Laura Poppick
@laurapoppick.bsky.social
Maine-based science and environmental journalist with stories in the NYT, Scientific American, Smithsonian, and elsewhere. Author of STRATA: Stories from Deep Time (W.W. Norton, July 2025).
www.laurapoppick.com
www.laurapoppick.com
Pinned
I would love to see you as I launch Strata this summer! Please mark your calendars if you live in any of these places, and please spread the word. I'm so looking forward to being in conversation with these wonderful humans.
Some of the events require tickets, find details here: laurapoppick.com
Some of the events require tickets, find details here: laurapoppick.com
Reposted by Laura Poppick
Have book will travel ... to the @nacis.bsky.social 2025 conference. I'm excited to be part of the #mappingwater session on Friday. And, thank you, @laurapoppick.bsky.social for the great reading material :)
October 14, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Have book will travel ... to the @nacis.bsky.social 2025 conference. I'm excited to be part of the #mappingwater session on Friday. And, thank you, @laurapoppick.bsky.social for the great reading material :)
My latest for @quantamagazine.bsky.social, a Q&A with @karenlloyd.bsky.social on the hidden worlds living within Earth's crust.
Favorite new word: aeonophiles, in reference to microbes that may live for 100,000s or even **millions** of years, just riding out the waves of geologic events 🤯.
Favorite new word: aeonophiles, in reference to microbes that may live for 100,000s or even **millions** of years, just riding out the waves of geologic events 🤯.
Great new article about the cool stuff we're finding (improbably) alive deep inside Earth's crust! Nice work, @laurapoppick.bsky.social at @quantamagazine.bsky.social www.quantamagazine.org/the-pursuit-...
The Pursuit of Life Where It Seems Unimaginable | Quanta Magazine
A decade ago, Karen Lloyd discovered single-celled microbes living beneath the seafloor. Now she studies how they can survive in Earth’s crust, possibly for hundreds or thousands of years, and push li...
www.quantamagazine.org
August 20, 2025 at 8:22 PM
My latest for @quantamagazine.bsky.social, a Q&A with @karenlloyd.bsky.social on the hidden worlds living within Earth's crust.
Favorite new word: aeonophiles, in reference to microbes that may live for 100,000s or even **millions** of years, just riding out the waves of geologic events 🤯.
Favorite new word: aeonophiles, in reference to microbes that may live for 100,000s or even **millions** of years, just riding out the waves of geologic events 🤯.
Reposted by Laura Poppick
📣 Our book of the month for August is... STRATA: STORIES FROM DEEP TIME by @laurapoppick.bsky.social
We loved this detailed, deliberate overview of geoscience—and its mixture of lyrical prose and detailed profiles of researchers and the things they study.
newsletter.readcurious.xyz/p/announcing...
We loved this detailed, deliberate overview of geoscience—and its mixture of lyrical prose and detailed profiles of researchers and the things they study.
newsletter.readcurious.xyz/p/announcing...
Deep thoughts on deep time with August's book of the month
Laura Poppick's "Strata" takes the long view on geology.
newsletter.readcurious.xyz
August 1, 2025 at 7:36 PM
📣 Our book of the month for August is... STRATA: STORIES FROM DEEP TIME by @laurapoppick.bsky.social
We loved this detailed, deliberate overview of geoscience—and its mixture of lyrical prose and detailed profiles of researchers and the things they study.
newsletter.readcurious.xyz/p/announcing...
We loved this detailed, deliberate overview of geoscience—and its mixture of lyrical prose and detailed profiles of researchers and the things they study.
newsletter.readcurious.xyz/p/announcing...
Honored that @pointreyesbooks.bsky.social selected Strata for their summer subscription! And also love that they have a subscription service, what a great idea. 🤩
Thanks Point Reyes Books and all of the other small independent bookstores helping to get this thing in the hands of readers 🙏.
Thanks Point Reyes Books and all of the other small independent bookstores helping to get this thing in the hands of readers 🙏.
We're excited to announce our summer Thinking Like a Mountain subscription pick: Laura Poppick's 'Strata: Stories from Deep Time'. @laurapoppick.bsky.social
To learn more about our subscription club, visit ptreyesbooks.com/TLAM.
To learn more about our subscription club, visit ptreyesbooks.com/TLAM.
August 20, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Honored that @pointreyesbooks.bsky.social selected Strata for their summer subscription! And also love that they have a subscription service, what a great idea. 🤩
Thanks Point Reyes Books and all of the other small independent bookstores helping to get this thing in the hands of readers 🙏.
Thanks Point Reyes Books and all of the other small independent bookstores helping to get this thing in the hands of readers 🙏.
Reposted by Laura Poppick
In 2024, researchers reported a startling finding: deep-sea rock formations—known as polymetallic nodules—may be producing oxygen in total darkness. The phenomenon, dubbed “dark oxygen,” challenged assumptions about life-supporting chemistry in the deep ocean.
