Happened upon you in the last day, as I recall from Highly Allocthonous.
Great combination of clear informative & instructive (without being didactic) writing with superb illustrations; wide range of subject matter but a clear focus on the author's discipline; reflective without navel-gazing. It's probably the geoblog from which I learn the most, in the sense of gaining new knowledge and skills, above all the skill of looking carefully and understanding what I see.
I only recently subscribed, drawn in by your spectacular pictures of the hike in South America. I stumbled on your blog through the Nature Blog Network. I like shorter "Wow, isn't that interesting" science posts, along with personal aspects about science (like the hike-geology angle), although other things are interesting, too. I'm probably not your target blog reader, which is why I didn't respond to your survey on your first call.
I follow this blog because the author has a diverse range of interests and generally posts interesting links to other sources of information. Several of these interests overlap mine, structural geology, but others not so much. Essentially I utilize the blog to point me towards subjects that I may not have otherwise bothered to look look at.
Interesting writing; good topics
Love to know more about geology!
Interesting geological information, well written, concise and often very funny, many pictures and drawings, no nonsense, broad range of geological subjects, creative, open-minded, refreshing.
I lived in DC for 35 years so I remember lots of the rocks and locations you describe. I like your combination of words, photos, and lines and labels on the photos. I think you have gotten better this last year.
it's motivational.
Geology is fascinating. The blog is written at a level that works for me--not too simple, but not so advanced that my eyes glaze over.
Cool Stuff! I use it for teaching and just my own knowledge. I love to see where you go on all of your travels!
I love the way the authors see geology all around them and *post pictures*. Claims are well-sourced. Posts are well-written and enjoyable to read.
Because of the wonderful style, great geology, personal anecdotes and good explainations of geological phenomena.
Just curious what Callan is teaching his students
I teach geology.
Interest in geology, geo-education, and I enjoy see/reading about geology around my old hometown.
Hrm... I suppose for the same reason I read other geoscience blogs; well written posts about interesting and varied topics, often accompanied by great photos and/or diagrams.
I make a sortie through the geoblogs listed in Looking For Detachment from time to time, just to see what people are writing.
Local insights, shared interests, I'm new to my job at JMU and the area area
geological content, great photos!
expand my language skills in English
Because I learn from it
I'm a bus driver. I enjoy geology and nature 24/7 before all other things.
I saw photos from some geology field trips at Nova campus, and I thought I could join one. Through Nova web I got to Bentley web cross roads, and I bumped into the blog there. It is mainly the blog's credit that I eventually did take the fieldtrip... etc.
I've been reading ever since then, because there is always something darn interesting!
It just is interesting. And amusing. And great photos. Enough easy and enthusiastic language that you can read it quickly.
I just started reading it because I am in one of your NOVA classes.
For the good geological explanations & illustrations
Because it is interesting, informative, and intelligent. AND FUN!
Geology ;-)
Great field-trip posts with phtos. Nice examples, analogies, and ideas for teaching.
It is fun to see what you are doing. I like all of the field trips, photos of random geologic things you see day-to-day and on the field trips. You are a bright spot in my day.
Because it's good fun!
As a Master student Geology (in the Netherlands, Europe), especially interested in Paleontology, its fun to read about the different geological topics you talk about and show in pictures
I live in a country that mostly consists of mud and sand (the Netherlands). I find mud and sand deeply uninteresting. I love rocks and mountains, but rarely get to visit them nowadays (teenage offspring object to hiking holidays in Pyrenees and Alps). Reading your blog is like being on a guided tour of geologically interesting places. I love your very good photographs and the clear explanations. But probably the strongest point of your blog is the enthusiastic and kind personality that shines through.
I enjoy the blog posts about local Virginia, Maryland and DC geology since I live in the region. The photos you post are also informative, especially when you accompany them with annotations and/or geologic descriptions. Finally, your blog often provides some interesting links to other science/geology news and/or events that I may not otherwise have been aware of.
I have found to my dismay that I have become interested in geology at my advanced age. I am primarily interested in figuring out the geological history of where I have lived most of my life. It is not considered an "interesting" place, geologically or otherwise really, so it's hard to find descriptions/information about it specifically, but I'm interested. So I'm reading geology blogs to learn more about rocks. The blogs are a supplement to the books, maps, etc that I have collected so far.
I found NOVA Geoblog after moving to VA to teach geology (probably looking for something related to Shenandoah NP). I keep reading for exposure the random stream of topics that comes across the desk (or lab bench, or lecture podium) or someone else who is teaching geology.
...and for the pictures. I am quite jealous of your travel itinerary (despite its outrageous carbon footprint. ;)
To learn more about local geology. Also enjoy the environmental posts.
Get good idea for local geological outings.
See some really cool geological outcrops.
Steal great graphics for use in classes.
