Follow me in Twitter

I have been using Twitter for some weeks, and perhaps you would like to follow me.

http://www.twitter.com/lithospheric
 
I am progressively focusing on geology issues and general science, but please be aware that I also write in Spanish and sometimes I write about social and current affairs. My tweet feed is not exclusive for this blog, as I don't see the need of keeping a different account for each website I have! Also, I try to keep a flow of 70/100 tweets per week, which I think is a good number.

If you decide to follow me, ping me and let me know!

Earth literally, a blog by Philip Allen

The first time I learnt about Philip Allen was reading Basin Analysis, which he coathors together with John Allen. This must-have book that any student has used since it appeared some 20 years ago is a solid and strong summary of what we know in terms of basin evolution. I think I consult it twice a week, and we have at home two different editions (first and second editions... I am not aware of a third edition!)

This morning, I got a recommendation in Twitter to follow him. I checked his profile, and found out that he writes a blog:

http://www.earth-literally.blogspot.co.uk/

His blog is a little treasure. Earth literally. The title says all! You will find geology, in the shape of very useful artigles with thoughts from such a great geologist, and you will also find a more literally side of Philip, whose prose is reach, enjoyable and reflect his wide knowledge of many topics.

Well, go and check it out, follow him! You won't regret it.

J.

Nature on l'Aquila

The echoes of the l'Aquila case, rather disappearing, are becomen louder. Nature has just published a story on the case that may be of your interest

http://www.nature.com/news/l-aquila-verdict-row-grows-1.11683

Many voices have risen asking for joint letters and statements telling the Italian government about their mistake. "GSA should speak" "GeolSoc raise your voice"!.

They are wrong. Communications should be directed to the Italian population, not to their governors/rulers.Italy, like most of countries in Europe, is a democracy where the government and the justice are separated (thanks!), and primer minister don't have, or shouldn't have, a voice in what a judge decides is best.

For that reason, is the people who has to realised that something is very wrong when several scientist are sent to prison for doing their work, which is not looking into a glass ball and predict the future.

EGU short statement on L'Aquila case

The European Geosciences Union (EGU) has provided a brief statement on the L'Aquila case, as follows "

Scientists alarmed by verdict of Italian court The seismological community is deeply concerned about the L'Aquila verdict by an Italian court on 22 October 2012. The manslaughter conviction of six earthquake experts in Italy for failing to give adequate warning of the 2009 earthquake in the city of L'Aquila that killed over 300 people, has occupied the thoughts of large parts of our community. The consequences of this verdict for science in general, and for the exchange of information between scientists and policy-makers in particular, could be drastic. If scientists stop actively engaging with the public to demonstrate the importance of their work, if they refuse to work in hazard-evaluation panels, or if they are afraid of offering scientific advice to the best of their ability, the prime foundations of science – sharing and openly discussing research and increasing knowledge – are no longer met. There are many subtleties to the L'Aquila case, so that the case itself cannot be judged by most of us. Thus, to rather provide a constructive input on the discussion, the current status of earthquake prediction is summarised by scientists of the Seismology Division of EGU. Hannover, 23 October 2012, Charlotte Krawczyk

Source: EGU website 

Personally, I think this is a very complex issue and I won't discuss anything as I lack the legal and causitic ground about this specific case.

Fossil Rock Anthem

I know, is not structural geology... but it is funny. Enjoy this parody of "Party Rock Anthem" by LMFAO



Thanks to my friend José Lires who shared it in Facebook!

Streetural geology I: Normanton Rd fold belt

Perhaps we spend too much time observing structures, and then we extrapolate our observations to every day stuff.

Perhaps.

Or simply this is really just a miniature fold belt, made in the asphalt in my street! (...hence the name; "Normanton Road Fold Belt"). I'd happily make a cut in order to study the subsurface structure of this fold belt, but I don't think Croydon Council would like that.


What can you see? Can you see some pattern in the little folds? I think I can see that the folds have vergency consistent with the flank where they are, but probably I have to come back to check that out.

(Good news, I have more "Streetural" geology photos already made :) )

Thursday video: Boudinage and Milch-Schnitte

Boudins are competent rock layers that have been stretched into segments, due to layer-parallel extension. Boudinage is the process that forms boudins.

Milch-Schnitte is a type of sweet, popular in Germany, made with two soft spongy cake slices sandwiching a white softer filling made with milk.

What is the relationship between a German sweet and boudins? An experiment made by the guys at the Structural Geology, Tectonics and Geodynamics Group at the RWTH Aachen University (www.ged.rwth-aachen.de), where two pieces of Milch Schnitte are compressed vertically to achieve an extension that causes the boudinaging of one of the brown spongy cake slices.

But, instead of reading me... just watch the video and enjoy!

Video source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX0lFcVp3bA