Tag Archives: Geology

A 2013 photo of an erupting undersea volcano creating a new island off the coast of Nishinoshima, Japan. The future Hawaiian island of Loihi will resemble this in geological terms.
~100,000-200,000: Exploring Loihi – The Emerging Hawaiian Island

Discover Loihi, an undersea mountain set to become Hawaii's newest island. With a history of seismic activity and significant growth potential, Loihi epitomizes Earth's dynamic geological processes

Photograph of the massive eruptive plume of Mount Pinatubo on the morning of June 12, 1991. This eruption released more ash and dust into the stratosphere than any volcanic eruption since Krakatoa in 1883.
1991: Mount Pinatubo Eruption – Averting a Major Catastrophe

The 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption, one of the most powerful of the 20th century, led to significant climatic effects and showcased the importance of timely evacuation and volcanic monitoring in reducing fatalities

Main image: Scenic view of Basin and Range National Monument in Nevada. Inset: John McPhee, renowned author of various popular science books on earth sciences.
1982: The Geologic Story of the Basin and Range Province

John McPhee's "Basin and Range" explores the unique geological formation of the Basin and Range Province in the American southwest, offering insights into its complex history and the role of storytelling in science

Main image: A 1930 photograph of German meteorologist and geologist Alfred Wegener. Inset: An early computer-assisted reconstruction of Pangea, fitting many of the current continents together.
1912: Alfred Wegener and the Theory of Continental Drift

Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift, initially met with skepticism, fundamentally changed geology with the later discovery of tectonic plates

Main image: A photograph taken in 1872 showing boats moored along Marble Canyon. Inset: A photograph of John Wesley Powell alongside a Native American named Tau-gu. Both photos were taken during Powell's second expedition down the Grand Canyon.
1869: John Wesley Powell – Unveiling the Geologic Majesty of the Grand Canyon

John Wesley Powell's groundbreaking expeditions in the late 19th century illuminated the vast geological history of the Grand Canyon, revealing its intricate layers and making it a central figure in geological studies

An illustration from Jules Verne's 1864 science fiction novel, "A Journey to the Center of the Earth."
1864: Jules Verne – Pioneering Science Fiction Through Geological Wonders

Jules Verne, a 19th-century French author, pioneered the science fiction genre by blending emerging scientific theories with imaginative storytelling, focusing on Earth's geological past and hypothetical subterranean adventures

A 1910 photograph of the physicist William Thomson, also known as Lord Kelvin, conducting compass measurements.
1862: Tracing Earth’s Timeline – The Scientific Journey to Determine Its Age

William Thomson, Lord Kelvin, initially estimated Earth's age at 20 to 40 million years, a figure debated by nineteenth-century scientists. The discovery of radioactivity led to a revised estimate of 4.567 billion years, aligning with [...]

Main image: An 1870 photograph of geologist and biologist Louis Agassiz. Inset: An illustration by J. Bettanier of the Matterhorn glacier, located near Zermatt, Switzerland, from Louis Agassiz's 1840 book, "Études sur les Glaciers."
1837: Unveiling the Secrets of Ice Ages – The Contributions of Louis Agassiz

Louis Agassiz's pioneering work in geology led to the discovery of ice ages, explaining the presence of glacial features in currently ice-free regions. His hypothesis that vast ice sheets once covered much of the northern [...]

Green sand, composed of olivine mineral grains, found on a volcanic beach on the island of Hawaii.
1789: Olivine – The Earth’s Mantle’s Gem

Olivine, an abundant magnesium-iron silicate in the Earth's mantle, is key to understanding planetary structures. Its polymorphism and occurrence in volcanic areas, as well as in lunar, Martian, and meteoritic rocks, make it integral to [...]

Main image: Layered rocks at Siccar Point, Scotland, showcasing one of the earliest-recognized unconformities in the geological record. Inset: A sketch from a 1920 geology textbook depicting Scottish geologist James Hutton.
1788: James Hutton’s Discovery of Unconformities

James Hutton revolutionized geology with his observation of angular unconformities in rock layers, leading to the understanding of "deep time" and laying the foundation for modern geological principles