Backyard Geology

Episode summary introduction: In this episode of Backyard Geology, Serena takes you to Hamilton, ON to look at the sedimentary structure that locals call “The Mountain”. The Niagara Escarpment is a steep cliff face that bisects southern Ontario. The cliff face is home to scenic hiking trails and countless waterfalls. For geologists, the Escarpment showcases over 100m of relatively undisturbed sedimentary rock beds, hosting fossils from an ancient tropical sea that once existed on the edge of Laurentia. 

Resources:

The Bruce Trail Conservancy. Webinar – Ancient Seas, Glaciers and Waterfalls: The Geologic History of the Niagara Escarpment (2020) presented by Dr. Carolyn Eyles and Rebecca Lee.

Armstrong, D.K. and Dodge, J.E.P., 2007. Paleozoic Geology of Southern Ontario. Sedimentary Geoscience Section, Ontario Geological Survey, p.30.

Hewitt, D.F., 1971. The Niagara Escarpment.

Host Information: Serena is a Canadian graduate student currently studying geochemistry at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Her research focuses on isotopic analysis of Hawaiian volcanos to understand the dynamic and complicated evolution of the Hawaiian mantle plume. She completed her undergraduate degree at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, where the exposed sedimentary rocks of the Niagara Escarpment and enthusiastic professors quickly fostered a love for all things geology. Like other member of the Geology Podcast Network, Serena loves to talk rocks and is invested in sharing her love for our planet through podcasts, educational programs for kids, and even museum exhibits. Despite heavy seasonal rains in Vancouver, she is an avid cyclist, which unfortunately does not bode well with inevitable stop for round hounding, but is an excellent way to thoroughly explore the Earth and all its glorious geologic features.

We can’t get enough of fossils, and I hope we can say the same about you. That’s why Serena met with fossil lover and fellow Traveling Geologist team member Noelle Lin to follow up on the wonders of Mistaken Point. Check out this bonus episode of Backyard Geology: Canada Edition to learn about paleoenvironmental reconstruction!

Host Information: Serena is a Canadian graduate student currently studying geochemistry at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Her research focuses on isotopic analysis of Hawaiian volcanos to understand the dynamic and complicated evolution of the Hawaiian mantle plume. She completed her undergraduate degree at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, where the exposed sedimentary rocks of the Niagara Escarpment and enthusiastic professors quickly fostered a love for all things geology. Like other member of the Geology Podcast Network, Serena loves to talk rocks and is invested in sharing her love for our planet through podcasts, educational programs for kids, and even museum exhibits. Despite heavy seasonal rains in Vancouver, she is an avid cyclist, which unfortunately does not bode well with inevitable stop for round hounding, but is an excellent way to thoroughly explore the Earth and all its glorious geologic features.

Episode summary introduction: In this episode of Backyard Geology, Serena takes you to St. John’s Newfoundland. The southeastern tip of the peninsula, 130km down the coast from the city, host to the oldest known forms of large, complex life dating back 565 million years ago from the Ediacaran Period. The exposed sedimentary rocks, which make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site, provide a window into the elusive and understudied inhabitants of the Precambrian sea floor.

Resources:

Darroch, S.A.F., Sperling, E.A., Boag, T.H., Racicot, R.A., Mason, S.J., Morgan, A.S., Tweedt, S., Myrow, P., Johnston, D.T., Erwin, D.H. and Laflamme, M., 2015. Biotic replacement and mass extinction of the Ediacara biota. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 282(1814), p.20151003.

Laflamme, M., Darroch, S.A.F., Tweedt, S.M., Peterson, K.J. and Erwin, D.H., 2013. The end of the Ediacara biota: Extinction, biotic replacement, or Cheshire Cat? Gondwana Research, 23(2), pp.558–573.

Liu, A.G. and Matthews, J.J., 2017. Great Canadian Lagerstätten 6. Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve, Southeast Newfoundland. Geoscience Canada, 44(2), pp.63–76. https://doi.org/10.12789/geocanj.2017.44.117.

Misra, S.B., 1969. Late Precambrian (?) Fossils from Southeastern Newfoundland. GSA Bulletin, 80(11), pp.2133–2140.

David Attenborough’s “First Life”, Episode 1 (2010)

Host Information: Serena is a Canadian graduate student currently studying geochemistry at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Her research focuses on isotopic analysis of Hawaiian volcanos to understand the dynamic and complicated evolution of the Hawaiian mantle plume. She completed her undergraduate degree at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, where the exposed sedimentary rocks of the Niagara Escarpment and enthusiastic professors quickly fostered a love for all things geology. Like other member of the Geology Podcast Network, Serena loves to talk rocks and is invested in sharing her love for our planet through podcasts, educational programs for kids, and even museum exhibits. Despite heavy seasonal rains in Vancouver, she is an avid cyclist, which unfortunately does not bode well with inevitable stop for round hounding, but is an excellent way to thoroughly explore the Earth and all its glorious geologic features.

Episode summary introduction:​ ​In this episode of Backyard Geology, Chris explores the natural phenomena of landslides. Landslides, however common, are incredible to witness and horrific if caught in one. But, how and why do they happen? Chris will answer these questions through a discussion of the impact of a fault scarp and its role in several landslides in the Wasatch Range of Utah. Find out if a landslide could happen in your backyard in this exciting episode of Backyard Geology! 

Resources mentioned in this episode: ​ 

• Nichol, 2010, Journal of Geography and Regional Planning Vol. 3(6), pp. 126-141, June 2010

Host Information:​ 

Dr. Chris Spencer is a professor of geology at Queen’s University in Kingston, ON and the founder of Traveling Geologist. His research utilizes igneous petrology, geochemistry, and geochronology to understand orogenic processes and the geologic history of the Earth. He spends as much time as he can outdoors doing fieldwork, spending time with family, and exploring the natural world. As a member of the Geology Podcast Network, he promotes earth science education and enjoys sharing his passion for the Earth with others. Chris can be found on Instagram @travelinggeologist, on Twitter @travelinggeolog and on Facebook @TravelingGeologist

Episode summary introduction:​ ​In this episode of Backyard Geology, Chris explores the geologic history of Manhattan, New York. He will take you through the history of the city, from the wealth distribution and the influence of the elite, the decisions behind Central Park, to the geology underneath it all. Chris will uncover why geology in a city might matter and why the geology of Manhattan was essential to the planning and construction. If you have ever been to Manhattan and especially if you consider it your backyard, this is not an episode to miss! 

Host Information:​ 

Dr. Chris Spencer is a professor of geology at Queen’s University in Kingston, ON and the founder of Traveling Geologist. His research utilizes igneous petrology, geochemistry, and geochronology to understand orogenic processes and the geologic history of the Earth. He spends as much time as he can outdoors doing fieldwork, spending time with family, and exploring the natural world. As a member of the Geology Podcast Network, he promotes earth science education and enjoys sharing his passion for the Earth with others. Chris can be found on Instagram @travelinggeologist, on Twitter @travelinggeolog and on Facebook @TravelingGeologist

Information Sources for this Episode:

AMNH Field Guide to Hernshead

Depth to Bedrock and the Formation of the Manhattan Skyline, 1890-1915

The lost neighborhood under New York’s Central Park

So you wanna find gold in your backyard? Listen to find out how!