The Big Blue Rock Pod

Matt, Doug, and Sarah talk about everything extension with UK Professor Brad Lee, from soil and water quality to dog poop and lawn care. We also explore the role of extension in the University’s land grant mission and UK Extension’s environmental and educational services.   

This week’s top takeaway? Check out the soil tests available from your local county extension office. Find the office online at https://extension.ca.uky.edu/county, or just google it.  

Matt, Sarah, and Doug have a lively discussion about geology jargon, odd and old geoscience concepts, and weird terminology that geologists love to use. KGS geologist Meredith Swallom is the guest and helps us decipher rocks vs. minerals, lithification, unconformities, how awesome (and outdated) graywacke is, accretionary wedges, and much more!

"I'm just gonna to go ahead and say it. I love Cumberland Gap."

Matt, Sarah, and Doug unpack all things science communication! We talk with Dr. Sarah Vos from UK Department of Health Management and Policy and the Director of Undergraduate Research in the College of Public Health. We discuss communication spanning many scientific disciplines, bridging the gap between science and the public, disaster communication, getting your message to stick, building trust, and why it all matters!

About our guest:

Sarah C. Vos, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Health Management and Policy and the Director of Undergraduate Research in the College of Public Health at the University of Kentucky. Her research explores how public health organizations can use social media and other short message systems to improve health outcomes, particularly during a public health crisis. Her work has been published in Cancer Control, Health Security, Risk Analysis, and the Journal of Health Communication. In her free time, she likes to run, hike, and watch birds. 

Matt, Sarah, and Doug discuss all things climate science with Dr. Alice Turkington, geography professor at the University of Kentucky. We get into climate terminology, climate change indicators, extreme events, climate change education, and much more!

Dr. Alice Turkington is an associate professor of physical geography with affiliations in environmental and sustainability studies and historic preservation at the University of Kentucky. A native of Northern Ireland, she has lived in Kentucky since 2001. Dr. Turkington holds both an BA and PhD in Geography from Queens University of Belfast. Her doctoral and postdoctoral research examined the breakdown of rock in deserts and conservation of European cultural stone and monuments. She has worked in diverse global landscapes including the Australian outback, volcanic regions of New Zealand, high Arctic glaciers, and the national parks of the Southwestern United States. Her research focuses on geomorphology, examining the control rock weathering exerts on landform and landscape evolution and the role microclimates play in forcing rock decay. Dr. Turkington has taught courses on climate change at the University of Kentucky for 20 years. This year, she will offer a freshman course, Global Climate Change, and several upper division undergraduate courses, including Science and Policy of Climate Change and Rising Seas: Our Changing Coastline.

For our lucky 13th episode and to mark the end of the year, Matt, Sarah, and Doug answer your geology questions! Listen to our answers to your questions on the KGS mission, unique geologic places in Kentucky,  innovation,  social media, oil and gas, and more. We'll be doing this again, so please contact us at [email protected] with your pressing questions about geology. Wishing all of our listeners a great holiday season and a happy New Year!

Matt, Sarah, and Doug discuss earthquakes with KGS geophysicist Seth Carpenter. Tune is as they talk about global and regional activity, mystery of Kentucky’s biggest quake, frog seismometers, and earthquake hazard and risk. And check out our webpage for more information about earthquakes, earthquake hazards, and to view the Kentucky Seismic Network recordings: www.uky.edu/KGS/earthquake/.

Matt, Doug, and Sarah discuss surface hydrology, differentiating natural and engineered lakes, Kentucky watersheds, geology's role in Kentucky lake characteristics, and cool factoids about the Commonwealth's rich surface freshwater resources. And poke a little fun at a few of our border states (who we love). Photo is from Grayson Lake in eastern Kentucky (by Doug Curl).

Matt, Sarah, and Doug discuss all things geologic time with KGS geologist and geomorphologist Jason Dortch (a lover of geologic time and our first repeat guest!) including the abstract concept itself, the geologic time scale, deep time, love/hate with the Anthropocene, geologic hazards and resiliency, and much more!

Our guest is Bill Haneberg, State Geologist of Kentucky and Director here at the Kentucky Geological Survey. Listen as we talk about all things geological surveys, where they fit into the geologic community, KGS accomplishments, Bill's background, current research, and his billiards game.