Dr. Melissa Scruggs
@volcanodoc.bsky.social
Serious 🌋 science. None of the pretentiousness. Asst Prof of minerals & magma-wrangling (socials are not a reflection of my employer’s views).
Reposted by Dr. Melissa Scruggs
November 8, 2025 at 1:32 PM
I’m very excited to announce that the always fantastic field geologist Dr. John Wakabayashi is invited as Wichita State Geology’s Watkins Lecturer next Wed & Thurs, 12-13 Nov.
If you’re around south-central KS/northern OK & interested in Earth Science, this is a multi-day event not to be missed!!
If you’re around south-central KS/northern OK & interested in Earth Science, this is a multi-day event not to be missed!!
November 6, 2025 at 12:59 PM
I’m very excited to announce that the always fantastic field geologist Dr. John Wakabayashi is invited as Wichita State Geology’s Watkins Lecturer next Wed & Thurs, 12-13 Nov.
If you’re around south-central KS/northern OK & interested in Earth Science, this is a multi-day event not to be missed!!
If you’re around south-central KS/northern OK & interested in Earth Science, this is a multi-day event not to be missed!!
Reposted by Dr. Melissa Scruggs
This is very, uh, not great. Just fyi. Especially for those of us in the direct path of a major tsunami from Alaska. 🙃
NOAA’s National Weather Service holds the federal responsibility for tsunami warnings, and has historically been a primary supporter of seismic data collection in Alaska
NOAA cancels longstanding funding for seismic data collection crucial to tsunami warning systems
The Alaska Earthquake Center has long provided NOAA with seismic data for tsunami monitoring and warning purposes. That work will wind down in November, after the federal agency said it can no longer fund the contract.
akpub.io
November 1, 2025 at 3:17 AM
This is very, uh, not great. Just fyi. Especially for those of us in the direct path of a major tsunami from Alaska. 🙃
I had to back out of #GSAConnects but my VERY FIRST STUDENT is still there presenting our summer fieldwork at Newberry Volcano. 🌋🥳
Stop on by Poster 277 between 3:30-5:30 pm today to learn about what mafic enclaves can tell us about Central OR’s last eruption & where magma is beneath this caldera!!
Stop on by Poster 277 between 3:30-5:30 pm today to learn about what mafic enclaves can tell us about Central OR’s last eruption & where magma is beneath this caldera!!
October 19, 2025 at 3:14 PM
I had to back out of #GSAConnects but my VERY FIRST STUDENT is still there presenting our summer fieldwork at Newberry Volcano. 🌋🥳
Stop on by Poster 277 between 3:30-5:30 pm today to learn about what mafic enclaves can tell us about Central OR’s last eruption & where magma is beneath this caldera!!
Stop on by Poster 277 between 3:30-5:30 pm today to learn about what mafic enclaves can tell us about Central OR’s last eruption & where magma is beneath this caldera!!
Reposted by Dr. Melissa Scruggs
Dear funding agencies,
I know we all want to discover the wonder drug that will cure the horrible diseases, but to do that, we need to invest in basic, unsexy, foundational research on how the systems work. Funding can’t all be drug development.
Sincerely,
Looking for basic research grants.
I know we all want to discover the wonder drug that will cure the horrible diseases, but to do that, we need to invest in basic, unsexy, foundational research on how the systems work. Funding can’t all be drug development.
Sincerely,
Looking for basic research grants.
October 14, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Dear funding agencies,
I know we all want to discover the wonder drug that will cure the horrible diseases, but to do that, we need to invest in basic, unsexy, foundational research on how the systems work. Funding can’t all be drug development.
Sincerely,
Looking for basic research grants.
I know we all want to discover the wonder drug that will cure the horrible diseases, but to do that, we need to invest in basic, unsexy, foundational research on how the systems work. Funding can’t all be drug development.
Sincerely,
Looking for basic research grants.
In all my years of existence, I have never once stepped foot into an IKEA and it’s now a point of pride for me.
Inspired by a post I just saw in which someone admitted they hadn’t seen a single episode of Friends nor the film Love Actually… what cultural hole do you have that’s a bit weird for your generation?
