The End was near (Accretionary Wedge #53)

"The End is Near" back in 1984.  The World didn’t end then either.

I’m very embarrassed about this ... I missed the End of the World.  I also missed the deadline for Accretionary Wedge #53, hosted by Lockwood of Outside the Interzone.  The topic:  "It's the End of the World As We (Don't) Know It (And I Feel Fine)."  Lockwood set an early deadline because he wanted everyone to submit their posts before the World ended, not after.  From what I’ve heard, once again the World didn’t end, and there are still folks out there that might read my humble and overdue contribution.

“You could make up a tale of geologic and sciency absurdity, describing in the most insanely over-the-top manner how the world/universe will end” suggested Lockwood.

Ann of Ann's Musings on Geology & Other Things thinks the End will come when Hell freezes over.  I can relate to this as I heard a lot about it as a kid (my mom was from the South).  The actual End probably will be the moment Ann describes when Hell (Earth’s core) solidifies and disables our electronic devices.  We will be disconnected, alone ...

Jazinator at The Geology P.A.G.E. provides a graphic description of Earth being struck by asteroids and splitting like a head of lettuce slammed on a table (see post for more gory details).  Possible safe havens include the Christmas Islands, Easter Island and of course the Intercourse Islands.  I think Laramie would be a safe haven too, as our horrendous wind would deflect the asteroids.

Lockwood himself convincingly argues the End will come due to our messing with the Higgs boson.  The Earth will turn inside out, bringing short-term benefits but disaster in the long run.  Of course, geophysicists will be very excited at the opportunity to see the Earth’s insides up close.  And the NRA is preparing to defend us ... whew, I was worried there for a moment!

Personally, I envision a mystical and entertaining End, one that could be appreciated by anyone with enlightened awareness of impermanence ... or the right drugs.  Here in Wyoming, we will have front row seats when Yellowstone explodes in a catastrophic eruption several orders of magnitude larger than any known from the geologic record.  Initially there will be lots of color and warmth, and flowers of all kinds will bloom simultaneously.  Those not terrified by the End will be dancing in the streets and on dirt roads, in meadows and cow pastures, and on the shores of plains lakes and stockponds, celebrating the spectacular final episode of the World.  Quite miraculously, in the mountains there will be fresh deep powder on the slopes and miles of well-groomed cross-country ski trails.  But all things must end.  After just a few days, Yellowstone will emit a gargantuan burp of euphoria-inducing gas.  We will all happily swoon and then be peacefully frozen stiff with the onset of a prolonged very cold and very dark volcanic winter.  In other words, I’m an optimistic person.

Welcome to Wyoming -- where the End will begin.

Best Wishes from In the Company of Plants & Rocks

It’s the end of another year and time for the traditional blog roundup.  But first, I want to offer a paean to blogging, a wonderful democratization of publishing that allows everyone to share their excitement and passion.  I thought maintaining a blog would be a good way to work on my writing, but there are so many more benefits than that.  Now when I'm out and about, I look around more carefully, think more about what I’m seeing, and often learn more too.  And because of everyone else’s blogging, I can visit far corners of the world, explore the natural history there, and enjoy amazing scenery.

So to my friends and colleagues in the blogosphere:  best wishes for a merry winter holiday and a happy and productive 2013 ... i.e. blog on!

Now for a quick round up.

Wyoming blog roundup.

Back in December 2011, while I was at one of our prairie lakes looking for fossil periglacial wedges in a cut bank, I shot a few photos of ice buildup. These led to The Myth of Frozen Waves, which continues to be the most visited of my posts. Go figure. How could our little Sodergreen Lake be so popular?!

Not-a-frozen wave on Sodergreen Lake, Laramie Basin, Wyoming.

Another post from 2011 that continues to draw lots of hits, often coinciding with visitors from South America, is El Tío -- god of underground miners about the mystical side of silver mining.

The number one post of 2012 is Taxonomy of Agaves and Vino-mezcal, written in part to support an online campaign to stop the Mexican government and big business from branding "agave" and "mezcal" ... and thereby shut down smaller producers.

A post about one my favorite vacation destinations (below) currently is second but soon may take over the lead:  the amazing Expanding Great Basin!

Several economic botany posts are doing well:  The Queen of Spices (cardamon), What fruit is this? (tomatoes), and Will the real Yam please stand up ...

Other geological favorites are Little Bone House on the Prairie (above) and two about Devils Tower:  what's on top? and Many Views.

I was happy to see that a post about legendary rock climbers Herb and Jan Conn and their adventures with ferns has been popular ...










... same for High Desert Trees and Leaving Home (seed dispersal, below).

Recipe for a technologically-enhanced roadtrip, an Accretionary Wedge post, was a surprising hit.  However, visitation seems to have peaked.

Most popular recent posts are There's a hole in the ground (geology is destiny) and AW#52, dream course: the gods must be angry (below).  Will they continue to draw? -- hard to predict.

Finally, plans for 2013:  I intend to learn more about Blogger and blogging, and to check out some “best of blogging” sites for ideas, like Open Lab and Nature Blog Network.  Oh ... and I want an SLR!   I hope Santa got my letter.