-
Recent Posts
- They come and go
- Study geology!
- Groundwater
- A look at Fågeltofta’s geology
- A little bit of geology
- A bitter taste
- Lybymosse revisited
- Thursday thoughts
- What’s up in January?
- What is green about a metal?
- Charming the media?
- Much less than expected?
- Thoughts about the ‘Dictyonema shale’
- Alum shale and uranium
- Samrådsunderlag – Project Viken
Categories
Alum Shale Asian monsoon Bangkok sabbatical geology Human evolution course Iceland 2011 Jämtland Les Eyzies Mongolia 2012 Myanmar Science and media Shales Singapore sabbatical Students and scientific writing Thailand fieldwork and travels Thoughts and Tales Travels Women and natural science Younger Dryas ÖsterlenArchives
Links
Tag Archives: natural science
SGU in focus
The Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU) has made media headlines during the past days. This government “expert agency for issues relating to bedrock, soil and groundwater in Sweden” recently changed is director and with the change in directors, there always … Continue reading
Human adaptation to climate change in prehistoric NE Thailand?
This pretty challenging line, however without the question mark, is the title of a new manuscript, which we submitted yesterday. For this manuscript we pulled together all the paleoclimate evidences we have for Northeast Thailand based on our sedimentary records … Continue reading
Posted in Asian monsoon, Singapore sabbatical, Thoughts and Tales
Tagged Asian monsoon, Asian monsoon project, Department of Geological Sciences, Earth Observatory of Singapore, Geological Sciences, lake sediments, monsoon history, Nanyang Technical University, natural science, science, sediments, Stockholm University, Sweden
Leave a comment
Student exchange opportunities! Grab it!
Why not spend some time in tropical Singapore, where the sun is (almost) always shining and temperatures never fall below 25 degrees C, and combine this with studying geosciences? Thanks to an agreement between the science faculties at Stockholm University … Continue reading
Posted in Singapore sabbatical, Thoughts and Tales
Tagged Asian School of the Environment, Department of Geological Sciences, Earth Observatory of Singapore, Exchange studies, Geological Sciences, geology, Geosciences, Nanyang Technical University, natural science, science, Singapore, Stockholm University, Students, Sweden, undergraduate students
Leave a comment
It is actually a great feeling …
…. when your PhD student manages to get a paper accepted in Nature. It never happened to me before, but today was the day! Francesco, who had worked so hard on this paper and on the replies to the various … Continue reading
I am angry
I know that I should not be angry and upset! Life is just good. One of my PhD students will soon see his Nature Communications paper online. I am in Singapore, enjoying the tropical warmth and I am on a … Continue reading
Talking about exchange
The people here at the Earth Observatory, who are responsible for the undergraduate education in the Asian School of the Environment, would like to start a regular exchange of students. This week we continued our discussions and I explained a … Continue reading
Hammock and palm tree?
My four-year old grandson thought being in the tropics would mean lying in a hammock under a palm tree. Singapore is in the tropics, and there are palm trees, but so far I have not seen a single hammock. Instead … Continue reading
My walk to and from work
The sun has been shining during the last days and haze warnings have classified the situation as less unhealthy. Sun and better visibility place the campus in a much better light! On the down side of the coin is that … Continue reading
Closer to the equator
A mere 12 hour flight separates Sweden from Singapore. Twelve hours is really not very long, just half a day! But coming from Sweden, where the fresh air already feels crispy in the mornings and the yellow leaves signal that … Continue reading
Mosquitoes – no thank you
It is almost 2 months now since I arrived in Bangkok. Looking through my WordPress posts I realize that I have not written very much about all my adventures and travels, about my meetings and impressions. I only managed to … Continue reading
A day in the jungle of northern Thailand
The Bangkok heat and traffic (speak pollution) is sometimes really too much and spending a weekend in cooler northern Thailand seems to be the perfect escape. A place I had wanted to see for a long time is the small … Continue reading
And the sea never rests
Svante Björck from the Geology Department, Lund University in Sweden is currently also visiting Chulalongkorn University. His lecture on Quaternary Sea Level Changes – A Complex Story was well attended. About 70-80 students and many staff members quickly filled the … Continue reading
Lakes and wetlands tell an important story
A few days ago, I gave a lecture to undergraduate students in geology at Chulalongkorn University. I chose the title ‘Lakes and wetlands tell an important story’ since the focus of our Asian monsoon project is on lakes and wetlands … Continue reading
