Dr. Shannon Cofield πŸͺ¨πŸ—ΊοΈπŸŒŠ's Avatar

Dr. Shannon Cofield πŸͺ¨πŸ—ΊοΈπŸŒŠ

@geoshanz.bsky.social

β€’ Researching sediments from the Deep Sea to Mars β€’ Ph.D. in tiny rocks, oceans, + squiggly lines β€’ Exploring extreme environments using robot friends Prev πŸ₯: @ MarsRoverMapper (ODU + NASA-JPL) https://geoshanz.blogspot.com

2,973 Followers  |  1,325 Following  |  824 Posts  |  Joined: 20.09.2023  |  2.8749

Latest posts by geoshanz.bsky.social on Bluesky

Sea spider specimen in a jar- collected with the HOV Alvin on Expedition AT50-38 (Aleutian Islands, AK).

Photos (Shannon Cofield) courtesy of The Aleutian Arc: Integrated Exploration of Biodiversity at Priority Benthic Habitats and USGS/ BOEM/ NOAA/ ONR

Sea spider specimen in a jar- collected with the HOV Alvin on Expedition AT50-38 (Aleutian Islands, AK). Photos (Shannon Cofield) courtesy of The Aleutian Arc: Integrated Exploration of Biodiversity at Priority Benthic Habitats and USGS/ BOEM/ NOAA/ ONR

Aleutian island volcanoes flanked by fog from the deck of the R/V Atlantis on Expedition AT50-38 (Aleutian Islands, AK).

Photos (Shannon Cofield) courtesy of The Aleutian Arc: Integrated Exploration of Biodiversity at Priority Benthic Habitats and USGS/ BOEM/ NOAA/ ONR

Aleutian island volcanoes flanked by fog from the deck of the R/V Atlantis on Expedition AT50-38 (Aleutian Islands, AK). Photos (Shannon Cofield) courtesy of The Aleutian Arc: Integrated Exploration of Biodiversity at Priority Benthic Habitats and USGS/ BOEM/ NOAA/ ONR

Several deep-sea specimens in labelled bags on a tray- collected with the HOV Alvin on Expedition AT50-38 (Aleutian Islands, AK).

Photos (Shannon Cofield) courtesy of The Aleutian Arc: Integrated Exploration of Biodiversity at Priority Benthic Habitats and USGS/ BOEM/ NOAA/ ONR

Several deep-sea specimens in labelled bags on a tray- collected with the HOV Alvin on Expedition AT50-38 (Aleutian Islands, AK). Photos (Shannon Cofield) courtesy of The Aleutian Arc: Integrated Exploration of Biodiversity at Priority Benthic Habitats and USGS/ BOEM/ NOAA/ ONR

Off on my next adventure πŸ›« πŸ‘‹

Hope everyone has a Happy Halloween! Enjoy this year’s edition of:

~ Deep-Sea Spooky Season ~

🌊πŸ§ͺ

24.10.2025 11:54 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Oooh la la!

23.10.2025 22:00 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
White House East Wing colonnade and adjacent gardens. Image from Nov 5, 2024.

White House East Wing colonnade and adjacent gardens. Image from Nov 5, 2024.

White House East Wing colonnade. Walkway with large white windows and a terracotta herringbone tile floor. Image from Nov 5, 2024.

White House East Wing colonnade. Walkway with large white windows and a terracotta herringbone tile floor. Image from Nov 5, 2024.

Views of gardens through White House East Wing colonnade. Image from Nov 5, 2024.

Views of gardens through White House East Wing colonnade. Image from Nov 5, 2024.

White House family theater in East Wing. Theater is all maroon with theater seating, fabric covered walls, a front row of recliner chairs with navy blue Presidential blankets. Image from Nov 5, 2024.

White House family theater in East Wing. Theater is all maroon with theater seating, fabric covered walls, a front row of recliner chairs with navy blue Presidential blankets. Image from Nov 5, 2024.

I had the incredible privilege to visit the White House on Election Day (Nov 5) 2024.

Looking back through my pictures from the historic East Wing:

23.10.2025 21:10 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Coffee cup is black with "MIT" in red text.

Coffee cup is black with "MIT" in red text.

After adding hot liquid, the cup turns orange with large text that reveals "CalTech"

After adding hot liquid, the cup turns orange with large text that reveals "CalTech"

After adding hot liquid, the cup turns orange with large text that reveals "CalTech" with white palm trees, and "The HOTTER Institute of Technology".

