The Big Blue Rock Pod
Welcome to the Big Blue Rock Pod, produced by the Kentucky Geological Survey, at the University of Kentucky. This podcast is a fun, conversational approach to discussing all things geology and earth processes. We primarily focus on Kentucky. We talk emerging ideas in research, along with classic topics in earth science for all levels of interest.
Episodes

Friday May 30, 2025
Ep. 42: Shale, yeah!
Friday May 30, 2025
Friday May 30, 2025
Matt, Doug, and Sarah talk with KGS Geologist Alex Washburn to discuss shales, rare-earth element, critical minerals, calcite, geochronology, petroleum geology, and environmental geology. Also, Doug spills his water.

Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
Ep. 41: Someone to Organize Our Schist
Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
Sarah, Matt, and Doug talk with KGS Public Resources Curator Cheyenne Hohman about KGS archiving, data dissemination over time, weird publications, maps, science and political winds, which Survey was most productive, and much more!And check out our oldest publication (to date - from 1794!) in the KGS catalog here: https://kgs.uky.edu/kygeode/services/pubs/pub.htm?id=4385 "Map of the State of Kentucky with the Adjoining Territories"
You can search the entire KGS publication catalog here: https://kgs.uky.edu/kygeode/services/pubs/

Monday Mar 31, 2025
Ep. 40: Geology in the Gallery (view description for images!)
Monday Mar 31, 2025
Monday Mar 31, 2025
Matt, Sarah, and Doug talk to UK Art Museum Curator, Rachel Hooper. In this special episode, they go on-site to the museum and discuss with Rachel the materials and subjects that connect art and geology: landscapes, photography, painting (with volcanic materials!) a Mt. Vesuvius eruption, ceramics, clay mineralogy, marble, lithography, and much more.View referenced art pieces below:
Thomas Melville Chapin, Will in Growth, 1993, Colorado yule marble. Collection of the UK Art Museum, gift of Dr. John W. Hankla.Follower of Pierre Jacques Volaire, Eruption of Mount Vesuvius, late 18th – early 19th century, oil on canvas. Collection of the UK Art Museum, gift of Drs. Jim and Bonnie Tanner.
Iranian, Storage Jar, late 14th-15th century, ceramic with thin quartz-frit layer, decorated in cobalt blue and alkaline glaze. Collection of the UK Art Museum, gift of Mrs. Alice Heeramaneck.
Sonia Delaunay-Terk, Composition, circa 1972, color lithograph on paper. Collection of the UK Art Museum, gift of Carol Williams in honor of Thomas M. Williams, Jr. (B.A., 1955; M.A., 1963).

Friday Feb 28, 2025
Ep. 39: Mystery Science Geology 2025: Netflix's La Palma
Friday Feb 28, 2025
Friday Feb 28, 2025
Matt, Sarah, and Doug breakdown the 2024 television mini-series La Palma! They discuss the plot of the show, geologic character stereotypes, geologic details right and wrong, the geology of the Canary Islands, general geology movie cheesiness, and much more!

Wednesday Jan 29, 2025
Ep. 38: 2025 Goals: Rock solid or shaky ground
Wednesday Jan 29, 2025
Wednesday Jan 29, 2025
Matt gets philosophical about time management and Sarah gets anxious. Doug's just trying to get through the website redo.