Don't Panic Geocast

This week we help a listener identify their bizarre fossil - and it's a trace fossil! Learn all about it and find out if you'd remember more if we were funnier! Trace Fossil Dictionary Shannon’s Favorite Trackway Asterosoma Fun Paper Friday Would you remember more about science if your teachers presented it in a funny way? Frank, Alexandra L., et al. "Wit meets wisdom: the relationship between satire and anthropomorphic humor on scientists' likability and legitimacy." Journal of Science Communication 24.1 (2025): A04.

This week, we continue to talk about temperature with a discussion of temperature scales, where they came from, and why there are so many! Fun Paper Friday Kaiser, Caspar, and Andrew J. Oswald. "The scientific value of numerical measures of human feelings." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 119.42 (2022): e2210412119. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

What is temperature? Why do we care? Where did all of these temperature scales come from? This week, we find out! Fun Paper Friday Di Lorenzo, Emilia, et al. "Periodic cooking of eggs." Communications Engineering 4.1 (2025): 1-10. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

This week it's all about liquefaction as we explore why some caskets are above ground and how some cars get half way buried. Flame Structure Sand Boil Quicksand Fun Paper Friday Can creatively shaped pasta fold itself when cooked? Tao, Ye, et al. "Morphing pasta and beyond." Science Advances 7.19 (2021): eabf4098. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

We are back after a very challenging 2025 but don't panic - there is a plan! Fun Paper Friday Taloni, Andrea, Vincenzo Scorcia, and Giuseppe Giannaccare. "Large language model advanced data analysis abuse to create a fake data set in medical research." JAMA ophthalmology 141.12 (2023): 1174-1175. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

We're still here - it has just been a very difficult time, but this week we're talking about Hurricane Melissa and Halloween Candy! Hurricane Melissa Video Inside the Hurricane Fun Paper Friday Trick or Treat! Maybe it should be Treat or Toy? Find out in this week's Fun Paper! Schwartz, Marlene B., Eunice Y. Chen, and Kelly D. Brownell. "Trick, treat, or toy: children are just as likely to choose toys as candy on Halloween." Journal of nutrition education and behavior 35.4 (2003): 207-209. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

This week, we chat about our GEARS workshop that recently wrapped up, how it has evolved, and how it went! GEARS Workshop Fun Paper Friday Hejnol, Andreas, and Mark Q. Martindale. "The mouth, the anus, and the blastopore—open questions about questionable openings." Animal Evolution: Genomes, Fossils, and Trees (2009): 33-40. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

This week we are back and discussing the recent large earthquake in Russia! Fun Paper Friday Is that viral video of a fault rupture form a security camera real? This paper checks it out. Kearse, Jesse, and Yoshihiro Kaneko. "Curved Fault Slip Captured by CCTV Video During the 2025 M w 7.7 Myanmar Earthquake." The Seismic Record 5.3 (2025): 281-288. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

We're hitting the open road — geologically speaking. This episode kicks off our new state-by-state series covering the most fascinating, scenic, or just plain weird geologic stops in the U.S. We’re going alphabetically (because of course we are), starting with Alabama, Alaska, and Arkansas. Some sites we've visited, others are firmly on our dream list, but every pick is guaranteed to bring a bit of science to your next adventure. Alabama Cheaha Mountain Cathedral Caverns Alaska Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Mendenhall Glacier Arkansas Crater of Diamonds State Park Blanchard Springs Caverns Fun Paper Friday Frost, Mungo, et al. "Diamond precipitation dynamics from hydrocarbons at icy planet interior conditions." Nature astronomy 8.2 (2024): 174-181. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

What makes a mineral a favorite? In this fun and down-to-earth episode, John and Shannon swap stories about the minerals they love most — and why. Along the way, they unpack cool crystal habits, formation environments, fieldwork memories, and the aesthetic appeal of minerals from museum specimens to muddy boots. Shannon shares her appreciation for: Hematite – With its metallic luster and planetary significance. Goethite – A subtle but important iron oxide-hydroxide. Smithsonite – Beautiful colors and a fascinating history in ore geology. John counters with: Ulexite – “TV rock,” with fiber-optic properties that never fail to wow. Uraninite – A dense, radioactive reminder of geologic power and energy. Tourmaline – A colorful, complex favorite of mineral collectors and scientists alike. Fun Paper Friday James, C. W., et al. "A nanosecond-duration radio pulse originating from the defunct Relay 2 satellite." The Astrophysical Journal Letters 987.1 (2025): L16. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

