Geological Sciences | Science Communication
Hobbits are no longer just fictional residents of Middle-earth, they were real-life inhabitants of Flores, Indonesia. This species of extinct hominin, Homo floresiensis, was first discovered at the cave site of Liang Bua on the island of Flores in 2003-2004. They received their nickname of “the hobbits” due to their small size. The occupation of… Continue reading The real-life hobbits of Flores, Indonesia | Homo floresiensis
Everyone’s favorite Australopithecus afarensis “Lucy” is at the center of a debate regarding the circumstances of her death. New research from the University of Texas at Austin proposes that Lucy’s cause of death was a fall out of a tall tree, based on CT scan analyses of multiple fractures in her bones. Lucy (the common name… Continue reading On the fate of “Lucy,” our hominin relative
Here’s a few highlights from the history of the Earth and life during the Cenozoic Era, the third of the Phanerozoic, which is the fourth Eon in Earth’s history. These events are mainly focused on North America, and the dates of Periods and Epochs are partially rounded. CENOZOIC (CZ) [65 Ma – on] PALEOGENE (PE)… Continue reading Highlights of the Phanerozoic: Part 3 – Cenozoic [65 Ma – on]
Here’s a few highlights from the history of the Earth and life during the Mesozoic Era, the second Era of the Phanerozoic, which is the fourth Eon in Earth’s history. These events are mainly focusing on North America, and the dates for Periods and Epochs have been partially rounded. MESOZOIC (MZ) [251 – 65 Ma]… Continue reading Highlights of the Phanerozoic: Part 2 – Mesozoic [251 – 65 Ma]
Here’s a few highlights from the history of the Earth and life during the Paleozoic Era, the first Era of the Phanerozoic, which is the fourth Eon in Earth’s history. These events are mainly focusing on North America, and the dates of Periods and Epochs are partially rounded. PALEOZOIC ERA [542 - 251 Ma] CAMBRIAN (Є)… Continue reading Highlights of the Phanerozoic: Part 1 – Paleozoic [542 – 251 Ma]
Field Museum of Natural History, Evolving Planet
In the ever persistent spirits of Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan, Bill Nye the “Science Guy,” and Ken Ham, president of the Creation Museum, had a good old-fashioned evolution vs. creationism debate earlier last month. However, this “debate” that Nye and Ham have once again re-ignited is futile, seeing as there can never actually… Continue reading A message from a geologist to people who believe in “overlapping magisteria”
Emily Zawacki, Ph.D. 