Watch the full video: bit.ly/4foQbHp
Watch the full video: bit.ly/4foQbHp
August 4, 2025 at 4:27 PM
In 2024, researchers reported a startling finding: deep-sea rock formations—known as polymetallic nodules—may be producing oxygen in total darkness. The phenomenon, dubbed “dark oxygen,” challenged assumptions about life-supporting chemistry in the deep ocean.
Watch the full video: bit.ly/4foQbHp
Watch the full video: bit.ly/4foQbHp
Thanks @literaryhub.bsky.social for listing Strata's cover as one of the best of July!
So grateful to Steve Attardo and the whole team at @wwnorton.com for designing this beauty that captures the essence of the book while also offering a real feast for the eyes.
lithub.com/the-11-best-...
So grateful to Steve Attardo and the whole team at @wwnorton.com for designing this beauty that captures the essence of the book while also offering a real feast for the eyes.
lithub.com/the-11-best-...
August 1, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Thanks @literaryhub.bsky.social for listing Strata's cover as one of the best of July!
So grateful to Steve Attardo and the whole team at @wwnorton.com for designing this beauty that captures the essence of the book while also offering a real feast for the eyes.
lithub.com/the-11-best-...
So grateful to Steve Attardo and the whole team at @wwnorton.com for designing this beauty that captures the essence of the book while also offering a real feast for the eyes.
lithub.com/the-11-best-...
Thanks for the shout-out @literaryhub.bsky.social!
And such company to be in, my summer reading list is piling up too quickly.
manage.kmail-lists.com/subscription...
And such company to be in, my summer reading list is piling up too quickly.
manage.kmail-lists.com/subscription...
July 28, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Thanks for the shout-out @literaryhub.bsky.social!
And such company to be in, my summer reading list is piling up too quickly.
manage.kmail-lists.com/subscription...
And such company to be in, my summer reading list is piling up too quickly.
manage.kmail-lists.com/subscription...
"Earth itself shaped humankind as we have shaped the planet in return - a relationship that requires repair but that could be rehabilitated with a little more recognition of where we came from."
Thank you, @restingdinoface.bsky.social, for this beautiful review of Strata in @science.org today.
Thank you, @restingdinoface.bsky.social, for this beautiful review of Strata in @science.org today.
Strata: Stories From Deep Time is a beautifully-written book that enthuses over geology in delicious analogies.
Here’s my review in Science.
Here’s my review in Science.
Stone and its stories
A journalist pens a love letter to geologic history
www.science.org
July 24, 2025 at 7:57 PM
"Earth itself shaped humankind as we have shaped the planet in return - a relationship that requires repair but that could be rehabilitated with a little more recognition of where we came from."
Thank you, @restingdinoface.bsky.social, for this beautiful review of Strata in @science.org today.
Thank you, @restingdinoface.bsky.social, for this beautiful review of Strata in @science.org today.
Delighted to have this excerpt from Strata out in @literaryhub.bsky.social this week 🧊 🎉
@laurapoppick.bsky.social explains why glacial ice isn’t just a product of climate, but a force that shapes it.
How an Ancient Ice Age Froze the Entire Earth—And Helped Humanity Flourish
When you think of ice, maybe your mind first goes to an object. An ice cube, an icicle, a slushy. Something inert, a thing that can be handled. At a certain scale, ice does behave this way. But pil…
buff.ly
July 23, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Delighted to have this excerpt from Strata out in @literaryhub.bsky.social this week 🧊 🎉
"...it would not only erase all current limits on greenhouse gas pollution from cars, factories, power plants and other sources. It would prevent future administrations from trying to tackle climate change, with lasting implications."
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/c...
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/c...
E.P.A. Is Said to Draft a Plan to End Its Ability to Fight Climate Change
www.nytimes.com
July 23, 2025 at 6:05 PM
"...it would not only erase all current limits on greenhouse gas pollution from cars, factories, power plants and other sources. It would prevent future administrations from trying to tackle climate change, with lasting implications."
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/c...
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/c...
Thanks so much @mounty.bsky.social! I've been encouraging my Maine friends to find a beach to read it on, or some other sedimentary environment :).
New book day! Can’t wait to dive into this tonight, written by my friend and fellow Mainer, Laura Poppick. Congrats @laurapoppick.bsky.social!
July 23, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Thanks so much @mounty.bsky.social! I've been encouraging my Maine friends to find a beach to read it on, or some other sedimentary environment :).
Oh my goodness @bengoldfarb.bsky.social 😍. Youngest and sweetest reader yet! Love that the cover matches her binky.
Letter of rec: reading about deep time aloud to a baby. Thanks to @laurapoppick.bsky.social for helping me start Flo’s fluvial geomorphological education early (she already has the name for it!).
