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
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
Ep. 27: Ask Us Anything: Volume II
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
Matt, Sarah, and Doug answer questions submitted from listeners, members of the general public, and attendees at the KGS Open House. The trio discusses the Findlay Arch, Kyrock, lack of dinosaur bones in Kentucky, oldest specimen in the KGS lobby, quicksand, world water total, cool places to hike, and more!
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Ep. 26: Between a Rock and A Hard Cover: Our Favorite Geology Books
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Matt, Sarah, and Doug talk about their favorite geology books! Don’t fear, these aren’t the hard-core, in-depth science text books you might think. You will be surprised at what is discussed and hopefully enjoy their take on books that connect to careers, sharing ideas, and a general passion for earth science.
Wednesday Dec 20, 2023
Ep. 25: Arches, We Know You Love Em
Wednesday Dec 20, 2023
Wednesday Dec 20, 2023
Matt, Sarah, and Doug talk with KGS geologic mapper Steve Martin about all things natural rock arches! They discuss the difference between arches and natural bridges, arches around the world, evolution of arch formation, fractures, freeze-thaw, arch openings, measuring arch spans, monitoring arch behavior, arches in Kentucky, and much more!
View the KGS map of publicly accessible KY arches.
Thursday Nov 30, 2023
Ep. 24: Let’s get geochemical
Thursday Nov 30, 2023
Thursday Nov 30, 2023
Matt, Sarah, and Doug discuss all things geochemistry with UK Earth and Environmental Sciences professor Andrea Erhardt. The trio tackles the importance of geochemistry to our understanding earth processes, the atmosphere, and other planets. Dr. Erhardt takes them through a wide-range of topics including geochemical spheres, high and low-temp geochemistry, chemical weathering, paleo climates, mineral precipitation, the dolomite problem, geochemical environments, pH, acid mine drainage, water contamination, eutrophication, and much more!
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Ep. 23: October Conglomerate
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Matt, Sarah, and Doug are catching up on a busy October at KGS with a conglomerate of topics. There is no guest this month but we summarize the successful KGS Earth Science Open House, KGS’s participation at the Geological Society of America Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, and Matt’s trip to Sri Lanka.