GeoLog

Why we need to put plants back in the soil carbon picture

Asmae Ourkiya December 5, 2025

The shades of soil versus the shape of the gully by Anindya Majhi Source: Imaggeo

Happy International Soil Day (5 December)! Today, we’re celebrating the incredible capacity of soil organic carbon (SOC) to fight climate change. But hold the celebratory cake! A paper in the journal SOIL by Raza et al. (2025) has exposed an unexpected scientific blind spot, and it’s a bit surprising! The paper, titled “Missing the input: the underrepresentation of plant physiology in ...[Read More]

On hidden disabilities: An Oceanographer’s guide to thriving with autism in STEM

Fernanda Matos December 3, 2025

Picture of the author, Fernanda Matos, wearing a "disabled in STEM" jumper.

Hi! I am Fernanda Matos, an Oceanographer and autistic! Autism is considered a hidden disability, but it is not at all an easy disability. Unlike popular opinion, I am not like Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory, nor am I like my autistic peers. I am unique and part of a spectrum. When we talk about disability, we’re talking about conditions like autism, blindness, hearing impairment, or a mot ...[Read More]

Your visa guide for the EGU General Assembly 2026: Navigating the Schengen process

Asmae Ourkiya December 1, 2025

Image by Kit (formerly ConvertKit). Source: Unsplash

Attending the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly in Vienna is an invaluable experience, where scientists, researchers, and professionals come together from all over the world to share knowledge, expand networks, and strengthen the geosciences community. However, if you’re coming from a non-EU country and require a visa, preparing for your trip may feel overwhelming. As a former visa ...[Read More]

The living skin of our planet: Why a world soil health index is our next great global scorecard

Asmae Ourkiya November 28, 2025

Soil water repellency by Antonio Jordán Source: Imaggeo

Next time you’re outdoors, in a park or anywhere where there is no pavement, look down at the patch of earth beneath your feet. To many people, it’s just mud, dirt, or maybe soil, something passive that things grow in. But to a soil scientist, that handful of soil represents a dynamic ecosystem that supports an incredible 95% of all the food we eat, filters every drop of our drinking water, ...[Read More]