Geo BeckLichens and I have one major thing in common: we love rocks! You know those crusty things on rocks and trees that look like dead plants or moss, or even stains? Well, they are neither a plant nor a moss, but a lichen! A living thing, actually MULTIPLE living things, living as a tiny ecosystem. Ever since a professor of mine told me about the lichens on rocks while doing geology field work, I've been fascinated with lichens. I read a book recently (Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake) and it made me want to dive in deeper to these little worlds surrounding us and how they affect the rocks they grow on.
In this video I teach you about what I've learned about lichens: like how they have been sent to SPACE, have a mysterious past (and present) in the science community, inspired the term 'symbiosis', resemble ingredients of a sandwich, have tiny root-like 'tentacles' that help attach themselves to rocks, trees, stone walls, monuments, gravestones and more, how they can live for thousands of years and can help estimate the retreat of ice sheets, can change color like a chameleon, how they caused some trouble with the statues of Easter Island recently, why they aren't found in LA, are an important part of pedogenesis, and much more. I also went on a little lichen hunting adventure and tried to find the three growth forms of lichen in a couple different environmental conditions.
As a geologist, I had fun finding a way to connect my love and curiosity for rocks with my curiosity of lichens, fungi, and the world around me. I hope that after watching this video, you'll have a newfound appreciation for those things on rocks and trees that - up until now - you may not have realized were living things. And maybe next time you venture outside, you'll see the world around you in a new light like I did after reading that book. :)
If you "liche-d" this video (I'm sorry, I had to), feel free to check out the other videos on my channel about geology and other Earth-related topics. Thanks for watching!
TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 why I made this video 1:02 SPECIAL GUEST 1:15 wait, those crusty things are ALIVE? 2:33 they grow where?? 2:53 what exactly is it made of? 4:46 what's a video without a cool time lapse 5:17 a little lichen history lesson 6:12 mutualistic vs parasitic debate 6:42 two words. lichen sandwich 7:56 lichen hunting adventures 11:55 technical difficulties 12:04 lichens are fierce 12:55 geologists' nuisances 13:08 how lichens eat rock (or not?) 13:16 let's get physical 13:47 a battle of rocks and trees 14:39 chemical weathering 15:07 lichen takeover at Easter Island 15:31 saxicolous lichens, say that 5 times fast 16:01 so do lichens eat rocks or not? 16:32 lichens are anti-LA 16:46 they make soil too 17:32 I couldn't not make a lichen pun
I found the one thing on Earth that loves rocks more than I doGeo Beck2021-03-11 | Lichens and I have one major thing in common: we love rocks! You know those crusty things on rocks and trees that look like dead plants or moss, or even stains? Well, they are neither a plant nor a moss, but a lichen! A living thing, actually MULTIPLE living things, living as a tiny ecosystem. Ever since a professor of mine told me about the lichens on rocks while doing geology field work, I've been fascinated with lichens. I read a book recently (Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake) and it made me want to dive in deeper to these little worlds surrounding us and how they affect the rocks they grow on.
In this video I teach you about what I've learned about lichens: like how they have been sent to SPACE, have a mysterious past (and present) in the science community, inspired the term 'symbiosis', resemble ingredients of a sandwich, have tiny root-like 'tentacles' that help attach themselves to rocks, trees, stone walls, monuments, gravestones and more, how they can live for thousands of years and can help estimate the retreat of ice sheets, can change color like a chameleon, how they caused some trouble with the statues of Easter Island recently, why they aren't found in LA, are an important part of pedogenesis, and much more. I also went on a little lichen hunting adventure and tried to find the three growth forms of lichen in a couple different environmental conditions.
As a geologist, I had fun finding a way to connect my love and curiosity for rocks with my curiosity of lichens, fungi, and the world around me. I hope that after watching this video, you'll have a newfound appreciation for those things on rocks and trees that - up until now - you may not have realized were living things. And maybe next time you venture outside, you'll see the world around you in a new light like I did after reading that book. :)
If you "liche-d" this video (I'm sorry, I had to), feel free to check out the other videos on my channel about geology and other Earth-related topics. Thanks for watching!
TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 why I made this video 1:02 SPECIAL GUEST 1:15 wait, those crusty things are ALIVE? 2:33 they grow where?? 2:53 what exactly is it made of? 4:46 what's a video without a cool time lapse 5:17 a little lichen history lesson 6:12 mutualistic vs parasitic debate 6:42 two words. lichen sandwich 7:56 lichen hunting adventures 11:55 technical difficulties 12:04 lichens are fierce 12:55 geologists' nuisances 13:08 how lichens eat rock (or not?) 13:16 let's get physical 13:47 a battle of rocks and trees 14:39 chemical weathering 15:07 lichen takeover at Easter Island 15:31 saxicolous lichens, say that 5 times fast 16:01 so do lichens eat rocks or not? 16:32 lichens are anti-LA 16:46 they make soil too 17:32 I couldn't not make a lichen punexploring slovenia with a group of strangers 🚠⛰️ ljubljana, bled, lake bohinj, julian alpsGeo Beck2024-10-04 | I flew by myself across the ocean to spend a week in Slovenia with a group of strangers! This was a small group trip organized by Intrepid Travel, led by a local guide. Slovenia was never a country I thought of visiting, but after this trip it's definitely one of my top 5 favorite destinations.
We explored Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital, and then ventured into the Julian Alps where we stood under waterfalls, hiked in the clouds after riding a cable car, went white water rafting, and much more! Our local guide, Davor, taught us so much about Slovenia's history, food, language, geology, and more. Learning about each of the places we visited from a local made our experience even richer. Traveling in a small group with Intrepid Travel and Cotopaxi was such a special experience, and I can't wait for my next small group trip.
Note: while this particular video is not sponsored, this trip was sponsored by Intrepid Travel and Cotopaxi. If you'd like to see some more content I created from this trip, check out my Instagram: instagram.com/geobeckly And if you'd like to see the campaign from this trip, check it out here: intrepidtravel.com/us/explore-for-good
Full Women's Fall 2024 Collection: cotopaxi.com/collections/fall-2024-womens Full Men's Fall 2024 Collection: cotopaxi.com/collections/fall-2024-menswhat its like INSIDE a glacier 🤩🧊 iceland vlog: ice caves, diamond beach, molten lava & hot springsGeo Beck2024-09-11 | Have you ever wondered what it's like to be inside of a glacier? Or what makes glacier ice so blue? I got to visit Iceland for the first time this past March, where I got to take a guided glacier hike and take a road trip across South Iceland to see some of Iceland's most beautiful geologic sites.
note: while this video is not sponsored, this trip was supported in part by Visit Iceland/Inspired by Iceland (visiticeland.com) and Visit South Iceland (https://www.south.is/). The glacier hike was hosted by Local Guide of Vatnajokull, and the hotels you see were hosted stays. If you'd like to see some more content I created from this trip, check out my Instagram: instagram.com/geobeckly
For a geology focused Iceland trip, I recommend looking into Visit South Iceland and Visit Reykjanes' new travel route, The Volcanic Way: https://www.south.is/en/destinations/travel-routes/the-volcanic-way
Thank you Go Car Rental Iceland for supporting my incredible first experience visiting Iceland! You can rent a car with them through this link: https://www.gocarrental.is/
🌱shop my favorite products (affiliate links): Toad & Co: http://toadco.sjv.io/bagY4m Gregory Packs: imp.i185592.net/c/3833400/877147/11775Liquid IV: glnk.io/koyv/geobeckly (use GEOBECKLY for 20% off) 15% off Rumpl blankets: https://get.aspr.app/SHSFU Teva: teva.com (GEOBECKLY for 15% off)they always put a big smile on my face #rocks #geology #geologistGeo Beck2024-09-11 | ...I think she’d be proud of me ☺️ #geologist #rocks #geologyGeo Beck2024-09-10 | ...sometimes you gotta just say “f*** you” to the anxiety #californiaroadtrip #soloroadtrip #solotripGeo Beck2024-09-09 | ...Did you know Wisconsin looked like this? #wisconsinoutdoors #geology #geologist #driftlessGeo Beck2024-09-08 | ...a huge volcano collapsed here #geology #california #easternsierra #volcanoGeo Beck2024-09-06 | ...these ripple marks were preserved over 1.6 billion years 🌊🤯 #wisconsin #geology #rocksGeo Beck2024-09-05 | ...hiking inside a magma chamber 🌋 #california #geology #easternsierra #geologist #sierranevadaGeo Beck2024-09-04 | ...the story behind the many rock arches of the #AlabamaHills ⛰️ #easternsierra #california #geologyGeo Beck2024-09-02 | ...how did this rock become perfectly balanced? 🪨😳 #geology #wisconsin #balancedrockGeo Beck2024-09-02 | ...Mono Lake’s strange rock towers explained 🌊 #california #monolake #geology #easternsierraGeo Beck2024-09-01 | ...camp breakfast over the fire 🥞 🫐🔥🏕️ #glamping #campfood #camping #upstateny #adirondacksGeo Beck2024-09-01 | ...iceland through a geologists eyes 🌋 reykjavik, waterfalls, black sand beach, erupting geysir & moreGeo Beck2024-08-28 | Have you ever wondered what it would be like to visit Iceland with a geologist? 🌋
I got to visit for the first time in March and took a road trip across South Iceland to see some of Iceland's most beautiful geologic sites: waterfalls (Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss, and Skogafoss), Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, a huge rock arch, an erupting geysir, cafe hopping in Reykjavik, and more 🚗
This is Part I of trip, stay tuned for Part II in 2 weeks!
