The Ancient Ocean Beneath the City of Baltimore

500 million years ago the rocks under Baltimore sat beneath a great ocean known as the Iapetus. But how did they end up here? And why does earth no longer have an ocean called the Iapetus? Join George Guice, a geologist at Towson University, as he takes us through a journey back in time to tell the story of the rocks under Baltimore

To learn more about the research of George Guice and Daniel Viete, check out their websites

And check out the paper

Credits
Host/Writer – George Guice
Producer – Daniel Viete
Videographer – Supratik Roy
Videographer – Freya George
Director / Videographer – Mike Faulkner
Editor – Zach Clowdus
Supervising Editor – RJ Stern
Earth through time animation:
Scotese, C.R., 2016. Plate Tectonics, Paleogeography, and Ice Ages, (Modern World - 540Ma), YouTube Animation

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Workflow for effective educational video making （PDF）:
#Geoscience #Geology #UTD #GSS #UTDGSS #Scicomm #Earth #Science #youtube

[karenschunk]

I have a secret about Maryland; I have always been fascinated by geology. One day, while hiking, I found a vein of green volcanic glass. I took the specimen I collected to a geologist friend (also Towson University) and asked him to identify it. He confirmed volcanic glass and asked where I got it. I told him the general location and he said, "That is impossible, there are no volcanoes east of the Mississippi." The enigma of this igneous rock is that it is roughly the size of my fist, green, and imbedded with fossils. There is also quartzite running through it. He was stumped but curious and told me to contact the Smithsonian. So I did. Why not? I sent them detailed pictures and a description and was utterly amazed to get a response. However, the Smithsonian geologist replied the exact same way, "No volcanoes east of the Mississippi." She also said that the specimen was too large and would never have survived the immense pressure it would have had to endure to arise to surface level from such ancient tectonic force. She said it was slag. Makes sense. However, the rock exists and I know it is not slag. Many years later I was hiking along a forgotten train line. Lo and behold, on a discarded mound, I spotted a specimen almost identical in appearance to my rock. It was perfect. I had found slag! It was dark greenish grey, significantly lighter in weight, larger bubbles, No truly sharp edges, and obviously, no fossils or quartzite. Visually it would absolutely look the same to the Smithsonian geologist who was kind enough to respond to me. In person the two specimens are absolutely different. I have other chunks from that vein and know what I have. I researched the history of the area even though I already knew it was geographically impossible for any industry to exist unless the the area was blasted into oblivion. It is pristine and relatively remote/rural. There was never a train line or factory of any kind for many, many miles. It is absolutely volcanic glass. I also have a Klerksdorp sphere. I found it randomly in the dust of South Africa. If feels like iron. It is not magnetic. It is pretty darn cool.

[warriormom_of_many]

I live in Maryland and I never knew this. This is definitely something very interesting. Thank you for putting this together.

[natrudagame]

Now walking through Druid Hill and Leakin Park going hit different. I thought the rocks were beautiful. Now i know why Thank-you Sir.

[vhhawk]

Remnants of ancient oceans and continents. This stuff always blows my mind.

[zacktimmons]

I never thought I’d see a geology video in west Baltimore.. i was born and raised in hampden. Great video. Subscribing for sure

[johnwells]

Grew up in West Baltimore on the edge of Leakin Park. We spent weekends walking creek beds looking for unusual rocks before a wonderful trip out west in 1969 in our Rambler station wagon. We picked up so many rocks we had to UPS a box full back home because the poor Rambler was bottoming out with the five of us and rocks everywhere. So interesting to understand the rock situation in Baltimore with the large variety. The churches are a great tool, many have very different rocks obviously from differing quarries nearby. My dad enjoyed the flagstone quarried out near the west Patapsico Park area. Great video.

[Patnac]

George should get an A+ on his assignment!

[serega]

Usually when people talk about rocks from Baltimore, they talk about something completely different...

[kevinmoore]

George should get an A+ on his assignment. Thank You.

[chibi]

Very cool to see someone from my alma mater talking about Baltimore!!! I love living in such a geologically historic place

[mikebonsignore]

GIS major and Towson grad here, Great vid man!!! love to get more engaged. Super cool stuff ✌🏼

[heruapocalypse]

Wow! This is Fascinating to learn about My fair City of Baltimore M.D. 😎👍🏾

[nicholasbeck]

Really enjoyed your presentation. Outstanding graphics. Clear monologue. Great rock examples. Thank you for your thoughtful work.

[ItIsOverThere]

Great video, thanks for posting and good luck with the channel.

[Fanrule]

Baltimore born and raised and never HEARD of this...the whole city is SURFING...thanks for the enlightenment. 😁

[specopswolfmp]

I used to live in W.Bmor, YOU SIR are very brave. LOL

[terribrown]

How cool. I learned something new today! Thank you

[mellissadalby]

Since I live in the Baltimore area, and not far from Leakin park, I find this very interesting indeed.

[squeezebx]

My grandfather was the late William Patrick Crowley, prominent geologist in Baltimore (who's life ended in tragedy due to his work)
If he were still around today I'm sure he'd be making content like this. You'll notice his names on several of the maps detailing the local geology.

[Stitcher_in_MD]

So interesting! Thanks for sharing. I have rocks from all sorts of places and just love their histories!!