Dr. Shannon Cofield 🪨🗺️🌊
@geoshanz.bsky.social
Geological Oceanographer | Researching sediments from the Deep Sea to Mars
• Ph.D. in tiny Arctic rocks, oceans, + squiggly lines
• Exploring extreme environments w/ robot friends
✍️ https://geoshanz.blogspot.com
Prev 🐥: @ MarsRoverMapper (ODU+NASA-JPL)
• Ph.D. in tiny Arctic rocks, oceans, + squiggly lines
• Exploring extreme environments w/ robot friends
✍️ https://geoshanz.blogspot.com
Prev 🐥: @ MarsRoverMapper (ODU+NASA-JPL)
Pinned
History of the Barents Sea Ice Sheet, MIS 11 to present
Understanding the history of large Arctic ice sheets is important in knowing the possibilities for future climate change and its impact on existing ic…
www.sciencedirect.com
🚨New Paper: "History of the Barents Sea Ice Sheet, MIS 11 to present" - Cofield & Darby (2025)
Utilized ice rafted debris + Fe-grains from a deep-sea Arctic sediment core to reconstruct ice movement/ timing for Barents Sea Ice Sheet through MIS 11 (~440 ka).
*Proxy explanation in🧵
(1/n) 🌊🧪
Utilized ice rafted debris + Fe-grains from a deep-sea Arctic sediment core to reconstruct ice movement/ timing for Barents Sea Ice Sheet through MIS 11 (~440 ka).
*Proxy explanation in🧵
(1/n) 🌊🧪
🚨 Upcoming live debate
Deep-Sea Mining 🌊🧪
• Free to attend (🔗 to register below)
• Includes a public Q&A session
Deep-Sea Mining 🌊🧪
• Free to attend (🔗 to register below)
• Includes a public Q&A session
November 17, 2025 at 2:27 PM
🚨 Upcoming live debate
Deep-Sea Mining 🌊🧪
• Free to attend (🔗 to register below)
• Includes a public Q&A session
Deep-Sea Mining 🌊🧪
• Free to attend (🔗 to register below)
• Includes a public Q&A session
As we gear up for the first full week back, a colleague (Navy SEAL BUDS Instructor) reminded me:
“99% of life boils down to one simple axiom… Never panic.”
Whether it’s at your desk, getting tumbled by the ocean, or chased by a bear (wait- maybe that’s wrong?), you can control your reaction. 😎
“99% of life boils down to one simple axiom… Never panic.”
Whether it’s at your desk, getting tumbled by the ocean, or chased by a bear (wait- maybe that’s wrong?), you can control your reaction. 😎
November 16, 2025 at 11:20 PM
As we gear up for the first full week back, a colleague (Navy SEAL BUDS Instructor) reminded me:
“99% of life boils down to one simple axiom… Never panic.”
Whether it’s at your desk, getting tumbled by the ocean, or chased by a bear (wait- maybe that’s wrong?), you can control your reaction. 😎
“99% of life boils down to one simple axiom… Never panic.”
Whether it’s at your desk, getting tumbled by the ocean, or chased by a bear (wait- maybe that’s wrong?), you can control your reaction. 😎
Also- Check out their COBRA webinar 🌊🧪
“Ecology and ecosystem services of inactive hydrothermal vent deposits”
Dr. Jason Sylvan (Texas A&M University) & Dr. Amanda Achberger (Louisiana State University)
Watch recording here:
“Ecology and ecosystem services of inactive hydrothermal vent deposits”
Dr. Jason Sylvan (Texas A&M University) & Dr. Amanda Achberger (Louisiana State University)
Watch recording here:
November 15, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Also- Check out their COBRA webinar 🌊🧪
“Ecology and ecosystem services of inactive hydrothermal vent deposits”
Dr. Jason Sylvan (Texas A&M University) & Dr. Amanda Achberger (Louisiana State University)
Watch recording here:
“Ecology and ecosystem services of inactive hydrothermal vent deposits”
Dr. Jason Sylvan (Texas A&M University) & Dr. Amanda Achberger (Louisiana State University)
Watch recording here:
Excited to follow along w/ this novel approach. The 2-year window is always high-stress via constraints for Mars missions (i.e., launch/ deliverable delays 😮💨).
@coreyspowell.bsky.social Will this trajectory also have implications for return missions [in the context of crewed Mars missions]?
