Doug Jerolmack
@dougjerolmack.bsky.social
#SoftEarthGeophysics is the future
It is happening!!!!!
Welcome to the Soft Earth Geophysics program at KITP!
January 5 - March 26, 2026
Learn more: buff.ly/b5WkU3A #softearth26
January 5 - March 26, 2026
Learn more: buff.ly/b5WkU3A #softearth26
January 14, 2026 at 6:17 AM
It is happening!!!!!
In a study led by my colleague Hugo Ulloa, we reveal a surprising new mechanism for erosion by raindrops. Sandballs form when rolling drops mop up sand, even reaching a jammed state! #SoftEarthGeophysics
Raindrops can bounce and then roll down a slope, picking up sand as they go.
The sand-covered balls transport up to 100 times more sediment downhill than drops that don’t roll, a fact that could help make more realistic computer models of soil erosion and land change. https://scim.ag/4p7ghBE
The sand-covered balls transport up to 100 times more sediment downhill than drops that don’t roll, a fact that could help make more realistic computer models of soil erosion and land change. https://scim.ag/4p7ghBE
December 27, 2025 at 12:17 AM
In a study led by my colleague Hugo Ulloa, we reveal a surprising new mechanism for erosion by raindrops. Sandballs form when rolling drops mop up sand, even reaching a jammed state! #SoftEarthGeophysics
🧪Today we begin releasing the #SoftEarthGeophysics Chalk Talks, INFORMAL lectures laying out how to think of Earth's surface as a soft matter landscape.
This labor of love started w/ a @kitp-ucsb.bsky.social blackboard talk, and grew with support across @sas.upenn.edu @pennengineering.bsky.social
This labor of love started w/ a @kitp-ucsb.bsky.social blackboard talk, and grew with support across @sas.upenn.edu @pennengineering.bsky.social
December 12, 2025 at 6:48 PM
🧪Today we begin releasing the #SoftEarthGeophysics Chalk Talks, INFORMAL lectures laying out how to think of Earth's surface as a soft matter landscape.
This labor of love started w/ a @kitp-ucsb.bsky.social blackboard talk, and grew with support across @sas.upenn.edu @pennengineering.bsky.social
This labor of love started w/ a @kitp-ucsb.bsky.social blackboard talk, and grew with support across @sas.upenn.edu @pennengineering.bsky.social
I am beyond honored to be recognized by @apsphysics.bsky.social !
Being an "adult learner" in physics is hard, but the community has been so supportive!
More important, to me, is the recognition of #SoftEarthGeophysics and its home in APS.
Being an "adult learner" in physics is hard, but the community has been so supportive!
More important, to me, is the recognition of #SoftEarthGeophysics and its home in APS.
Congratulations to Prof. Douglas Jerolmack on being named as a 2025 American Physical Society (APS) fellow! Jerolmack, an experimental geophysicist, has dual appointments in Penn Arts & Sciences and @pennengineering.bsky.social. @dougjerolmack.bsky.social
Douglas Jerolmack One of Two from Penn Named 2025 APS Fellow
Jerolmack, who is pioneering the emerging field of Soft Earth Geophysics, joins Penn Engineering’s Ritesh Agarwal in the American Physical Society honor.
buff.ly
October 23, 2025 at 3:04 PM
I am beyond honored to be recognized by @apsphysics.bsky.social !
Being an "adult learner" in physics is hard, but the community has been so supportive!
More important, to me, is the recognition of #SoftEarthGeophysics and its home in APS.
Being an "adult learner" in physics is hard, but the community has been so supportive!
More important, to me, is the recognition of #SoftEarthGeophysics and its home in APS.
Reposted by Doug Jerolmack
Recently, NASA announced that samples from an ancient dry riverbed on Mars may contain potential biosignatures, possible evidence of ancient microbial life. On CBS News, @dougjerolmack.bsky.social of the Department of Earth and Environmental Science discussed the exciting news.
The significance of Mars rover's latest discovery
This week, NASA said scientists took the biggest step yet toward discovering whether there was ever life on Mars when a rock sample collected by the Mars rover Perseverance contained potential…
buff.ly
September 21, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Recently, NASA announced that samples from an ancient dry riverbed on Mars may contain potential biosignatures, possible evidence of ancient microbial life. On CBS News, @dougjerolmack.bsky.social of the Department of Earth and Environmental Science discussed the exciting news.
