Author Archives: Ron Miksha

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About Ron Miksha

Ron Miksha is a bee ecologist working at the University of Calgary. He is also a geophysicist and does a bit of science writing and blogging. Ron has worked as a radio broadcaster, a beekeeper, and Earth scientist. (Ask him about seismic waves.) He's based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

A Life Well-Lived

Posted on April 19, 2015 by Ron Miksha

Two years ago this week, one of our greatest scientists quietly passed away. Although among the world’s unheralded heroes, the life of Lawrence Morley deserves our attention. He helped prove plate tectonics, but in a fluke too common in science … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, Geology, History, Plate Tectonics, Space, The Book | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

200 Years of Volcanic Legacy

Posted on April 10, 2015 by Ron Miksha

I am rather pleased when my favourite non-science journal explains a bit of science – and gets it right! I’ve been reading The Economist ever since I discovered the world, and the magazine has seldom let me down. Here is … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate, Culture, Geology | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Trumpeting the Quake

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Ron Miksha

Earthquake prediction may run off in a new direction. We’ve tried electronics attached to seismic detectors (and made some progress), but there may be a new ally in the battle to give a warning before the next big one knocks … Continue reading →

Posted in Geology | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Finger pointing frustrations

Posted on April 3, 2015 by Ron Miksha

Originally posted on The Grumpy Geophysicist:
Well, the New York Times finally decided to dial in to the ongoing seismic mess in Oklahoma. And while the coverage highlights the potential conflicts of interest and ability of the oil and gas…

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In Pursuit of Dead Squishy Things

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Ron Miksha

If you spend a little time at your favourite dinosaur museum, you are sure to hear parents explain to their child that the T-rex about to swallow the kid’s head is just a bunch of dead bones. “Quit bawling, Johnny. … Continue reading →

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Rare Earths in Rare Places

Posted on March 21, 2015 by Ron Miksha

Some of our favourite toys – including cells phones and computers – function through the kind benevolence of the People’s Republic of China. OK, it’s a business deal with the Communists, it’s not benevolence. China has a near monopoly on … Continue reading →

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Ted Cruz, The Science Guy!

Posted on March 15, 2015 by Ron Miksha

Ted Cruz, the science guy! Those are five words that tickle your tongue when spoken together. But it’s true, the senator is now America’s science guy. Senator Ted Cruz (R–TX) is the new chair of the science and space panel, … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Exploration, Religion, Space | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Yummy. Buffon’s Pi.

Posted on March 14, 2015 by Ron Miksha

As I write this, pi day is happening. On our local (Mountain Savings Time) clocks, it will soon be 3.14.15 (month-day-year) then 9:26:53. We use the American month-day-year for this event (rather than day-month-year as the rest of the world … Continue reading →

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Creationism and the Grand Conjectural Canyon

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Ron Miksha

Originally posted on Age of Rocks:
“The writing on the wall” It was a Friday afternoon like any other. Katrina pulled into the driveway promptly at 4:30 PM upon returning from her weekly exercise class and a much needed shopping run. For…

Posted in Geology, Reblogs, Religion | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Painfully Seated Camel

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Ron Miksha

Camels often sit down mighty painfully. Perhaps their joints creak. Perhaps early oiling might prevent permanently hazardous aging. Or perhaps these sentences are just simple mnemonics and we are trying to remember the names of the geological periods.  Here they … Continue reading →

Posted in Geology, History | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment