City Center of Vienna EGU 2012 in Vienna has just ended. The conference was great. There were many interesting sessions and fabulous talks. There were a few talks that were more interesting than others. Here are my two favorites: The Greater India Basin Hypothesis by Douwe van Hinsbergen et al. Douwe talked about the discrepancy between the […]
Barrovian Metamorphism in Central Spain
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 […]
The Emilian Apennines – Kellen Gunderson
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 […]
Titan’s Dunes in Egypt – Stephen Phillips
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 – Transect through a Volcanic Arc Complex
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 […]