Episodes

  • 26. Mars: the core of Mars, water on Mars, NASA missions and Roman mythology
    Aug 30 2024

    The fourth planet from the sun, Mars is the closest approximation to Earth that we have.

    In this episode, we discuss how liquid water has been discovered on Mars for the first time by the NASA InSight Lander. We also cover the geology of Mars, including its internal core, mantle and crust.

    We highlight that similar evidence for water has also been identified on the dwarf planet Ceres using the NASA Dawn spacecraft.

    For this week's "What in the world?" we use Roman mythology to uncover the origins of the word volcano and a love affair between Mars and Venus.


    For more Earth facts, follow us on Instagram @coepod, TikTok @coepod and X @thecoepod

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    22 mins
  • 25. Ancient rocks: the oldest rocks on Earth, the moon-forming event, and good old geology
    Aug 7 2024

    In this episode we cover the oldest rocks on Earth, stretching to our planet's formation 4.54 billion years ago.

    We explain where the rocks are found and how we date them using radioactive elements, including the geology of Greenland, Canada and Australia.

    We also discuss a mythical rock that was used to summon troops by King Alfred the Great during the Battle of Ashdown in Britain in 871 CE.

    Remember to follow us on social media for all the latest episode info and cool Earth facts

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    21 mins
  • 24. Gold: a rich history
    Jul 24 2024

    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).

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    18 mins
  • 23. Hydrogen: a lighter approach
    Jun 14 2024

    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!

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    26 mins
  • 22. Dunes: the largest dunes, the sounds of deserts, Dune the movie, and Roxanne
    May 30 2024

    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!

    Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @coepod, or Twitter/X @thecoepod

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    20 mins
  • 21. Earthquakes: how do they occur, how are they predicted, and ground-breaking geology
    May 16 2024

    In this episode, we discuss how and where earthquakes occur, including how they are measured and how we predict them using the animal kingdom.

    We also chat about the recent April New York earthquake and the devastating 2004 boxing day tsunami which killed approximately 230,000 people.

    We finish by discussing how earthquakes produce seismic waves that are used to provide information on the layers of Earth.

    Enjoy!

    Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @coepod, or Twitter/X @thecoepod

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    22 mins
  • 20. Diamonds: volcanoes, glaciers, and raining diamonds
    May 2 2024

    This episode focusses on diamonds.

    We cover how and where diamonds form, how geologists find them, what determines their value and what are the most valuable diamonds in the world.

    Topics include using sub-glacial streams or eskers to trace the source of diamonds upstream, the value of the largest diamond in the world, and the formation of diamond cores in dwarf stars.

    We also discuss diamonds that are older than our sun, and how it rains diamonds in Neptune and Uranus.

    #diamonds #kimberlites #geology #Cullinan


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    25 mins
  • 19. Lyme Regis: fossils, Milankovitch cycles, Mary Anning, and tongue twisters
    Apr 18 2024

    In this episode, we discuss one of the most famous geological sites in the world: Lyme Regis, Dorset, UK.

    Lyme Regis is famous for some of best-preserved fossils in Europe, showing colonies of animals from the Jurassic period (200 million years ago). The alternating geology also gives insights into how the Earth's cyclical movements, or Milankovitch cycles, effect ancient climates and ecosystems.

    Lyme Regis was the home of the famous geologist, Mary Anning, who changed the face of UK geology and was also the inspiration for a famous tongue twister...

    #geology #Earth #fossil #maryanning #LymeRegis

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    20 mins