I’ll go first: I haven’t seen Dirty Dancing.
I’ll go first: I haven’t seen Dirty Dancing.
October 6, 2025 at 11:53 AM
In all my years of existence, I have never once stepped foot into an IKEA and it’s now a point of pride for me.
Reposted by Dr. Melissa Scruggs
If a tiny fraction of the resources deployed towards AI was invested instead in actual artists we'd be enjoying a renaissance rather than drowning in a sea of garbage
September 30, 2025 at 6:53 AM
If a tiny fraction of the resources deployed towards AI was invested instead in actual artists we'd be enjoying a renaissance rather than drowning in a sea of garbage
Reposted by Dr. Melissa Scruggs
I’ll admit, #Tugtupite is a toughie, but as a Mineral Cup rookie, we all know that the Reindeer Blood stone’s approach will be to slide its blade along the stubby sides of #Kyanite to no effect whatsoever! Anisotropic. Beautiful DEEP blue. Kyanite is rested and ready to be #MinCup25 champion!
October 1, 2025 at 12:45 AM
I’ll admit, #Tugtupite is a toughie, but as a Mineral Cup rookie, we all know that the Reindeer Blood stone’s approach will be to slide its blade along the stubby sides of #Kyanite to no effect whatsoever! Anisotropic. Beautiful DEEP blue. Kyanite is rested and ready to be #MinCup25 champion!
Reposted by Dr. Melissa Scruggs
Portland doesn’t need the military. Portland has its own defenses.
September 27, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Portland doesn’t need the military. Portland has its own defenses.
I genuinely had this conversation w/ my 1st year grad student TODAY.
There's STILL no solicitation posted, but the hard deadline stands - making it impossible to know the specific guidelines for the application or even apply! This is INFURIATING as an advisor and a scientist & totally unacceptable.
There's STILL no solicitation posted, but the hard deadline stands - making it impossible to know the specific guidelines for the application or even apply! This is INFURIATING as an advisor and a scientist & totally unacceptable.
Please share with anyone who cares about NSF support for graduate students and take 30 seconds to sign and leave a comment.
The deadline for the 2025 Graduate Research Fellowship Program is about one month away and literally no one can apply. #NSFGRFP
jasonjwilliamsny.github.io/grfp2025/
The deadline for the 2025 Graduate Research Fellowship Program is about one month away and literally no one can apply. #NSFGRFP
jasonjwilliamsny.github.io/grfp2025/
An Open Letter to U.S. STEM Leadership on the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
An Open Letter to U.S. STEM Leadership on the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
jasonjwilliamsny.github.io
September 25, 2025 at 10:17 PM
I genuinely had this conversation w/ my 1st year grad student TODAY.
There's STILL no solicitation posted, but the hard deadline stands - making it impossible to know the specific guidelines for the application or even apply! This is INFURIATING as an advisor and a scientist & totally unacceptable.
There's STILL no solicitation posted, but the hard deadline stands - making it impossible to know the specific guidelines for the application or even apply! This is INFURIATING as an advisor and a scientist & totally unacceptable.
To eat through the awfulness, here is a reminder that nature is, in the most literal sense, AWESOME.
I get that the news cycle is packed right now, but I just heard from a colleague at the Smithsonian that this is fully a GIANT SQUID BEING EATEN BY A SPERM WHALE and it’s possibly the first ever confirmed video according to a friend at NOAA
10 YEAR OLD ME IS LOSING HER MIND (a thread 🧵)
10 YEAR OLD ME IS LOSING HER MIND (a thread 🧵)
September 25, 2025 at 2:29 AM
To eat through the awfulness, here is a reminder that nature is, in the most literal sense, AWESOME.
Reposted by Dr. Melissa Scruggs
The federal government has censored the work of dozens of scientists, including work by my lab, on the impacts of climate change on Acadia National Park. Signs have been removed from Cadillac and Great Meadow. They’re also removing signs about the Wabanaki’s sacred connections to Cadillac.
