Bedrock: Earth's Earliest History

41: The Oldest Seafloor

Bedrock: Earth's Earliest History

Show Notes

In 1991, a mysterious, striped red and gray rock was discovered on a cold Greenland isle. Years later, this rock would rock the scientific world with multiple debates about the early oceans and life. What exactly is this rock, and why do we care? Stay tuned, and on the way, we’ll learn how scientists can officially argue with each other. Extra Credit: Eat something with peanut butter and chocolate, pet a large and a small dog, or make sure your vaccines are up to date! Donate to support the show- anything is appreciated! Click here for the audience survey! Click here to read Dylan's Nature paper!

More from Bedrock: Earth's Earliest History

Oct 23, 2026

I'm on fall break right now! (That's why the first minute sounds funky) While I'm off, enjoy an episode of Hometown Geology from our Patreon, on the house! If you like what you hear, check out Bedrock on Patreon for more- you can listen, vote, or even suggest your own topics! This episode covers two main stories: how the Hawaiian Island chain formed, then a quick tour through seven(!) volcanoes on and around the Big Island. Enjoy!

Oct 8, 2026

Today, we visit the three major locations for Season 3. A three-ring circus of rocks, if you will. One area is a remote desert full of ancient fossils. One area is a forested mountainland with evidence for global catastrophes. One area is our most populated region yet, full of iron mines. Dylan has visited two of these three locations, and hints at a few personal field stories that will set Season 3 apart. Check out bonus episodes on Patreon! One-off donations on Paypal

Sep 24, 2026

Welcome to Season 3 of Bedrock! This season will cover the Paleoarchean Era, from 3.6 to 3.2 billion years ago, or March to April on the "Earth Calendar". Get ready for more fossils and strange new rocks! In this episode, we'll see why Season 3 begins and ends when it does: an extinction? an impact? or something more random? On the way, we'll visit geology's great "Council of Time", meet a bishop who was a founder of modern geology, and make a cake on the edge of the Grand Canyon. Want bonus content? Check out our Patreon! One-off donations on Paypal

Aug 27, 2026

While we're on a break between seasons, and while I'm starting my new job, I figured this would be a nice palate cleanser. There's no script, just answers like I'd actually give in person. If YOU want your question to be on a future Mail Time (and listen to bonus episodes), join our Patreon here! Today, I talk about the day I fell in love with "fossil pond scum", some of my favorite field locations, and my favorite time period in Earth history. Enjoy!

Aug 19, 2026

Get caught up on Season 2! The Eoarchean Era covers 4 to 3.6 billion years ago, Feb 15 to March 19 on the Earth Calendar. Highlights include: the oldest rock on Earth (24), a dimmer Sun (28), the Man in the Moon (35), the oldest ash (46) the oldest uncontested(-ish) evidence for life (50), and the oldest rocks in the USA (55). While you wait for Season 3, check out patreon.com/bedrockpodcast for episodes of Hometown Geology, or bedrockpodcast.com for helpful scripts and images! Thanks for all the support!

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