We're back from summer break - Shannon taught field camp, John travelled for work and got hailed on, and more! John’s Hail Storm Fun Paper Friday How does modern AI stack up against a cognition test designed for humans? Dayan, Roy, Benjamin Uliel, and Gal Koplewitz. "Age against the machine—susceptibility of large language models to cognitive impairment: cross sectional analysis." bmj 387 (2024). Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

This week we talk about how we power our instruments in the field and all of the weird and wonderful ways they fail. Including getting turned into charcoal by lightning! Fun Paper Friday Why does ketchup splatter? Find out! Arstechnica Article Cuttle, Callum, and Christopher W. MacMinn. "Dynamics of compression-driven gas-liquid displacement in a capillary tube." Physical Review Letters 130.11 (2023): 114001. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

This week we talk hail, Vesuvius, volcanic bombs, and vitrified brains. Scandone, Roberto, Lisetta Giacomelli, and Mauro Rosi. "Death, Survival and Damage during the 79 AD Eruption of Vesuvius which destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum." J. Res. Didact. Geogr 2 (2019): 5-30. Fun Paper Friday An amazing new finding shows that brains were vitrified or turned to glass during the nearly 2000 year old eruption of Vesuvius. Giordano, Guido, et al. "Unique formation of organic glass from a human brain in the Vesuvius eruption of 79 CE." Scientific Reports 15.1 (2025): 5955. Mt Vesuvius Plinian Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

Shannon's class took a trip to study catestrophic sedimentation... and they found it! John switched back to a Mac after 5 years. Join us for these and other exciting updates! Fun Paper Friday Find out how alcohol and an eye puffer machine cominbed with magnets can teach us about where our motor skills reside in the brain. Johansson, Fredrik, et al. "Alcohol impairs learning and timing of conditioned eyeblink responses." Brain Research 1854 (2025): 149545. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

Turner Falls, Oklahoma A rare waterfall that grows outward due to travertine deposition instead of eroding backward. Formed by spring-fed Honey Creek flowing through Ordovician limestone, creating massive travertine deposits. Pe'ePe'e Falls, Hawai'i (Big Island) ~80 ft falls in downtown Hilo, part of the Wailuku River flowing between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Carved into 10,000-year-old lava flows with subsequent flows creating the Boiling Pots — vertical and horizontal lava tubes. Extremely dangerous, especially after storms — known as the deadliest water in Hawai'i. Cataratas do Iguaçu, Brazil/Argentina Largest waterfall system in the world, spanning the Argentina-Brazil border. Name means "Big Water" in Guarani. Upstream from the Itaipu Dam, which generates most of Paraguay’s electricity. Itaipu — the 3rd largest hydroelectric plant globally and 2nd in power output. Bonus Waterfalls Mentioned: Cascata delle Marmore, Italy – Ancient Roman-engineered waterfall. Natural Falls - West Siloam Springs, OK Devil’s Kettle, Minnesota – Mysterious waterfall where water seems to disappear underground. Fun Paper Friday What can spacecraft learn from cats? Zhang, Li, et al. "Analysis of Cushioned Landing Strategies of Cats Based on Posture Estimation." Biomimetics 9.11 (2024): 691. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

This week we talk about snow forecasting as the winter season starts to wrap up and try to figure out if you're really happier in the morning or not! Fun Paper Friday https://mentalhealth.bmj.com/content/28/1/e301418 Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

Ever wondered how geologists figure out when a landslide happened? Or how ancient river terraces and glacial deposits get dated? This week, we dive into the detective work behind dating geomorphic features! 🌍🔬 From tree rings to cosmic rays, we explore the fascinating methods geologists use to reconstruct Earth’s history and assess natural hazards. Why Dating Landslides and Other Features is Hard Landslides can reactivate multiple times, fluvial deposits get reworked, and glacial features have complex histories. What are we really dating—the event, the material, or the last exposure? Dating Techniques in Geology Dendrochronology 🌲 – Tree rings reveal landslides, floods, and debris flows. Radiocarbon Dating 💀 – Organic material like charcoal and buried soil horizons provide time markers. Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) 🌞 – Measures when quartz grains were last exposed to sunlight. Cosmogenic Nuclide Dating ☄️ – Tracks surface exposure using cosmic rays. Other Methods – Lichen growth, volcanic ash layers, and earthquake trenching. Fun Paper Friday Ever wondered if your favorite neon-orange snack has hidden superpowers? This study explores how strongly absorbing molecules, like those found in food dyes, can reduce light scattering in biological tissues—making them temporarily more transparent! Researchers applied tartrazine (a common food coloring) to live mice and were able to see internal structures like blood vessels without invasive procedures. The discovery could improve biomedical imaging, but we’re mostly just fascinated that Dorito dust might have unexpected side effects! Ou, Zihao, et al. "Achieving optical transparency in live animals with absorbing molecules." Science 385.6713 (2024): eadm6869. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

