Sign in

Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪

@tuffcookie.bsky.social
1.6K followers 743 following 233 posts

Volcanologist, scicomm-er, Magma PI, Field Fiddler. She/her. Tweets, likes, retweets do not speak for or represent past/present employers.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪
Kelly Lynne D’Angelo ✨ @kellylynnedang.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Please blow up the public comment (included below): BREAKING NEWS (7/15) — The administration wants to destroy Chaco Canyon without consulting Tribal Nations. It’s an irreplaceable historic & cultural site with 4,700 archeological sites that could be lost to the bulldozers of oil & gas development
240683922
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪
Reo Eveleth @reveleth.com · 29/06/2026
I know there are a lot of bad things happening, but this too is quite bad and I haven't seen a lot of folks on here talking about it! papersplease.org/wp/2026/06/2...
papersplease.org
California legislature agrees to upload driver’s licenses to national database – Papers, Please!
Even after the fact, neither California nor individual Californians will know that this has happened or be able to challenge it.
0229
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪
Climate.us @climate.us · 26/06/2026
We got a big bump in traffic yesterday when people learned about us on NPR. Thank you to @npr.org for covering our launch and bringing our story to people's attention! And thank you to all our new followers. We can do this together! 🌍️🧪💪 #ClimateAction #ClimateForUs #ProtectScience
222462898
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
SO jealous. I have to work on our celebrity PR, we haven't had anyone since Pierce Brosnan.
140
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
A shark petting pool? I'm in. Especially for the entertainment value of watching people discover whether they are smol cute sharks or Big Chompy Bois.
static.klipy.com
Odekake Kozame Gets a Head Pat
ALT: Odekake Kozame Gets a Head Pat
090
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
I see Government Acronym Syndrome (GAS) has struck again.
000
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
I'd forgotten the details, but I know I learned about it at one point. I also resent that, like the Hawley Smoot Tariff Act, it is once again extremely relevant.
140
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
It's been passed up the line. Not many comms folks left to tell, but the DOI legal team has definitely been responsive to trademark violations in the past.
030
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Hey folks! Was just made aware of this website that's "selling" Parks passes and USGS maps (which are always free in digital form). Just a reminder that legit government websites ALWAYS end in .gov, and you can only purchase NPS passes from the official NPS and USGS sites.
Screenshot of a fraudulent .com website purporting to be the USGS and "selling" USGS products. It features a Screenshot of the Lansat Earth as Art series and a typical shopify-type layout.
14225
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪
Tammy Duckworth @duckworth.senate.gov · 07/04/2026
Donald Trump just threatened to unilaterally destroy an entire civilization. Is there genuinely no limit to what Republicans will allow this unhinged, unwell man to do? Congress must come back to Washington to rein in this dangerous behavior immediately.
Trump Truth Social post
59566281715
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Ah yes, Lisa Frank does geothermal, that's totally legit.
040
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
My cats are fascinated by curling, courtesy of the Olympics.
120
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪
Letters of Note @lettersofnote.com · 12/02/2026
Happy birthday to one of my favourite haters, Charles Darwin
157103003045
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Welp, time to cancel that Ring subscription and set up a private camera system so I can watch the delivery folks chuck my packages over my fence. Oy.
050
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪
McSweeney's @mcsweeneys.net · 31/01/2026
"After a decade on dating apps, I’ve decided to enter a different market. This is why I’m listing myself on Zillow until I find a good match—which, to my understanding, will be about forty-eight hours."
buff.ly
Tinder Hasn’t Worked, So I’m Putting Myself on Zillow
After a decade on dating apps, I’ve decided to enter a different market. This is why I’m listing myself on Zillow until I find a good match—which, ...
110013
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪
Roxane Gay @roxanegay.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
I don’t want to hear anything from an elected official unless it’s a plan to defund the DHS and impeach Noem, Bovino, etc. No texts. No emails. No talk about the economy. Step up or step off.
287238896170
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
This is why, as a single lady who lives in Silicon Valley but isn't in tech, I spend so much time screaming into my screaming pillow. These are the same types who shilled "raw water" and were convinced we all wanted to exist as virtual reality avatars.
media.tenor.com
a woman is sitting in a crowd of people with her mouth open and the words `` i hate it ! ''
ALT: a woman is sitting in a crowd of people with her mouth open and the words `` i hate it ! ''
290
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
I received a noise blocking screaming pillow for Christmas and I have used it several times today already
media.tenor.com
a cartoon character is sitting on a bed holding a pillow and saying muffled screaming .
