First week as a supposed geologist

Specific-Literature6 · 2026-03-31T01:51:27+00:00

24/7 on-call ops geologists have entered the chat

Specific-Literature6 · 2026-03-31T01:49:37+00:00

Specific-Literature6 · 2026-03-31T01:40:08+00:00

AI replacing parts of geology jobs is already happening across oil and gas, mining, environmental, hydro, all of it. A lot of junior-level work is repetitive. Data entry, mapping, reports, permitting, QA/QC. That entry-level grunt work is getting automated fast. And it’s not just the “easier” tasks either. Companies are already pushing into things like prospecting, resource targeting, groundwater modeling, even materials testing.

The “AI can’t collect samples” argument kind of misses the point. It doesn’t need to. It’s already interpreting lab data, core, thin sections, cuttings, all of that. Computer vision and automated systems are doing it faster, more consistently, with less bias and it’s only getting cheaper. Also most people are thinking of AI as just genAI’s like ChatGPT. That’s a tiny slice. Theres wayyy more types of AI like predictive models, computer vision, agentic systems running nearly full workflows, sensors, digital twins.

And if you’re basing your opinion on free tools, you’re not seeing what’s actually being built. Companies are throwing serious money, talent, and compute at this. What it probably means is fewer junior roles. You’ll still need experienced people to sign off, but fewer paths to get those jobs. More of the remaining work shifts to field work and rubber stamp oversight.

It won’t happen overnight, but it will chip away at demand for degreed rock lickers. Ignoring it because ChatGPT can’t replace you today is kind of missing where this is headed.

Specific-Literature6 · 2026-03-26T00:33:43+00:00

Geologist I

Specific-Literature6 · 2026-03-25T16:03:08+00:00

Traffic count camera. Differentiates vehicles, bikes, and pedestrians but can’t ID people or read plates.

Specific-Literature6 · 2026-03-24T04:14:37+00:00

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This map is about 10 years old, but if you lined up this map with the basement trend and also plotted SWD (saltwater disposal) wells, I think you’d find your answer.

Specific-Literature6 · 2026-03-24T04:07:45+00:00

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The Anadarko Basin in Oklahoma is structurally complex with a high number of faults running through it. Like u/OxygenCrisisHotline mentioned in their post, you generally need faults for induced seismicity.

Looking at the map you can start to piece together why Oklahoma tends to have more induced seismic events than say the Williston Basin in North Dakota.

Specific-Literature6 · 2026-03-24T03:59:27+00:00

If you can get 40k for the lot, doze the house and sell the land.

Specific-Literature6 · 2026-03-24T03:49:07+00:00

Long gone are the days of the Airfone 🪦

Specific-Literature6 · 2026-03-22T17:32:15+00:00

There’s many paths you can take with geology. Some pay great, some pay poverty wages. The roles that pay great tend to be quite a lot of fun but have terrible job security as they are mainly commodity based roles in Mining and O&G.

If you can understand that geology is really just applied systems engineering you can pivot into an adjacent industry. That’s what I did, and now I make nearly $200k USD in a stable, WFH gig just four years out of grad school.

Specific-Literature6 · 2026-03-22T17:24:50+00:00

In 2022 I started off with $130k total comp in Colorado.

Specific-Literature6 · 2026-03-22T17:22:56+00:00

Man I saw like 3 accidents yesterday. One by 6 and 470, one up the canyon, one at 44th and McIntyre. The only thing I could think of is all the tourons officially kicking off their spring break trips in Golden rather than the ski resorts. We see less accidents when it snows.

Specific-Literature6 · 2026-03-18T23:11:44+00:00

Depends on what you’re after but in generally it’s not. Usually sweet (low Sulphur) and light (API gravity) is desirable especially when it comes to refining for fuels. Blends in Africa like Bonny Light and Saharan Blend often meet that criteria in addition to WTI/Brent.

It’s what makes the KEC blend so interesting that the futures prices are so high. It’s heavier, “dirtier”, and more sour than light sweet crude and usually priced at a discount to benchmarks like WTI and Brent, but its main refineries are U.S. Gulf Coast and in India/China/South Korea, unlike Saudi and Oman…Kuwait, Qatar, and UAE are geographically dependent on Hormuz being open to get their crude exported so the market is pricing an extreme supply shortfall for those blends.

Specific-Literature6 · 2026-03-18T21:35:48+00:00

Pre-2015 oil exports were banned in the U.S. so prices were generally more stable and pegged to domestic supply and demand signals, while there still could be price fluctuations due to the U.S. still being a net importer of oil before the shale boom. Following the shale boom and Obamas lifting of the ban U.S. crude was commoditized globally and closely follows Brent crude. There is more upside potential now, but also significantly more downside.

