Latest Earthscience Podcast Episodes
Bowens Reaction Series
GEO Podcast - June 23, 2023 05:00 - 7 minutesIn this episode I talk about Bowen's Reaction Series - and how it tells us the order of crystallization of minerals from molten rock. Support the Show.
Would you want to meet an alien?
Oxford Sparks Big Questions - June 21, 2023 11:30 - 16 minutes ★★★★★ - 10 ratingsWhat might an experimental petrologist (someone who makes rocks in the lab) and an immunologist (someone who studies the body's defence system) have in common? Well, it turns out, a shared interest in iron might be one thing. And what does all this have to do with aliens, and, specifically, whet...
Earth's Major Systems
GEO Podcast - June 16, 2023 05:00 - 6 minutesThe Earth is a huge system made up of a number of 'spheres' - the geosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. What are each of these spheres and how can they interact? This episode explains each sphere and gives examples of the interaction between them. Visit our GEOetc Mem...
Buying a rock (geologic) hammer
GEO Podcast - June 09, 2023 05:00 - 5 minutesIn this episode, I talk about the things to consider when buying a geologic hammer - what to look for and the decisions you will need to make. You can find this information and more in my blog post about buying a forever hammer. Visit our GEOetc Members Section - Over 100 teaching resources...
Earth's largest volcano erupts - Mauna Loa 2022
GEO Podcast - June 02, 2023 05:00 - 7 minutesIn this episode, I talk about the recent eruption of Mauna Loa on the Big Island of Hawaii. The eruption was in 2022 and lasted just two weeks - but produced massive around of lava. Come and join us in Hawaii, or on any of our field adventures. See here for the trips for educators and here fo...
Could 'Jurassic Park' actually happen?
Oxford Sparks Big Questions - May 31, 2023 11:30 - 14 minutes ★★★★★ - 10 ratings"Life finds a way"...This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Stephen Spielberg and Universal Studio's dinosaur masterpiece 'Jurassic Park'. A rousing soundtrack, gutsy kids, and graphics which have stood the test of time remarkably well - the film has undeniably become a clas...
Have I found gold? Simple tests to find out!
GEO Podcast - May 26, 2023 05:00 - 5 minutesIn this episode, I talk about the three common minerals that fool people into thinking they have found gold - pyrite, chalcopyrite, and mica. I talk about the simple tests you can do to find out if what you found was really gold or one of these three. Visit our GEOetc Members Section - Over 1...
Hawaii - why I love taking people to visit the volcanoes
GEO Podcast - May 19, 2023 05:00 - 9 minutesIn this episode, I talk about the four reasons I just love to take people on tours around the volcanoes in Hawaii. It is about the accessibility of seeing the planet's largest and most active volcanoes and more. Come join us on an field adventure: www.geoetc.com/field-adventures Support the Sh...
How can we use sound waves to eliminate infections?
Oxford Sparks Big Questions - May 17, 2023 11:30 - 14 minutes ★★★★★ - 10 ratingsMany of us will have had to deal with a bacterial infection at some point or another. The solution? Often, antibiotics. But as the issue of antibiotic resistance becomes more and more of a concern, might there be an alternative to tackling bacterial infections with drugs? We chat to biomedical e...
The 5 Great Extinctions
GEO Podcast - May 12, 2023 05:00 - 8 minutesIn this episode, I talk about the five great extinction events - events in which more than 70% of species on Earth become extinct. When did these occur and what might have caused each event. Visit our GEOetc Members Section - Over 100 teaching resources that are classroom-ready to help you tea...
Graptolites
GEO Podcast - May 05, 2023 05:00 - 6 minutesIn this episode, I talk about the extinct colonial animal we call graptolites. These are fascinating fossils as they not only show an evolutionary trend that goes from complex to simple, but their wold-wide distribution makes them a perfect index fossil. Visit our GEOetc Members Section - Over...
How do you convert CO2 into jet fuel?
Oxford Sparks Big Questions - May 03, 2023 11:30 - 14 minutes ★★★★★ - 10 ratingsIncreasing levels of CO2 in our atmosphere are a big cause for concern. So what if we could find a way to not only remove some CO2 from the air, but turn it into something useful too? That's exactly what Dr Tiancun Xiao and his team have been working on...and they've found a way to turn CO2 into...
Elements needed for an EV battery
GEO Podcast - April 28, 2023 05:00 - 8 minutesIn this episode, I talk about the major elements needed for an EV battery (lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese and graphite). How much is needed for just one EV battery? Where are these materials currently coming from? Visit our GEOetc Members Section - Over 100 teaching resources that are cla...
Volcanic Explosive Index
GEO Podcast - April 21, 2023 05:00 - 8 minutesIn this episode, I talk about the Volcanic Explosive Index (VEI) and how that logarithmic scale is used to rate eruptions. It is based on the amount of material ejected, the size of the eruption plume and the length of the eruption. Visit our GEOetc Members Section - Over 100 teaching resource...
Planet Twins and Martian Winds
For the Love of Science - April 20, 2023 20:46 - 24 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsIn this episode we hear from planetary scientist Victoria Hartwick who works with the Mars Climate Modeling Center at NASA Ames. The conversation includes a discussion about Dr. Hartwick’s paper that explores whether wind turbines on Mars could be a viable source of energy for future humans on t...
How do you use social media to deliver humanitarian aid?