Posted in Asian monsoon, Bangkok sabbatical, Thailand fieldwork and travels, Thoughts and Tales
Tagged Asian monsoon, Asian monsoon project, Chulalongkorn University, crater lakes, Department of Geological Sciences, Geological Sciences, geology, lake sediments, monsoon history, natural science, sabbatical, science, sediments, Stockholm University, Students, Sweden, Thailand
Leave a comment
Studying abroad
It is almost a week now since I arrived in busy Bangkok. The culture shock has subsided and I am adjusting, although it is still difficult to get used to the heat, the traffic and above all – the heavy … Continue reading
From floor 26 to floor 2
It is definitely not easy to find a serviced apartment here in Bangkok given the requirements I have: quiet location, nice neighborhood, close to the subway and to Chulalongkorn University, not higher than floor 10, and if possible in an … Continue reading
Plant remains from ancient sediments
During the weeks before Christmas I was busy at the microscope looking through sample after sample to select plant remains for radiocarbon dating. Radiocarbon dates provide us with an age for our sediment sequences, and to obtain good and valid … Continue reading
Summing up 2014
At this time of the year people send Christmas cards and wishes for the upcoming year. Some even summarize in shorter and longer reports what they and their family had been up to during the year. These types of letters … Continue reading
Posted in Asian monsoon, Thoughts and Tales
Tagged Asian monsoon, Asian monsoon project, Chulalongkorn University, Department of Geological Sciences, Geological Sciences, geology, lake sediments, Les Eyzies, monsoon history, natural science, science, sediments, Stockholm, Stockholm University, Students, Sweden, Thailand, tsunami
Leave a comment
From the Asian monsoon to North Atlantic climate
As an early Christmas present, Francesco Muschitiello’s and my manuscript Time-transgressive environmental shifts across Northern Europe at the onset of the Younger Dryas is now online! After years of excursions into the Asian monsoon, it seems that I am back … Continue reading
More on SGU’s research funding
Following up on yesterday’s blog, I thought I should mention why I feel so strongly about SGU’s (Geological Survey of Sweden) small and decreasing research budget. First of all, SGU’s research money is directed at geoscience research being done in … Continue reading
Frustration
Each year the Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU) invites research applications on issues that are of importance and relevance for the Geological Survey and for Geosciences in Sweden. Submitted research proposals are evaluated by external reviewers and by members of … Continue reading
Curiosity drives science
The video (in Swedish) documenting the experiences, thoughts and expectations of the teachers, who are currently enrolled in the research school on natural hazards, was finally released a few days ago. The research school is organized in collaboration with the … Continue reading
Tovetorp – a little jewel
Stockholm University has a number of research stations, which are all located in beautiful surroundings: the Tarfala Research Station in northernmost Sweden; the Askö Laboratory on the island of Askö in the Baltic Sea; Tovetorp, southeast of Stockholm; and the … Continue reading
Posted in Thoughts and Tales
Tagged natural science, science, Stockholm University, Sweden, university
Leave a comment
Following the Icebreaker Oden
About a week ago, most of my colleagues started their long travel via Anchorage and Barrow to the Icebreaker Oden, who will transport them across the Arctic Ocean back to Tromsö and finally to Stockholm. Out of about 25 people … Continue reading
Life is not easy …
The last four to six months as a PhD student are probably the worst – real deadlines have to be met, manuscripts have to be finished, the thesis summary has to be completed, the thesis defense has to be prepared, … Continue reading
The weeks after midsummer
Midsummer in Sweden is not only an important holiday, marking the longest day of the year; it is also the time of the year when life start to slow down. This is especially obvious when it comes to university life. … Continue reading
Where will they all go?
One of the larger events this year, at least for our Department, will be the SWERUS-C3 expedition to the Arctic. More than half of the researchers at IGV (Dept of Geological Sciences) will join the expedition, which is led by … Continue reading
How a small peatbog reached fame
The small peatbog of Hässeldala in southern Sweden is located in the middle of a mixed forest, fringed with blueberry shrubs and boulders, and almost impossible to find. I stumbled upon the site more than ten years ago and was … Continue reading
Earthquake in Lake Vättern
Colleagues at Stockholm, Lund and Uppsala Universities just published an exciting article in the journal Geology, where they describe a major earthquake that occurred some 11500 years ago! This is really a long time ago, and it is amazing that … Continue reading
Gender and equality
