iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Oliver Strimpel @geologybites.bsky.social · 16h

🧪⚒️Tiny grains of coesite — quartz that forms only at pressures found about 100 km down — turned up in rocks of western Norway. On the new Geology Bites, Torgeir Andersen explains how buoyant continental crust got that deep, and how it came back. geologybites.com/torgeir-andersen #geology

Eclogite in Vårdalsneset, in the Western Gneiss Region of Norway. In the Western Gneiss Region of Norway, eclogite occurs in pods within the prevailing grey granitic gneiss. The pale green matrix is omphacite, a sodium-rich pyroxene, studded with dark red garnets. The rock began as a gabbro or dolerite intruded into Baltican continental crust long before the Caledonian orogeny, and was converted to eclogite when that crust was dragged to great depth. As Andersen explains in the podcast, eclogite is denser than the mantle; its "life belt" is the lighter granitic gneiss that encloses it.

Ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks around the world. All were formed by subduction zones, and most lie in mountain belts built by continental collision, such as the Caledonides, the Alps and the Himalaya. Most formed within the last 540 million years or so. The oldest, in Brazil and Mali, are about 650–620 million years old; the youngest, in the D'Entrecasteaux Islands of Papua New Guinea, described in the podcast, are less than 10 million years old.

Compiled from:
Liou, J.G. et al. (2004), International Geology Review, 46, 1
Liou, J.G. et al. (2009), Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 35, 199
Warren, C.J. (2013), Solid Earth, 4, 75, and subsequent reports

A) During the Scandian collision — the final phase of the Caledonian orogeny, when Baltica itself collided with Laurentia — about 435–405 million years ago, the leading edge of Baltica — the Western Gneiss Complex (WGC), shown in pink on the map above, together with the rock sheets already stacked on it — was dragged westward beneath Laurentia by the sinking plate it was attached to. Higher rock sheets were thrust eastward over Baltica, building the wedge labelled at the top. The dashed line marks the surface along which the buried rocks, in its footwall, would later return, sliding up past the hanging wall above.

Brueckner, H.K. et al. (2013), Lithosphere, doi: 10.1130/L256.1

(B) By about 405 million years ago, the descending slab had broken off. As Andersen explains in the podcast, once released from its heavy anchor the buoyant continental crust rose back along the former subduction zone, while the whole mountain belt stretched and collapsed, bringing the ultrahigh-pressure rocks up to shallow depths. Note that green here is the mantle, not the rock sheets shown in green on the map above.

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Ian G. Stimpson @hypocentre.bsky.social · 14h

A reminder that we already have an epoch for the duration of human interference with the Earth’s climate. It is called the Holocene.

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Stuart Swales @taynappe.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

New element SuperscriptH formed in nuclear weapon tests.

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Stuart Swales @taynappe.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Observed whilst idly wandering rough Perth today, a shop with a system running XP desktop. Large windowed application to select terminal emulation type, looking for all the world as if it were designed for Windows 3.1

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Stuart Swales @taynappe.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Take car down to Perth from Aberfeldy for some minor diagnostic work. As you drive in to the garage parking area, the front left coil breaks. This is: a) very inconvenient, as the car is now undriveable b) very convenient, as it is already at the gararge c) minor miracle it hadn't gone sooner

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Postcard From The Past @pastpostcard.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Fritz has an ENORMOUS collection of fossils in his cellar.

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John Tweedie @johntweedie.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Next Wednesday 7 October, Nick Lane will be talking at the Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow on The Deep Chemistry of Life and Death. #KrebsCycle www.royalphil.org/lecture/chem...

royalphil.org

The Deep Chemistry of Life and Death - The Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow

Summary

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Stuart Swales @taynappe.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

⚒️ #geology and why aren't you following GSG?