We just wrapped up our first-ever on-site GEARS Workshop at UTEP and it was a massive success! 🎉 Tune in as we break down the highlights, what we learned, and how this hands-on geoscience training is evolving for the future. Fun Paper Friday Can paranormal lights actually be tied to earthquakes? Hough, Susan E. "Haunted Summerville: Ghostly Lights or Earthquake Lights?." Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

This week, it's time for our 2025 resolutions show, where we see how we can improve this year and discuss everything that's changed in the past year! Fun Paper Friday We are all overloaded with surveys and requests, but can a chocolate bar increase the response rates? Jamtvedt, Gro, et al. "Chocolate bar as an incentive did not increase response rate among physiotherapists: a randomised controlled trial." BMC research notes 1 (2008): 1-4. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

This week we wrap up our finding faults show started oh so long ago! Learn how to identify faults in the field and then relax with a coffee with a physicist! A perfectly spherical coffee on a frictionless plane that is! Fun Paper Friday Bossart, Aleksi, Romain Fleury, and Benjamin Apffel. "Science of a coffee cup: a physicist walks into a bar..." arXiv preprint arXiv:2501.01180 (2025). Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

This week, we’re thrilled to welcome Joshua Pearce to the show! We dive into the world of open-source hardware for academic labs, the challenges and rewards of open-sourcing projects, and the exciting opportunities it creates for researchers and the general public alike. Tune in for a fascinating discussion about innovation, making, and the future of accessible technology! Joshua Pearce Open-Source Lab: How to Build Your Own Hardware and Reduce Research Costs Create, Share, and Save Money Using Open-Source Projects To Catch the Sun: Inspiring stories of communities coming together to harness their own solar energy, and how you can do it too! Feeding Everyone No Matter What: Managing Food Security After Global Catastrophe @ProfPearce Fun Paper Friday This Study Was Hailed as a Win for Science Reform. Now It’s Being Retracted. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

Shannon went to AGU and we're updated on the meeting and what cool new science things she saw! Fun Paper Friday He, Yu, et al. "Superionic iron alloys and their seismic velocities in Earth’s inner core." Nature 602.7896 (2022): 258-262. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

Faults are fractures in the Earth's crust where movement has occurred, creating features that are critical to understanding geological processes. In this episode, we explore how to recognize fault zones in the field, examine their widths at different depths, and analyze the breakage patterns and deformation features that define them. Definition of faults and why they matter in geological studies: USGS - Earthquake Glossary Importance of identifying faults for earthquake research and infrastructure planning: Seismic Hazard and Risk - IRIS Indicators such as fault scarps, offset layers, and linear valleys: Geology.com - Recognizing Faults Explanation of slickensides and fault breccia: Fault Surface Features - ScienceDirect How vegetation and water accumulation signal fault traces: Hydrology and Fault Zones - Nature Observing stratigraphic offsets and deformation in rock layers: Structural Geology Basics - USGS Characteristics of shattered rock zones and mylonites: Mylonites in Fault Zones - Geological Society Narrow zones in brittle rocks vs. wider zones in thrust faults: Fault Zone Width Variability - ResearchGate Examples of strike-slip vs. thrust faults: Geological Features of Faults - Springer Discussion of fault core and damage zone broadening: Deep Fault Zones - ScienceDirect How depth impacts fault geometry: Fault Depth Behavior - Wiley Online Fault breccia and gouge as indicators of brittle behavior: Fault Breccia Properties - GeoscienceWorld Hazards like landslides and slope instability: Fault Zone Hazards - USGS Fun Paper Friday Are those Christmas puddings good for you? Wallach, Joshua D., et al. "Association of health benefits and harms of Christmas dessert ingredients in recipes from The Great British Bake Off: umbrella review of umbrella reviews of meta-analyses of observational studies." bmj 383 (2023). ## Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

