Mika McKinnon
@mikamckinnon.bsky.social
Field geophysicist, disaster researcher, scifi science consultant, science writer, public speaker, irrepressibly curious. Occasional rock-licker, frequent devourer of board books. 🇨🇦🇺🇸
Reposted by Mika McKinnon
Good news!!
The deadline to apply for this job has been extended to November 24. 🗓️
Get your applications in soon!
The deadline to apply for this job has been extended to November 24. 🗓️
Get your applications in soon!
🚨JOB ALERT : ENGINEERING SEISMOLOGIST 🚨
Come and work with us in the Seismic Hazards Program at the California Geological Survey!
💰 $6,488 - $12,215 / month
📆 Application due: 11/17/2025
calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/...
Come and work with us in the Seismic Hazards Program at the California Geological Survey!
💰 $6,488 - $12,215 / month
📆 Application due: 11/17/2025
calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/...
Engineering Seismologist
Looking to make a difference? Join our strong and mighty workforce. We offer benefits and growth opportunities and impact the lives of millions of Californians.
calcareers.ca.gov
November 14, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Good news!!
The deadline to apply for this job has been extended to November 24. 🗓️
Get your applications in soon!
The deadline to apply for this job has been extended to November 24. 🗓️
Get your applications in soon!
Reposted by Mika McKinnon
👇 the website will be creaking a bit now, but especially if you have observations from low latitudes (<45⁰N) save this site and submit your observations later!
Submit them to Aurorasaurus!!! They're an NSF funded project out of University of New Mexico that takes crowdsourced aurora observations for research purposes:
www.aurorasaurus.org
www.aurorasaurus.org
Aurorasaurus - Reporting Auroras from the Ground Up
Friends, see my real-time #aurora report on the aurorasaurus.org map! Follow us on www.facebook.com/aurorasaurus.org. Reporting #northernlights and #citizenscience from the ground up since 2012!
www.aurorasaurus.org
November 12, 2025 at 6:37 AM
👇 the website will be creaking a bit now, but especially if you have observations from low latitudes (<45⁰N) save this site and submit your observations later!
#Copper has been holding on to an 8% lead most of the match. It’s a lot, but #Molybdenite could catch up.
What topics should we cover in the #OreCup victory post?
What topics should we cover in the #OreCup victory post?
#OreCup finals are between a pair of bewitching ore minerals that glitter and gleam. But only one can have your vote.
Will it be native copper or molybdenite? You’re running out of time to choose!
Vote:
Will it be native copper or molybdenite? You’re running out of time to choose!
Vote:
Vote in Ore Cup FINALS — Mineral Cup & Ore Cup
Pick the Ore Mineral of the Year! Voting for Copper vs Molybdenite will remain open for 48 hours. Credit: David M. Maietta and Harold Moritz
www.mineralcup.org
November 10, 2025 at 6:47 PM
#Copper has been holding on to an 8% lead most of the match. It’s a lot, but #Molybdenite could catch up.
What topics should we cover in the #OreCup victory post?
What topics should we cover in the #OreCup victory post?
I knew the week-long mini-Cup would feel fast, but being in the final match already is BLAZING. 😳
#OreCup Finals:
It’s copper ore native #Copper vs molybdenum (& rhenium) ore #Molybdenite. Both are shiny, but only one can be the Ore Mineral of the Year
Vote:
It’s copper ore native #Copper vs molybdenum (& rhenium) ore #Molybdenite. Both are shiny, but only one can be the Ore Mineral of the Year
Vote:
Vote in Ore Cup FINALS — Mineral Cup & Ore Cup
Pick the Ore Mineral of the Year! Voting for Copper vs Molybdenite will remain open for 48 hours. Credit: David M. Maietta and Harold Moritz
www.mineralcup.org
November 9, 2025 at 5:16 PM
I knew the week-long mini-Cup would feel fast, but being in the final match already is BLAZING. 😳
It’s still a painfully tight match, close enough that I’m going to be hiding in a corner during a child’s birthday party to frantically finalize which mineral will compete against native copper for Ore Mineral of the Year.