Until a few weeks ago I had been unaware that Stockholm University has a council for gender and equality issues. Now I know that it exists and that it forms an important part of Stockholm University. It acts as an … Continue reading
Monsoon film gets attention
Great to see that our latest film Under the Eyes of the Buddha – in White Coats now is a news item on Stockholm University’s Science Faculty’s homepage. Hopefully this will help spreading the film to a wider audience. I … Continue reading
Posted in Asian monsoon, Science and media, Thailand fieldwork and travels, Thoughts and Tales
Tagged Asian monsoon, Asian monsoon project, Chulalongkorn University, Communicating research, Department of Geological Sciences, Geological Sciences, geology, lake sediments, monsoon history, natural science, science, science career, sediments, Stockholm University, Students, Sweden, Thailand, university
Leave a comment
Under the Eyes of the Buddha – In White Coats
Finally, finally our latest video about the Asian Monsoon Project is finished! This film really took time to finish! But then it is also different from the earlier films. It involves many more people, a specially designed animation, and specially … Continue reading
Posted in Asian monsoon, Science and media, Thailand fieldwork and travels, Thoughts and Tales
Tagged Asian monsoon, Asian monsoon project, Chulalongkorn University, Communicating research, Department of Geological Sciences, Geological Sciences, geology, lake sediments, media, monsoon history, natural science, Plastic Buddha, science, science communication, scientists, sediments, Stockholm University, Students, Sweden, Thailand
2 Comments
The luxury of a sabbatical
My application for a sabbatical next year has been approved! What a luxury to being able to spend time abroad and to being able to only and entirely concentrate on my research. It is great that Stockholm University provides and … Continue reading
Posted in Asian monsoon, Science and media, Thoughts and Tales
Tagged Asian monsoon, Asian monsoon project, Chulalongkorn University, Department of Geological Sciences, Earth Observatory of Singapore, Geological Sciences, geology, lake sediments, monsoon history, Myanmar, natural science, science, sediments, Stockholm University, Sweden, Thailand
1 Comment
Sediments and radiocarbon dating
Time flies, which means busy days and definitely no boredom! Last week we had a successful workshop, which focused on Asian monsoon research at the Bolin Centre, and brought together scientists interested in different aspects of the Asian monsoon: paleo-data, … Continue reading
A few steps closer
We have covered an enormous time interval during the past weeks, from 7 million year old Sahelanthropus to the appearance of Homo erectus/ergaster/georgicus some 1.8 million years ago. We are getting closer to Homo heidelbergensis, Homo neanderthalensis, the Denisovans and … Continue reading
Links, links, links
So much information is now available when it comes to the subject of human evolution! Science blogs, less scientific blogs, online courses, TV programs, books and of course a wealth of science articles. All this diverse information can easily give … Continue reading
Asien monsoon research at the Bolin centre
Next week we will host a small workshop dealing with the Southeast Asian monsoon, past, present and future. Three invited speakers will present their research next Thursday, Kevin Anchukaitis and Jessica Tierney from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and Hans Linderholm … Continue reading
Posted in Asian monsoon, Thailand fieldwork and travels, Thoughts and Tales
Tagged Asian monsoon, Asian monsoon project, Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Department of Geological Sciences, Geological Sciences, geology, lake sediments, monsoon history, natural science, Stockholm University, Sweden
Leave a comment
More reading suggestions for my curious students
Human evolution really is a hot topic in science. Almost every week we can hear about new discoveries. These are not only published in scientific journals, but are also widely reported in different media, newspapers, blogs, TV, and radio. Just … Continue reading
Communicating Earth Science
Back to one of my favorite topics – using films to explain earth sciences to a wider audience. Of course there are many great films about different aspects of earth sciences and these have been made with a huge financial … Continue reading
Reflections
Is it my jetlagged self or is it real that Hong Kong awakens much more slowly than the places I have recently visited in Thailand and Myanmar? Or maybe it is because I am watching from afar and from my … Continue reading
Posted in Thoughts and Tales, Travels
Tagged natural science, science, science career, SE Asia, Stockholm University, Student exchange, Students
Leave a comment
First time in Hong Kong
Here I am on the 16th floor of a hotel overlooking Victoria Harbour, ships going back and forth, a maze of highways, and hidden behind high apartment buildings I can even spot mountains! If it had not been raining now, … Continue reading
Ice or no ice?
