News & Views

When not Digging Through Code, Dig Rocks

Aaron Van Alstine and edited by Arushi Saxena September 1, 2021

Torbernite crystals from Van's rock collection

Most of us have been directly or indirectly involved in outreach activities, often relying on shiny rocks to capture people’s fascination. This week, Aaron Van Alstine, a member of the Memphis Archaeological and Geological Society, a passionate rockhounder, and moderator of the sub-reddit on radioactive rocks, shares his views on why all earth scientists need a rock collection and how to st ...[Read More]

Modelling the Thermal Evolution of Subduction Zones

Adam Holt, Cailey B. Condit and edited by Antoniette G. Grima August 25, 2021

A cartoon figure of an oceanic plate sliding beneath the continental plate at a subduction zone. Credit: USGS

Subduction zones are as complex as they are ubiquitous. To understand subduction zone dynamics and processes we first have to understand the thermal structure of subduction zones and how this evolves in time. This week Adam Holt, Assistant Professor in the Department of Marine Geosciences (MGS) at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) and Cailey Condit ...[Read More]

Earth Science Outreach in a Virtual World

Amy Edgington and edited by Kiran Chotalia August 11, 2021

Figure 1: Amy filmed videos, short experiments, and workshops whilst students were learning from home.

Outreach is a fundamental part of science, aiming to inspire and attract the next generation of scientists. Amy Edgington from the Department of Earth Sciences at University College London gives us a glimpse behind the curtain of the GeoBus programme, a free mobile outreach programme that brings interactive Earth Science workshops into the classroom. This week, Amy tells us how the GeoBus had to ...[Read More]

ASPECT 2021 hackathon

Menno Fraters August 4, 2021

Last year we introduced the ASPECT hackaton on this geodynamics blog. It was the first hackathon which went virtual which brought a whole set of new challenges. This year was the 8th version of the yearly hackathon, and it was still virtual (unfortunately). Fortunately lessons where learned from the previous virutal hackathon and generally from working more than a year online. Therefore a short bl ...[Read More]