Signs Referencing Climate Change Along with Web Pages Removed from Acadia National Park
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by The Witham Family Hotels Charitable Fund.
barharborstory.substack.com
September 23, 2025 at 10:59 PM
The federal government has censored the work of dozens of scientists, including work by my lab, on the impacts of climate change on Acadia National Park. Signs have been removed from Cadillac and Great Meadow. They’re also removing signs about the Wabanaki’s sacred connections to Cadillac.
Reposted by Dr. Melissa Scruggs
As you cancel streaming services, here is a casual reminder that only 16% of Americans read for pleasure anymore, and your local library has hundreds or thousands of books you haven't read.
They would love to see you stop by and renew your library card.
They would love to see you stop by and renew your library card.
September 18, 2025 at 7:55 PM
As you cancel streaming services, here is a casual reminder that only 16% of Americans read for pleasure anymore, and your local library has hundreds or thousands of books you haven't read.
They would love to see you stop by and renew your library card.
They would love to see you stop by and renew your library card.
Reposted by Dr. Melissa Scruggs
This is the playbook, folks.
If you're not paying attention now and doing something about it, then you're going to have to sit down the rest of your life because democracy is being taken away.
Do not be quiet in this moment.
If you're not paying attention now and doing something about it, then you're going to have to sit down the rest of your life because democracy is being taken away.
Do not be quiet in this moment.
September 18, 2025 at 4:12 PM
This is the playbook, folks.
If you're not paying attention now and doing something about it, then you're going to have to sit down the rest of your life because democracy is being taken away.
Do not be quiet in this moment.
If you're not paying attention now and doing something about it, then you're going to have to sit down the rest of your life because democracy is being taken away.
Do not be quiet in this moment.
Reposted by Dr. Melissa Scruggs
The people I know who hard scrabbled their way out of poverty - ACTUAL poverty - don’t call themselves “self made”. They are more apt to call themselves ‘community made’. They see and acknowledge the ones who helped them build along the way.
And will then become someone else’s community too.
And will then become someone else’s community too.
September 18, 2025 at 1:40 AM
The people I know who hard scrabbled their way out of poverty - ACTUAL poverty - don’t call themselves “self made”. They are more apt to call themselves ‘community made’. They see and acknowledge the ones who helped them build along the way.
And will then become someone else’s community too.
And will then become someone else’s community too.
Reposted by Dr. Melissa Scruggs
Cuprosklodowskite has a cool name, is a uranium mineral, and has our vote in today’s #MinCup25 matchup. eos.org/tag/uranium
Plus you add a couple of googly eyes and it’s a Muppet, so it’s got that going for it.
Plus you add a couple of googly eyes and it’s a Muppet, so it’s got that going for it.
September 14, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Cuprosklodowskite has a cool name, is a uranium mineral, and has our vote in today’s #MinCup25 matchup. eos.org/tag/uranium
Plus you add a couple of googly eyes and it’s a Muppet, so it’s got that going for it.
Plus you add a couple of googly eyes and it’s a Muppet, so it’s got that going for it.
Reposted by Dr. Melissa Scruggs
Strongly leaning towards Scrabble champion #Cuprosklodowskite over #Ikaite. Not only is it a radioactive devil & named after Marie Skłodowska Curie, its color range — “green” to “more green” — gives it a deadly look. It’s mad, bad & dangerous to know. #MinCup25 might just be a Green v Blue tourney!
September 14, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Strongly leaning towards Scrabble champion #Cuprosklodowskite over #Ikaite. Not only is it a radioactive devil & named after Marie Skłodowska Curie, its color range — “green” to “more green” — gives it a deadly look. It’s mad, bad & dangerous to know. #MinCup25 might just be a Green v Blue tourney!
Fun fact: the #cuprosklodowskite specimens on display at LANHM has a misspelled display card, which I noticed when visiting with a few members of my Twitch community several years ago.
Try saying “cuprosklodowskite” 6x fast & when you can’t, go vote for it!!!
Try saying “cuprosklodowskite” 6x fast & when you can’t, go vote for it!!!
#MinCup25 Round 1 Match 14: It's radioactive #cuprosklodowskite vs ephemeral #ikaite for today's match.
Vote: www.mineralcup.org/2025/vote/r1...
Results: www.mineralcup.org/2025/results...
Vote: www.mineralcup.org/2025/vote/r1...
