While I’ve been doing some reading and writing for my PhD comps exam, I’ve tangentially discovered that the term thagomizer is not in the 783-page Glossary of Geology (5th edition, revised 2011). I was under the assumption that the term, coined in Gary Larsen’s The Far Side comic strip for the spiky bits of a Stegosaurus’ tail,…
Twitter Follow: @YearOnEarth
Follow @YearOnEarth to get a sense of the entirety of Earth’s geologic history as it is compacted into one year. The story of the Earth will begin soon. 01.01.2020 pic.twitter.com/MgZ64qqCxQ — Earth (@YearOnEarth) December 15, 2019 Last year, I honestly thought about doing this. Glad to see that great minds think alike!😁
Article Link: “In 2020, These Geological Myths And Misnomers Must Die”
As 2019 ends, Forbes just published this article on the top ten false or misleading geological statements that needs to die. They’re the kind of thing that gets written in tabloids with volcanoes and earthquakes abound. The article is basically a rant by a geologist – Dr. Robin Andrews (Twitter: @SquigglyVolcano) – that deservedly wants an…
Check It Out: An Article on the Risk of Damned Dams
I just ran across this really good Associated Press article titled “AP: At least 1,680 dams across the US pose potential risk,” from last month about dam hazards and recent dam failures. Here’s a brief summary: A more than two-year investigation by The Associated Press has found scores of dams nationwide in even worse condition,…
Recent Simulant and Synthetic Gems Found by the GIA
Gemstones are inherently in demand, and as such, there are many who attempt to either create an imitation (simulant) gemstone or create a lab-grown (synthetic) gemstone. Simulant gemstones are those that mimic another, but have different properties and compositions than the imitated gem, such as a red-dyed quartz simulating a ruby (a variety of corundum)…
Illustrations from the First Geological Survey of Arkansas
In 1857, twenty-one years after Arkansas gained statehood, the Arkansas legislature approved funding for the first geological survey of the state. Governor Elias N. Conway commissioned Dr. David Dale Owen to lead the survey beginning in 1857 to 1859 with funds of $4,800 per year, plus a salary of $1,800, and continuing from 1859 to…
Exam Season
Looking through the department’s collection for the most difficult rock and mineral samples to put on the lab exam… Happy Finals Week!!
Paleontology in a Galaxy Far, Far Away….
I’m a huge Star Wars nerd. I’m going to say that right now and get it out of the way. I’ll undoubtedly be subscribing to the Disney+ streaming service just to watch the new Star Wars live-action TV show, The Mandalorian, which just dropped a new trailer. In the trailer there is are a couple…
The Research Diaries #4: Faulted Friday
While between rain storms earlier this week, I was able to get out into the field to do some outcrop work near Yellville, Marion County, Arkansas. I visited a roadcut near the US Hwy 412/AR Hwy 125 junction that is made of Lower Ordovician age dolostone rock with some shale intervals. Interestingly, it has a couple…
Why, Google?
“geology isn’t a real science” ?! “geology is the kardashians of science” ??!!! I…..I don’t know what to say. I’ve never felt so offended. What happened to you Google? You used to be cool.