Rocks for Jocks

Today I’m reviewing an open-access Comment published in Nature Communications called, “Pluto: dazzling, dynamic, and not so dead” by Perianne E. Johnson & Benjamin Proudfoot.I talked about this comment in a Substack article a few weeks ago so definitely go check that out if you haven’t yet! This video also works as audio-only for the podcast listeners out there.Like this show? Send it to a friend! Hate this show? Send it to an enemy!Link to paper (Nature Communications, open access): https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-72084-6Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pluto-01_Stern_03_Pluto_Color_TXT.jpgMusic: 368 by Dyalla

This week, a 7.4 Magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of northern Japan! This caused shaking, a tiny tsunami, and an advisory about a possible mega-quake.Listen to learn more about what this means for Japan, natural disaster preparation, and earthquake advisories everywhere!Like this episode? Pick one of the following!Subscribe wherever you're listening!Send this episode to a friend or family member!Follow on Substack: https://substack.com/@rocksforjocksSources:Original article posted on SubstackMusic: 368 by DyallaCover art and earthquake information: USGSAP News article describing impacts and advisories

Why fund research into so many narrow questions far removed from everyday problems?Solving niche science problems expands bounds of human knowledge and makes new breakthroughs possible!In this episode, I walk listeners through a recent article I wrote on this topic posted on Substack. Read along (and subscribe) here: https://rocksforjocks.substack.com/p/want-to-solve-hard-problems-fundMusic: 368 by Dyalla

In this episode I was lucky enough to discuss the book "Stories in Stone" with the author, David B. Williams!We talk about how geology weaves its way through human history and touch on some highlights from the book, including the Bunker Hill Monument's granite and how Michelangelo got his marble!My substack: https://rocksforjocks.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chipsDavid's website: http://geologywriter.comDavid's substack: https://streetsmartnaturalist.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chipsMusic: 368 by Dyalla

Andy's recent paper discussed: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adx9442Substack: https://substack.com/@rocksforjocksIn this episode, I host Andy Jones, a PhD candidate in Geoscience at the University of Wisconsin Madison. We focus on Andy's recently published research in California’s Sierra Nevada, where glaciers are disappearing for the first time in 30,000 years! We cover the formation, recession, and climatic impact of glaciers. Andy also talks about glacier studies in the Tropical Andes, emphasizing the need for climate action. Listen and follow  “Rocks for Jocks” on Substack!​00:00 Intro​04:18 Glaciers' Role in Climate Regulation​06:51 California's Disappearing Glaciers​08:39 Historical Context of Expansion and Retreat​20:00 Climate Change and Glacial Response​29:59 Future ResearchMusic: 368 by Dyalla