Nothing but elegance and grace! 😂
Nothing but elegance and grace! 😂
Only a few hours left to vote in the #OreCup semifinals of #Molybdenite vs #Bornite!
vote: www.mineralcup.org/vote-results...
results:
vote: www.mineralcup.org/vote-results...
results:
www.mineralcup.org
November 8, 2025 at 9:22 PM
It’s still a painfully tight match, close enough that I’m going to be hiding in a corner during a child’s birthday party to frantically finalize which mineral will compete against native copper for Ore Mineral of the Year.
Nothing but elegance and grace! 😂
Nothing but elegance and grace! 😂
#Copper is very, very neat, but I am forlorn that #Ilmenite is getting trounced so soundly in the #OreCup semifinals.
I mean. It's a titanium oxide ore, which is body-safe and not water soluble so it's not on the Do No Lick list, just on the Do Not Rub Into Your Eyes list.
📸 Gerhard Brandstetter
I mean. It's a titanium oxide ore, which is body-safe and not water soluble so it's not on the Do No Lick list, just on the Do Not Rub Into Your Eyes list.
📸 Gerhard Brandstetter
November 7, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Today I learned (& it made my happy):
Just a reminder, that possibly the oldest piece of palaeoart dates to the Neolithic. The petroglyphs of horned characters with trumpets, recorded on the same rock as a ornithischian footprints (Zagaje Formation) in Poland, might be an early reconstruction of the Jurassic tracemaker.
November 7, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Today I learned (& it made my happy):
Phew, this is going fast!
Ilmenite won & will face cooper in the semifinals tomorrow.
Today is the last match in round 1 (quarterfinals! 😂) to pick which ore mineral is up against molybdenite.
Hint: they’re both pretty!
Ilmenite won & will face cooper in the semifinals tomorrow.
Today is the last match in round 1 (quarterfinals! 😂) to pick which ore mineral is up against molybdenite.
Hint: they’re both pretty!
#OreCup R1M4: This match is coming hot from a hydrothermal vein as #Carrollite competes with #Bornite. Both are copper ores with a beautiful tarnish. You have 24 hours to decide!
vote: www.mineralcup.org/vote-results...
results:
vote: www.mineralcup.org/vote-results...
results:
www.mineralcup.org
November 6, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Phew, this is going fast!
Ilmenite won & will face cooper in the semifinals tomorrow.
Today is the last match in round 1 (quarterfinals! 😂) to pick which ore mineral is up against molybdenite.
Hint: they’re both pretty!
Ilmenite won & will face cooper in the semifinals tomorrow.
Today is the last match in round 1 (quarterfinals! 😂) to pick which ore mineral is up against molybdenite.
Hint: they’re both pretty!
Reposted by Mika McKinnon
One of my favourite polar bear photos I've taken to date. It was a weird, misty evening with just a sliver of sunlight coming through the fog, lighting up this bear on the rocks just outside of town. #mammals 🌿 #BearSeason2025
November 1, 2025 at 10:18 PM
One of my favourite polar bear photos I've taken to date. It was a weird, misty evening with just a sliver of sunlight coming through the fog, lighting up this bear on the rocks just outside of town. #mammals 🌿 #BearSeason2025
Reposted by Mika McKinnon
There’s passive-aggressive data viz, and there’s “putting a teeeeeeeeny weeny 0.7-point-shift arrow on Mecklenburg County” passive-aggressive.
November 5, 2025 at 2:52 AM
There’s passive-aggressive data viz, and there’s “putting a teeeeeeeeny weeny 0.7-point-shift arrow on Mecklenburg County” passive-aggressive.
I am called out.
But in my defence, the adjectives for describing the texture of a mineral so slippery that it’s one of the best lubricants on the planet veer into nsfw or at least giggle-inducing territory very quickly.
But in my defence, the adjectives for describing the texture of a mineral so slippery that it’s one of the best lubricants on the planet veer into nsfw or at least giggle-inducing territory very quickly.
November 4, 2025 at 7:48 AM
I am called out.
But in my defence, the adjectives for describing the texture of a mineral so slippery that it’s one of the best lubricants on the planet veer into nsfw or at least giggle-inducing territory very quickly.
But in my defence, the adjectives for describing the texture of a mineral so slippery that it’s one of the best lubricants on the planet veer into nsfw or at least giggle-inducing territory very quickly.