Results: www.mineralcup.org/2025/results...
Vote in Round 1 Match 14 — Mineral Cup
Click here to vote in Cuprosklodowskite vs Ikaite Photo credits: Harold Moritz and Uli Kunz, SUBMARIS 2024 from Aðalsteinsdóttir et al
www.mineralcup.org
September 14, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Fun fact: the #cuprosklodowskite specimens on display at LANHM has a misspelled display card, which I noticed when visiting with a few members of my Twitch community several years ago.
Try saying “cuprosklodowskite” 6x fast & when you can’t, go vote for it!!!
Try saying “cuprosklodowskite” 6x fast & when you can’t, go vote for it!!!
Reposted by Dr. Melissa Scruggs
I doubt Kyanite will win top prize in this year's #MinCup but I really think it ought to one of these years.
a) pretty
b) anisotropic
c) index mineral for certain types of metamorphism
d) classic example of a polymorph (with sillimanite and andalusite)
a) pretty
b) anisotropic
c) index mineral for certain types of metamorphism
d) classic example of a polymorph (with sillimanite and andalusite)
#MinCup25 Round 1 Match 13: It's a battle of high-pressure colourful beauties of #topaz vs #kyanite. Which can stand the heat of round 1?
Vote: www.mineralcup.org/2025/vote/r1m13
Results: www.mineralcup.org/2025/results/r1m13
Vote: www.mineralcup.org/2025/vote/r1m13
Results: www.mineralcup.org/2025/results/r1m13
Vote in Round 1 Match 13 — Mineral Cup
Click here to vote in Topaz vs Kyanite Photo credit: Smithsonian Institution
www.mineralcup.org
September 13, 2025 at 2:27 AM
I doubt Kyanite will win top prize in this year's #MinCup but I really think it ought to one of these years.
a) pretty
b) anisotropic
c) index mineral for certain types of metamorphism
d) classic example of a polymorph (with sillimanite and andalusite)
a) pretty
b) anisotropic
c) index mineral for certain types of metamorphism
d) classic example of a polymorph (with sillimanite and andalusite)
Reposted by Dr. Melissa Scruggs
I will always diligently vote against kyanite for what it does to quartz 🤬
September 13, 2025 at 6:39 AM
I will always diligently vote against kyanite for what it does to quartz 🤬
KC has been a blue dot in a red state for years. I was lucky enough to attend predominantly black K12s & grew up around all types of people from myriad backgrounds-really shaping my worldview.
Breaking up KC’s voting districts gets rid of one of the few strongholds where it still feels safe to be.
Breaking up KC’s voting districts gets rid of one of the few strongholds where it still feels safe to be.
Missouri Republicans today passed a new gerrymander that would break apart the Democratic district in Kansas City, which would flip a seat to the GOP. (The governor is expected to sign it.) www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Missouri senators pass gerrymandered map that slashes through Kansas City
The vote marked a pivotal moment in Missouri, potentially altering the political makeup of Kansas City for years.
www.kansascity.com
September 13, 2025 at 12:16 PM
KC has been a blue dot in a red state for years. I was lucky enough to attend predominantly black K12s & grew up around all types of people from myriad backgrounds-really shaping my worldview.
Breaking up KC’s voting districts gets rid of one of the few strongholds where it still feels safe to be.
Breaking up KC’s voting districts gets rid of one of the few strongholds where it still feels safe to be.
Reposted by Dr. Melissa Scruggs
I have just heard an ALARMING report that my former Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Nebraska is threatened with elimination, due to a university & state-wide budget crisis, and despite their ongoing success in scholarship and teaching. This is really shocking.
September 12, 2025 at 12:36 AM
I have just heard an ALARMING report that my former Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Nebraska is threatened with elimination, due to a university & state-wide budget crisis, and despite their ongoing success in scholarship and teaching. This is really shocking.
Reposted by Dr. Melissa Scruggs
If you vote against calcite this is what you're voting against.
#TeamCalcite always and forever. Here's a small taste of calcite's beauty with a look at my personal calcite collection.
September 4, 2025 at 8:53 PM
If you vote against calcite this is what you're voting against.