✈️Day 1: - Arrive at Reykjavik Airport, pick up rental car - Drive to AirBnB in Reykjavik - Nap off some of the jetlag - Explore Reykjavik's many cafes and colorful streets - Eat multiple hot dogs - Go grocery shopping for road trip food and snacks (and Icelandic skyr for breakfast)
🌊Day 2: - Leave early from Reykjavik (6-7 am) - Geysir Geothermal Area: Strokkur was the geyser we saw erupt (every 4-8 minutes) - Gullfoss: Huge 2-step waterfall located on 3 intersecting faults; the gorge and falls formed during the last Ice Age - Seljalandsfoss: ~200’ (60m) waterfall over a hyaloclastite cliff - Skögafoss: another one of South Iceland’s famous waterfalls that flowed right into the sea about 10,000 years ago - Dyrhólaey: basalt sea arch and stacks formed from constant erosion on the shoreline - Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach: Columnar basalt, black basalt sand, and sneaker waves 😳 - Spend the night at @fosshotel Nupar This was a very long day with lots of driving, and ideally, I’d recommend not cramming all of this into 1 day like I did. It was just the only option for our schedule 😅 (The remainder of my trip - including a glacier hike - will be in my next video!)
note: while this video is not sponsored, this trip was supported in part by Visit Iceland/Inspired by Iceland (visiticeland.com) and Visit South Iceland (https://www.south.is/). If you'd like to see some more content I created from this trip, check out my Instagram: instagram.com/geobeckly
For a geology focused Iceland trip, I recommend looking into Visit South Iceland and Visit Reykjanes' new travel route, The Volcanic Way: https://www.south.is/en/destinations/travel-routes/the-volcanic-way
Thank you Go Car Rental Iceland for supporting my incredible first experience visiting Iceland! You can rent a car with them through this link: https://www.gocarrental.is/
00:00 arrival in iceland 00:43 exploring reykjavik 02:40 start of road trip 03:01 geysir geothermal aera 04:13 gullfoss 05:19 seljalandsfoss 07:46 skogafoss 08:43 dyrholaey 10:19 black sand beach 10:35 columnar basalt 12:41 sneaker waves 13:47 vik 13:59 end of part IWhat makes these rocks red? 🪨 #wisconsin #geology #geologist #hikingadventuresGeo Beck2024-08-25 | ...I guess you could say the rocks took my breath away.. #highaltitude #hiking #geology #travelGeo Beck2024-08-12 | ...These rocks have been THROUGH IT 🪨🌋 #easternsierra #sierranevada #geology #californiaGeo Beck2024-08-10 | ...i flew to california alone for these rocks 🏔️ eastern sierra road trip up highway 395Geo Beck2024-08-07 | I took my first ever solo trip to California, a road trip up Highway 395, to explore the geology of one of Earth's most fascinating regions: the Eastern Sierra 🏔️🥾
note: while this video is not sponsored, this trip was taken as part a partnership with Visit California. If you'd like to see the sponsored content I created from this trip, check out my Instagram: instagram.com/geobeckly
