With the Natural Hazards 101 series, we mean to bring our readers closer to the terminology often used in the field of natural hazards, but that may not be so familiar. In the first episode of the series, we focused on the definition of hazard and natural hazard. We moved then to the concept of risk, which brought us to define exposure and vulnerability. Later on, we digested the disaster terminol ...[Read More]
Geodynamics
Work-life balance during a PhD
Doing a PhD is one of the most rewarding experiences in life. You get to conduct your own research, develop your skills, and ultimately become a doctor! Think back to when you were told that your application was accepted, and you were going to start the PhD position. I bet you were excited and nervous; I know I was! However, after starting your PhD, the excitement may fade and stress can start to ...[Read More]
Tectonics and Structural Geology
TS Must-Read – Lister and Davis (1989) The origin of metamorphic core complexes and detachment faults formed during Tertiary continental extension in the northern Colorado River region, USA
Lister and Davis (1989) is a seminal article for core complexes and detachment faults, cited well over a thousand times. The authors describe geometry and kinematics of core complexes, cropping out in the USA, which result from lithosphere extension. The paper carefully describes the main detachment fault separating lower plate from upper extending plate and discusses the role of granitoid intrusi ...[Read More]
Cryospheric Sciences
Cryo-adventures – Undertaking Cryo-Fieldwork in a Global Pandemic!
Have you ever wondered what undertaking cryo-fieldwork in a glacial environment typically involves? Well, what about undertaking cryo-fieldwork in a glacial environment during a global pandemic?! Read on to find out all about the challenges I faced on my recent trip to Iceland in July 2021… Fieldwork Preparation As this previous blog post highlights, undertaking cryo-fieldwork requires a significa ...[Read More]
Geodynamics
The Sassy Scientist – Down to the Core
We all want our five minutes in the spotlight. It could be the long-awaited moment you finally get to give an oral presentation at EGU, in front of an audience eager to absorb every single word that comes out of your mouth and every single slide like they are solving all open issues in all the geosciences. But not all research fields are created equal and, let’s face it, some fields seem to ...[Read More]
Seismology
Earthquake Watch July: Perryville, Alaska
One year ago, we started a series of blog posts synthesising the main results and discussions about the most significant earthquakes recorded recently, previously called “Earthquake of the month” and now known as “Earthquake Watch.” In our first edition, we reported on the 2020 Simeonof earthquake M 7.8 that occurred in Alaska (read here), and today we return to the same region with another intere ...[Read More]
Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Petrology & Volcanology
GMPV ECS Campfires: Wednesday 15th September @ 4pm CEST!
Mark your calendar! The 12th edition of the Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Petrology and Volcanology division’s early career scientists talks (EGU Campfires) will be on Wednesday 15th September at 4pm CEST! Our speakers are: Sri Budhi Utami (Final Year PhD Candidate @ Nanyang Technological University, Singapore) – How a volcano pressure cooker works: the role of excess fluids in controlling eruption st ...[Read More]
Nonlinear Processes in Geosciences
Three reasons why Forest-Fires worsen with climate change
The brand-new IPCC AR6 report clearly states that “Unless there are immediate, rapid and massive reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, limiting warming to around 1.5°C, or even 2°C, will be out of reach”. Although as human beings we do not perceive changes in global Earth average temperatures as a threat to our lives, the IPCC report also states that extreme weather events will worsen; actually ...[Read More]
Stratigraphy, Sedimentology and Palaeontology
Sediment in the deep ocean. Part 2: thermohaline currents that shape the seafloor
In Part 1 we differentiated between (1) shallow-marine tide-related currents from (2) purely gravitational sediment-laden currents. We could add that the former are periodic, as they are controlled by the effect of the Moon and Sun gravitational fields on the oceanic water as the Earth revolves, while the latter are sort of ‘spontaneous’ currents driven by the Earth gravitation field on sedi ...[Read More]
Geodynamics
When not Digging Through Code, Dig Rocks
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]