On the "seminar circuit" I keep finding people who didn't know about our #SoftEarthGeophysics conference at @kitp-ucsb.bsky.social and that want to come. Please share with your colleagues and research groups. Details below.
Check out the @kitp-ucsb.bsky.social conference we're (Vashan Wright, Sujit Datta, Nathalie Vriend) organizing:
www.kitp.ucsb.edu/activities/s... for THIS JANUARY 6-9!
Geoscientists, physicists and engineers: are you intellectually adventurous and been wondering "is this all there is?" 🧪
www.kitp.ucsb.edu/activities/s... for THIS JANUARY 6-9!
Geoscientists, physicists and engineers: are you intellectually adventurous and been wondering "is this all there is?" 🧪
KITP
www.kitp.ucsb.edu
September 29, 2025 at 4:26 PM
On the "seminar circuit" I keep finding people who didn't know about our #SoftEarthGeophysics conference at @kitp-ucsb.bsky.social and that want to come. Please share with your colleagues and research groups. Details below.
Check me out on @cbsnews.com talking about Mars rocks and using landscape patterns to search for life on other planets. #SoftEarthGeophysics
@upenn.edu
www.cbsnews.com/video/the-si...
@upenn.edu
www.cbsnews.com/video/the-si...
September 13, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Check me out on @cbsnews.com talking about Mars rocks and using landscape patterns to search for life on other planets. #SoftEarthGeophysics
@upenn.edu
www.cbsnews.com/video/the-si...
@upenn.edu
www.cbsnews.com/video/the-si...
If there was ever a time where deep and original thinking in science is needed.
Thanks @davidjonfurbish.bsky.social
Thanks @davidjonfurbish.bsky.social
eBook Preview
Statistical Physics of Rarefied Sediment Particle Motions and Transport: Applications to Hillslopes and Rivers
Posting this preview of material from my next (unfinished) book might be a mistake. But eh… what the hell.
1/n
cdn.vanderbilt.edu/t2-my/my-prd...
Statistical Physics of Rarefied Sediment Particle Motions and Transport: Applications to Hillslopes and Rivers
Posting this preview of material from my next (unfinished) book might be a mistake. But eh… what the hell.
1/n
cdn.vanderbilt.edu/t2-my/my-prd...
cdn.vanderbilt.edu
September 1, 2025 at 9:39 PM
If there was ever a time where deep and original thinking in science is needed.
Thanks @davidjonfurbish.bsky.social
Thanks @davidjonfurbish.bsky.social
Reposted by Doug Jerolmack
Can forests damp earthquake waves and thus limit co-seismic landslides? What does this mean for Critical Zone development? Postdoctoral position with Will Struble and a multi-disciplinary team (including me🌲🌲🌊🌳). Position is open until filled.
willstruble.com
#CZScience #Postdoc
willstruble.com
#CZScience #Postdoc
Will Struble
Tectonic Geomorphology and Surface Processes at the University of Houston
willstruble.com
August 20, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Can forests damp earthquake waves and thus limit co-seismic landslides? What does this mean for Critical Zone development? Postdoctoral position with Will Struble and a multi-disciplinary team (including me🌲🌲🌊🌳). Position is open until filled.
willstruble.com
#CZScience #Postdoc
willstruble.com
#CZScience #Postdoc
Check out the @kitp-ucsb.bsky.social conference we're (Vashan Wright, Sujit Datta, Nathalie Vriend) organizing:
www.kitp.ucsb.edu/activities/s... for THIS JANUARY 6-9!
Geoscientists, physicists and engineers: are you intellectually adventurous and been wondering "is this all there is?" 🧪
www.kitp.ucsb.edu/activities/s... for THIS JANUARY 6-9!
Geoscientists, physicists and engineers: are you intellectually adventurous and been wondering "is this all there is?" 🧪
KITP
www.kitp.ucsb.edu
August 20, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Check out the @kitp-ucsb.bsky.social conference we're (Vashan Wright, Sujit Datta, Nathalie Vriend) organizing:
www.kitp.ucsb.edu/activities/s... for THIS JANUARY 6-9!
Geoscientists, physicists and engineers: are you intellectually adventurous and been wondering "is this all there is?" 🧪
www.kitp.ucsb.edu/activities/s... for THIS JANUARY 6-9!
