Backyard Geology

BYG International Pilgrimage Ep. 6 – The Jack Hills: A Window into Primitive Earth

Thu, 04 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

BYG International Pilgrimage Ep. 5 – Oman: Magic Mantle

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

BYG International Pilgrimage Ep. 4 – The Galapagos Islands: A Petri Dish for Evolution

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 09:00:00 +0000

BYG International Pilgrimage ep. 3 – Scotland: Chasing Deep Time

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

BYG International Pilgrimage Ep. 2 – Iceland: Succession at its Finest

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 09:00:00 +0000

BYG International Pilgrimage Ep. 1 – Svalbard: Changing Landscapes

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 09:00:00 +0000

BYG Canada ep. 9 – Chronostratigraphy

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 12:17:13 +0000

4.6 billion years is an incredibly long time. If you’re feeling overwhelmed even thinking about how long that is, and where geologic events fit on it, have no fear. In this bonus episode of Backyard Geology, Serena talks about the geologic time scale and how famous geologic processes and structures across Canada fit into it. The study of time and rocks, known as chronostratigraphy, details the history of the Earth based on clues left behind on the surface, and in the subsurface, of today’s planet. Learn how to tell time in geology and about some of the major subdivisions of geologic time.

BYG Canada ep. 8 – Kelowna Bonus Episode with Dr. Kyle Larson

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 11:22:22 +0000

Studying mountains is a mammoth task, pun intended, as Dr. Kyle Larson explains in this bonus episode of Backyard Geology: Canada Edition. The Canadian Cordillera, made up of the Coast Range and the Rockies, must be studied with an interdisciplinary approach from the largest to the smallest structures. Tune in to learn more!

BYG Canada ep. 8 – Kelowna, BC: Home on the (Coast) Range

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 02:04:04 +0000

In this episode of Backyard Geology, Serena takes you to Kelowna to look at western Canada’s resident mountains. The Canadian Cordillera are a series of mountain chains formed by different types of tectonic processes on the margin of the North American Plate starting about 200 million years ago. Learn about the uplift of Canada’s famous Rockies and the Coast Mountains and how they can be distinctly separated based on the geologic processes that formed them.

BYG Canada ep. 7 – Whitehorse Bonus Episode with Sydney Van Loon

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 10:50:55 +0000

The present is the key to the past, and in the case of placer mining in the Yukon, the past is the key to the present! Sydney Van Loon is a geologist and historian who works with Canadian gold mining archives to explore mine sites today. Join Serena and Sydney to learn about placer mining in the Yukon and how the works of gold stampeders are fueling modern exploration efforts.

BYG Canada ep. 7 – Whitehorse, Yukon: Trails, Trams, and Dams

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 22:18:41 +0000

In this episode of Backyard Geology, Serena takes you to Whitehorse, Yukon. Today, the Miles Canyon, passing through Whitehorse, is home to spectacular views of columnar basalt and a hydro electric dam. But before the dam, the Miles Canyon was a memorable point of passage for those traveling north to Dawson City in the height of the 19th century Gold Rush.

BYG Canada ep. 6 – Drumheller Bonus Episode with Dr Jon Noad

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 00:01:00 +0000

Bones are not the only thing that geologists use to paint a picture of the Cretaceous period. Tune in to this week’s bonus episode of Backyard Geology: Canada Edition to hear Serena’s talk with fossil enthusiast Dr. Jon Noad. Dr. Noad touches on other forms of fossils found throughout the Alberta badlands and the stories they tell.

For more information on neoichnology, check out this talk Dr. Noad gave at the Royal Tyrrell Museum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3TT0yWYePk

BYG Canada ep. 6 – Drumheller, Alberta: Cretaceous Park

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 20:47:45 +0000

In this episode of Backyard Geology, Serena takes you to Drumheller, Alberta, home to the largest known assembly of cretaceous fossils, including those of dinosaurs. Sedimentation on the coastal region of the Western Interior Seaway about 70 million years ago preserved the remains of dinosaurs, amphibians and fish and more recent erosional processes have uncovered these fossils to be excavated and studies by paleontologists. Today, Drumheller is a popular tourist destination for its fossils, badlands and spectacular sunsets.

BYG Canada ep. 5 – Diavik Bonus Episode with Janina Czas

Thu, 06 Jan 2022 00:01:00 +0000

BYG Canada ep. 5 – Diavik, Northwest Territories: Classy Hitchhikers

Thu, 30 Dec 2021 00:01:00 +0000

In this episode of Backyard Geology, Serena takes you to the Diavik Diamond Mine in the Northwest Territories. Here, a field of kimberlite dikes host Earth’s famous hitchhikers: diamonds. Learn how diamonds made their way to the Northwest Territories and how kimberlites rule the world of hard-rock mining.