After adding hot liquid, the cup turns orange with large text that reveals "CalTech" with white palm trees, and "The HOTTER Institute of Technology".

Excited to visit #MIT soon!

As a #CalTech (NASA-JPL) "extended-previous-associate-but-not-really-but-kinda", I'm looking forward to exploring (+ museums).

Fear not, CA friends: I have the CalTech cup πŸ˜‰πŸ¦«

23.10.2025 17:32 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Shutdown Assistance

Civil Servants Coalition complied a spreadsheet of programs + assistance during the shutdown (i.e., food, health, mortgages, loans).

This week is the first pay period sans pay. Please reach out to your federal worker colleagues to make sure they’re ok. Even a quick β€œhello” helps 🌼

23.10.2025 13:02 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Escher for the blind and visually impaired - SOLD OUT Several times a year, Escher in The Palace organises special guided tours for those who are blind or visually impaired. Before regular opening hours, between 09

πŸ”— Additional Info- Escher in Het Paleis:

22.10.2025 21:04 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
"Dewdrop" by M.C. Escher, mezzotint, ca. 1948. Raindrop on a leaf reflecting intricate details of a window.

"Dewdrop" by M.C. Escher, mezzotint, ca. 1948. Raindrop on a leaf reflecting intricate details of a window.

Just discovered the M.C. Escher museum offers guided tours for blind & visually impaired visitors (sells out quickly!). What a lovely opportunity to experience his tessellations and mind-bending buildings.

*Math x Art = One of my fav artists πŸ§ͺ

πŸ“Escher in Het Paleis, Netherlands

22.10.2025 21:04 β€” πŸ‘ 33    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Yessss!!!! Loved my [ancient] Frantz 🧲 I believe it still holds the record for the oldest piece of working equipment on my Alma mater campus.

22.10.2025 19:37 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

When we finally reopen & I’m able to work on my full portfolio, I’ll poke around to see if I can find some additional info. Just out of pure curiosity.

22.10.2025 14:49 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

πŸ‘€ Did someone say UXO/ MEC on the OCS? 😁

22.10.2025 13:58 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Dang it! I was supposed to be there as a mentor, but I was advised to withdraw due to the shutdown πŸ˜” Have a great time!!!

22.10.2025 12:52 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
What Are the Best Schools to Study Marine Biology? In this edition of β€œAsk a Marine Biologist,” Dr. David Shiffman gives aspiring marine scientists things to consider when looking for in a college or university.

ICYMI: My longest article ever for Scuba Diving Magazine answers one of the most frequent career advice quesions I receive... and the answer probably isn't what you think!

Give it a read and share

www.scubadiving.com/best-schools... πŸ¦‘πŸ§ͺ

22.10.2025 12:37 β€” πŸ‘ 31    πŸ” 14    πŸ’¬ 6    πŸ“Œ 0

Great advice! Thrilled to see the REU program mentioned, too. I wasn’t aware of it during undergrad, but I served as Program Coordinator for my dept during grad school. Highly recommend ⭐️

22.10.2025 12:50 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

It’s definitely weathered and eroded. The entire base of the outcrop is a massive slope of column fragments.

21.10.2025 12:16 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

haha cute. CTD rosette next please.

20.10.2025 21:57 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

I was driving up Skyline a few weeks ago and a roadcut caught my eye. I thought... am I losing my mind, or are those columnar basalts??? Confirmed with @callanbentley.bsky.social and voila! Found 'em!

20.10.2025 20:10 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Intrusive (extrusive?) thought... "Hope these French fries don't start sliding down on top of me."

20.10.2025 20:08 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Columnar basalt outcrop in Shenandoah National Park (large lab the size of a small lab for scale). Viewpoint from below the outcrop. Columns were much larger than expected (column cross-section diameter ~50cm). Basalt is weathered with a greenish-tan weathering rind. πŸ“Outcrop: Compton Gap, Virginia (Mile 10).

Columnar basalt outcrop in Shenandoah National Park (large lab the size of a small lab for scale). Viewpoint from below the outcrop. Columns were much larger than expected (column cross-section diameter ~50cm). Basalt is weathered with a greenish-tan weathering rind. πŸ“Outcrop: Compton Gap, Virginia (Mile 10).