My #scicomm win for the day? Writing a mostly-coherent definition of mineral subgroups without lies of oversimplification or ending up deep in the weeds.
I hope.
I hope.
#OreCup R1M2 is a matchup of extremely shiny and geometrically-distinctive ore minerals for #Molybdenite vs #Tetrahedrite.
Vote: www.mineralcup.org/vote-results...
Results:
Vote: www.mineralcup.org/vote-results...
Results:
www.mineralcup.org
November 4, 2025 at 2:22 AM
My #scicomm win for the day? Writing a mostly-coherent definition of mineral subgroups without lies of oversimplification or ending up deep in the weeds.
I hope.
I hope.
Psst. Did you see?
After years of asking us for mini-cups, we have a week-long race through the blend of economics and geology that are ore minerals.
Go, learn, share, vote!
After years of asking us for mini-cups, we have a week-long race through the blend of economics and geology that are ore minerals.
Go, learn, share, vote!
The first match in #OreCup is on now as #Galena and #Copper battle for your vote. Do you favour the lead ore or the native metal?
Vote: www.mineralcup.org/vote-results...
Results:
Vote: www.mineralcup.org/vote-results...
Results:
www.mineralcup.org
November 3, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Psst. Did you see?
After years of asking us for mini-cups, we have a week-long race through the blend of economics and geology that are ore minerals.
Go, learn, share, vote!
After years of asking us for mini-cups, we have a week-long race through the blend of economics and geology that are ore minerals.
Go, learn, share, vote!
Geo help?
We’re drafting our “What is a mineral?” and “What is an ore?” & related blurbs for #OreCup
Anyone have fav examples of things that are ores but not minerals, ores that don’t contain the same-named minerals, and other weirdness we should include?
We’re drafting our “What is a mineral?” and “What is an ore?” & related blurbs for #OreCup
Anyone have fav examples of things that are ores but not minerals, ores that don’t contain the same-named minerals, and other weirdness we should include?
October 30, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Geo help?
We’re drafting our “What is a mineral?” and “What is an ore?” & related blurbs for #OreCup
Anyone have fav examples of things that are ores but not minerals, ores that don’t contain the same-named minerals, and other weirdness we should include?
We’re drafting our “What is a mineral?” and “What is an ore?” & related blurbs for #OreCup
Anyone have fav examples of things that are ores but not minerals, ores that don’t contain the same-named minerals, and other weirdness we should include?
Reposted by Mika McKinnon
I've made a brand new prompt list for #Nudivember this year with all kinds of fun and obscure species to draw or paint or write poems about.
Spend November thinking about nudis instead of everything else.
Spend November thinking about nudis instead of everything else.
Welcome to the 2025 #Nudivember art challenge!
Like last year, here is a list of some lesser known, yet always fabulous, nudibranch species.
Participate as much or as little as you want in any art form you like.
Make sure to use #Nudivember and use alt text!
Like last year, here is a list of some lesser known, yet always fabulous, nudibranch species.
Participate as much or as little as you want in any art form you like.
Make sure to use #Nudivember and use alt text!
October 29, 2025 at 7:54 PM
I've made a brand new prompt list for #Nudivember this year with all kinds of fun and obscure species to draw or paint or write poems about.
Spend November thinking about nudis instead of everything else.
Spend November thinking about nudis instead of everything else.
What’s the word for being excited yet utterly unprepared?
October 22, 2025 at 2:17 AM
What’s the word for being excited yet utterly unprepared?
A friend went to her first protest yesterday. Upon realizing the essential nature of signs, she quickly improvised using a puppy pad.
Very Marshall McLuhan to use disposable urinary incontinence protection as the medium for the message.
Very Marshall McLuhan to use disposable urinary incontinence protection as the medium for the message.
October 19, 2025 at 6:48 PM
A friend went to her first protest yesterday. Upon realizing the essential nature of signs, she quickly improvised using a puppy pad.
Very Marshall McLuhan to use disposable urinary incontinence protection as the medium for the message.
Very Marshall McLuhan to use disposable urinary incontinence protection as the medium for the message.