@coreyspowell.bsky.social Will this trajectory also have implications for return missions [in the context of crewed Mars missions]?
NASA's just-launched ESCAPADE mission is trying out a novel trajectory to Mars, one that's slower but allows much more flexible launch dates. The flight path also provides a bonus science session at the L2 equilibrium point near Earth. 🧪🔭
skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-ne...
skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-ne...
November 14, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Excited to follow along w/ this novel approach. The 2-year window is always high-stress via constraints for Mars missions (i.e., launch/ deliverable delays 😮💨).
@coreyspowell.bsky.social Will this trajectory also have implications for return missions [in the context of crewed Mars missions]?
@coreyspowell.bsky.social Will this trajectory also have implications for return missions [in the context of crewed Mars missions]?
In the past few days, we've experiencing the beauty of Earth's magnetic field (hello #aurora). But, what about Mars?
Check out NASA's #ESCAPADE mission- launching *NOW* to study Mars magnetosphere!
3... 2... 1... LAUNCH! 🧪🚀 #PlanetarySci
Check out NASA's #ESCAPADE mission- launching *NOW* to study Mars magnetosphere!
3... 2... 1... LAUNCH! 🧪🚀 #PlanetarySci
ESCAPADE - NASA Science
ESCAPADE will use two identical spacecraft to investigate how the solar wind interacts with Mars’ magnetic environment.
science.nasa.gov
November 13, 2025 at 8:55 PM
In the past few days, we've experiencing the beauty of Earth's magnetic field (hello #aurora). But, what about Mars?
Check out NASA's #ESCAPADE mission- launching *NOW* to study Mars magnetosphere!
3... 2... 1... LAUNCH! 🧪🚀 #PlanetarySci
Check out NASA's #ESCAPADE mission- launching *NOW* to study Mars magnetosphere!
3... 2... 1... LAUNCH! 🧪🚀 #PlanetarySci
Reposted by Dr. Shannon Cofield 🪨🗺️🌊
If you have a very low-latitude aurora observation from tonight, please record your exact time and rough location and DO NOT DELETE your photo. These observations will be important for scientific research of this event.
Comment below if you have a low-latitude aurora sighting.
Comment below if you have a low-latitude aurora sighting.
November 12, 2025 at 2:04 AM
If you have a very low-latitude aurora observation from tonight, please record your exact time and rough location and DO NOT DELETE your photo. These observations will be important for scientific research of this event.
Comment below if you have a low-latitude aurora sighting.
Comment below if you have a low-latitude aurora sighting.
REALLY hope the #ISS is able to capture some images of this storm. Bet the auroras are unbelievable from the Cupola!
Both red and green were clearly visible to the eye in Massachusetts about an hour ago! This is the best I've ever seen in the states, but nights like this really make me miss Calgary.
November 12, 2025 at 3:32 AM
REALLY hope the #ISS is able to capture some images of this storm. Bet the auroras are unbelievable from the Cupola!
UPDATE: Kp8 (EIGHT!)
November 12, 2025 at 3:20 AM
UPDATE: Kp8 (EIGHT!)
The sun is doing things! Auroras are popping off… sadly, it’s cloudy in northern Virginia.
💡Hop outside tonight + tomorrow to see if you can catch them. Sometimes they’re only visible via your phone/ camera, so take those long-exposure photos! 🧪
💡Hop outside tonight + tomorrow to see if you can catch them. Sometimes they’re only visible via your phone/ camera, so take those long-exposure photos! 🧪
November 12, 2025 at 1:49 AM
The sun is doing things! Auroras are popping off… sadly, it’s cloudy in northern Virginia.
💡Hop outside tonight + tomorrow to see if you can catch them. Sometimes they’re only visible via your phone/ camera, so take those long-exposure photos! 🧪
💡Hop outside tonight + tomorrow to see if you can catch them. Sometimes they’re only visible via your phone/ camera, so take those long-exposure photos! 🧪
Okay, I was just in Newport, RI and saw this in a window display. Confirmed- it’s ADORABLE!!! 🦞
November 11, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Okay, I was just in Newport, RI and saw this in a window display. Confirmed- it’s ADORABLE!!! 🦞
Really, REALLY hope this does not happen. After exploring Unalaska and sailing the Aleutians this year, lack of (or absent) tsunami warnings would be devastating for the coastal communities. 🌊🧪
NOAA cut funding for critical parts of the tsunami and earthquake detection system in Alaska, primarily in the Aleutians. I spoke to Wash Post about negative impacts. But, hey, what are the chances of a deadly tsunami being triggered in Alaska? (Gift article, not behind paywall) ⚒️ wapo.st/4qKvavQ
This lab is key for tracking deadly waves. Its sensors are about to go offline.
