Episode 46!

Welcome to Season 5 of Geology on the Rocks! We have special guest Geoarcheologis Dr. David Rachal in this episode to discuss all things balls. Through his research, Dave uses his balls of choice, Ruppia cirrhosa (Ruppia) seeds, to better constrain megafauna footprints in southern New Mexico along the ancient shorelines of the Paleolake Otero. He draws on both geological and archaeological data to support his research. His work infers a dynamic shoreline rather than the current models, which assume a more static landscape. The study suggests that this newer model could have broader implications for understanding human-megafauna interactions. So take a seat, cozy up with your favorite drink, and listen in as Dave offers a firsthand perspective on his amazing work. As always, between the bars of our main discussion, we present to you another mineral minute and close things out with a new That Freaking Rocks.

Until next time, remember to be cool, stay tuned, and keep it on the rocks!

Find Dr. Rachal’s work here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666033421000034

Cite his work, too!! (APA 7th edition citations below)

Rachal, D. M., Mead, J. I., Dello-Russo, R., & Cuba, M. T. (2022). Deep-water delivery model of Ruppia seeds to a nearshore/terrestrial setting and its chronological implications for Late Pleistocene footprints, Tularosa Basin, New Mexico. Geoarcheology, 37(6), 923–933.