Don't Panic Geocast

We're hitting the open road — geologically speaking. This episode kicks off our new state-by-state series covering the most fascinating, scenic, or just plain weird geologic stops in the U.S. We’re going alphabetically (because of course we are), starting with Alabama, Alaska, and Arkansas. Some sites we've visited, others are firmly on our dream list, but every pick is guaranteed to bring a bit of science to your next adventure. Alabama Cheaha Mountain Cathedral Caverns Alaska Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Mendenhall Glacier Arkansas Crater of Diamonds State Park Blanchard Springs Caverns Fun Paper Friday Frost, Mungo, et al. "Diamond precipitation dynamics from hydrocarbons at icy planet interior conditions." Nature astronomy 8.2 (2024): 174-181. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo dontpanicgeocast@gmail.com John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

What makes a mineral a favorite? In this fun and down-to-earth episode, John and Shannon swap stories about the minerals they love most — and why. Along the way, they unpack cool crystal habits, formation environments, fieldwork memories, and the aesthetic appeal of minerals from museum specimens to muddy boots. Shannon shares her appreciation for: Hematite – With its metallic luster and planetary significance. Goethite – A subtle but important iron oxide-hydroxide. Smithsonite – Beautiful colors and a fascinating history in ore geology. John counters with: Ulexite – “TV rock,” with fiber-optic properties that never fail to wow. Uraninite – A dense, radioactive reminder of geologic power and energy. Tourmaline – A colorful, complex favorite of mineral collectors and scientists alike. Fun Paper Friday James, C. W., et al. "A nanosecond-duration radio pulse originating from the defunct Relay 2 satellite." The Astrophysical Journal Letters 987.1 (2025): L16. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo dontpanicgeocast@gmail.com John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

The hosts return from summer break, sharing amusing tales of field camp and hailstorm aftermath. They dive into the impact of unusual weather patterns, contrasting droughts with an unexpectedly wet summer. Aviation adventures include thrilling experiences with a Boeing 767 simulator and memorable air shows. They humorously tackle the challenge of managing email overload while reflecting on AI's cognitive capabilities, comparing them to early-onset dementia in a recent study. Join them for fun insights and entertaining anecdotes!

This week we talk about how we power our instruments in the field and all of the weird and wonderful ways they fail. Including getting turned into charcoal by lightning! Fun Paper Friday Why does ketchup splatter? Find out! Arstechnica Article Cuttle, Callum, and Christopher W. MacMinn. "Dynamics of compression-driven gas-liquid displacement in a capillary tube." Physical Review Letters 130.11 (2023): 114001. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo dontpanicgeocast@gmail.com John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

Delve into the extraordinary connection between severe weather phenomena like hail and volcanic eruptions. Discover the terrifying impact of Mount Vesuvius, with personal anecdotes and historical accounts shedding light on past catastrophes. Learn about the unique formation of organic glass from a human brain during the eruption, revealing the chilling process of vitrification. Plus, explore groundbreaking techniques like Raman spectroscopy to analyze volcanic materials, unveiling the transformation of organic matter into obsidian amidst fiery chaos.

Join the hosts as they share wild experiences from a geology field trip across the Southwest, including adventures at the Grand Canyon and cooking challenges under the stars. They also dive into an intriguing study on how alcohol affects motor skills and eye blink responses, using innovative techniques like magnetic sensors. Plus, hear about the tech switch from an iPad to a Mac, with insights on navigating the challenges of dual 4K setups. It's a fun blend of personal stories, tech talk, and fascinating science!

Explore the stunning geology of Turner Falls, where travertine formations create a unique waterfall experience. Discover the breathtaking Pe'ePe'e Falls in Hawaii, infamous for its danger and beauty. Dive into the wonders of Iguazu Falls, the largest waterfall system, and its significance to hydroelectric power. Plus, join a surprising discussion on how cats inspire innovations in robotics, highlighting the art of landing and shock absorption. A delightful blend of nature and science awaits!

The discussion kicks off with the challenges of accurate snow forecasting, sharing personal stories from unexpected winter storms. They dive into the complexities of snow-to-rain ratios, debunking the old 10 to 1 rule with some entertaining tales. Shifting gears, they explore how different times of day impact mental health, revealing fascinating research on happiness and productivity. Finally, surprising trends in emotional well-being based on the week’s rhythm keep the conversation lively as they invite listeners to share their own experiences.

Ever wondered how geologists figure out when a landslide happened? Or how ancient river terraces and glacial deposits get dated? This week, we dive into the detective work behind dating geomorphic features! 🌍🔬 From tree rings to cosmic rays, we explore the fascinating methods geologists use to reconstruct Earth’s history and assess natural hazards. Why Dating Landslides and Other Features is Hard Landslides can reactivate multiple times, fluvial deposits get reworked, and glacial features have complex histories. What are we really dating—the event, the material, or the last exposure? Dating Techniques in Geology Dendrochronology 🌲 – Tree rings reveal landslides, floods, and debris flows. Radiocarbon Dating 💀 – Organic material like charcoal and buried soil horizons provide time markers. Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) 🌞 – Measures when quartz grains were last exposed to sunlight. Cosmogenic Nuclide Dating ☄️ – Tracks surface exposure using cosmic rays. Other Methods – Lichen growth, volcanic ash layers, and earthquake trenching. Fun Paper Friday Ever wondered if your favorite neon-orange snack has hidden superpowers? This study explores how strongly absorbing molecules, like those found in food dyes, can reduce light scattering in biological tissues—making them temporarily more transparent! Researchers applied tartrazine (a common food coloring) to live mice and were able to see internal structures like blood vessels without invasive procedures. The discovery could improve biomedical imaging, but we’re mostly just fascinated that Dorito dust might have unexpected side effects! Ou, Zihao, et al. "Achieving optical transparency in live animals with absorbing molecules." Science 385.6713 (2024): eadm6869. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo dontpanicgeocast@gmail.com John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

We just wrapped up our first-ever on-site GEARS Workshop at UTEP and it was a massive success! 🎉 Tune in as we break down the highlights, what we learned, and how this hands-on geoscience training is evolving for the future. Fun Paper Friday Can paranormal lights actually be tied to earthquakes? Hough, Susan E. "Haunted Summerville: Ghostly Lights or Earthquake Lights?." Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo dontpanicgeocast@gmail.com John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin