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.

EXTENDED VERSION  Soil: The very skin of our planet

To most folks, this may seem an odd title but it best describes the range of topics this podcast series delivers to practicing geologists, geoscientists, or anyone with an interest in Pennsylvania’s geological environment. Produced by the Pennsylvania Council of Professional Geologists (PCPG), the series includes practical and timely topics, technical and social matters, trends and tips for the office or the field, and interesting subjects and interviews that may remind you of why you chose (or should have chosen) a career in geoscience. So, if you’d like to learn something new, listen to a geologist talk about something they love, or you just need a break from the routine, please join us and listen in!

Natural Sciences

Science & Medicine

Science

Earth Sciences

Nature

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.

Short History of the Geology of Pennsylvania

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.

From the Earth's Core to her Magnetosphere

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.

Glaciers

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.

Pennsylvania State Parks: Geology of White Clay Creek Park

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.

EXTENDED VERSION Soil: The very skin of our planet

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