Taxonomy term

geologic column

Geologic Column: Decades later, Mr. Keene's earth science class sticks with me

The author's 1959 earth science class changed her life, despite not starting out as well as she would have hoped. 
13 Jan 2016

Geologic Column: The beginning of "time" as we know it

We have many methods for measuring things — volumes, lengths, areas, for example — but we have only one system to measure time. It's based on three astronomical cycles: a day is based on one rotation on our axis; a month is based on one orbit of the moon around Earth; and the year is based on one orbit of Earth around the sun. Our calendar has changed some over the millennia but has remained remarkably constant. 
13 Dec 2015

Geologic Column: Thanksgiving's unsung hero

Thanksgiving as we know it in America today has only been celebrated since President Lincoln declared it a national holiday in 1863, thanks to the entreaties of Sarah Josepha Hale, an influential writer and editor.

13 Nov 2015

Geologic Column: The 'impact factor' of potholes

Bumpily driving along one day last spring on a road that had been battered by a snowy winter in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic left the author pondering potholes — from a geologic perspective.

07 Oct 2015

Geologic Column: September 26, 1774: The man, the myth, the legend of Johnny Appleseed is born

Little is known about the early life of John Chapman, also known as Johnny Appleseed, except that he was born in Massachusetts on Sept. 26, 1774. But he went on to become an orchardist and nurseryman and eventually a folk hero, helping tame the wilderness by planting apple orchards. 
14 Sep 2015

Geologic Column: Field Sketches

An art exhibit prompted the author to reflect on fieldwork, his library of field notebooks and how geolgists can integrate digital technology into field geology courses.
29 Jul 2015

Geologic Column: Jack and Jill: The sequel

As the extreme drought in California persists into another year, EARTH’s regular commentator returns with some thoughts on the proposed solutions, and the wisdom of going “up the hill” to fetch your water.

27 Jun 2015

Geologic Column: On the Summer Solstice

Today, we can only speculate on the significance that the summer solstice had for our ancestors, but we do know its scientific meaning. The author ruminates on the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, and its place in our annual journey around the sun.
21 Jun 2015

Geologic Column: The Rumpelstiltskin Factor

Are you a taxonomic “lumper” or “splitter”? The author ruminates on the meanings and conventions of scientific classification and naming.

21 Apr 2015

Geologic Column: Nature for couch potatoes

Why humans seem to fear nature so much — when we are the ones dominating it — is unclear. However, a glance at how nature and wildlife are portrayed in print and on screen reveals our long history (with some exceptions) of declawing it to make ourselves feel safer.

25 Mar 2015

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