Lithium, often called "white gold," is a critical resource powering modern technologies like electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy storage, and more. This week, we explore lithium's geological formation, mining, processing, and its growing importance in the energy revolution. We also dive into exciting developments in Arkansas, which could make the U.S. a major player in domestic lithium production. Learn More: Pegmatite Geology - USGS Lithium in Clays - Nature Lithium Triangle Overview - Mining Technology Hard Rock Lithium Mining - Geology.com Lithium Extraction from Pegmatites - Minerals Education Coalition Brine Extraction Methods - International Energy Agency Clay-Based Lithium Extraction - ScienceDirect Lithium in Batteries - Energy Storage Journal Environmental Impacts of Lithium Mining - Earthworks Arkansas Lithium Resources - USGS Direct Lithium Extraction Explained - Mining Journal Arkansas Mining Projects - Reuters Fun Paper Friday Can geomagnetic storms change flight characteristics and drag on satellites? This week we find out. Parker, William E., and Richard Linares. "Satellite Drag Analysis During the May 2024 Geomagnetic Storm." arXiv preprint arXiv:2406.08617 (2024). Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

Gold has been a symbol of wealth, beauty, and power for millennia, but its importance extends far beyond jewelry and currency. From its formation deep in the Earth’s crust to its critical uses in electronics, medicine, and aerospace, this episode explores the fascinating journey of gold and why it continues to captivate us today. Learn More: Gold - Royal Society of Chemistry Gold's Physical and Chemical Properties - Geology.com: Gold Formation - USGS Orogenic Gold Deposits - Earth Science Reviews Gold Mining Methods - World Gold Council Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASM) - UNEP Applications of Gold - Royal Society of Chemistry Gold in Medicine - The Lancet Environmental Impacts of Gold Mining - Earthworks Fun Paper Friday Can pee be used to 3D print homes on the moon? Pilehvar, Shima, et al. "Utilization of urea as an accessible superplasticizer on the moon for lunar geopolymer mixtures." Journal of Cleaner Production 247 (2020): 119177. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

Ever wondered how silver journeys from ancient rock formations to the tech in your pocket? In this episode of Don't Panic Geocast, we dig deep into the fascinating world of silver—the metal that's shaped economies, inspired legends, and powers modern technology. From its formation in Earth’s crust to the precise science of extraction and refining, we’ll explore how silver’s unique properties make it indispensable in everything from solar panels to medical tools. Tune in to learn why this shiny element is more valuable—and more complicated—than you might think! Hydrothermal Ore Deposits - Earth Science Reviews Geology of Silver - US Geological Survey Sedimentary Ore Deposits - Journal of Geology Mining Methods - Open Pit and Underground - Minerals Education Coalition Underground Mining Techniques and Risks - World Coal Association Froth Flotation Process - Journal of Chemical Engineering The Leaching Process in Silver Extraction - Environmental Chemistry Merrill-Crowe Process for Silver Recovery - Mining Engineering Electrowinning Process in Silver Extraction - Metallurgy and Mining Review Smelting and Refining of Silver - International Smelting Association Electrolytic Refining of Silver - American Journal of Chemistry Conductivity of Silver in Electronics - IEEE Transactions on Electrical Engineering Silver in Solar Panels - Solar Energy Journal Medical Applications of Silver - The Lancet History of Silver in Currency - Economic History Journal The Role of Silver in Photography - Journal of Photographic Science Economic Significance of Silver - World Silver Survey Environmental Impacts of Silver Mining - Environmental Science & Technology Supply and Demand of Silver - International Silver Council Antimicrobial Properties of Silver - Journal of Applied Microbiology Fun Paper Friday Can seeing a bad (dad) joke actually make you funnier? This week’s Fun Paper Friday dives into the surprising effects of both funny and unfunny examples on our ability to create humor. It turns out that even groan-worthy jokes can fuel creativity—though they might make you work harder for the punchline! Shin, Hyelim, et al. "Creative fixation is no laughing matter: The effects of funny and unfunny examples on humor production." The Journal of Creative Behavior 54.2 (2020): 487-494. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

