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.

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• Link to paper (Nature Communications, open access): https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-72084-6

• Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pluto-01_Stern_03_Pluto_Color_TXT.jpg
• Music: 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!

1. Subscribe wherever you're listening!
2. Send this episode to a friend or family member!
3. Follow on Substack: https://substack.com/@rocksforjocks

Sources:

• Original article posted on Substack
• Music: 368 by Dyalla
• Cover art and earthquake information: USGS
• AP 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-fund

Music: 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_chips
• David's website: http://geologywriter.com
• David's substack: https://streetsmartnaturalist.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips
• Music: 368 by Dyalla

Andy's recent paper discussed: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adx9442

Substack: https://substack.com/@rocksforjocks

In 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 Research

Music: 368 by Dyalla

This month, I bring back Marshall Pontrelli, a fan-favorite former guest and graduate school coworker! We talk about Marshall's research on geotechnical engineering, site response, and earthquake hazard mapping. We also get into Marshall’s thoughts on the peer review process and the application of scientific thinking to broader contexts.

Subscribe on Substack: ⁠⁠https://rocksforjocks.substack.com⁠⁠

00:00 Welcome and Intro

02:01 Marshall's Graduate School Research

08:31 Mexico City Earthquake Study

16:37 Geological Mapping and Hazard Analysis

28:43 Depth to Bedrock, Shear Wave Velocity, and Cone Penetration Tests

41:48 Design-Build vs. Design-Bid-Build

49:29 Reflections on Scientific Thinking

Music: 368 by Dyalla

Today’s interview is with not one, but TWO researchers from the Tufts Geohazards Research group! I host Maggie Roberts and Ellie Meyer, PhD students learning about how Earthquake shaking waves affect structures at the surface.

Maggie and Ellie discuss methodologies using HVSR measurements, the limitations of traditional VS 30 models, and human-reported seismic data.

Subscribe on Substack: ⁠https://rocksforjocks.substack.com⁠

00:00 Welcome Back

04:44 Ground motion Geohazards Research

07:43 Challenges and Progress in Earthquake Research

23:45 HVSR pros and cons

31:34 Human Data in Earthquake Studies

36:43 Future Goals for HVSR Models

40:22 Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Benefits

Music: 368 by Dyalla

In this episode of Rocks for Jocks, I reunite with a grad school colleague, Jeremy Salerno! We talk about Jeremy's research on earthquake waves and site response during our time In the Geohazards Research Lab at Tufts University. I worked in the lab for 2 years, where I also overlapped with prior Rocks for Jocks guests, Christina Sanon and Marshall Pontrelli!

Jeremy and I talk about detecting seismic activity, monitoring nuclear weapons testing, and his roles working with different companies and defense projects.

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00:00 Intro

03:57 Field Work and Data Collection

06:21 Nuclear Monitoring and Seismic Sensors

12:30 Earthquake Waves, Resonance, and Site Response

20:08 Using data for Earthquake Engineering

23:01 Ambient Noise & Soil Vibration Analysis

23:31 Unexpected Earthquakes and Thesis work

29:08 AI in Coding and Professional Use

33:31 Classes and their Impact

Music: 368 by Dyalla

This week, I host Sydney DeMets, PhD candidate at the University of Washington, to talk about her research on podcast networks! We chat about the polarization within podcasting spaces, the influence of moderate shows on bridging political divides, and the gender disparity in podcast hosts and guests. My favorite part was Sydney highlighting how guests spread across different shows in a similar way to the diffusion of viruses!

Sydney also gives some podcast recommendations and reflects on potential future research directions. If like this episode, please send it to a friend, and rate it 5 stars on Spotify & Apple Podcasts!

00:00 Intro

04:11 The Influence of Podcasts on Public Opinion

07:28 Methodology and Findings

16:13 Challenges and Surprising Discoveries

36:20 Concerns About Information Veracity

41:26 Future of Podcast Moderation

46:34 Podcast Recommendations

• Music: 368 by Dyalla

• Disclaimer: all opinions are our own and not representative of any companies or organizations.

This week, I had the privilege to interview Professor Roger Fu from Harvard's Earth and Planetary Sciences department. We cover planet formation in our early solar system, harvesting samples from meteorites, tectonic plate motion, paleoclimate research, and science funding in Boston! Professor Fu has a really unique perspective from his time studying astronomy in Chile and also leading research projects in university settings.

If you like the episode, please subscribe and rate the episode wherever you're listening, and send it to a friend!

00:00 Intro

01:57 Astronomy in Chile

12:38 Planetary Formation

15:21 Meteorites and Magnetic Fields

20:34 Paleoclimate Research

33:04 NASA’s Influence

35:29 Engaging Students and the Public

Music: 368 by Dyalla