New review: Deep Life is a detailed eyewitness account of our discovery of Earth's subsurface biosphere, though the focus on the "how" threatens to smother the fascinating subject matter.

https://inquisitivebiologist.com/2025/09/09/book-review-deep-life-the-hunt-for-the-hidden-biology-of-earth-mars-and-beyond/

#Microbiology #Geology #Geomicrobiology #Astrobiology #Books #BookReview #Bookstodon #Scicomm @princetonupress @princetonnature @bookstodon

🚨Job Alert!🚨 #Geology faculty position #structural geology/#geophysics at Whitman College, Washington State, USA. Review starts Sept. 19.
h/t Julie Elliot @ bsky

https://apply.interfolio.com/171758

In honor of #MinCup25 I walked into the friendliest little mineral shop I have ever been to (hello, #Pécs!). After a lovely chat and lots of shinies I walked out with a universite medal. Universite is a fancy fantasy name for a local mix of agate, jasper and chalcedony. Pretty! 😊

#minerals #geology #image #shiny

A hidden Kansas gem in post rock limestone country

Traveling on Interstate 70 through central Kansas one passes though an area of unique geology likely first evidenced to visitors by the unique stone fenceposts denoting agricultural property lines in the area. This is Post Rock Limestone Country — a fairly narrow landscape that hides a beige-color limestone beneath the surface. Given the minimal number of trees in the Kansas High Plains, post rock (Greenhorn) limestone became the go-to source of building materials as this 18-county area was settling and developing during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

A fascinating Field Guide & Map about post rock limestone architecture produced by the Kansas Post Rock Limestone Coalition led us to Wilson, Kansas where we found a a series of unique architectural buildings constructed out of this hardy material. By the way, Wilson is not the only town where one can see post rock limestone architecture, it just happened to be where we took a break from highway travel. And Wilson was definitely worth a visit, and not just for its iconic buildings.

Throughout this post are photographs from Wilson where post rock limestone has been used as a building material. Among them is the town’s historic 1901 Opera House (see below). Sadly, a 2009 fire in another building spread to the Opera House and destroyed much of the structure.

Normally, such a disaster would difficult to overcome for a small town of 859 people (2020 population). But Wilson is not your typical small town, as they have worked tirelessly to rehabilitate the remaining structure and utilize the building as an open-air event venue. This facility held its ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 2, 2025. Congratulations!

From the World’s Largest Czech Egg (2016) to the recently installed Lady Liberty Statue (2022), other structures and sites around town depict the strong sense of hometown pride that can be found in Wilson, Kansas. Not only are these placemaking efforts beneficial for the local citizens, but they also draw tourists and tourism dollars off the nearby interstate highway into the town.

Not all small towns dotting the American landscape have the wherewithal, grit, and determination found in Wilson, Kansas. But, places like Wilson can serve as a positive example of the hidden potential found in Small Town America, just like the hidden post rock limestone located beneath the surface of Central Kansas. Hopefully, each success story will motivate other communities to follow suit.

“Places like Wilson can serve as a positive example of the hidden potential found in Small Town America, just like the hidden post rock limestone located beneath the surface of Central Kansas.”

Source: panethos.wordpress.com

If you would be interested in donating to the impressive preservation and placemaking efforts taking place in Wilson, Kansas, below are several resources to consider. Meanwhile, travelers passing through or visiting Kansas should take the time to exit the freeway and visit some of the remarkable towns located in the state’s Post Rock Limestone County.

Peace!

——-

Wilson Czech Opera House

Mailing address: PO Box 271, Wilson, KS 67490

​Physical location: 415 27th St., Wilson, KS 67490

Email: wilsonoperahouse@gmail.com

Website: https://www.wilsonoperahouse.com/

Phone: 785-658-2199

Registered 501c3: 31-1480824

Smoky Hills Community Foundation (serving Ellsworth County)

Mailing address: PO Box 265, Ellsworth, KS 67439

Physical location: 519 Prairie Lane, Ellsworth, Kansas 67439

Email: director@smokyhillscf.org

Website: https://smokyhillscf.org/

Phone: (785) 810-1235

Wilson (community) Pride, Inc.

Phone and email: 785-452-5507 or dcriswell62@gmail.com

Website: http://www.wilsonks.com/

#charities #cities #CzechEgg #fun #geography #geology #history #Kansas #landUse #operaHouse #planning #postRockLimestone #tourism #towns #travel #wilson

🎉 GeoTech News

Excited to welcome the new 2025 batch of the Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Geospatial Technologies at NOVA IMS! 🌍📍

We wish all incoming students an inspiring start to their journey across Portugal, Germany, and Spain. 🚀✨

#GeoTech #ErasmusMundus #Geospatial #NOVAIMS #MScGeoTech #gis #tech #technology #master #erasmus #europe #geology #study #portugal #spain #germany #news #world