After NOAA cut funding to the lab that’s been monitoring seismic activity for more than 25 years, nine stations tracking tsunami-causing earthquakes for the agency will go offline by the end of the mo...
wapo.st
November 11, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Really, REALLY hope this does not happen. After exploring Unalaska and sailing the Aleutians this year, lack of (or absent) tsunami warnings would be devastating for the coastal communities. 🌊🧪
Happy Veterans Day to my entire military fam!
Wishing everyone the *rarest* unicorn-gift from our active duty days…
A solid night of sleep 💤🦄
Wishing everyone the *rarest* unicorn-gift from our active duty days…
A solid night of sleep 💤🦄
November 11, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Happy Veterans Day to my entire military fam!
Wishing everyone the *rarest* unicorn-gift from our active duty days…
A solid night of sleep 💤🦄
Wishing everyone the *rarest* unicorn-gift from our active duty days…
A solid night of sleep 💤🦄
🚨New Paper: "History of the Barents Sea Ice Sheet, MIS 11 to present" - Cofield & Darby (2025)
Utilized ice rafted debris + Fe-grains from a deep-sea Arctic sediment core to reconstruct ice movement/ timing for Barents Sea Ice Sheet through MIS 11 (~440 ka).
*Proxy explanation in🧵
(1/n) 🌊🧪
Utilized ice rafted debris + Fe-grains from a deep-sea Arctic sediment core to reconstruct ice movement/ timing for Barents Sea Ice Sheet through MIS 11 (~440 ka).
*Proxy explanation in🧵
(1/n) 🌊🧪
History of the Barents Sea Ice Sheet, MIS 11 to present
Understanding the history of large Arctic ice sheets is important in knowing the possibilities for future climate change and its impact on existing ic…
www.sciencedirect.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:34 PM
🚨New Paper: "History of the Barents Sea Ice Sheet, MIS 11 to present" - Cofield & Darby (2025)
Utilized ice rafted debris + Fe-grains from a deep-sea Arctic sediment core to reconstruct ice movement/ timing for Barents Sea Ice Sheet through MIS 11 (~440 ka).
*Proxy explanation in🧵
(1/n) 🌊🧪
Utilized ice rafted debris + Fe-grains from a deep-sea Arctic sediment core to reconstruct ice movement/ timing for Barents Sea Ice Sheet through MIS 11 (~440 ka).
*Proxy explanation in🧵
(1/n) 🌊🧪
Reposted by Dr. Shannon Cofield 🪨🗺️🌊
Cofield and Darby analyze a core located NW of Svalbard for ice rafted debris. They make the surprising finding that the Barents Sea Ice Sheet may not have formed during the MIS 10 and 8 glacial periods, and that if the Arctic ice shelf existed, it may have been early MIS 6. doi.org/10.1016/j.qu...
Redirecting
doi.org
November 10, 2025 at 6:14 AM
Cofield and Darby analyze a core located NW of Svalbard for ice rafted debris. They make the surprising finding that the Barents Sea Ice Sheet may not have formed during the MIS 10 and 8 glacial periods, and that if the Arctic ice shelf existed, it may have been early MIS 6. doi.org/10.1016/j.qu...
Massive shoutout to our HOV #Alvin pilots! Absolute professionals on all levels and a pleasure to work with.
Keep up the great work and let’s keep discovering secrets of the #DeepSea. 🌊🧪
Keep up the great work and let’s keep discovering secrets of the #DeepSea. 🌊🧪
Take a deep dive into the history and legacy of the nation’s deepest-diving crewed submersible, #Alvin.
📲Hear from Alvin pilots and researchers past and present, and dive deep into discovery with Yankee Magazine: go.whoi.edu/yankee-sub
#DeepSeaHistory #DeepSeaDiscovery
📲Hear from Alvin pilots and researchers past and present, and dive deep into discovery with Yankee Magazine: go.whoi.edu/yankee-sub
#DeepSeaHistory #DeepSeaDiscovery
November 9, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Reposted by Dr. Shannon Cofield 🪨🗺️🌊
READ: Off a small Danish island lies an underwater world of large mountains and deep river valleys, like an underwater version of the Grand Canyon. 🌊
Dive into this incredible place – and meet some species you likely haven't heard of before 👉 https://oceana.ly/4nITifN
Dive into this incredible place – and meet some species you likely haven't heard of before 👉 https://oceana.ly/4nITifN
November 9, 2025 at 6:19 PM
READ: Off a small Danish island lies an underwater world of large mountains and deep river valleys, like an underwater version of the Grand Canyon. 🌊
Dive into this incredible place – and meet some species you likely haven't heard of before 👉 https://oceana.ly/4nITifN
Dive into this incredible place – and meet some species you likely haven't heard of before 👉 https://oceana.ly/4nITifN
The PERFECT collab just dropped: Margaritaville x ISS mission patch
Proceeds support ISS National Lab R&D.
Fun Fact: the ISS follows nautical schematics (i.e., port & starboard). Sailors in space 🌊🚀
Proceeds support ISS National Lab R&D.
Fun Fact: the ISS follows nautical schematics (i.e., port & starboard). Sailors in space 🌊🚀
Margaritaville Mission Patch Inspired by Jimmy Buffett
Listen to the latest podcast episode of Between a Rocket & a Hard Space, featuring Dr. Ken Savin, CSO, SpaceMD
issnationallab.org
November 9, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The PERFECT collab just dropped: Margaritaville x ISS mission patch
Proceeds support ISS National Lab R&D.
Fun Fact: the ISS follows nautical schematics (i.e., port & starboard). Sailors in space 🌊🚀
Proceeds support ISS National Lab R&D.
Fun Fact: the ISS follows nautical schematics (i.e., port & starboard). Sailors in space 🌊🚀
Reposted by Dr. Shannon Cofield 🪨🗺️🌊
It’s been a while since I shared these, so here we go!
If you are new to BlueSky, here are a few 🌊 ocean starter packs 🌊 to help you find who to follow:
Physical oceanography
go.bsky.app/Eb6xX19
Polar oceans
go.bsky.app/851nQgx
Organisations
go.bsky.app/U1Ei6XY
If you are new to BlueSky, here are a few 🌊 ocean starter packs 🌊 to help you find who to follow:
Physical oceanography
go.bsky.app/Eb6xX19
Polar oceans
go.bsky.app/851nQgx
Organisations
go.bsky.app/U1Ei6XY
November 9, 2025 at 12:35 PM
It’s been a while since I shared these, so here we go!
If you are new to BlueSky, here are a few 🌊 ocean starter packs 🌊 to help you find who to follow:
Physical oceanography
go.bsky.app/Eb6xX19
Polar oceans
go.bsky.app/851nQgx
Organisations
go.bsky.app/U1Ei6XY
If you are new to BlueSky, here are a few 🌊 ocean starter packs 🌊 to help you find who to follow:
Physical oceanography
go.bsky.app/Eb6xX19
Polar oceans
go.bsky.app/851nQgx
Organisations
go.bsky.app/U1Ei6XY
One of my oceanography expedition 🌊 traditions is a proper dance party before deploying equipment.
Some of my colleagues were approved for our follow-up Hawai’i grab sample expedition (R/V Kilo Moana). They’re currently out-to-sea… running Dance Party Ops.
Love you Guys!!!! Mahalo 🫶
🎥: Katlin
Some of my colleagues were approved for our follow-up Hawai’i grab sample expedition (R/V Kilo Moana). They’re currently out-to-sea… running Dance Party Ops.
Love you Guys!!!! Mahalo 🫶
🎥: Katlin
November 8, 2025 at 2:55 PM
One of my oceanography expedition 🌊 traditions is a proper dance party before deploying equipment.
Some of my colleagues were approved for our follow-up Hawai’i grab sample expedition (R/V Kilo Moana). They’re currently out-to-sea… running Dance Party Ops.
Love you Guys!!!! Mahalo 🫶
🎥: Katlin
Some of my colleagues were approved for our follow-up Hawai’i grab sample expedition (R/V Kilo Moana). They’re currently out-to-sea… running Dance Party Ops.
