Hi! This week’ s edition is all about the intersection of geology and culture—from the educational opportunities along the Tour de France, to the geological clues hidden in The Mona Lisa. Plus, join me in getting ready for the upcoming geo-cultural experience: IMAGE’ 24!
*See closing note for a special assignment for dedicated readers*
Tour de France Gets Geo-Educational
Radu Razvan/Shutterstock.com
The Tour de France isn’t just a race; it’s a journey through rich geological history! The Geo-Sports team is setting up for another year of educating the public during the multinational event.
Geology and cycling meet:
Utrecht University geologist Douwe van Hinsbergen and his team air brief geology segments during Tour de France broadcasts in the U.K. and Netherlands.
Since starting in 2021, they present on topics like fossil discoveries, earthquake history, and volcanic materials in ways that resonate with cycling and geology enthusiasts.
Expanding engagement:
The team also produces educational blogs and social media content, providing detailed geological insights for each stage of major races.
Future plans include integrating these geological stories into school curriculums to inspire young minds.
Innovative communication:
The initiative uses the race to connect with the public and make geology accessible and interesting to those who may not have otherwise considered it.
The success of science communication lies in making complex concepts clear, fun, and relatable to the audience. The Geo-Sports team has nailed this ten times over by bringing geology to the forefront for learners all around the world.
Dive deeper:
You can learn more about Geo-Sports on their website. Browse the site and check out their detailed blogs for each stage of the race, which starts on 29 June!
Follow along with race updates on X (Twitter) and watch past segments on YouTube. The videos are in Dutch, but you can enable translated subtitles in the player settings.
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Bicycling isn’t the only way that geology is making waves in France … The Mona Lisa, on display at the Louvre, has been holding a mystery for centuries, but a geologist may have just cracked the case.
Geological insights:
Ann Pizzorusso, geologist and Renaissance art historian, has identified the landscape behind Leonardo da Vinci’ s painting The Mona Lisa as the area around Lecco, Italy.
By analyzing the limestone rocks depicted in the painting, she matched them to the grey-white limestone found in Lecco, especially near the Azzone Visconti bridge and the southwestern Alps.
Historical context and Leonardo da Vinci’ s geological passion:
Leonardo da Vinci was an artist and a keen observer of geological phenomena, documenting rock formations, erosion, and other geological processes in his notebooks.
This integration of art and science is highlighted in The Mona Lisa, where the geological formations in the background play a significant role in the story the painting tells.
In his notebooks, Leonardo da Vinci documented his extensive explorations of Lecco, a region situated on the shores of Lake Como and framed by stunning limestone peaks.
Challenging previous theories:
While many historians focused on identifying the bridge in the painting, Pizzorusso turned her eyes to the geological features instead.
Earlier ideas for potential locations included Bobbio or Arezzo, but these lacked the combination of a lake and the specific type of limestone found in Lecco.
Pizzorusso’ s approach integrates geological analysis, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the landscape as depicted by Leonardo da Vinci.
Where art meets science:
Integrating scientific expertise with art history can give us deeper understandings of classical artworks like The Mona Lisa, while adding a whole new level of appreciation.
Many people today believe the arts and sciences are distinctly separate, but this discovery shines even more light on how great minds like Pizzorusso and Leonardo da Vinci can integrate them!
If you’re looking for a conference to attend this summer, you have to come to IMAGE’ 24, hosted by AAPG and SEG in conjunction with SEPM.
What is it?
The International Meeting for Applied Geoscience and Energy is a massive meeting of the minds in the various energy industries in which geoscience plays a critical role.
IMAGE’ 24 is happening the 26–29 August in Houston, Texas. It’s about the only good reason to travel to Texas in August.
Why attend?
The networking opportunities are endless and beneficial for every career stage. Multiple people I spoke to at IMAGE’ 23 had secured internships, got job offers, or met new research collaborators by the end of the event!
With presentations, posters, short courses, and field trips, there's plenty to learn about geoscience and energy. Even if you're new to the energy sector, you'll gain knowledge by attending!
The whole event really is a load of fun! There’s the networking events, educational activities, and attractions like an art show and a rideable animatronic dinosaur named GeoRex.
Learn more:
Register here—AAPG members get a special discount!
Watch the official IMAGE’ 23 recap video to get a good idea of what you’re in for this year.
Thank you for reading this edition of GeoLifestyle!
This Saturday is my 27th birthday and I’d like only one thing from you, dear readers: Show me how YOU integrate geology with your life!
Use this Google Form or email editorial@aapg.org to make a submission that may be featured in next week’s edition. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s geo lifestyles!
Cate Larsen
Editor, GeoLifestyle
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