Geology Videos
Here’s a list of some of the geology-related
videos in my collection. I encourage geology majors and enthusiastic
non-major geology students to borrow these and view them.
If interested, please talk to me some time or e-mail
me (“stjohn.2” at “osu.edu”).
Ancient Monster Hunters (2004, VHS, 1 hour) - a History Channel documentary
that covers Adrienne Mayor’s book on the connection between paleontology
and Greek & Roman-aged folklore.
Chengjiang Biota, the Evidence of the Cambrian
Explosion (1999, VHS, 0.7
hour) - a general overview of the soft-bodied fossils in the Chengjiang
Lagerstätte (Lower Cambrian, Yunnan Province, South China).
Earthquake (1990, VHS, 1 hour) - a summary of seismology, or earthquake science,
and shows the aftermath of San Francisco Bay’s 1989 Loma Prieta
Earthquake, plus many earlier historic earthquakes. Also covers
paleoseismology - the study of ancient earthquakes using sedimentary deposits.
Eruption Update, a Firsthand Account of the Current
Eruption of Kilauea Volcano, Fall 2010 (2010, DVD, 1.5 hours) - excellent, with a self-explanatory title.
Flint Ridge, Ohio’s Original Art & Industry (2008, DVD, 1.5 hours) - mostly focuses on
archaeological artifacts made from the flint at Flint Ridge (Vanport Filnt),
with a little geologic info. too.
Landslide: Gravity Kills (1999, VHS, 1 hour) - an introduction to mass
wasting, a category of natural disasters generally called landslides.
Lava Flows and Lava Tubes, What They Are, How They
Form, 2004 Edition (2004, DVD,
1.25 hours) - some of the best footage I’ve seen of active lava flow
eruptions at the Hawaii Hotspot and ancient lava flows in various American
parks.
Mammoth Cave National Park (2001, DVD, 1.25 hours) - excellent summary of the
geology and biology and the development of Mammoth Cave as a world-class
tourist site.
Mysterious Life of Caves (2002, DVD, 1 hour) - focuses on sulfuric acid caves
in Mexico (Villa Luz) and New Mexico (Carlsbad & Lechuguilla), the
discovery of acidic speleothems, and life forms that thrive in hyperacidic cave
environments. Excellent.
Ohio Crude, the Excitement of Ohio’s Gas &
Oil Booms (1985, DVD, 2 hours)
- covers the history of Ohio’s petroleum geology, starting with the
Pennsylvania oil rush. Most of the video covers the northwestern Ohio
natural gas & oil booms of the late 1800s. Excellent.
The Price of Paradise, “Memories of
Montserrat”, the Storyof the Eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano,
2007 Edition (2007, DVD, 2.25
hours) - lots of footage documenting volcanic activity on the Caribbean island
of Montserrat. The Soufriere Hills Volcano there became active in 1995,
had a big eruption in 1997, and has been active ever since. Shot by David
Lea, who used to do Christian videos, and now does volcano videos.
Volcanoes of the Deep (1999, VHS, 1 hour) - footage of seafloor
hydrothermal vents (black smokers) at mid-ocean ridges. Shows the
collection and recovery of several black smoker chimneys destined for
scientific study and museum display. Excellent.
VolcanoScapes, Pele’s March to the Pacific! (1987, DVD, 0.6 hour)
VolcanoScapes II, Kilauea Volcano Rages On! (1988, DVD, 1 hour)
- both of these have footage of the early- to
mid-1980s phases of the Kilauea Volcano lava flow eruptions at the Hawaii
Hotspot.