Alt: Catroon little girl Lilo falls back on her bed clutching a pillow to her face to muffle her screaming and, Same, Lilo, same
050
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 01/01/2026
Good riddance. Let's spend 2026 not actively destroying the world, mkay?
One crudely drawn cartoon character kicking another screaming cartoon character off a cliff. The falling character is labeled 2025 because this year definitely deserves to die at the bottom of a pit
03710
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
Not on Bluesky because we weren’t allowed to join, but people get mad because we posted updates reminding them that California's volcanoes are NOT erupting.
0191
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪
David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
The dismantling of NCAR should be the trending story on Bluesky, not the fucking Oscars leaving ABC for YouTube.
denverpost.com
Trump moves to shut down Boulder climate research lab NCAR, drawing rebukes from Colorado officials
Federal lawmakers called the planned NCAR closure “deeply dangerous” and “blatantly retaliatory.” Gov. Jared Polis said: “If true, public safety is at risk and science…
12969424
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
It is entirely too warm in Virginia today and I object.
media.tenor.com
a man in a striped shirt and tie is sleeping on a couch
Alt: a man in a striped shirt and tie is fanning himself with a sheaf of paper
050
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
Seriously considering asking for one of those noise-blocking screaming pillows for Christmas. Anyone have a favorite brand? (Small business artisinal screaming pillows preferred...)
media.tenor.com
a cartoon girl in shorts and a pink shirt is standing in a room
Alt: Animated GIF of Noni from the cartoon Lilo and Stitch movie as she grabs a throw pillow, clutches it to her face, and screams
080
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
Well, Congress passed a law about it after the last marathon shutdown, but laws seem to be pretty optional these days so 🤷‍♀️
010
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
Wait until the feds get paychecks, we all gotta do our holiday shopping real fast...😂
120
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪
Kittie @kittiepeters.com · 07/10/2025
delete chatgpt and stop using generative AI 🖤🤍
fortune.com
Sam Altman’s AI empire will devour as much power as New York City and San Diego combined. Experts say it’s ‘scary’ | Fortune
Andrew Chien told Fortune he’s been a computer scientist for 40 years but we’re close to “some seminal moments for how we think about AI and its impact on society.”
17987442
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪
Allegra Kirkland @allegrak.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
"Incoherent empty men want to sell me the chance to stop reading and writing and thinking, to stop caring for my kids or talking to my parents, to stop choosing what I do or knowing why I do it. Blissful ignorance and total isolation." anthonymoser.github.io/writing/ai/h...
anthonymoser.github.io
I Am An AI Hater
I am an AI hater. This is considered rude, but I do not care, because I am a hater.
113457
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
Red Sonja?
140
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
Sad news about a colleague of mine at the USGS and a legend in the volcanology field: www.usgs.gov/observatorie...
usgs.gov
In Memoriam: Wes Hildreth, 1938-2025
The USGS California Volcano Observatory is saddened to announce the death of Edward Wesley (Wes) Hildreth III, in a vehicle accident on June 19, 2025, in rural western Nevada near Long Valley Caldera.
3456
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
Trewly.
061
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪
Dr. Jennifer Wade @volcanojw.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
Absolutely speechless as this press conference basically ignores that NSF is already working, living, loving this building. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdct...
youtube.com
Live: The New Golden Age of HUD | Secretary Turner Unveils HUD’s New Building
YouTube video by HUDchannel
1812155
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
Not seeing nearly enough coverage of this.
073
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪
Alexandra Petri @petridishes.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
it’s even more demoralizing when the history you’re repeating is history you were around for the first time
390364477701
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪
Annie @anniemcg.bsky.social · 15/06/2025
This is how it’s done! 👊🏿👊🏾👊🏽👊🏼👊🏻
334184183517
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 15/06/2025
A very important doggo from one of today's #NoKings protests. (The other side of his signs says "No tariffs on treats") @weratedogs.com
A pale yellow lab on a red leash looks happily at the woman petting him. He is adorned with red white and blue pompoms and wearing a sign on each side. The visible sign reads "Pro Democracy, Pro Choice, Pro Science, Pro Women, Pro Dogs". Around him, protesterscmill about with similar signs.