July 21, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Oh my goodness @bengoldfarb.bsky.social 😍. Youngest and sweetest reader yet! Love that the cover matches her binky.
NYC, see you Monday?
Grab yours tickets to my convo with the brilliant @slaskow.bsky.social at Books Are Magic ✨ 📚
A ticket gets you either a book, or a gift certificate to the store!
Grab yours tickets to my convo with the brilliant @slaskow.bsky.social at Books Are Magic ✨ 📚
A ticket gets you either a book, or a gift certificate to the store!
I will be hanging out with the excellent @laurapoppick.bsky.social next Monday at Books Are Magic to talk about the stories found in the ground. And also MUD.
Come by! Tickets here: www.eventbrite.com/e/in-store-l...
Come by! Tickets here: www.eventbrite.com/e/in-store-l...
July 18, 2025 at 8:19 PM
NYC, see you Monday?
Grab yours tickets to my convo with the brilliant @slaskow.bsky.social at Books Are Magic ✨ 📚
A ticket gets you either a book, or a gift certificate to the store!
Grab yours tickets to my convo with the brilliant @slaskow.bsky.social at Books Are Magic ✨ 📚
A ticket gets you either a book, or a gift certificate to the store!
In addition to an excerpt I have out in @nautil.us this week (nautil.us/the-stories-...)
...I also had a lot of fun writing this 3 Greatest Revelations piece about what surprised me as I researched the book:
nautil.us/when-earth-h...
...I also had a lot of fun writing this 3 Greatest Revelations piece about what surprised me as I researched the book:
nautil.us/when-earth-h...
When Earth Had No Fire
Laura Poppick’s 3 greatest revelations while writing her book, Strata: Stories from Deep Time
nautil.us
July 18, 2025 at 7:24 PM
In addition to an excerpt I have out in @nautil.us this week (nautil.us/the-stories-...)
...I also had a lot of fun writing this 3 Greatest Revelations piece about what surprised me as I researched the book:
nautil.us/when-earth-h...
...I also had a lot of fun writing this 3 Greatest Revelations piece about what surprised me as I researched the book:
nautil.us/when-earth-h...
The Stories Rocks Tell Us
Lessons for our current Earth from the geologic past
nautil.us
July 18, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Thanks so much @katieholten.bsky.social!
Excited to dive into Strata: Stories from Deep Time by @laurapoppick.bsky.social. Happy pub day!
#booksky #naturewriting #earth
#booksky #naturewriting #earth
July 17, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Thanks so much @katieholten.bsky.social!
Reposted by Laura Poppick
cambridge/somerville/environs - hop over to
@harvardbookstore.bsky.social
tonight where we'll be traveling very deep into the past with
@laurapoppick.bsky.social
and her new book, STRATA: STORIES FROM DEEP TIME! www.harvard.com/event/laura-...
@harvardbookstore.bsky.social
tonight where we'll be traveling very deep into the past with
@laurapoppick.bsky.social
and her new book, STRATA: STORIES FROM DEEP TIME! www.harvard.com/event/laura-...
July 17, 2025 at 1:29 PM
cambridge/somerville/environs - hop over to
@harvardbookstore.bsky.social
tonight where we'll be traveling very deep into the past with
@laurapoppick.bsky.social
and her new book, STRATA: STORIES FROM DEEP TIME! www.harvard.com/event/laura-...
@harvardbookstore.bsky.social
tonight where we'll be traveling very deep into the past with
@laurapoppick.bsky.social
and her new book, STRATA: STORIES FROM DEEP TIME! www.harvard.com/event/laura-...
Thank you @1juliarosen.bsky.social! Looking forward to holding your book in the not-too-distant future as well 📚🙏.
Beyond excited for this book to be in the world! Congrats, @laurapoppick.bsky.social!! Get your copy here: wwnorton.com/books/strata And order prints of the stunning art by @sarahmgilman.bsky.social at www.etsy.com/shop/HiddenD...
July 16, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Thank you @1juliarosen.bsky.social! Looking forward to holding your book in the not-too-distant future as well 📚🙏.
Reposted by Laura Poppick
Buy Laura's book! I feel privileged to have art alongside her gorgeous prose. Also, that cover! Amazing work, whoever designed it (and listened to Laura's excellent insights and taste regarding the arresting beauty of vintage geologic diagrams.)
STRATA is officially out in the world today!
Very grateful to @wwnorton.com for publishing this book, and to @sarahmgilman.bsky.social for gracing the pages with her beautiful illustrations.
So looking forward to sharing this with readers! Find upcoming events here:
laurapoppick.com
Very grateful to @wwnorton.com for publishing this book, and to @sarahmgilman.bsky.social for gracing the pages with her beautiful illustrations.
