From Earth to Mars: A Rock's View with Jan Zalasiewicz

About this episode

The episode features a discussion on geology and planetary history with Dr. Jan Zalasiewicz, focusing on how rocks reveal Earth's past and the impact of human activity on geology.

From Oak Ridge, Tennessee, AMSEcast host Alan Lowe sits down with geologist and paleontologist Dr. Jan Zalasiewicz, chair of the Anthropocene Working Group and author of How to Read a Rock. Their conversation explores how rocks and minerals form and what they reveal about Earth's history, from the rock cycle and earthquakes to ancient climates recorded in stone. Jan explains how life, human activity, and materials like bricks and concrete have reshaped geology, and how coal, oil, and gas fit into Earth's carbon cycle. The discussion also looks outward to the Moon and Mars, where rocks offer clues to planetary history and the possibility of past life. Guest Bio Dr. Jan Zalasiewicz is a geologist and paleontologist and an emeritus professor of paleobiology at the University of Leicester. He serves as chair of the Anthropocene Working Group, which has played a leading role in advancing the idea of the Anthropocene as a new geologic epoch shaped by humanity's impact on Earth. A prolific and widely published author, Jan explores how rocks, fossils, and landscapes record the planet's deep history. His books include The Cosmic Oasis: The Remarkable Story of Earth's Biosphere, Discarded…

People in this episode

Host: Alan Lowe

Guest: Dr. Jan Zalasiewicz

Topics covered

• geology
• paleontology
• Anthropocene
• Earth's history
• planetary science
• carbon cycle

Keywords

• rocks
• minerals
• geology
• paleontology
• Anthropocene
• carbon cycle
• Earth's history
• Moon
• Mars
• climate

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Anthropocene Working Group

Books & works: How to Read a Rock, The Cosmic Oasis: The Remarkable Story of Earth's Biosphere, Discarded: How Technofossils Will Be Our Ultimate Legacy

Places: Oak Ridge, Tennessee, University of Leicester

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