This week, we dive into the fascinating world of coal—its origins, types, and the role it has played in shaping economies, past and present. We discuss coal’s formation in ancient swampy environments, the journey from mining to electricity generation, and the transition we’re witnessing as the world moves toward renewable energy sources. We wrap up with a Fun Paper Friday that challenges the classic "Infinite Monkeys Theorem"—could monkeys really type out Shakespeare if given enough time? How Coal Forms and Coal Types - World Coal Association Energy Density of Coal Types - Hypertextbook Mining Methods and Processing - National Academies Coal Transportation - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Coal’s Role in the Industrial Revolution - History.com Global Coal Power Statistics - Statista Future of Coal in Energy Transitions - International Energy Agency (IEA) Fun Paper Friday Can monkeys really type out Shakespeare? This study explores the probability of typing coherent text with a finite number of monkeys and limited time. Spoiler: even with thousands of monkeys, the odds are astronomically low, revealing the true limits of randomness. Woodcock, Stephen, and Jay Falletta. "A numerical evaluation of the Finite Monkeys Theorem." Franklin Open (2024): 100171. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

Throughout human history, certain minerals have held immense power, shaping economies, societies, and entire civilizations. In this economic rocks series, John and Shannon discuss how essential minerals like salt, gold, and coal influenced historical events and continue to impact modern geopolitics. This week we start with salt and how it is essential to many aspects of our day to day. Learn More History of Salt in Ancient Civilizations - Learn how salt became an essential part of trade, diet, and religion in ancient China, Egypt, and Rome​:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}. The Role of Salt in the Roman Empire - Discover how the Roman Empire used salt as currency and a political tool to control its territories​:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}. The Impact of the Salt Trade in West Africa - Learn how salt was traded for gold and helped build the Ghana and Mali empires, creating a network of trade routes that shaped the region’s history​:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}. Fun Paper Friday This week's Fun Paper Friday features a study on the leaf-mimicking abilities of Boquila trifoliolata. The vine is capable of changing the shape and size of its leaves to resemble those of neighboring plants, potentially as a form of camouflage against herbivores. But the most surprising part? It can even mimic artificial plastic leaves. This finding challenges existing theories that leaf mimicry is driven solely by chemical signaling or genetic exchange between plants, suggesting instead that Boquila may possess a form of plant vision through specialized light-sensitive cells called “plant ocelli.” This discovery opens new possibilities for understanding plant sensory and adaptive behaviors. White, J., & Yamashita, F. (2022). Boquila trifoliolata mimics leaves of an artificial plastic host plant. Plant Signaling & Behavior, 17(1), e1977530. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

In our 400th episode, we take a moment to reflect on some of our favorite past episodes and Fun Paper Fridays that have brought joy, knowledge, and a good laugh to the show. From memorable guests to quirky science papers, this episode is a tribute to everything that makes the Don't Panic Geocast special. Join us for this nostalgia-packed episode where we look back at the highlights of 399 episodes! Highlighted Episodes Episode 350 - "Borehole to Hell" Episode 49 - "Would it blow your mind if I told you Africa is 14x larger than Greenland?" Episode 50 - "Some serious geometric voodoo" Projections Part 2 Episode 364 - Geology of War "I'm glad I listen to this podcast" Episode 6 - "What if you calibrated your candles differently?" Episode 358 - "Put a pin in it" Surveillance Balloons Episode 16 - "We are scared" Nature Calls Top Titles Episode 52 - "You pay for significant digits" Episode 4 - "Is that cumulonimbus cloud storage?" Data Backups Favorite Fun Papers Kuna, Václav M., and John L. Nábělek. "Seismic crustal imaging using fin whale songs." Science 371.6530 (2021): 731-735. Does removing something take more brain power than adding something? Adams, Gabrielle S., et al. "People systematically overlook subtractive changes." Nature 592.7853 (2021): 258-261. Science makes you feel stupid and that's okay!Schwartz, Martin A. "The importance of stupidity in scientific research." Journal of Cell Science 121.11 (2008): 1771-1771. Beaty, Chester B. "Great big boulders I have known." Geology 17.4 (1989): 349-352. Winter is coming, but why? Orbital mechanics to the rescue! Paradise, Adiv, et al. "The Long Night: Modeling the Climate of Westeros." arXiv preprint arXiv:1903.12195 (2019). Where do you go to find mythical creatures? There's a paper for that! Beconytė, Giedrė, Agnė Eismontaitė, and Jovita Žemaitienė. "Mythical creatures of Europe." Journal of Maps 10.1 (2014): 53-60. Yanai, Itai, and Martin Lercher. "The two languages of science." Genome Biology 21.1 (2020): 1-9. Meyer-Rochow, V. B., & Gal, J. (2003). Pressures produced when penguins pooh?calculations on avian defaecation. Polar Biology, 27(1), 56–58. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00300–003–0563–3 Dirksen, Neele, et al. "Learned control of urinary reflexes in cattle to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions." Current Biology 31.17 (2021): R1033-R1034. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making its way into academic research and writing, offering a range of tools that can help streamline workflows, enhance creativity, and improve productivity. In this episode, John and Shannon dive into some of the AI tools they’ve been experimenting with and discuss broader questions about fairness, disclosure, and the evolving role of AI in academia. Elsevier’s Policy on Generative AI in Writing Research Rabbit - AI-powered tool for literature discovery. GitHub Co-pilot - AI coding assistant. Elicit - AI for automating literature reviews and generating research insights. Magic To-Do - AI-based task management tool. Autodraw - AI-powered drawing tool. Fun Paper Friday Summary: So if AI takes over the world, what would it take to destory it? A solar flare should do it, and maybe us, in. The superstorms from space that could end modern life

This week, we delve into the fascinating world of the ancient dwelling mounds—terps—of the northern Netherlands. These man-made mounds served as elevated homes for communities living in low-lying, flood-prone areas. Join us as we explore the geology of these mounds, why they were essential for survival, and how modern technology is used to monitor soil subsidence and preserve these unique archaeological sites. Learn More: Wierdenland Museum: Information about the museum and its exhibits on dwelling mounds. Late-Holocene sea-level reconstruction and sedimentological data: An in-depth academic article on the evolution of the coastal landscape and sea-level changes influencing terp construction. Fun Paper Friday Summary: In this episode’s Fun Paper Friday, we discuss B.F. Skinner’s “Pigeons in a Pelican.” The paper recounts the story of "Project Pigeon," a World War II experiment that explored using pigeons to guide missiles by pecking at visual targets. Though the project faced skepticism and was never implemented in combat, it highlighted the potential of animal training and laid a foundation for behaviorist research. The study is a testament to how creative ideas can push the boundaries of science, even if they seem outlandish at first. Skinner, B. F. (1960). Pigeons in a Pelican.

This week John and Shannon summarize the GEARS 2024 workshop, lessons learned, and talk about a record air pressure that was just a fluke. Fun Paper Friday Bureau of Meteorology says quality checks reveal air pressure record not broken, miscalculations published online Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

Learn about the explosion at Yellowstone's Biscuit Basin site and what it means for the park. We also talk about drunk fruit flies and what they are teaching us about alcoholism. Fun Paper Friday Heberlein, Ulrike. "Genetics of alcohol-induced behaviors in Drosophila." Alcohol Research & Health 24.3 (2000): 185. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

This week we look at a geological oddity in Turkmenistan and see how getting a puppy can give you the blues. Video of the Burning Crater Fun Paper Friday Ståhl, Aada, et al. "Development and validation of the puppy blues scale measuring temporary affective disturbance resembling baby blues." npj Mental Health Research 3.1 (2024): 27. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

We went to watch Twisters and review it from the standpoint of two people who have chased storms professionally. Also what do philosophers have to say about the original movie and its mythological reconsiliations? Fun Paper Friday King, Geoff. "The scientist as pioneer hero: Hollywood's mythological reconciliations in twister and contact." Science as Culture 8.3 (1999): 371-379. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

This week we talk about when and how things get revised from classes to papers to theories. Also we read a paper about a curious cure for poisoning. Fun Paper Friday Sasanami, Misa, et al. "Oral ethanol treatment for ethylene glycol intoxication." Cureus 12.12 (2020). Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

This week we discuss JMARS and how you can explore the planets at home with just a few clicks of the mouse. Field camp is almost over and we'll be back to our regular shorts soon! JMARS Site Fun Paper Friday What happens when scientists look for a fast cup of cold brew coffee? Ultrasonic experiments of course! Chiu, Shih-Hao, et al. "Coffee brewing sonoreactor for reducing the time of cold brew from several hours to minutes while maintaining sensory attributes." Ultrasonics Sonochemistry 106 (2024): 106885. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

What is a flume and how do sedimentologists used them to understand depositional systems? This and how likely you are to be bitten by a rattlesnake if you step on it in this summer's first Don't Panic Summer Short! emriver St. Anthony Falls Lab Fun Paper Friday WPR News Article Morris, M. Cale. "Rattlesnakes in the Classroom: A Research-based Model for Educational Outreach Programs." Biology of Rattlesnakes II Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