Geoscientists, physicists and engineers: are you intellectually adventurous and been wondering "is this all there is?" 🧪
🧪 idea for 1 way to address federal cuts to science funding:
if the big dumb bill passes and >middle class people get tax breaks they don't need, can we organize a system to divert these to private foundations that already fund science?
I'm serious. Anybody got ideas on if and how to do this?
if the big dumb bill passes and >middle class people get tax breaks they don't need, can we organize a system to divert these to private foundations that already fund science?
I'm serious. Anybody got ideas on if and how to do this?
June 5, 2025 at 9:05 PM
🧪 idea for 1 way to address federal cuts to science funding:
if the big dumb bill passes and >middle class people get tax breaks they don't need, can we organize a system to divert these to private foundations that already fund science?
I'm serious. Anybody got ideas on if and how to do this?
if the big dumb bill passes and >middle class people get tax breaks they don't need, can we organize a system to divert these to private foundations that already fund science?
I'm serious. Anybody got ideas on if and how to do this?
Reposted by Doug Jerolmack
Check out PCSSM postdoc @asinclair.bsky.social's latest paper with collaborators in @nathumbehav.nature.com on their SCIMaP project that visualizes cuts to NIH funding & how that impacts economy and employment nationwide.
And check out the map here: scienceimpacts.org
@michaelemann.bsky.social
And check out the map here: scienceimpacts.org
@michaelemann.bsky.social
Out now in @nathumbehav.nature.com: Cuts to NIH funding will impact the economy and employment nationwide. We visualize these losses and advocate for a theory-driven approach to communicating local, self-relevant impact. w/ @joshuasweitz.bsky.social + SCIMaP team:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
NIH indirect cost cuts will affect the economy and employment - Nature Human Behaviour
Nature Human Behaviour - NIH indirect cost cuts will affect the economy and employment
www.nature.com
June 2, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Check out PCSSM postdoc @asinclair.bsky.social's latest paper with collaborators in @nathumbehav.nature.com on their SCIMaP project that visualizes cuts to NIH funding & how that impacts economy and employment nationwide.
And check out the map here: scienceimpacts.org
@michaelemann.bsky.social
And check out the map here: scienceimpacts.org
@michaelemann.bsky.social
Reposted by Doug Jerolmack
I think most people don't understand exactly what universities do or how they are funded. It's worth reading this and then talking with folks you know about it.🧪
www.npr.org/2025/04/25/n...
www.npr.org/2025/04/25/n...
What losing billions in federal grants means for universities, and the nation
The Trump administration has so far frozen about $11 billion in research funding. University leaders say no other source can fill the void.
www.npr.org
May 16, 2025 at 7:55 PM
I think most people don't understand exactly what universities do or how they are funded. It's worth reading this and then talking with folks you know about it.🧪
www.npr.org/2025/04/25/n...
www.npr.org/2025/04/25/n...
Reposted by Doug Jerolmack
Over 90% of Americans rely on federally funded science, But only 10% are worried about losing access to it.
That’s a dangerous disconnect.
Help us close the gap. Join our #SummerFightForScience and help spread the word about how essential science is to everyday lives.
www.npr.org/2025/05/06/n...
That’s a dangerous disconnect.
Help us close the gap. Join our #SummerFightForScience and help spread the word about how essential science is to everyday lives.
www.npr.org/2025/05/06/n...
Most Americans use federal science information on a weekly basis, a new poll finds
Most Americans frequently use federal science information. But few are concerned that cuts to federal science spending could affect their access to such information, a new poll finds.
www.npr.org
May 15, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Over 90% of Americans rely on federally funded science, But only 10% are worried about losing access to it.
That’s a dangerous disconnect.
Help us close the gap. Join our #SummerFightForScience and help spread the word about how essential science is to everyday lives.
www.npr.org/2025/05/06/n...
That’s a dangerous disconnect.
Help us close the gap. Join our #SummerFightForScience and help spread the word about how essential science is to everyday lives.
www.npr.org/2025/05/06/n...
Reposted by Doug Jerolmack
Seen on @cnn.com @andersoncooper360.bsky.social this evening, courtesy of my #ScienceUnderSiege co-author @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social
May 15, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Seen on @cnn.com @andersoncooper360.bsky.social this evening, courtesy of my #ScienceUnderSiege co-author @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social
Reposted by Doug Jerolmack
🧪 YASSSSS!!! 👏👏👏
Sooo excited to see this. Time *for us* to flood the zone!