00:00 Intro 00:22 arrival in cali 01:46 alabama hills 06:44 film museum, rock shop 07:25 OLDEST TREES ON EARTH 10:52 bishop 11:15 a morning chat 13:58 lake sabrina 17:11 famous bakery 17:34 learning about local indigenous history 17:54 hot creek geologic site 19:09 my last day :( 19:24 super duper cool rocks 22:06 mono lake tufa towers 24:41 time to go homethese rocks recorded a tropical storm that happened 500 million years ago 🌊 #geology #wisconsinGeo Beck2024-08-07 | ...A lesser known fact about one of Iceland’s most well known waterfalls 🌊 #iceland #geologyGeo Beck2024-06-17 | ...What does this glass of wine have to do with the ice age? 🧊🍇🍷 #fingerlakes #wine #geology #nyGeo Beck2024-06-09 | ...What it’s like watching a geyser erupt in Iceland 😱🇮🇸 #iceland #geology #icelandtravelGeo Beck2024-06-06 | ...This waterfall is beautiful, but it’s not without its faults… #iceland #geology #icelandtravelGeo Beck2024-05-30 | ...BOILING MUD in Iceland! 😳 #iceland #reykjanes #geology #geologist #geothermal #travelicelandGeo Beck2024-05-14 | ...This beach in Iceland is covered in “diamonds” 🤩💎 #geology #iceland #diamondbeach #icelandtravelGeo Beck2024-04-30 | ...This glacier in #Iceland sits on top of SEVEN volcanoes 😱🌋 #geology #icelandtravel #glacierGeo Beck2024-04-26 | ...Do you ever wish a book could teleport you somewhere? #iceland #icecave #glacier #geologyGeo Beck2024-04-24 | ...Iceland ASMR 📍Seltun Geothermal Area, Reykjanes Peninsula #geology #iceland #geothermal #hotspringsGeo Beck2024-04-24 | ...This lava flow is connected to the French Revolution #iceland #icelandvolcano #geology #geologistGeo Beck2024-04-22 | ...Lesson learned 😅 #iceland #geologist #icelandtravelGeo Beck2024-04-22 | ...This is how basalt columns form! 📍Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Iceland #iceland #geologyGeo Beck2024-04-11 | ...These tree molds are 7,000 years old! #geology #oregon #lavaflow #geologistGeo Beck2024-03-18 | ...How did this rock get here? 🤨 #geology #geologist #newhampshire #whitemountains #rocks #hikingGeo Beck2024-03-09 | ...Egg or rock? 🤔🥚🪨 #geology #geologist #newyork #watkinsglen #fingerlakesny #rocksGeo Beck2024-03-09 | ...Why does this rock look like a tree? 🪵🤔 No, it’s not petrified wood! #geology #geologist #rocksGeo Beck2024-02-16 | ...In truth I don’t know how many rocks I own… #geology #geologist #rocks #rockcollectionGeo Beck2024-02-09 | ...My boyfriend caught me having a moment with this mossy rock 😅 #geologist #hiking #geology #mossGeo Beck2024-02-09 | ...Finding pretty rocks in #nevada! #geology #geologist #rocks #chalcedonyGeo Beck2024-02-04 | ...pov: you’re a rock influencer 🪨 #geology #fossils #geologist #geotourism #trilobite #nevadaGeo Beck2024-02-02 | ...I need to have these rocks at all costs 🪨 #geology #geologist #rocks #rockcollectionGeo Beck2024-01-24 | ...Did I mention I’m a geologist? #geology #geologist #rocks #rocksrock #scicommGeo Beck2024-01-17 | ...And that is how I became a geologist 🪨 #geology #geologist #rocks #womeninstemGeo Beck2024-01-11 | ...The hidden stories of the Boston Public Library #boston #geologyGeo Beck2024-01-11 | ...#geology #rocks #rockcollection #geologist #minerals #rocksandmineralsGeo Beck2023-12-05 | ...Trilobites are (were…) amazing 🥹 #geology #geologist #fossils #trilobite #paleontology #fossilGeo Beck2023-12-01 | ...At the end I just become part of the rock cycle 🪨 #geology #geologist #timetravel #science #rocksGeo Beck2023-11-22 | ...The 200 million year old Tower of Pisa #geology #geologist #towerofpisa #architecture #travelGeo Beck2023-11-14 | ...Watch the rest of this vid on my channel! #geology #hiking #geologist #marble #newengland #rocksGeo Beck2023-11-12 | ...And it’s 700 million year old granite! #geology #geologist #architecture #statueofliberty #nycGeo Beck2023-11-11 | ...Amsterdam’s #hiddenhistory 🤩 #fossils #geology #amsterdam #rocks #travel #urbangeology #travelGeo Beck2023-11-11 | ...