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Heard Island Government @heardislandgov.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

We’ve known about these cousins for a long time, they branched off during a family dispute eons ago after a volatile debate on pebble collecting

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Andy Wightman @andywightman.scot · 28/09/2026

My latest blog discusses the future of this important site. The relevant legal documents are published and I would be interested in the views of others as to whether in fact Castle Tioram is ownerless 4/4 andywightman.scot/2026/09/who-...

andywightman.scot

Who Owns Castle Tioram? - Land Matters

Castle Tioram is located on the tidal island of Eilean Tioram located near the mouth of the River Shiel in Loch Moidart (see map below). The castle was granted to Clan Macdonald of Clanranald by Rober...

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OUGS Social Media @ougeolsoc.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Only 24 votes in it! If you haven't voted yet, let it be for slippery, shiny, single graphene sheets of #graphite Dad took me up the very high "mix tower" at the dry battery factory once. Vertiginous... I held on tight to the handrail... my hands were covered in shiny dark grey graphene (pre 2004!)

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World Bollard Association™️ @worldbollardassoc.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Probably the greatest parallel parking you’ll ever see. #WorldBollardAssociation

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Stuart Swales @taynappe.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Please remember to register for Anjana's talk - as it's on Teams there won't be a direct link for you to simply follow tomorrow evening ;-)

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Charnwood Forest Geopark @charnwoodforest.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

🎉 We are very excited to announce the opening of a new geosite: Mountsorrel Quarry View! 👉 Developed in partnership with Tarmac, the site features two interpretation points covering geology, quarry operations, restoration work, and biodiversity. 🌐 Read more: www.charnwoodforest.org/new-geosite-...

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Stuart Swales @taynappe.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Never knew till now that Tony McPhee out of The Groundhogs was a Klingon.

Tony 'TS' McPhee in the groove from https://pocketmags.com/ca/classic-rock-magazine/august-2023/articles/tony-mcphee

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Stuart Swales @taynappe.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

On holiday in NW Wales last week. Escaped from group activities to perturb some rocks on a couple of afternoons. Herewith The Perilous Peninsula of St Tudwal (I might have descended towards the sea a little too early). Hells Mouth Grits (Lower Cambrian) dipping east into the land.

Light grey cliffs with bands of rock emerging from a blue sea. Foreground is green grass and brown bracken.

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Scarred For Life Books @scarredforlife.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

POWERFUL STUFF: SUBSTATION (1988): Afternoon PIFs intended for children's television were a curious thing. There you are, watching The Real Ghostbusters or Knightmare, when the ad break hits and you're confronted with a double electrocution. It's enough to put you off your Findus Crispy Pancakes.

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Stuart Swales @taynappe.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Overengineering for the win since 1733

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Elizabeth V @geolizzy.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

For me, it’s #cassiterite today! The primary tin ore mined since the Bronze Age. It’s found in placer deposits and in veins in some granites. You can find cassiterite in Cornwall, Bolivia, Australia, Indonesia, and other places around the world. #MinCup26

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OUGS Social Media @ougeolsoc.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

I thought the #Gadolinite was in fancy dress as obsidian! But now I will think of #Riebeckite every time I watch the roaring game aka curling! Ailsa Craig granite #ailsite... so that's where my #MinCup26 vote is going today

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Elizabeth V @geolizzy.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

At this point I’m tired of hearing about rare earth minerals so I’m voting for #riebeckite which is found in Scottish curling stones 🥌 #MinCup26

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Elizabeth V @geolizzy.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Vote for the one with the funny chemical formula!

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Jason Thompson, Exemplar of Enjoyable Pedantry @jasonjtt.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Today we remember those brave souls of Moonbase Alpha, wherever they may be. Lost for 27 years…

static.klipy.com

Space1999 Breakawayday

ALT: Space1999 Breakawayday

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Doug Mack @douglasmack.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Make a band edible: R.E.M&M's

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👻 Saavik ‘Spooky Season’ Ford 🎃 @saavikford.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

People! #Calcite is BEHIND!!! This cannot stand! Recruit your offline friends! This is calcite’s year! Check my feed for all the awesome reasons to vote for it!!! #MinCup26

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Dr. Lynne Elkins @ljelkins.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

You guys. All non-cubic transparent minerals are birefringent!

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Undiscovered Scotland @undisscot.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Engineering as a beautiful work of art. This is the Kylesku Bridge on the west coast of Sutherland, seen in summer and in winter. The bridge replaced the Kylesku Ferry - or a 100-mile detour via Lairg - when it opened in 1984. More pics and info: www.undiscoveredscot... #Scotland #Sutherland

The Kylesku Bridge. Both images show the Kylesku Bridge from a viewpoint above its northern end. It sweeps in from the bottom and then curves around to the right on tall narrow legs above an inlet from the sea. In the background is a rough shoreline. One of the images shows the bridge on a day with clear blue skies and green vegetation, while the other shows it after snow, with the landscape largely covered and snow lining both sides of the roadway. The sky in the snowy picture is grey.

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Eleanor G @zaichishka.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Belisha beacons on fire off Chambercombe Manor. I watched cats eyes glitter in the dark near Wildersmouth Beach. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in Devon rain. Time to die.

$In a letter posted online and attributed to the “Ilfracombe Blade Runners”, the group claims the sensors fitted to pedestrian crossings in the town are an “imminent threat to life”. In posts shared online, the Blade Runners describe the "electronic assault weapons” as “illegal battlefield derived technology” and allege that manufacturers and authorities have misled the public about its purpose and safety.$

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EcoMuseum of Scottish Mining Landscapes @mininglandscapes.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

We are joining the #BridgeofAllan Well House Restoration Group for #DoorsOpen learn about the restoration/history, peak down the shaft, explore the ground beneath your feet guided walk, copper smelting and cave rescue demonstrations. For full details nip to www.mining-landscapes.org/news

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Scottish Post-Punk @scotspostpunk.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Kraftwerk: The Singles youtu.be/-wop47G2qeY?...

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The Govan Stones @govanstones.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Want to see stunning early medieval narrative art featuring mounted warriors, but can't get a ticket to the British Museum? We have just the thing at the Govan Stones, and it's free to see every day, 11am-4pm! 📷 @hornesupremacy.bsky.social

One side of the late 9th century carved stone Govan Sarcophagus, which features a mounted warrior on a hunt and a Lamb of God scene.

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OUGS Social Media @ougeolsoc.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Our representatives to Open SU are working hard to publicise the Open University Geological Society (OUGS) to new students especially, in the run up to the October start courses. We hope everyone will enjoy Anjana's talk! To register go to ougs.org/events/

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Stuart Swales @taynappe.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Date yourself with a snap of your first ever computer.

Ohio Superboard II with an incredible 8KB of SRAM.

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Trimontium Trust & Museum @trimontiumtrust.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

#OTD AD337 the #Roman Empire was split between #Constantine II (Gaul, Hispania & Britain), #Constantius II (the East) & #Constans (Italy, Africa & Illyricum). Constantius II outlasted both, ruling alone from 353 — only to die in 361 marching against his cousin Julian, proclaimed Augustus in Gaul.

Bust of Constantius II, Romisch-Germanisches Museum, Cologne

Gold medallion of Constans, 342AD, Bode Museum

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Stuart Swales @taynappe.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Inelastic scattering using a baseball bat?

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CEEFAUX @ceefaux.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

GIF OF APPLAUSE

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Colin Hoad @colinhoad.com · 08/09/2026

Let me guess, something something AI something.

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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

My wife has a story that helps explain why AI runs amok. When she was a kid, her mom dropped her off at a grocery store, handed her $5 and said, “Get some eggs.” My wife returned with both the eggs and the $5. She had followed the instructions, which weren’t quite precise enough.

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Peter Gleick @petergleick.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Sometimes a sense of humor is better than an admonition.

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Anne-Laure D 🌿 @aldpaleo.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Fall will soon start in the Northern hemisphere and in the temperate zones deciduous plants are going to shed their leaves 🍃🍁. But how can we know about leaf deciduousness in "deep time" ecosystems, tens to hundreds of millions of years ago? #paleobotany #botany 🧪 🧵🌿⛏️