I'm especially excited to hear about the formation of Stand Up For Science **LOCAL**.
Who will lead each local chapter? Could be you. We're the leaders we've all been waiting for to #StandUpForScience.
Sooo excited to see this. Time *for us* to flood the zone!
I'm especially excited to hear about the formation of Stand Up For Science **LOCAL**.
Who will lead each local chapter? Could be you. We're the leaders we've all been waiting for to #StandUpForScience.
May 14, 2025 at 7:20 PM
🧪 YASSSSS!!! 👏👏👏
Sooo excited to see this. Time *for us* to flood the zone!
I'm especially excited to hear about the formation of Stand Up For Science **LOCAL**.
Who will lead each local chapter? Could be you. We're the leaders we've all been waiting for to #StandUpForScience.
Sooo excited to see this. Time *for us* to flood the zone!
I'm especially excited to hear about the formation of Stand Up For Science **LOCAL**.
Who will lead each local chapter? Could be you. We're the leaders we've all been waiting for to #StandUpForScience.
In panel discussion at Penn "How did we get here and what do we do?", I answered that generations of increasing competition for funding has narrowed our communication to very small numbers of other scientists... And that an era of direct communication with the pubic is needed. Let's do it!!!
Corndogs, funnel cakes, and deep fried butter, anyone? Host a SUFS science demo table at your state fair!
May 14, 2025 at 10:23 PM
In panel discussion at Penn "How did we get here and what do we do?", I answered that generations of increasing competition for funding has narrowed our communication to very small numbers of other scientists... And that an era of direct communication with the pubic is needed. Let's do it!!!
Reposted by Doug Jerolmack
☀️THE SUMMER FIGHT FOR SCIENCE☀️
🫵 WHO: You + all our friends
🧪 WHAT: Share science with your neighbors and tell them about the impact of proposed budget cuts.
🇺🇸 WHERE: Your local community
🏖️ WHEN: Now to Sept 30th
🔬 WHY: The 9/30 budget vote will determine the future of science in America.
🫵 WHO: You + all our friends
🧪 WHAT: Share science with your neighbors and tell them about the impact of proposed budget cuts.
🇺🇸 WHERE: Your local community
🏖️ WHEN: Now to Sept 30th
🔬 WHY: The 9/30 budget vote will determine the future of science in America.
May 14, 2025 at 9:06 PM
☀️THE SUMMER FIGHT FOR SCIENCE☀️
🫵 WHO: You + all our friends
🧪 WHAT: Share science with your neighbors and tell them about the impact of proposed budget cuts.
🇺🇸 WHERE: Your local community
🏖️ WHEN: Now to Sept 30th
🔬 WHY: The 9/30 budget vote will determine the future of science in America.
🫵 WHO: You + all our friends
🧪 WHAT: Share science with your neighbors and tell them about the impact of proposed budget cuts.
🇺🇸 WHERE: Your local community
🏖️ WHEN: Now to Sept 30th
🔬 WHY: The 9/30 budget vote will determine the future of science in America.
Reposted by Doug Jerolmack
To get an idea of what the 37 existing divisions of NSF do, and what is likely to be lost, see the current NSF web site www.nsf.gov/about/direct... But hurry, since this list is apt to disappear at any time.
Our Directorates and Offices
www.nsf.gov
May 9, 2025 at 3:32 PM
To get an idea of what the 37 existing divisions of NSF do, and what is likely to be lost, see the current NSF web site www.nsf.gov/about/direct... But hurry, since this list is apt to disappear at any time.
If you don't know how NSF works, read this
Everyone needs to understand that dismantling NSF will have devastating long term consequences in our competitiveness and innovation in science, technology and beyond. 1/
Exclusive: NSF faces radical shake-up as officials abolish its 37 divisions
Changes seen as a response to presidential directives on what research to fund
www.science.org
May 9, 2025 at 11:43 PM
If you don't know how NSF works, read this
Join, or Die.
If the Big 10 can create a "mutual defense pact", why can't the Ivy League?
As Trump takes away all federal money for research, they have less leverage over us. We have nothing to lose by joining Harvard and saying "No compromise. Bring it".
If the Big 10 can create a "mutual defense pact", why can't the Ivy League?