Since I am an amateur, I keep reading your posts and trying to understand / learn the concepts by searching on the internet. As you can imagine, it might take a while finishing reading if the post is written in a professional manner. Anyway, I think that your blog is great for people who are in the know, as well as for people like me, who is trying to get more knowledge.
Great content and references to DC area events. Able to travel vicariously w/ you. Well thought out geology related information.
Keep up the good work!
For the virtual field trips, primarily.
I'm a geology student, so I love geology, and your posts are always interesting. I'm also very interested in journalism and writing.
I ran across your blog recently when I was working on lesson plans for my Earth Science Class and put Faces of Earth in my Netflix queue.
Geology. Humor. To learn new stuff. Great pictures.
Very interesting, entertaining, and well written blog. It is a really fine service, and I hope your employers appreciate your effort and the great PR for your institution. We do, anyway.
see comments below
As a geologist who enjoys travelling and communicating the excitement og geology, many of the blog topics are very much what I'm interested in
Great pictures and exciting travel/adventure stories
Awesome blog. I learn lots of cool geology from this site and am exposed to lots of things that I know nothing about (I am not a professional geologist). It is one of my favorite blogs. I have my own blog and am amazed at how often you are able to post on here. Very impressive. I'm lucky if I can motivate myself to post every week or two!
geology is one of my passions right up there with beer, construction and music
Please see my latest comment
I like your thoughtful and reflective teaching style and your beautifully instructive photographs. I appreciate the way you integrate all different levels of geology content quite seamlessly into your posts.
I like to look at the geology from different regions of the world, and I like the commentary. It's like the information of being on a field trip on the other side of the continent without having to move from my kitchen table. It's informative, interesting, engaging, and keeps me learning about random stuff. :) I like having a different perspective than the profs at my current post-secondary institute.
keep up on current events and news.
Often a well-written avenue to a topic in geology that prompts further exploration on my part. My own blog is focused on paleontology, but inevitably it touches on things geologic.
pictures, structures, adventures, geology!
General geologic information, particularly on Virginia.
I like rocks and fossils
Question 3 covers it. Especially enjoyed the Patagonia series
See answers to #3, and I also like to read about your teaching methods and the kinds of subject matter that you are exposing your students to on field trips.
You've got pretty interesting stuff and you break it down well.
I like the genuine enthusiasm for geology/nature and life that Callan presents. The blog is honest and upbeat.
It is interesting and fun. It reads almost like an informative lecture, which I love. Because I have virtually no geological background, I learn something and get to think about geology in a new way with each post.
Interesting material and a lot of geoscience education topics
After many years of graduate school in evolutionary biology, and no longer in the hallowed halls of the ivory tower, I miss science, scientific thought, and scientists. I never took a geology course, but have always appreciated looking at rocks and landscapes (I live in Seattle, went to grad school in the Southeast). I am also a total nerd - I take walks, drives and travel long distances to look at plant diversity. I'd love to be able to *see* the land and rocks as living history, with the same richness and depth as my first passion.
I read your blog because you take the time to post images of your trips, and help interpret them (love the two-image series of unaltered image and the interpreted one). Also, you occasionally post links to news that's important (to me) in the world of science - I often re-post these.
Mixture of Geonews, personal touch, and interesting ideas for teach at CC level
1) To learn about the specifics of local (and not so local) geology
2) To learn about interesting places to visit, in general
3) To find out about local events
a) you're a good writer
b) you explain things very well and your photos add immeasurably to my understanding of terms and concepts
c) you help me understand the incredible things I've seen on my hikes through the western U.S. Come back to the eastern Sierra again, please; there's a lot more for you to explore here. Then write a book for those of us who want to understand what we're seeing.
Great field trip summaries, great photos, great pics of folds and other geological structures (sed and other) and examples. I find some of the local area news interesting, wish I could go to the meetings sometimes.
Because the content is top-notch. Callan's passion and talent for teaching and explaining shines through beautifully.
To learn more about geology - and wonder how I can grow up to live the Callan Bentley lifestyle. ;-)
1) Cool pictures
2) teaching ideas
3) cool pictures
4) you come across information that has missed my radar, so its a way to keep up on what's going on teaching / research wise
It is always an interesting and considered piece of writing
Beautiful photos with good descriptions. Like learning about east coast geology since I'm transplanted here from parts farther west. Loved the Patagonia series. Get teaching ideas. Etc.
Have been reading irregularly for a long time and regularly since I was embarrassed to admit to you that I wasn't reading regularly when we met at GSA. Glad I made it a habit.
Great writing, interesting topics, awesome photos. Gives me a chance to brush up on my structure.
To see great photos and explainations of different geology. Enjoy the adventure and wish i could go out and explore.
To learn more about geoscience...and because Google Reader thought I'd enjoy it. I dare not dissent with Google's suggestions.
I am interested in Geology and I like the way it is presented here, with humor, humility and in a way that can keep the scientifically and non-scientifically inclined interested.
Awesome geology, awesome places, I learn something every visit to the page.