Love you Guys!!!! Mahalo 🫶
🎥: Katlin
Friend sent me this w/ no context.
Immediately recognize our grad school shenanigans 😆 Ahhh, grad school was a blast! Miss my sedimentology lab & random coffee runs across campus.
Immediately recognize our grad school shenanigans 😆 Ahhh, grad school was a blast! Miss my sedimentology lab & random coffee runs across campus.
November 7, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Friend sent me this w/ no context.
Immediately recognize our grad school shenanigans 😆 Ahhh, grad school was a blast! Miss my sedimentology lab & random coffee runs across campus.
Immediately recognize our grad school shenanigans 😆 Ahhh, grad school was a blast! Miss my sedimentology lab & random coffee runs across campus.
🚨 - Final - USGS 2025 Critical Minerals List
• Posted to U.S. Fed Register 11/07/2025
• Notably adds: copper, silver, uranium, metallurgical coal, boron, + phosphate
• Covers terrestrial + offshore 🌊🧪
[Links below]
• Posted to U.S. Fed Register 11/07/2025
• Notably adds: copper, silver, uranium, metallurgical coal, boron, + phosphate
• Covers terrestrial + offshore 🌊🧪
[Links below]
November 7, 2025 at 1:25 PM
🚨 - Final - USGS 2025 Critical Minerals List
• Posted to U.S. Fed Register 11/07/2025
• Notably adds: copper, silver, uranium, metallurgical coal, boron, + phosphate
• Covers terrestrial + offshore 🌊🧪
[Links below]
• Posted to U.S. Fed Register 11/07/2025
• Notably adds: copper, silver, uranium, metallurgical coal, boron, + phosphate
• Covers terrestrial + offshore 🌊🧪
[Links below]
🎬 Excited to share our expedition member’s hard work.
- coming soon -
(*AT50-38 expedition deliverables/ final report will be available to the Public shortly after the federal government reopens) 🌊🧪
- coming soon -
(*AT50-38 expedition deliverables/ final report will be available to the Public shortly after the federal government reopens) 🌊🧪
November 7, 2025 at 12:49 PM
🎬 Excited to share our expedition member’s hard work.
- coming soon -
(*AT50-38 expedition deliverables/ final report will be available to the Public shortly after the federal government reopens) 🌊🧪
- coming soon -
(*AT50-38 expedition deliverables/ final report will be available to the Public shortly after the federal government reopens) 🌊🧪
Shout out to my NOAA + USAF Hurricane Hunter colleagues flying into #HurricaneMelissa. Watching Jamaica closely.
Current stats via USAF-SFMR (10/28/2025 @ 0900): Cat 5; 180mph; 896mb
Thank you for your public service- especially during the shutdown.
Bravo Zulu! ✈️
Current stats via USAF-SFMR (10/28/2025 @ 0900): Cat 5; 180mph; 896mb
Thank you for your public service- especially during the shutdown.
Bravo Zulu! ✈️
October 28, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Shout out to my NOAA + USAF Hurricane Hunter colleagues flying into #HurricaneMelissa. Watching Jamaica closely.
Current stats via USAF-SFMR (10/28/2025 @ 0900): Cat 5; 180mph; 896mb
Thank you for your public service- especially during the shutdown.
Bravo Zulu! ✈️
Current stats via USAF-SFMR (10/28/2025 @ 0900): Cat 5; 180mph; 896mb
Thank you for your public service- especially during the shutdown.
Bravo Zulu! ✈️
Off on my next adventure 🛫 👋
Hope everyone has a Happy Halloween! Enjoy this year’s edition of:
~ Deep-Sea Spooky Season ~
🌊🧪
Hope everyone has a Happy Halloween! Enjoy this year’s edition of:
~ Deep-Sea Spooky Season ~
🌊🧪
October 24, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Off on my next adventure 🛫 👋
Hope everyone has a Happy Halloween! Enjoy this year’s edition of:
~ Deep-Sea Spooky Season ~
🌊🧪
Hope everyone has a Happy Halloween! Enjoy this year’s edition of:
~ Deep-Sea Spooky Season ~
🌊🧪
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:
Looking back through my pictures from the historic East Wing:
October 23, 2025 at 9:10 PM
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:
Looking back through my pictures from the historic East Wing: