In this episode, we discuss gold, including how it and massive gold deposits are formed and its journey through human history.

We also ask if alchemy is possible, including some examples of failed (and possibly successful) attempts, and finish by suggesting that Olympic gold medalists may not want to put that medal in their mouths.

For more cool geology and Earth facts follow us on Insta and Tiktok (@coepod) and X (@thecoepod).

Hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant element and has been proven to be a revolutionary source of renewable energy.

In this episode, we discuss how using hydrogen generates electricity, how we produce hydrogen, and how natural reserves can be seen in the subsurface. We break down the types of hydrogen and how we can use rocks to store hydrogen underground until we need it.

We also explain how billions of years ago, our atmosphere was much richer in hydrogen and depleted in oxygen, and how Earth’s magnetic field helped produce the oxygen-rich atmosphere we see today.

We end by talking about the use of hydrogen in developing large balloons for reconnaissance during the American Civil War. This led to Abraham Lincoln establishing the Union Army Balloon Corps in 1861.

Enjoy!

In this episode we discuss dunes.

How do dunes form and what do they look like when preserved in rocks? What is the geology behind the recent Dune movies? What sounds do migrating sand grains make?

We cover all this and more in our 20 minute episode. In this weeks edition of "what in the world?" we also play a very special geology version of the 1978 classic hit by The Police, "Roxanne".

Enjoy!

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