Reposted by Mika McKinnon
if you're in Alberta and you want your flu and covid shot in 2026 - yes you read that correctly - you have to preorder them right now. So here's the link. go do that. Just in case none of those people get removed from power by then.
please repost this, as the province seems bent on killing us.
please repost this, as the province seems bent on killing us.
bookvaccine.alberta.ca
October 19, 2025 at 3:37 AM
if you're in Alberta and you want your flu and covid shot in 2026 - yes you read that correctly - you have to preorder them right now. So here's the link. go do that. Just in case none of those people get removed from power by then.
please repost this, as the province seems bent on killing us.
please repost this, as the province seems bent on killing us.
It is so very, very Canadian that the collective response to our retired Prime Minister dating a pop star is indifference, with maybe a shrug that it’s not the first time it’s happened.
October 17, 2025 at 7:08 PM
It is so very, very Canadian that the collective response to our retired Prime Minister dating a pop star is indifference, with maybe a shrug that it’s not the first time it’s happened.
Reposted by Mika McKinnon
This is good reporting on the disaster in Alaska if you're looking for a reliable summary.
This is a bigger disaster than I think most are realizing. 1500 people have been displaced by the flooding with an exceptionally complicated response and recovery.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5kz...
This is a bigger disaster than I think most are realizing. 1500 people have been displaced by the flooding with an exceptionally complicated response and recovery.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5kz...
Rescue crews airlift hundreds out of rural Alaskan villages after powerful storm
YouTube video by PBS NewsHour
www.youtube.com
October 17, 2025 at 11:31 AM
This is good reporting on the disaster in Alaska if you're looking for a reliable summary.
This is a bigger disaster than I think most are realizing. 1500 people have been displaced by the flooding with an exceptionally complicated response and recovery.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5kz...
This is a bigger disaster than I think most are realizing. 1500 people have been displaced by the flooding with an exceptionally complicated response and recovery.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5kz...
So I’m guessing something happened at The Old Plaxe? Nice to find you again. 💚
No polls, so I haven’t gotten back into You Find A Rock. One day.
But! Mineral Cup is very active here, and we’re 2 weeks out from our first mini-cup!! I’m excited:
No polls, so I haven’t gotten back into You Find A Rock. One day.
But! Mineral Cup is very active here, and we’re 2 weeks out from our first mini-cup!! I’m excited:
Hark! What’s that we see on the horizon?
Is it something new? Something mostly metallic, quite heavy, and essential to society? It’s an all-new collaboration with IMA!
Ore Cup: www.mineralcup.org/about-ore-cup
Voting starts Monday November 3. Winner crowned IMA Ore Mineral of the Year
Is it something new? Something mostly metallic, quite heavy, and essential to society? It’s an all-new collaboration with IMA!
Ore Cup: www.mineralcup.org/about-ore-cup
Voting starts Monday November 3. Winner crowned IMA Ore Mineral of the Year
October 16, 2025 at 3:13 AM
So I’m guessing something happened at The Old Plaxe? Nice to find you again. 💚
No polls, so I haven’t gotten back into You Find A Rock. One day.
But! Mineral Cup is very active here, and we’re 2 weeks out from our first mini-cup!! I’m excited:
No polls, so I haven’t gotten back into You Find A Rock. One day.
But! Mineral Cup is very active here, and we’re 2 weeks out from our first mini-cup!! I’m excited:
Psst.
Do any of you know about narrative measurement? Or have preferred resources? I’m intrigued & starting to dig in.
Do any of you know about narrative measurement? Or have preferred resources? I’m intrigued & starting to dig in.
October 13, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Psst.
Do any of you know about narrative measurement? Or have preferred resources? I’m intrigued & starting to dig in.
Do any of you know about narrative measurement? Or have preferred resources? I’m intrigued & starting to dig in.
Dear disaster & geokin,
Does anyone have earthquake / shakeout-adjacent lessons that are fun for the preschool/kindergarten age bracket?
Seeking inspiration.
Does anyone have earthquake / shakeout-adjacent lessons that are fun for the preschool/kindergarten age bracket?
Seeking inspiration.
October 11, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Dear disaster & geokin,
Does anyone have earthquake / shakeout-adjacent lessons that are fun for the preschool/kindergarten age bracket?
Seeking inspiration.
Does anyone have earthquake / shakeout-adjacent lessons that are fun for the preschool/kindergarten age bracket?
Seeking inspiration.