'Curious Conversations' podcast: Ben Gill talks about the chemistry of Earth history
Ben Gill joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to chat about piecing together Earth history through a combination of geology and chemistry. Gill explained how studying the cycles of different elements can tell a story and help us better understand the planet’s most pivotal moments, such as mass extinctions. He also shared how studying both the worth and best times of our planet can provide us valuable insights for the future.
About Gill
Gill is an associate professor in the Department of Geosciences and a faculty affiliate of the Global Change Center in the Fralin Life Sciences Institute. As a geochemist and sedimentary geologist, Gill specializes in reconstructing the present and past chemical cycles on our planet. His research combines classic sedimentologic and stratigraphic methods with both proven and novel geochemical and numerical modeling techniques.
Takeaways
Each element on the periodic table represents a cycle that can tell a story about the Earth’s past.
By looking at elements in ancient rocks, such as carbon, researchers gain insights about pivotal moments in our planet’s history, such as a large amount of volcanic activity or increase in photosynthesis.
Gaining insights about the chemical makeup of Earth’s past can not only provide insights related to current changes, but also may provide benchmarks in the search for other planets.
Learn more
Geoscientists shed a light on life’s evolution 800 million years ago
About the podcast
"Curious Conversations" is a series of free-flowing conversations with Virginia Tech researchers that take place at the intersection of world-class research and everyday life. Produced and hosted by Virginia Tech writer and editor Travis Williams, university researchers share their expertise and motivations as well as the practical applications of their work in a format that more closely resembles chats at a cookout than classroom lectures. New episodes are shared each Tuesday.