Close-up of columnar basalt outcrop in Shenandoah National Park (scale: hiking pole- 65cm). Viewpoint from below the outcrop. Columns were much larger than expected (column cross-section diameter ~50cm). Basalt is weathered with a greenish-tan weathering rind. πŸ“Outcrop: Compton Gap, Virginia (Mile 10)

Close-up of columnar basalt outcrop in Shenandoah National Park (scale: hiking pole- 65cm). Viewpoint from below the outcrop. Columns were much larger than expected (column cross-section diameter ~50cm). Basalt is weathered with a greenish-tan weathering rind. πŸ“Outcrop: Compton Gap, Virginia (Mile 10)

πŸ‚ Fall Outings.

Finally hiked to the columnar basalt outcrops. Cooper-approved 🐾

Spectacular!

Bonus: Park was packed, so I had an opportunity to discuss this outcrop w/ a group of enthusiastic hikers.

πŸ“Compton Gap- #ShenandoahNationalPark, Virginia πŸͺ¨πŸ§ͺ

20.10.2025 15:55 β€” πŸ‘ 41    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 1

This is the way!!! πŸ€œπŸ€›

17.10.2025 16:07 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

At some of my grocery stores, they are wrapping individual produce in plastic. Why!?!? So unnecessary.

17.10.2025 16:06 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

[Correction: ROV *Little Hercules (with towsled Atalanta). ROV Hercules is rated to ~4,000m and ROV Little Hercules is rated to ~6,000m.]

17.10.2025 00:42 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Oh you know you’re in deep when the cabbage makes its first appearance! πŸ˜… Cabbage and over-ripe apples… that’s an interesting timeframe.

16.10.2025 23:17 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Crushed plastic drink bottle among polymetallic nodules in the Cook Island abyssal plains. 

ROV Hercules dive depth = 5,198m
Expedition NA176
Green lasers (scale): 10cm apart
Image: Nautilus Live (OET)

Crushed plastic drink bottle among polymetallic nodules in the Cook Island abyssal plains. ROV Hercules dive depth = 5,198m Expedition NA176 Green lasers (scale): 10cm apart Image: Nautilus Live (OET)

Plastic is everywhere.

On today’s dive, the E/V Nautilus/ ROV Hercules encountered a crushed plastic bottle on the abyssal plain- in the remote Pacific (Cook Islands @ 5,198 meters).

♻️ I challenge everyone to swap at least one single-use plastic item. Small steps for more eco habits. 🌊πŸ§ͺ🌎

16.10.2025 23:14 β€” πŸ‘ 71    πŸ” 21    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 1

Hahaha ironically I always missed fresh salads on long expeditions! That wouldn’t make for good livestream banter… but I could tryyy πŸ˜†

16.10.2025 19:51 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Hahaha true!

Deep-sea diving pigs 🐷

Hahaha if a nodule exploration company doesn’t name their AUV/ ROV β€œthe pig”, they’re missing a great opportunity.

16.10.2025 18:28 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Massive nodule fields!!! Crazy, huh? Not unexpected, of course, but the density is striking. Great dive selection by the NA176 Team(s).

16.10.2025 17:41 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks @kbyip.bsky.social! @khagolnomy.space I often refer to polymetallic nodules as β€œforbidden truffles” πŸ˜‰

16.10.2025 17:40 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

I was supposed to be an Ashore Scientist/ SME, but I can’t work on it due to the government shutdown (although I was just reactivated for a different mineral tasker!).

16.10.2025 15:17 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Nautilus Live | Channel 1 Stream YouTube video by EVNautilus

E/V Nautilus Cook Islands (NA176)
🌊πŸ§ͺ

www.youtube.com/live/0lR6fx8...

16.10.2025 15:10 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Cook Islands abyssal plain nodule field (credit: Nautilus Live, expedition NA176)

Cook Islands abyssal plain nodule field (credit: Nautilus Live, expedition NA176)

Cook Islands close up of nodule field (credit: Nautilus Live, expedition NA176)

Cook Islands close up of nodule field (credit: Nautilus Live, expedition NA176)

πŸ”” DIVE HAPPENING NOW

My colleagues (πŸ‘‹ Amanda!) are narrating this gorgeous dive in the Cook Islands abyssal plains.

Forbidden truffles πŸͺ¨πŸͺ¨πŸͺ¨

Link below to watch livestream πŸ§ͺ🌊

16.10.2025 15:10 β€” πŸ‘ 33    πŸ” 7    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 1

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