So looking forward to sharing this with readers! Find upcoming events here:
laurapoppick.com
July 16, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Buy Laura's book! I feel privileged to have art alongside her gorgeous prose. Also, that cover! Amazing work, whoever designed it (and listened to Laura's excellent insights and taste regarding the arresting beauty of vintage geologic diagrams.)
Come on out NYC!
We'll talk deep time and, indeed, MUD.
We'll talk deep time and, indeed, MUD.
I will be hanging out with the excellent @laurapoppick.bsky.social next Monday at Books Are Magic to talk about the stories found in the ground. And also MUD.
Come by! Tickets here: www.eventbrite.com/e/in-store-l...
Come by! Tickets here: www.eventbrite.com/e/in-store-l...
July 16, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Come on out NYC!
We'll talk deep time and, indeed, MUD.
We'll talk deep time and, indeed, MUD.
Thanks @mainepublic.org for having me as a panelist on Maine Calling this morning!
Listen to the episode on deep time + rocks of Maine here:
www.mainepublic.org/show/maine-c...
Listen to the episode on deep time + rocks of Maine here:
www.mainepublic.org/show/maine-c...
Geology: Stories of Earth's Layers
We discuss a new book about how geology reveals Earth's deep history, and learn how Maine's geological history fits into the global picture
www.mainepublic.org
July 15, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Thanks @mainepublic.org for having me as a panelist on Maine Calling this morning!
Listen to the episode on deep time + rocks of Maine here:
www.mainepublic.org/show/maine-c...
Listen to the episode on deep time + rocks of Maine here:
www.mainepublic.org/show/maine-c...
Reposted by Laura Poppick
looking forward to reading this one
STRATA is officially out in the world today!
Very grateful to @wwnorton.com for publishing this book, and to @sarahmgilman.bsky.social for gracing the pages with her beautiful illustrations.
So looking forward to sharing this with readers! Find upcoming events here:
laurapoppick.com
Very grateful to @wwnorton.com for publishing this book, and to @sarahmgilman.bsky.social for gracing the pages with her beautiful illustrations.
So looking forward to sharing this with readers! Find upcoming events here:
laurapoppick.com
July 15, 2025 at 2:11 PM
looking forward to reading this one
STRATA is officially out in the world today!
Very grateful to @wwnorton.com for publishing this book, and to @sarahmgilman.bsky.social for gracing the pages with her beautiful illustrations.
So looking forward to sharing this with readers! Find upcoming events here:
laurapoppick.com
Very grateful to @wwnorton.com for publishing this book, and to @sarahmgilman.bsky.social for gracing the pages with her beautiful illustrations.
So looking forward to sharing this with readers! Find upcoming events here:
laurapoppick.com
July 15, 2025 at 1:58 PM
STRATA is officially out in the world today!
Very grateful to @wwnorton.com for publishing this book, and to @sarahmgilman.bsky.social for gracing the pages with her beautiful illustrations.
So looking forward to sharing this with readers! Find upcoming events here:
laurapoppick.com
Very grateful to @wwnorton.com for publishing this book, and to @sarahmgilman.bsky.social for gracing the pages with her beautiful illustrations.
So looking forward to sharing this with readers! Find upcoming events here:
laurapoppick.com
Reposted by Laura Poppick
come see Laura teach me about my new favorite thing, ROCKS!!!!!
Calling all Boston/Cambridge folks!
I'll be in conversation with the smart + funny @cjgiaimo.bsky.social this Thursday at Harvard Book Store to celebrate the launch of STRATA.
Please come on out! More info:
www.harvard.com/event/laura-...
I'll be in conversation with the smart + funny @cjgiaimo.bsky.social this Thursday at Harvard Book Store to celebrate the launch of STRATA.
Please come on out! More info:
www.harvard.com/event/laura-...
July 14, 2025 at 8:38 PM
come see Laura teach me about my new favorite thing, ROCKS!!!!!
Calling all Boston/Cambridge folks!
I'll be in conversation with the smart + funny @cjgiaimo.bsky.social this Thursday at Harvard Book Store to celebrate the launch of STRATA.
Please come on out! More info:
www.harvard.com/event/laura-...
I'll be in conversation with the smart + funny @cjgiaimo.bsky.social this Thursday at Harvard Book Store to celebrate the launch of STRATA.
Please come on out! More info:
www.harvard.com/event/laura-...
July 14, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Calling all Boston/Cambridge folks!
I'll be in conversation with the smart + funny @cjgiaimo.bsky.social this Thursday at Harvard Book Store to celebrate the launch of STRATA.
Please come on out! More info:
www.harvard.com/event/laura-...
I'll be in conversation with the smart + funny @cjgiaimo.bsky.social this Thursday at Harvard Book Store to celebrate the launch of STRATA.
Please come on out! More info:
www.harvard.com/event/laura-...