0121
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
If anyone wants to hear me and my observatory's monitoring chief talk California volcanoes, this week's NSPR Blue Dot podcast is out! 🧪⚒️🌋 Blue Dot: The Golden State's volcanic legacy: The USGS California Volcano Observatory | NSPR share.google/mko4KMElJXsU...
share.google
Blue Dot: The golden state's volcanic legacy: The USGS California Volcano Observatory
Host Dave Schlom discusses one of his favorite topics, California's volcanoes, with two United States Geological Survey staff members from the USGS California Volcano Observatory based at Moffett Fiel...
47016
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
Pls elaborate on Shia LaBeouf, I implore you
media.tenor.com
a close up of a sad cat with the words pleeeaasse written below it
ALT: a close up of a sad cat with the words pleeeaasse written below it
130
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
Imagine this thread, with added volcanoes, and you've got a decent idea of what my job feels like nowadays. I'm either depressed or angry, unable to plan, constantly on edge. Utterly maddening when all I want to do is help people.
0217
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 31/05/2025
Well, that's the presidential proposed USGS budget for FY26. It’s not just NSF and NASA that would be taking earth science research hits if it's enacted.
411955
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
Okay, probably closer to 300. But yowie!
150
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
Not even in frame. That's gotta be over 400 meters
1120
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
Holy mackerel! Check out today's Kilauea eruption www.youtube.com/live/BqmpkUd...
youtube.com
[V3cam] Kīlauea volcano, Hawaii (south Halemaʻumaʻu crater)
YouTube video by USGS
3273
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
There's a great paper by Dave Hill (former USGS seismologist) about the Mammoth crisis at link.springer.com/chapter/10.1...) He spent much of his career running the Long Valley Observatory (now CalVO) and working to repair trust in the USGS in Mammoth.
link.springer.com
Volcanic Unrest and Hazard Communication in Long Valley Volcanic Region, California
The onset of volcanic unrest in Long Valley Caldera, California, in 1980 and the subsequent fluctuations in unrest levels through May 2016 illustrate: (1) the evolving relations between scientists mon...
185
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Making hazard maps is HARD, too. So many questions to answer before drawing lines! Do you show where hazards have been or where they might go in the future? Will the volcano behave the same way it did in the past or throw you a curveball? Do you show the worst case or the most likely scenario?
media.tenor.com
a white cat is sitting with a question mark above it
ALT: a white cat is sitting with a question mark above it
292
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
I should point out that the USGS is not the agency that makes decisions about exclusion zones. Recommendations, yes, which do err on the conservative side, but it is the emergency managers' call where to draw the lines.
281
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
You can also get different plume colors depending on how the light is scattered by sulfate aerosols! www.usgs.gov/observatorie...
usgs.gov
Volcano Watch — Colorful plumes – can we see volcanic gases?
When volcanic gases are released into the atmosphere, resulting plumes sometimes appear to have a faint color. Is this color indicative of a certain gas present? Answering this question requires descr...
021
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪
Sarah McAnulty, Ph.D. @sarahmackattack.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
🚨 Cool new project alert 🚨 WE- you, me, everyone- need to work together to get important science messages out to people. 4 artists & 3 scientists collab'd on these posters. We hope YOU will put them out in your community. Each poster comes w/info about each topic. Get 'em Squidfacts.bigcartel.com
4 12x18 inch posters on a brick and concrete wall. The top left is pink and says funding science saves lives, written in microbes, next to a microscope. The one on the right says Biology is bigger than binaries, with a fish, a lily, and a bee. The bottom left says Protecting wildlife starts wtih you, with a bunch of adiorable woodland creatues in yellow, white and black, including an owl, fungi, a... um. weasel? salamanders, butterflies, slugs, and a rotting log. The bottom right says Will our oceans thrive or nosedive the choice is yours, with the ocean represented in a circle, half of which is dead and half of which is alive, including kelp and a mackerel
9852871728
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
We could say Childless Third Sex, or, and hear me out,
media.tenor.com
a cartoon of a dragon with the words your worst nightmare below it
Alt: A cartoon of mushu the dragon spreading a set of wings and saying "your worst nightmare"
120
Dr. Jessica Ball 🍪 @tuffcookie.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
I've been knitting those too! The mini version. They're so satisfying.
000