As Trump takes away all federal money for research, they have less leverage over us. We have nothing to lose by joining Harvard and saying "No compromise. Bring it".
Opinion: Within science higher education, senior scientists are well-positioned to raise their voices to influence institutional actions and support vulnerable colleagues, writes @profmoldwin.bsky.social. eos.org/opinions/sen...
Senior Scientists Must Stand Up Against Attacks on Research and Education - Eos
They can use their position and collective power to influence institutional actions and mobilize to support more vulnerable colleagues.
eos.org
May 9, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Join, or Die.
If the Big 10 can create a "mutual defense pact", why can't the Ivy League?
As Trump takes away all federal money for research, they have less leverage over us. We have nothing to lose by joining Harvard and saying "No compromise. Bring it".
If the Big 10 can create a "mutual defense pact", why can't the Ivy League?
As Trump takes away all federal money for research, they have less leverage over us. We have nothing to lose by joining Harvard and saying "No compromise. Bring it".
Reposted by Doug Jerolmack
Dorks, it’s time to throw sand in the gears.
They want us to stop teaching, we will teach in the streets.
They want us to stop our research, we will use archival data.
They want to send us back to the dark ages, we will be a light.
We will not lay down and take this.
They want us to stop teaching, we will teach in the streets.
They want us to stop our research, we will use archival data.
They want to send us back to the dark ages, we will be a light.
We will not lay down and take this.
Exclusive: National Science Foundation staff were told today that the agency’s 37 divisions—across all eight directorates—are being abolished and the number of programs within those divisions will be drastically reduced.
Exclusive: NSF faces radical shake-up as officials abolish its 37 divisions
Changes seen as a response to presidential directives on what research to fund
scim.ag
May 9, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Dorks, it’s time to throw sand in the gears.
They want us to stop teaching, we will teach in the streets.
They want us to stop our research, we will use archival data.
They want to send us back to the dark ages, we will be a light.
We will not lay down and take this.
They want us to stop teaching, we will teach in the streets.
They want us to stop our research, we will use archival data.
They want to send us back to the dark ages, we will be a light.
We will not lay down and take this.
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
It is time to "Join, or Die". Founding father of the USA, and Penn, recognized the unorganized colonies had to unite for common cause or face destruction. This is where American Universities are now.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Join,_o...
It is time to "Join, or Die". Founding father of the USA, and Penn, recognized the unorganized colonies had to unite for common cause or face destruction. This is where American Universities are now.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Join,_o...
Trump administration freezes future grants to Harvard
The U.S. Department of Education informed Harvard University on Monday that it was freezing billions of dollars in future research grants and other aid until the nation's oldest and wealthiest college concedes to a number of demands from the Trump administration, a senior department official said.
www.reuters.com
May 6, 2025 at 1:20 AM
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
It is time to "Join, or Die". Founding father of the USA, and Penn, recognized the unorganized colonies had to unite for common cause or face destruction. This is where American Universities are now.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Join,_o...
It is time to "Join, or Die". Founding father of the USA, and Penn, recognized the unorganized colonies had to unite for common cause or face destruction. This is where American Universities are now.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Join,_o...
Australia and Canada in one week!!
Trump may have single handedly reversed a global political trend. I wish my country wasn't sacrificed in the process...
Trump may have single handedly reversed a global political trend. I wish my country wasn't sacrificed in the process...
May 3, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Australia and Canada in one week!!
Trump may have single handedly reversed a global political trend. I wish my country wasn't sacrificed in the process...
Trump may have single handedly reversed a global political trend. I wish my country wasn't sacrificed in the process...
Open letter from NSF Union:
www.savensf.com/_files/ugd/e...
🧪
They are trying to destroy American science. They can't without our permission. Science without funding sucks, but science without truth isn't science at all.
www.savensf.com/_files/ugd/e...
🧪
They are trying to destroy American science. They can't without our permission. Science without funding sucks, but science without truth isn't science at all.
www.savensf.com
May 3, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Open letter from NSF Union:
www.savensf.com/_files/ugd/e...
🧪
They are trying to destroy American science. They can't without our permission. Science without funding sucks, but science without truth isn't science at all.
www.savensf.com/_files/ugd/e...
🧪
They are trying to destroy American science. They can't without our permission. Science without funding sucks, but science without truth isn't science at all.