Science Friday How To Tap Into The Hidden Histories Of Rocks
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Dec 1, 2025 Dr. Anjana Khatwa, a passionate earth scientist and author of The Whispers of Rock, dives deep into her lifelong love affair with geology. She shares how a trip to the Shaitani Lava Flows sparked her passion and discusses the stories rocks tell about Earth's history. Anjana explores the interplay between geological formations and human culture, highlighting landmarks like Petra and the Miwuk origin story of Half Dome. She emphasizes the importance of emotions in science and how indigenous knowledge enriches our understanding of geology.
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A Teenage Moment That Shaped A Career
- At 13, Anjana Khatwa found jagged black basalt at Shaitani Lava Flows and felt the rocks 'spoke' to her.
- She kept a basalt sample and decided then to study rocks for a living.
Choosing Geology Against Family Expectations
- Khatwa faced family resistance when choosing geology over 'sensible' careers, causing a multi-year rift.
- Earning her PhD allowed her independence and later parental pride.
Rocks Tell Deep-Time Geological Stories
- Rocks record deep-time processes like mountain building through textures and minerals.
- Reading features like chevron ripples reveals collisions of continents and ancient oceans.