Instead of giving my talk at the Nordic Winter Meeting two days ago, I was in bed with a cold, fever and almost no voice … that’s how it goes with all these winter viruses swirling around! Pretty disappointing though, … Continue reading
Too curious to wait
Last week we opened two of our Myanmar sediment sequences, described the sediments and sub-sampled one sequence. The first preliminary analyses will be made in January/February and will give us a good idea of where to focus further investigations. It … Continue reading
Still jet-lagged
The seven-hour difference between Singapore and Sweden is still haunting me, but I guess in a few days I will be back to normal again. Would it have been summer with long days and short nights, the jet lag would … Continue reading
Posted in Thoughts and Tales
Tagged Asian monsoon, Asian monsoon project, Chulalongkorn University, Department of Geological Sciences, Earth Observatory of Singapore, Geological Sciences, geology, lake sediments, Myanmar, natural science, NTU, Singapore, Stockholm University
Comments Off on Still jet-lagged
Busy days in Singapore
Tropical heat, tropical humidity, tropical thunderstorms and tropical rains – that’s how Singapore presented itself to me. Finally I managed to get an experience of heavy monsoon rains! Singapore is well adapted to this type of climate. Air-conditioning is on … Continue reading
160 kg plus 55 kg
After a three-hour drive we were back in Mandalay, the holy and magical city with its many temples, monasteries and myriad of people, cars and motorbikes. We had a couple of hours before our flight left and used the time … Continue reading
Posted in Asian monsoon, Myanmar, Thoughts and Tales, Travels
Tagged Asian monsoon, Asian monsoon project, crater lakes, Department of Geological Sciences, Geological Sciences, geology, lake sediments, Mandalay, Mandalay hill, Monywa, Myanmar, natural science, sediments, Stockholm University, Sweden
Leave a comment
Bye-bye Monywa
How shall we manage to get all our samples out of the country and into Thailand? This question has been on my mind for several days now. My first worry, some days ago, was about the equipment and the permission … Continue reading
Posted in Asian monsoon, Myanmar, Thoughts and Tales, Travels
Tagged Asian monsoon, Asian monsoon project, crater lakes, Department of Geological Sciences, Geological Sciences, geology, lake sediments, monsoon history, Monywa, natural science, sediment core, sediments, Stockholm University, Sweden, Thailand
2 Comments
Many helping hands
Everyday two or three master students join our little expedition. They help carry the equipment, join us out on the lakes for coring, filter the water samples, assist in sub-sampling and help packing everything up again. The students are so … Continue reading
Posted in Asian monsoon, Myanmar, Thoughts and Tales, Travels
Tagged Asian monsoon, Asian monsoon project, crater lakes, Department of Geological Sciences, Geological Sciences, geology, lake sediments, Monywa, Myanmar, natural science, science, sediments, Stockholm University, Sweden
Leave a comment
The sounds of Myanmar
During the past two days and nights we have been surrounded by a constant singing or preaching from loudspeakers. Small pickup trucks drive all around the town and the larger villages with loudspeakers mounted on the back. Along the streets … Continue reading
No secrets revealed in Shinme Chauk
The sediments of ‘Banana Lake’ or Lake Shinme Chauk, which is located close to the Bronze Age cemetery of Nyanggan, were the last on our to do list. The lake is very shallow, and partly overgrown, but according to the … Continue reading
Early morning in Monywa
Another of these early mornings! Getting up at 6 am, leaving at 6:30, and eating breakfast in one of the street restaurants on our way to the lakes. The hotels where we had stayed before served breakfast, but our current … Continue reading
Movie time in Leshe village
Both of our teams have been really successful during the last days. We were able to obtain several nice sediment sequences from Leshe Lake, and a number of gravity cores from the deeper crater lakes. The other day Nut, Lin … Continue reading
Another day in the surroundings of Monywa
One group with Nut, Lin Thu Aung, and Thomas completed coring at Leshe Lake today, and the other group with Sheri, Rienk, Zaw Win and another student drove to one of the three deeper crater lakes to obtain a gravity … Continue reading
What a different world
It is fun talking to the students about life in Myanmar. One of my questions was of course if there were any female geology students, because we have only met men so far. The students told us that only 10% … Continue reading
And the cores keep coming
No driving down the steep sandy slopes to the crater lake today. I think the drivers got a bit worried yesterday, given frequent meetings with bullock carts, the narrow paths, the steep slope, the deep tracks and the huge hollows, … Continue reading
Posted in Asian monsoon, Myanmar, Thoughts and Tales, Travels
Tagged Asian monsoon, Asian monsoon project, bullock carts, crater lake, crater lakes, Department of Geological Sciences, Geological Sciences, geology, Lake Kumphawapi, lake sediments, Leshe Lake, Monywa, Myanmar, natural science, sediments, Stockholm University, Students, Sweden, Upper Myanmar, water lilies
Leave a comment
What a lucky day!
What an amazing day we had today! Accompanied by three MSc students and two officials from the Ministry of Forestry and Environmental Conservation we headed towards our first lake, Leshe Lake. I had never imagined that the two huge 4WDs … Continue reading
Posted in Asian monsoon, Myanmar, Thoughts and Tales, Travels
Tagged Asian monsoon, Asian monsoon project, crater lakes, Department of Geological Sciences, Geological Sciences, geology, lake sediments, monsoon history, Monywa, Myanmar, natural science, paleoclimate, sediments, Stockholm University, Sweden
Leave a comment
Equipment arrived, permission received!
Lin Thu arrived this evening from Yangon after a 10 hour-long drive. He had with him the equipment and the permissions to core all the five lakes! What more could we wish for! Tonight I passed by the temple and … Continue reading
No connection to the outer world
Our hotel has wireless Internet on all its seven floors. The only problem is that the connection only works sporadically. This is obviously not only the hotel’s problem. We tried at several other spots where Wi-Fi is offered, but it … Continue reading
Barbara Wohlfarth 