PCPG's A Poorly Sorted but Well Rounded Series

Geology doesn’t end here on Earth, it’s just that most of us are stuck here and can’t look elsewhere. Seriously, how many of us have longed to go rock hunting on another planet but lack the transportation to do so? In this episode, we will meet someone who has found a way around this dilemma. Dr. Elizabeth Rampe, a geologist who is deputy principal investigator on the CheMIn instrument on NASA’s Mars Curiosity Rover joins us to talk about the fascinating world of Martian geology.

Pennsylvania is known for many interesting features, but beaches are not high on the list. Yet Pennsylvania boasts a very unique shoreline with features worth exploring and understanding. Join us for a trip to Presque Isle State Park to explore a one-of-a-kind beach setting.

Pymatuning State Park sits astride the Pennsylvania – Ohio border. The lake, constructed in the 1930’s is known for its fishing and boating but the area is also a wealth of glacial features. The region is also a historic gas and oil producing region. Join us as we explore the geology of the area.

Mt. St. Helens is a name that looms large in the mind of any geologist or the mind of anyone who was alive in the USA in 1980. The 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens was one of the greatest natural disasters ever to hit the United States of America. The sobering part of it is that it will happen again. This podcast examines the lead up to the 1980 eruption from the point of view of the geologists who met and dealt with the event.

Most geologists are familiar with the Younger Dryas, that somewhat enigmatic period about 12,500 years ago when the northern hemisphere, warming as it came out of the Wisconsin Glaciation, suddenly cooled for a few centuries. As it turns out, this was part of a series of events known as Heinrich Events. Join us for an interview with Dr. Elliott Arnold of West Chester University for a lively interview on Heinrich Events.

Western Pennsylvania is known for many interesting geologic features, including those of glacial origins. Let’s explore the unusual features of two of Pennsylvania’s beautiful parks. Though very close to each other, Moraine State Park and McConnell’s Mill offer related oddly contrasting geologic wonders.

Anyone who has done geologic work in the Keystone State might wonder how things got so complicated. Pennsylvania’s geologic history is long and complex. Join us to explore how that complexity came about.

We don’t normally think about the relationship between the core of the Earth and the ability of the planet to support life. But it turns out that complex life on Earth would be impossible without a spinning iron-rich core producing the magnetosphere that shields us from the deadly solar wind. Let’s take a look upward and downward and examine the center of the Earth as well as its far-flung outer boundary.

Glaciers have been one of the most significant forces that have sculpted Pennsylvania in the last 50,000 years. Without the Pleistocene glaciations, the world would look very different and be a very different place to live. Let’s explore what glaciers are, how they form and why they are so important.

The White Clay Creek Park and Preserve is found in a unique setting both historically and geologically. While most of Pennsylvania is underlain by sedimentary rocks, the White Clay is within the Piedmont just above the coastal plain, and area composed almost entirely of high-grade metamorphic rocks. Come and explore the unique geology of this area.

Costa Rica is known for its mountains, rainforests, biodiversity, and beaches, but none of that would exist without the unique geologic history of this country. This history captured the curiosity of author Russ Losco and he set out on an adventure to unlock it. Join us as we talk with Russ about his book and tour Costa Rica through the eyes of a geologist.

Geoheritage sites are features of geology, both large and small-scale that are fundamentally important in understanding and appreciating the Earth and her origins. Join us as we talk with Dr. Adolfo Quesada-Roman, an expert from the University of Costa Rica, about the geoheritage here in the USA and around the world.

In this episode, Mike Maddigan, Program Manager of the Land Recycling Program at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, sits with PCPG to provide answers to questions received during his January 2022 presentation titled, Act 2 Overview. If you missed the live webinar, it is available on the PCPG website .

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to hike the Appalachian Trail and see it through the eyes of a geoscientist? So did Craig Eckert, so he did it. Join us for an interview with Craig and hear a little about his new book, Rocks, Roots and Rattlesnakes .

Models of education are constantly evolving to meet the needs of a face-paced and ever-changing world. Join us for this episode of the PCPG podcast as we meet with Dr. Jeffrey Dick of Youngstown State University and explore their innovative approach to educating the next generation of geologists.

Water is life. Water in and of itself is not that uncommon in the solar system or the universe. But liquid water on the surface of a planet is unusual and it is absolutely critical to our existence. Without water, the Earth would be a sterile ball of rock revolving endlessly around the Sun, and we would not even exist. What makes water so vital?

Bonus content is provided in this extended version of Soil: The very skin of our planet . Earth is the only planet known to support life. Why is that so? Alone of all the planets in the solar system, the Earth is coated in a layer of soil, the very skin of Mother Earth. Soil is a symbiotic collaboration between biology and geology.

Earth is the only planet known to support life. Why is that so? Alone of all the planets in the solar system, the Earth is coated in a layer of soil, the very skin of Mother Earth. Soil is a symbiotic collaboration between biology and geology.

When preparing for or performing field work, we often plan for physical safety considerations such as wearing the proper PPE or knowing the nearest medical center in case of emergency. But what about social conditions you may encounter while on a job site? Join Russ Losco and Tiffani Doerr in an interview with Josh Anadu where we discuss an important and most likely overlooked aspect of field safety.