BYG Canada ep. 4 – Regina Bonus Episode with Fiona Darbyshire

Thu, 23 Dec 2021 00:01:00 +0000

Geologists have eyes for the subsurface, and that is especially true for geophysicists like Dr. Fiona Darbyshire who studies the complicated structure of Earth’s crust. Parts of the Canadian prairies hide the remnants of an ancient, colossal mountain building event, preserved in the crust. Dr. Darbyshire explains how geologists study these events by examining the subsurface.

BYG Canada ep. 4 – Regina, Saskatchewan: The Big Puzzle

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 00:01:00 +0000

In this episode of Backyard Geology, Serena takes you to Regina, Saskatchewan to explore one of the greatest puzzles in Canadian geologic history. The Trans-Hudson Orogeny was a massive Paleoproterozoic mountain building event that built a large portion of North America. Over a billion years of erosion now conceals the Himalaya-sized event in the flat landscape of the Canadian prairies. Learn about how the movement of continents has changed over time and how North America came together through a spectacular accretionary event.

BYG Canada ep. 3 – Sudbury Bonus Episode with Catherine Farrow

Thu, 09 Dec 2021 00:01:00 +0000

Geology students: this is NOT an episode to miss! Check out Serena’s talk with geologist and businesswoman extraordinaire Dr. Catherine Farrow. In this bonus episode of Backyard Geology: Canada Edition, Dr. Farrow shares her experiences working alongside mining companies and her rich career history here in Canada.

BYG Canada ep. 3 – Sudbury, Ontario: A Geologic Scar

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 00:01:00 +0000

Episode summary introduction: In this episode of Backyard Geology, Serena takes you to Sudbury, ON where a massive meteorite impact 1.85 billion years ago left an economically significant scar on the terrane. Now one of the top global producers of nickel, Sudbury’s owes it fame to Earth’s own natural smelting event that brought precious metals up to the surface where they can be mined today.

Resources:

Barnes, S.J., Holwell, D.A. and Le Vaillant, M., 2017. Magmatic Sulfide Ore Deposits. Elements, 13(2), pp.89–95.

Lightfoot, P., 2016. Nickel Sulfide Ores and Impact Melts: Origin of the Sudbury Igneous Complex. 1st ed. Nickel Sulfide Ores and Impact Melts: Origin of the Sudbury Igneous Complex.

Mungall, J.E., Ames, D.E. and Hanley, J.J., 2004. Geochemical evidence from the Sudbury structure for crustal redistribution by large bolide impacts. Nature, 429(6991), pp.546–548.

Natural Resources Canada, 2021. Minerals and Mining. [online] Government of Canada.

Host Information: Serena is a Canadian graduate student currently studying geochemistry at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Her research focuses on isotopic analysis of Hawaiian volcanos to understand the dynamic and complicated evolution of the Hawaiian mantle plume. She completed her undergraduate degree at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, where the exposed sedimentary rocks of the Niagara Escarpment and enthusiastic professors quickly fostered a love for all things geology. Like other member of the Geology Podcast Network, Serena loves to talk rocks and is invested in sharing her love for our planet through podcasts, educational programs for kids, and even museum exhibits. Despite heavy seasonal rains in Vancouver, she is an avid cyclist, which unfortunately does not bode well with inevitable stop for round hounding, but is an excellent way to thoroughly explore the Earth and all its glorious geologic features.

BYG Canada ep. 2 – Hamilton Bonus Episode with Henry Gage

Thu, 25 Nov 2021 00:01:00 +0000

The more rocks you talk about, the more you learn! Tune in for another bonus episode of Backyard Geology: Canada Edition where Serena talks with Henry Gage, who studies freeze-thaw weathering in the Niagara Escarpment. When it comes to urban landscapes, geologists play a key role in predicting, understanding and preventing geohazards.

BYG Canada ep. 2 – Hamilton, Ontario: “The Mountain”

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 00:01:00 +0000

Episode summary introduction: In this episode of Backyard Geology, Serena takes you to Hamilton, ON to look at the sedimentary structure that locals call “The Mountain”. The Niagara Escarpment is a steep cliff face that bisects southern Ontario. The cliff face is home to scenic hiking trails and countless waterfalls. For geologists, the Escarpment showcases over 100m of relatively undisturbed sedimentary rock beds, hosting fossils from an ancient tropical sea that once existed on the edge of Laurentia.

Resources:

The Bruce Trail Conservancy. Webinar – Ancient Seas, Glaciers and Waterfalls: The Geologic History of the Niagara Escarpment (2020) presented by Dr. Carolyn Eyles and Rebecca Lee.

Armstrong, D.K. and Dodge, J.E.P., 2007. Paleozoic Geology of Southern Ontario. Sedimentary Geoscience Section, Ontario Geological Survey, p.30.

Hewitt, D.F., 1971. The Niagara Escarpment.

BYG Canada ep. 1 – St. John’s Bonus Episode with Noelle Lin

Thu, 11 Nov 2021 00:01:00 +0000

We can’t get enough of fossils, and I hope we can say the same about you. That’s why Serena met with fossil lover and fellow Traveling Geologist team member Noelle Lin to follow up on the wonders of Mistaken Point. Check out this bonus episode of Backyard Geology: Canada Edition to learn about paleoenvironmental reconstruction!

BYG Canada ep. 1 – St. John’s, Newfoundland: Neat fossils? You’re not mistaken!

Thu, 04 Nov 2021 00:01:00 +0000

Episode summary introduction: In this episode of Backyard Geology, Serena takes you to St. John’s Newfoundland. The southeastern tip of the peninsula, 130km down the coast from the city, host to the oldest known forms of large, complex life dating back 565 million years ago from the Ediacaran Period. The exposed sedimentary rocks, which make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site, provide a window into the elusive and understudied inhabitants of the Precambrian sea floor.

Resources:

Darroch, S.A.F., Sperling, E.A., Boag, T.H., Racicot, R.A., Mason, S.J., Morgan, A.S., Tweedt, S., Myrow, P., Johnston, D.T., Erwin, D.H. and Laflamme, M., 2015. Biotic replacement and mass extinction of the Ediacara biota. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 282(1814), p.20151003.

Laflamme, M., Darroch, S.A.F., Tweedt, S.M., Peterson, K.J. and Erwin, D.H., 2013. The end of the Ediacara biota: Extinction, biotic replacement, or Cheshire Cat? Gondwana Research, 23(2), pp.558–573.

Liu, A.G. and Matthews, J.J., 2017. Great Canadian Lagerstätten 6. Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve, Southeast Newfoundland. Geoscience Canada, 44(2), pp.63–76. https://doi.org/10.12789/geocanj.2017.44.117.

Misra, S.B., 1969. Late Precambrian (?) Fossils from Southeastern Newfoundland. GSA Bulletin, 80(11), pp.2133–2140.

David Attenborough’s “First Life”, Episode 1 (2010)

Backyard Geology ep.8 – Lava

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 17:57:44 +0000

Backyard Geology ep.7 – Oil

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 00:25:14 +0000

Backyard Geology ep.6 – Meteorites

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 20:00:00 +0000

Backyard Geology ep.5 – Diamonds

Mon, 04 Jan 2021 20:00:00 +0000

Backyard Geology ep.4 – Landslides

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 20:00:00 +0000

Episode summary introduction: In this episode of Backyard Geology, Chris explores the natural phenomena of landslides. Landslides, however common, are incredible to witness and horrific if caught in one. But, how and why do they happen? Chris will answer these questions through a discussion of the impact of a fault scarp and its role in several landslides in the Wasatch Range of Utah. Find out if a landslide could happen in your backyard in this exciting episode of Backyard Geology!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Nichol, 2010, Journal of Geography and Regional Planning Vol. 3(6), pp. 126-141, June 2010

Host Information:

Dr. Chris Spencer is a professor of geology at Queen’s University in Kingston, ON and the founder of Traveling Geologist. His research utilizes igneous petrology, geochemistry, and geochronology to understand orogenic processes and the geologic history of the Earth. He spends as much time as he can outdoors doing fieldwork, spending time with family, and exploring the natural world. As a member of the Geology Podcast Network, he promotes earth science education and enjoys sharing his passion for the Earth with others. Chris can be found on Instagram @travelinggeologist, on Twitter @travelinggeolog and on Facebook @TravelingGeologist

Backyard Geology ep.3 – Manhattan

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 20:00:00 +0000

Episode summary introduction: In this episode of Backyard Geology, Chris explores the geologic history of Manhattan, New York. He will take you through the history of the city, from the wealth distribution and the influence of the elite, the decisions behind Central Park, to the geology underneath it all. Chris will uncover why geology in a city might matter and why the geology of Manhattan was essential to the planning and construction. If you have ever been to Manhattan and especially if you consider it your backyard, this is not an episode to miss!

Host Information:

Information Sources for this Episode:

AMNH Field Guide to Hernshead

Depth to Bedrock and the Formation of the Manhattan Skyline, 1890-1915

The lost neighborhood under New York’s Central Park

Backyard Geology ep.2 – Gold

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 20:10:00 +0000

So you wanna find gold in your backyard? Listen to find out how!

Backyard Geology ep.1 – Mammoths

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 19:17:59 +0000

Episode summary introduction: In this episode of Backyard Geology, Chris explores one of the largest mammals ever to walk this earth – Mammoths! He will discuss the evolutionary history, migration patterns, and finally extinction of this great species, as well as stories of people who actually have found mammoths in their backyards. Take a listen, learn something new, and maybe, you too will discover a mammoth in your backyard!

Host Information:

Backyard Geology Trailer

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 18:42:24 +0000