Stop losing power and data in the field. John and Shannon discuss the new FieldVolt open power standard. FieldVolt Standard Fun Paper Friday Dean, Isabelle, and Michael T. Siva-Jothy. "Human fine body hair enhances ectoparasite detection." Biology letters 8.3 (2012): 358-361. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

This week John and Shannon talk about what some of the weird weather radar terms that get thrown around mean and how you can use them to keep up with storms impacting you. Then things get morbid with a mouse experiment that ended in an idiocrasy style extinction. Fun Paper Friday Calhoun, John B. "Death squared: the explosive growth and demise of a mouse population." (1973): 80-88. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

John went to the Geoprobe open house to look at drilling rigs and then we discuss the optimum way to plan a large number of Christmas parties. Earth Day Google Doodle Geoprobe Fun Paper Friday Grüneberg, Reuben. "Hospital Christmas parties." British Medical Journal 281.6256 (1980): 1667. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

What's tiny, rocky, and alive? Forams! Learn about forams and what diseases James Bond may get while traveling to study them. Fun Paper Friday Graumans, Wouter, William JR Stone, and Teun Bousema. "No time to die: An in-depth analysis of James Bond's exposure to infectious agents." Travel medicine and infectious disease 44 (2021): 102175. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

John and Shannon both traveled to see the great eclipse of 2024 and share their experiences this week as well as talk about one of those rare times when ice is not a mineral. Fun Paper Friday We always talk about ice being a mineral, but what about when it isn't? Rosu-Finsen, Alexander, et al. "Medium-density amorphous ice." Science 379.6631 (2023): 474-478. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

This week we interview YouTube science creator, science writer, and communicator Alexis Dahl to learn about the rocks of Michigan's UP and how scientists can do a better job of sharing what they do. Alexis' YouTube Channel Alexis' Website Fun Paper Friday What should you drink after fondue to prevent "chesse baby" feelings? Heinrich, Henriette, et al. "Effect on gastric function and symptoms of drinking wine, black tea, or schnapps with a Swiss cheese fondue: randomised controlled crossover trial." BMJ 341 (2010). Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

This week we see how scientists break down the Earth into 7 or more spheres and why that is and isn't a good idea. We also explore a fun paper about graphene that is just full of crap. Fun Paper Friday Graphene is an amazing material, but are all of the papers about it full of crap? This one certainly is! Wang, Lu, Zdenek Sofer, and Martin Pumera. "Will any crap we put into graphene increase its electrocatalytic effect?." ACS nano 14.1 (2020): 21-25. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com SWUNG Slack @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

What can we get from mining the moon? Should we? Who can do it? Why should we do it? That and more in this week's show! Fun Paper Friday Do we live in 3D? Can you prove it? Morley, Tom. "A simple proof that the world is three-dimensional." SIAM review 27.1 (1985): 69-71. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

This week we talk about new national parks, sticky notes, and empirical evidence about fly fishing. Fun Paper Friday Britton, B. J., J. Grimley Evans, and J. M. Potter. "Does the fly matter? The CRACKPOT study in evidence based trout fishing." BMJ 317.7174 (1998): 1678-1680. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo [email protected] John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

This week we talk about how rocks get magnetic field imparted to them and if scientists are really discovering anything new these days. Fun Paper Friday Park, Michael, Erin Leahey, and Russell J. Funk. "Papers and patents are becoming less disruptive over time." Nature 613.7942 (2023): 138-144. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

This week we're rejoined by the Heerschaps to learn about how they came to own and run Brunton and what's next for the company that is a staple of the geological, recreational, and military navigation world. Go Get a Brunton! EPISODE 109 - "REALLY SAD MICHAEL BOLTON MUSIC" LAUREN AND DAVE HEERSCHAP Fun Paper Friday This week's fun paper may make you think before saying "Tea, Earl Grey, Hot" Finsterer, Josef. "Earl Grey tea intoxication." The Lancet 359.9316 (2002): 1484. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin

We generally don't think of sedimentary rocks when we think of volcanoes, but they are real! Find out why sedimentologists don't have to be bored in volcanic terranes. Fun Paper Friday Torres-Company, Victor. "One ring to multiplex them all." Nature 546.7657 (2017): 214-215. Contact us: Show Support us on Patreon! www.dontpanicgeocast.com @dontpanicgeo John Leeman www.johnrleeman.com @geo_leeman Shannon Dulin @ShannonDulin