Category Archives: The Woods

Climbing Up the Middle of a Pluton

Posted on January 15, 2015 by Thermochronic

I am by no means a climber, but I love rocks and have a great appreciation for people who choose to spend hours and hours with their faces inches away from rocks. I have climbed a few times, and I really got a kick … Continue reading →

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Putting the Offense in Defense

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Thermochronic

Had I only known

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Listen up apatite pickers!

Posted on June 2, 2014 by Thermochronic

He thermochronology involves a lot of time at a microscope and in a wet chemistry lab. These tasks require my attention, but once you get into the swing of things, can be a little dry. To help pass the time I … Continue reading →

Posted in impending thermochronocracy, The Woods, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Developing a sense of place

Posted on May 1, 2014 by Thermochronic

I’ve noticed a few common threads in the books, movies, and songs that I like the most. For whatever reason, I tend to respond to media that describes place well. It wasn’t something that I did on purpose, but something I … Continue reading →

Posted in earth science, Rants, science and society, The Woods, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

The figure most likely to appear

Posted on April 23, 2014 by Thermochronic

During a pretty solid department seminar recently I got to add some tallies in the back of my Office Book (like a field book but for inside science). Since 2007 I’ve been keeping track of a few things in the back of … Continue reading →

Posted in Academia, Figure Hall o' Fame, The Woods, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

The Well Written Geologist part 2 – Walter Alvarez

Posted on April 16, 2014 by Thermochronic

I’ll being by stating the obvious, that I want to learn the old Italian songs that the geologists like to sing in the evening. My first GSA was in 1997, I was an undergraduate and it was my first time … Continue reading →

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Lava all up in your face

Posted on March 15, 2014 by Thermochronic

Ever wondered what it was like to have a volcano explode in your face, but were too chicken to find out? Here come the drones! A friend from graduate school pointed me towards this one, enjoy!

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Hello, my name is Thermochronic, and I love the U.S. Standard system of measurements

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Thermochronic

My brain has a variety of settings; work, home, soccer, Stout Month…..One of the more pronounced divisions in my brain (work and not work) expresses itself in a variety of ways, perhaps most notably in my preference for systems of … Continue reading →

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Glades of Flowering Stone: Gimli Would Make a Great Geologist

Posted on March 9, 2014 by Thermochronic

I spend a lot of time on a microscope, picking minerals for thermochronology. You have to pay attention, but it isn’t something that requires a lot of thought, just vigilance and steady hands. To help pass the hours then, I … Continue reading →

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You Are Here

Posted on March 8, 2014 by Thermochronic

My favorite Sagan passage. Slightly edited from his writing, and set to music. This passage shows off why I think Carl Sagan is the best science communicator we’ve ever had.

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