Oxford Sparks Big Questions - April 19, 2023 11:30 - 14 minutes ★★★★★ - 10 ratingsForced displacement of human populations owing to conflict or natural disasters is very difficult to measure. During these crises, the traditional methods of assessing changes in populations - which mostly rely on surveys - are simply not possible. We chat to Dr Douglas Leasure from Oxford's Lev...
Volcanic Eruption Styles
GEO Podcast - April 14, 2023 05:00 - 9 minutesIn this episode, I talk about the five major eruption styles - Icelandic, Hawaiian, Strombolian, Vulcanian, and Plinian. What are the characteristics of these different styles of eruptions and what materials do they produce? Visit our GEOetc Members Section - Over 100 teaching resources that a...
Sapphires, Rubies & Corundum (oh my!)
GEO Podcast - April 07, 2023 05:00 - 5 minutesIn this episode, I talk about the corundum family of minerals - their chemistry, how they form, and what makes them different from each other. Visit our GEOetc Members Section - Over 100 teaching resources that are classroom-ready to help you teach Earth science. Check them out! Support the Sh...
How has life expectancy changed after the pandemic?
Oxford Sparks Big Questions - April 05, 2023 11:30 - 15 minutes ★★★★★ - 10 ratingsDemographers (researchers who study the statistics of human populations) look at factors such as birth rates, death rates, migration and life expectancy. But what exactly is meant by the term 'life expectancy'? How is it calculated, and how has it changed after the pandemic? We speak to Prof Jen...
Longshore Drift - the shifting sands
GEO Podcast - March 24, 2023 00:00 - 7 minutesIn this episode, I talk about how sand moves along a beach due to longshore drift. Visit our GEOetc Members Section - Over 100 teaching resources that are classroom-ready to help you teach Earth science. Check them out! Support the Show.
Can you make a dengue fever forecast?
Oxford Sparks Big Questions - March 22, 2023 12:30 - 13 minutes ★★★★★ - 10 ratingsMore than half the world's population is at risk from dengue fever, a viral infection that is spread via the bite of an infected mosquito. While some cases of the disease can be mild, others can be extremely dangerous and even fatal - particularly if someone has contracted the virus previously. ...
Volcanoes & Climate
GEO Podcast - March 16, 2023 09:00 - 8 minutesIn this episode, I talk about how volcanic eruptions can affect climate - by releasing ash, gas, and aerosols. We talk about the role of CO2 and SO2 and what effect they may have. I talked specifically about Pinatubo, Tambora, and the Laki eruptions. I also mention an activity available for ...
Focus & Epicenter - important earthquake terms
GEO Podcast - March 10, 2023 05:00 - 7 minutesIn this episode, I talk about the difference between the terms focus and epicenter. What do the terms mean and how are they used? How is the information about an earthquake's focus used? How about the information about the epicenter of an earthquake? Visit our GEOetc Members Section - Over 1...
Can my gut health improve my mental health?
Oxford Sparks Big Questions - March 08, 2023 12:30 - 13 minutes ★★★★★ - 10 ratingsOur gut microbiome (that's all the microorganisms - such as bacteria, viruses and fungi - living in our gut) is really important for healthy digestion. But did you know that it's also linked to our mental health? In this episode of the Big Questions Podcast we chat to neuroscientist Prof Philip ...
Ring of Fire - what's happening around the Pacific?
GEO Podcast - March 03, 2023 06:00 - 6 minutesIn this episode, I talk about what is causing the Pacific Ring of Fire. Why do 75% of all active volcanoes and 90% of all earthquakes happen around the edge of the Pacific Ocean? Visit our GEOetc Members Section - Over 100 teaching resources that are classroom-ready to help you teach Earth sc...
Diamonds - all about those gems!
GEO Podcast - February 24, 2023 06:00 - 9 minutesIn this episode, I talk about diamonds - where they form, how they are brought to the surface and even about different colors and uses. Visit our Members Section - Over 100 teaching resources that are classroom-ready to help you teach Earth science. Check them out! Support the Show.
Why do research on research?
Oxford Sparks Big Questions - February 22, 2023 12:30 - 11 minutes ★★★★★ - 10 ratingsWe've talked about a lot of different types of research on this podcast...from investigations into drought, to space exploration, to the future of food. But what about researching 'research' itself? That's right, on this week's episode of the Big Questions Podcast, we're going meta! We chat to D...
Index Fossils - the keys to dating layers
GEO Podcast - February 17, 2023 06:00 - 7 minutesIn this episode, I talk about index fossils - what are they and what makes one fossil better than another for dating layers in a sedimentary sequence. I aven leave you pondering what human product would make a great index fossil. Visit our GEOetc Members Section - Over 100 teaching resources ...
Landslides - the 'other' natural disaster!
GEO Podcast - February 10, 2023 06:00 - 8 minutesIn this episode, we talk about the main causes of landslides and provide examples - California and Thredbo, NSW, Australia. What is the role of water? What about trees and deforestation? How can earthquakes be involved etc? This is a great introduction to landslides as a natural disaster. ...
How could spider sex unlock secrets to engineering?
Oxford Sparks Big Questions - February 08, 2023 12:30 - 12 minutes ★★★★★ - 10 ratingsNot everyone is the biggest fan of spiders...we know that. They might not be the first thing that springs to mind when it comes to romance, either! But, you've got to admit, when it comes to engineering, they're pretty incredible. Capable of making up to seven types of silk, and able to sense vi...
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