limited time. Spoiler: even with thousands of monkeys, the odds are astronomically low, revealing the true limits of randomness. Woodcock, Stephen, and Jay Falletta. "A numerical evaluation of the Finite Monkeys Theorem." Franklin Open (2024): 100171. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo dontpanicgeocast@gmail.com John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin…

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Episode 400 - "Mushroom Cloud of Salt" 36:58

hace 17 weeks36:58

36:58

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 History of Salt in Ancient Civilizations - Learn how salt became an essential part of trade, diet, and religion in ancient China, Egypt, and Rome:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}. The Role of Salt in the Roman Empire - Discover how the Roman Empire used salt as currency and a political tool to control its territories:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}. The Impact of the Salt Trade in West Africa - Learn how salt was traded for gold and helped build the Ghana and Mali empires, creating a network of trade routes that shaped the region’s history:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}. Fun Paper Friday This week's Fun Paper Friday features a study on the leaf-mimicking abilities of Boquila trifoliolata . The vine is capable of changing the shape and size of its leaves to resemble those of neighboring plants, potentially as a form of camouflage against herbivores. But the most surprising part? It can even mimic artificial plastic leaves. This finding challenges existing theories that leaf mimicry is driven solely by chemical signaling or genetic exchange between plants, suggesting instead that Boquila may possess a form of plant vision through specialized light-sensitive cells called “plant ocelli.” This discovery opens new possibilities for understanding plant sensory and adaptive behaviors. White, J., & Yamashita, F. (2022). Boquila trifoliolata mimics leaves of an artificial plastic host plant . Plant Signaling & Behavior, 17(1), e1977530. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo dontpanicgeocast@gmail.com John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin…

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Episode 399 - "We would have already sacrificed some people" 59:22

hace 19 weeks59:22

59:22

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! Highlighted Episodes Episode 350 - "Borehole to Hell" Episode 49 - "Would it blow your mind if I told you Africa is 14x larger than Greenland?" Episode 50 - "Some serious geometric voodoo" Projections Part 2 Episode 364 - Geology of War "I'm glad I listen to this podcast" Episode 6 - "What if you calibrated your candles differently?" Episode 358 - "Put a pin in it" Surveillance Balloons Episode 16 - "We are scared" Nature Calls Top Titles Episode 52 - "You pay for significant digits" Episode 4 - "Is that cumulonimbus cloud storage?" Data Backups Favorite Fun Papers Kuna, Václav M., and John L. Nábělek. "Seismic crustal imaging using fin whale songs." Science 371.6530 (2021): 731-735. Does removing something take more brain power than adding something? Adams, Gabrielle S., et al. "People systematically overlook subtractive changes." Nature 592.7853 (2021): 258-261. Science makes you feel stupid and that's okay!Schwartz, Martin A. "The importance of stupidity in scientific research." Journal of Cell Science 121.11 (2008): 1771-1771. Beaty, Chester B. "Great big boulders I have known." Geology 17.4 (1989): 349-352. Winter is coming, but why? Orbital mechanics to the rescue! Paradise, Adiv, et al. "The Long Night: Modeling the Climate of Westeros." arXiv preprint arXiv:1903.12195 (2019). Where do you go to find mythical creatures? There's a paper for that! Beconytė, Giedrė, Agnė Eismontaitė, and Jovita Žemaitienė. "Mythical creatures of Europe." Journal of Maps 10.1 (2014): 53-60. Yanai, Itai, and Martin Lercher. "The two languages of science." Genome Biology 21.1 (2020): 1-9. Meyer-Rochow, V. B., & Gal, J. (2003). Pressures produced when penguins pooh?calculations on avian defaecation. Polar Biology, 27(1), 56–58. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00300–003–0563–3 Dirksen, Neele, et al. "Learned control of urinary reflexes in cattle to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions." Current Biology 31.17 (2021): R1033-R1034. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo dontpanicgeocast@gmail.com John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin…

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Episode 398 - "Are you going to take our jobs?" 1:00:40

hace 20 weeks1:00:40

1:00:40

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 Policy on Generative AI in Writing Research Rabbit - AI-powered tool for literature discovery. GitHub Co-pilot - AI coding assistant. Elicit - AI for automating literature reviews and generating research insights. Magic To-Do - AI-based task management tool. Autodraw - AI-powered drawing tool. Fun Paper Friday Summary: So if AI takes over the world, what would it take to destory it? A solar flare should do it, and maybe us, in. The superstorms from space that could end modern life…

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Episode 397 - "Terps" 49:40

hace 21 weeks49:40