Earth on the Rocks

Join us today to hear from Dr. Peter Sauer, a low-temperature geochemist who specializes in stable isotopes and organic chemistry. Learn about his work on Earth's surface that encompasses living things, geology, and history (both Earth and human history), how isotopes were applied to identify and understand the life of King Richard III, lake sediments and their connection to ice sheets, the art to problem solving and troubleshooting, and the benefit to being curious.

On this episode, hear from Owen Madsen, a current Ph.D. candidate studying paleontology and self-proclaimed professional question asker. Learn about the Gray Fossil Site, an unusually fossil-rich site in eastern Tennessee that gives us a window into the climate of the past for this region, the importance of science communication and how that works at different levels, the North American lion - a now extinct lion species that is a favorite of Owen's, and the appeal of physical media.

We have a few surprises for our season 1 finale featuring Dr. Kaj Johnson, a geophysicist studying earthquakes remotely. Hear about Kaj's journey into the field, the connection between show choirs and teaching, listen in on a couple of potential new segments he promotes (including a drink of non-choice and a friendly competition), hear from a couple of new voices with familiar names - Cari Metz (our producer) and Betsy Leijas (our technical board operator), and stick around for Walther's Outlaws (our department band)...it's worth the wait.Thanks to all of our listeners for sticking with us over the season, it has been so much fun getting to highlight so many great and interesting people in the field. I hope you join us again next season for new guests and stories (and maybe a new segment or two if Kaj has his way).Special thanks on this episode to Cari Metz and Betsy Leijas for their contributions. Thanks, too, to Walther's Outlaws members - Kaj Johnson (vocals and guitar), Andrea Stevens Goddard (mandolin), Stuart Kenderes (banjo), Andrea Bridges (vocals), Jake Gearon (guitar), Mel Humbarger (bass), Arya Gotoh (vocals). Special thanks to Kyle Fulford for his technical expertise and leading the band recording. And thanks overall to the National Science Foundation for their financial support that makes the show possible.

On the show today is Dr. Claudia Johnson, a geobiologist studying ecosystems of the past and present to understand what adaptations things like corals have made to survive environmental changes over geologic time. Hear about coral reefs and coral farming (or growing baby corals to then place in various spots in our oceans), the role of reefs in our daily lives (even when we don't realize it, like for fisheries, hurricane protection, and the global economy), how we are always evolving as learners and teachers, and the surprise appearance of scuba gear at the Oscars.

Joining us today is Dr. Chanh Kieu, an atmospheric scientist using modeling and machine learning to understand weather phenomena, particularly hurricane intensity and prediction. Listen to learn more about all that goes into weather prediction (and be thoroughly impressed that we can do what we can in that field!), the role of AI (artificial intelligence) in improving weather predictability, how you can think of training a model as building with LEGO bricks, and his transition from growing up in Vietnam to moving to Maryland.

On the show today is Dr. Simon Brassell, a molecular biogeochemist who specializes in organic matter and isotope geochemistry. Hear about his revolutionary work that has earned him the nickname "the Godfather of alkenones", his experiences at sea (including finding out about 9/11 while on a research cruise), the current uncertainties with US-based research cruises moving forward, and his favorite British cuisines.

On our midseason finale we hear from Dr. Brian Yanites, a geomorphologist looking at how changes on Earth's surface can impact or are impacted by people, weather, animals, and even ore deposits. Learn a little bit about the history of topography, how the geosciences incorporates drones and lasers (and a time when the drones weren't very well received by some folks on the ground), and his time pre-geomorphology as a collegiate athlete playing football.