31 December 2015
2015 through a geologist’s eyes
Posted by Jessica Ball
It’s the last day of my eighth year of blogging. I’ve had a pretty amazing year, and though I haven’t gotten to writing about every bit of it, I’ve amassed some great photos of my travels. So here are a few things you’ve already seen, and a preview of a few things yet to come!
One of my proudest accomplishments? I saw my first banana slug. It was magical.
I saw Yosemite for the first time (and at last!)
I spent some time in the Sierras, a lot of it on granite.
I spent time looking at slightly…cruddier rocks.
I modeled some safety gear for this year’s #distractinglysexy Twitter meme.
I occasionally paid attention to the trees…
I checked out a lava dome.
And some more lava domes…
ALL THE LAVA DOMES.
I did look at a few things that weren’t lava domes.
But really, there were a LOT of lava domes.
I did field work in a very cold (and sometimes very wet) place. (The folks who worked there didn’t want me posting photos while we were doing the work, but I think it should be okay now…)
I hung out on the coast.
I got up close and personal with a chunk of the sea floor.
And I got to spend this year’s Fall Meeting with some old friends…

The Twitter volcano ladies @Tuff_Cookie, @rockdoc11, @alisongraetting and @janinekrippner (photo courtesy of Janine)
…and a few new ones.
But everywhere I went, I got to share these amazing places with friends, family and colleagues, and I’m incredibly grateful for that. So here’s to a New Year where I get to explore even more!
Is that a Vista Clara GMR in the back of that pickup?
It is! Wasn’t much water there for it to pick up, unfortunately…
Too bad. We have used our GMR in Norris Geyser Basin to good effect – but you do need water! (Also, your “undisclosed location” looks a little like a spot I know along the Firehole Lake Drive… am I close?)
That’s the one!