George Barrow (1853-1932), a self-taught field geologist discovered systematic changes in metamorphic mineral assemblages in the Scottish Highlands. He further proposed that the sequence of mineral appearances was an indication of increasing metamorphic grade or the conditions under which the rocks were metamorphosed. The mineral sequence is thus: Chlorite – Biotite – Garnet – Staurolite […]
Sometimes a geologist will compare a mountain belt to a living organism. Just like organisms, mountain belts are dynamic systems that experience life cycles. Mountains go through a fragile infancy, a youth filled with rapid growth, a commanding adulthood, and an eventual decay into old age. Sometimes though, the entrance into old age is not […]
During my undergraduate at Brigham Young University, I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Jani Radebaugh in conjunction with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA/Cal Tech) and Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (U of Arizona). We were researching the linear dunes on Saturn’s largest moon Titan seen by the Cassini spacecraft. Titan is unique because it is the only planetary […]
Ladakh is a region in north-westernmost India. It is truly a magical place. The dominant culture is Buddhist and some would say is the last stronghold of true Tibetan culture. Isolated from the oppressive Chinese government, the Ladakhi people have been able to find peace and solitude in the high Zanskar mountains. Ladakh is also a Mecca […]
Zircons are — more often than not — the reason why I travel. Zircon is a zirconium (number 40 on the periodic table) bearing silicate mineral (ZrSiO4). Zircon is an extremely important mineral for geologists because although Zr is the dominant cation, zircon also contains several other large cations such as uranium, hafnium, and rare […]
