# "So, what are you going to do with a geology degree?" "Fight terrorism!" **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 15, 2001, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-are-you-going-to-do-with-a-geology-degree-fight-terrorism/87505 "2001-10-15T17:10:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-are-you-going-to-do-with-a-geology-degree-fight-terrorism/87505/21 "2001-10-16T00:07:19Z")
Thanks for the link, **manny**! The wiggle doctors are coming to help out the rock hounds again. šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![Geobabe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/geobabe/32/3908_2.png) [@Geobabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geobabe)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-are-you-going-to-do-with-a-geology-degree-fight-terrorism/87505/22 "2001-10-16T00:11:22Z")
Yeah! Even geophysicists can help! ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-are-you-going-to-do-with-a-geology-degree-fight-terrorism/87505/23 "2001-10-16T00:17:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Geobabe \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > Carbonatites typically contain \>50% carbonate minerals by volume and are undersaturated in silica (Barker, 1996). They are useful in studying mantle source because they are not prone to crustal contamination. They are associated with highly undersaturated silicate rocks rich in nepheline: nephelinite-ijolite, nepheline syenite and kimberlite (Jessey). They occur in formations of small areal extent, a few tens of square kilometers to a maximum of perhaps 1000 square km. They are mostly of Mesozoic age or younger, although a few Precambrian carbonatites are known. The formations are usually plug-like in shape, suggesting a subvolcanic origin. They always have associated alkali metasomatism, addition of Na and K to wall rocks. Alteration forms an envelope around the carbonatite. Rocks of the carbonatite complex are highly brecciated with multiple intrusive phases present, and are found in stable craton or continental rift environments. > > Thatā€™s from a paper I wrote for my Tectonics and Earth History class. I started reading about carbonatites and went, ā€œMan, this is fookinā€™ COOL!ā€ Iā€™m a geek, baby. \*\* [Barry White voice] Come on over here, baby, and Iā€™ll brecciate you with multiple intrusive phases. Your craton looks a little unstable ā€“ let me help you get that off.[/Barry White] ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-are-you-going-to-do-with-a-geology-degree-fight-terrorism/87505/24 "2001-10-16T00:24:35Z")
I believe now would be a good time to insert a joke about thrust faultsā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![Geobabe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/geobabe/32/3908_2.png) [@Geobabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geobabe)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-are-you-going-to-do-with-a-geology-degree-fight-terrorism/87505/25 "2001-10-16T00:28:40Z")
Or orogenyā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![tapioca\_tundra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a88e57/32.png) [@tapioca\_tundra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tapioca_tundra)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-are-you-going-to-do-with-a-geology-degree-fight-terrorism/87505/26 "2001-10-16T00:30:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Pantellerite \* > \*\*Weā€™d go after Biologists, too, but picking on them is just _too_ easyā€¦ \*\* ~attacking peace loving biologists now? ā€¦might be nerds, (Iā€™m not) but weā€™ve been at bioanti-terrorism for yearsā€¦you guys are just now catching on ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Creant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b487fb/32.png) [@Miss\_Creant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Creant)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-are-you-going-to-do-with-a-geology-degree-fight-terrorism/87505/27 "2001-10-16T02:46:14Z")
Geo, you know very well that [Lilly](http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/misscreant1107/lst?.dir=/the+cutest+ever!&.view=t) could really be our number one weapon against terrorism! ---
**Author:** ![Geobabe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/geobabe/32/3908_2.png) [@Geobabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geobabe)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-are-you-going-to-do-with-a-geology-degree-fight-terrorism/87505/28 "2001-10-16T02:52:29Z")
Hey! We could just print up a whole bunch of leaflets with that first picture, and theyā€™d be so captivated by Lillyā€™s little nose peeking out from under the covers, we could just sneak up and round 'em all up while theyā€™re busy going ā€œAwwwwwā€¦ā€ ---
**Author:** ![Yossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/9de0a6/32.png) [@Yossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yossarian)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-are-you-going-to-do-with-a-geology-degree-fight-terrorism/87505/29 "2001-10-16T14:30:08Z")
Thanks to **manhattan** for another great link. Iā€™m smokinā€™ everyone on my mass Geology e-mail list with these scoops, thanks to you and **Geobabe**. And itā€™s nice to see that the Geophysics guys like **beatle** can find some new, helpful use for their toys and squiggly line geology. Also, Iā€™ve got a whole pile of fresh Arkansas Carbonatite sitting on my work table and a great sample decorating my CPU; want some? ---
**Author:** ![Geobabe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/geobabe/32/3908_2.png) [@Geobabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geobabe)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-are-you-going-to-do-with-a-geology-degree-fight-terrorism/87505/30 "2001-10-16T14:46:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Pantellerite \* > \*\* Also, Iā€™ve got a whole pile of fresh Arkansas Carbonatite sitting on my work table and a great sample decorating my CPU; want some? \*\* **Pantellerite** , youā€™re just going to have to imagine the squeal that just came out of me. When I was trying to figure out what to do for a special studies project last year, I had talked to a prof at UMass who was doing some image analysis on MOLA data; geomorph/structure kind of stuff. Iā€™m very interested in Mars and planetary geology in general, but I was having a hard time getting worked up about that. Then I thought back to when Hap McSween from UTenn came to talk to my Planetary Science class about his work with analysis of the rocks and soils of the Pathfinder landing site. That excited meā€“for the first time, I found norm calculations absolutely fascinating. I realized then that what I really love is rocks. I love love love ROCKS! ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-are-you-going-to-do-with-a-geology-degree-fight-terrorism/87505/31 "2001-10-16T15:20:46Z")
[sub]UncleBill scribbles notes furiously.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-are-you-going-to-do-with-a-geology-degree-fight-terrorism/87505/32 "2001-10-16T15:25:42Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by Geobabe \* \*\*You also have to have a certain mindset to be a geologist, to be able to get excited over stuff like this: > [@](#): > > Carbonatites typically contain \>50% carbonate minerals by volume and are undersaturated in silica (Barker, 1996). They are useful in studying mantle source because they are not prone to crustal contamination. They are associated with highly undersaturated silicate rocks rich in nepheline: nephelinite-ijolite, nepheline syenite and kimberlite (Jessey). They occur in formations of small areal extent, a few tens of square kilometers to a maximum of perhaps 1000 square km. They are mostly of Mesozoic age or younger, although a few Precambrian carbonatites are known. The formations are usually plug-like in shape, suggesting a subvolcanic origin. They always have associated alkali metasomatism, addition of Na and K to wall rocks. Alteration forms an envelope around the carbonatite. Rocks of the carbonatite complex are highly brecciated with multiple intrusive phases present, and are found in stable craton or continental rift environments. \*\* In other words, these types of mineral deposits are a good arguement, or a potential source of evidence, for the pangea theory. Interesting. Note, I am strictly an amateur geologist so my interpretation of the significance of these may be off, but my wife studied geology and history in college and we had many such discussions as well as lots of time leaning over the specimin cases in the science building looking at samples from varius field explorations. Steven ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-are-you-going-to-do-with-a-geology-degree-fight-terrorism/87505/33 "2001-10-16T15:31:42Z")
> [@](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > > [@](#): > > > Gaaah! tooā€¦manyā€¦quotesā€¦mustā€¦closeā€¦sorryā€¦failed Steven ---
**Author:** ![Yossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/9de0a6/32.png) [@Yossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yossarian)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-are-you-going-to-do-with-a-geology-degree-fight-terrorism/87505/34 "2001-10-16T15:56:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Geobabe \* > \*\*I found norm calculations absolutely fascinating. I realized then that what I really love is rocks. I love love love ROCKS! \*\* Iā€™d swoon, except Iā€™m married and that probably isnā€™t allowed. I calculate norms for FUNā€¦ Iā€™ve even got a norm-calculating Excel spreadsheet I wrote just 'cause I didnā€™t like any of the other widely-available norm-calculating software (talk about some seriously geek wheel-inventing!) So, for a comment like that (and how rare is it to find someone that likes calculating norms?), Iā€™d gladly give up some precious carbonatite. And if you really love seriously silica-undersaturated (those are rocks with normative Nepheline and/or Leucite, folks!) rocks, Iā€™ve got a little excess ijolite, too! Ah, Norms! But what I really love are Trace Elementsā€¦ ā€¦and while weā€™ve got most of the Geologists in the roomā€¦ Anybody going to the **Boston GSA** meeting? Wanna pick me up from the airport? (j/k) ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-are-you-going-to-do-with-a-geology-degree-fight-terrorism/87505/35 "2001-10-16T16:08:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by manhattan \* > \*\*[Barry White voice] Come on over here, baby, and Iā€™ll brecciate you with multiple intrusive phases. Your craton looks a little unstable ā€“ let me help you get that off.[/Barry White] \*\* Trying to get your rocks off, manny? ---
**Author:** ![tsarina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@tsarina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tsarina)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-are-you-going-to-do-with-a-geology-degree-fight-terrorism/87505/36 "2001-10-16T20:23:00Z")
Future microbiologist checking in. I just realized that if this biological warfare scare is still around after I get my Masterā€™s in four or so years, shit, Iā€™m in gravy! Employers will be on their kneesā€¦ And I could take any of you rock nerds any day. Think you can beat me over the head with your obsidian? I can get better leverage with my microscope and whack yā€™all with the base, nyah! šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![Geobabe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/geobabe/32/3908_2.png) [@Geobabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geobabe)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-are-you-going-to-do-with-a-geology-degree-fight-terrorism/87505/37 "2001-10-16T20:46:15Z")
Clearly, **tsarina** , you have never grappled with a petrographic microscope. Oh yes, we have our own microscopes. And rocks. We donā€™t fear you. ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2001, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-are-you-going-to-do-with-a-geology-degree-fight-terrorism/87505/38 "2001-10-17T01:01:44Z")
Now **tsarina** , dear, if you start messinā€™ with my rock buds, Iā€™ll bring my dynamite to the party. ---
**Author:** ![rsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/839c29/32.png) [@rsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsa)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2001, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-are-you-going-to-do-with-a-geology-degree-fight-terrorism/87505/39 "2001-10-17T14:09:45Z")
University of Omaha geologist says he has narrowed down the location of the bin Laden video according to this new [story](http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_np=0&u_div=3&u_hdg=0&u_sid=219867) published yesterday. Geologists rock!!! ---
**Author:** ![DAVEW0071](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e19b73/32.png) [@DAVEW0071](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DAVEW0071)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2001, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-are-you-going-to-do-with-a-geology-degree-fight-terrorism/87505/40 "2001-10-17T16:00:36Z")
[quote] You also have to have a certain mindset to be a geologist, to be able to get excited over stuff like this: > [@](#): > > ## quote: > > Carbonatites typically contain \>50% carbonate minerals by volume and are undersaturated in silica (Barker, 1996). They are useful in studying mantle source because they are not prone to crustal contamination. _etc._ I donā€™t know about you, but my nipples are hard. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-are-you-going-to-do-with-a-geology-degree-fight-terrorism/87505.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-are-you-going-to-do-with-a-geology-degree-fight-terrorism/87505.md?page=3)