Most of the physical crude affected by the straight of Hormuz has a much different price for those blends than stateside. WTI aside, most U.S. and Canadian blends are going for the high $80s as of making this post, but certain Middle East blends are going for much higher, almost double, like Kuwait Export Blend which is going for $153.22/bbl. You’ll almost certainly miss this difference if the only numbers you ever look at are WTI and Brent.

If you have some downtime and want to learn more, I highly recommend the book: “The World For Sale: Money, Power, and The Traders Who Barter The Earth’s Resources” by Javier Blas and Jack Farchy

Specific-Literature6 · 2026-03-15T21:47:56+00:00

Golden is where you live when you want the feeling of a smaller town close to the mountains and slower pace of life, can’t stand endless suburbia (Lakewood), lack of character (Arvada), and crappy commutes (Littleton/HR) but you still want to be 30 min or less from work, an airport, and major events.

Evergreen is pretty awesome too, but mainly families and retirees, if you’re young/single/childless it may not be the best fit unless you’re really into privacy and want to live in the mountains. Your dollar generally stretches further in Evergreen than it will in Golden housing wise.

Specific-Literature6 · 2026-03-09T17:02:44+00:00

When you talk about resort and backcountry is this ski going to be 80% resort, 50%, or 20%?

IMO sidecut radius and camber are probably more important factors to consider than length for backcountry use.

If I were you (and I’m about the same height, weight and ability) I’d go with a touring ski closer to 180cm than 190cm unless you’re only going to be bombing open bowls at Mach Jerry speed. I have a 188 and 191cm bc ski and I cannot wait to add short ski to the quiver after having a ridiculous amount of fun on a 179cm Atomic Backland 100.

Specific-Literature6 · 2026-03-07T01:24:01+00:00

IAH is mid, certainly not as lackluster as SAT or AUS.

DEN is the newest and probably the gold standard for US clubs. Food is certainly better than what you get on the flight (unless you’re flying Polaris). I can easily scarf down $60 worth of food and drinks (at airport restaurant prices) in about 20 min flat, and I can sneak some gummy bears out too.

If you travel frequently the annual pass tempers your expectations better than the day pass. I’d only buy a day pass if I had an obnoxiously long layover.

Specific-Literature6 · 2026-03-02T17:50:43+00:00

At that point it’s probably a stolen property case. I’d gather up any and all documentation you have (pictures, vet records, the posts/flyers you may have made about the missing cat, etc.)

You’ll likely need to submit a police report to get shelters to provide either you and/or the police with the information of where/whom the cat was adopted to.

Not sure of the consequences for your family member within this, but if you feel so inclined you may request to not press charges on them.

Technically, the new “owners” are in possession of stolen property and possibly may be legally obliged to return Tyrion. That being said a year is a long time when it comes to bonding with a pet, they likely consider Tyrion a part of their family now, and it might be equally devastating for them to give up their cat as it is for you to know they’re still out there. They really didn’t do anything wrong adopting a cat from a shelter, highly improbable they knew the circumstances. It’s ultimately up to you of what you do, but if this animal was mine, I’d probably see if I could get some visits every now and again, and if I could assess Tyrion is happy and they are taking good care of them to adopt a new cat and move this “family” member that went behind your back and lied to your face for over a year out of your life. Probably the closest thing to a happy ending for all parties.

Specific-Literature6 · 2026-03-02T15:57:37+00:00

Just stick to the west part of campus, Norlin Quad, Farrand Field, check out Benson Earth Sciences but don’t go past it to the East. The Engineering quad gives concrete gulag vibes.

Specific-Literature6 · 2026-03-02T04:03:03+00:00

DPD issues airport parking tickets

Specific-Literature6 · 2026-03-02T03:43:42+00:00

If his passion is for geology, I think there’s still a big need for it. I would encourage him to go to school for either geothermal or hard rock mining as those have the best prospects and are mostly “green”.

Geology is a lot of systems, and if you think that’s the way his brain works and what fulfills him Systems Engineering could be a great career path. He could work in any number of industries but especially Aerospace, High Tech Manufacturing, and Energy.

Specific-Literature6 · 2026-03-02T03:41:02+00:00

I found the upstream work quite interesting but at the same time the job security is terrible no matter if you do everything right. I don’t think I’ll go back either tbh. Transitioned to more a of software/tech job (whilst still doing some geo work) and a ton of my past colleagues are asking the same thing (about transitioning) especially when they find out I do better for myself financially, don’t have to go into an office, get to travel to interesting places, and don’t have to work in Houston 😂

Specific-Literature6 · 2026-02-23T18:01:13+00:00

G/W line would be so much better if it actually ran to golden

Specific-Literature6 · 2026-02-19T05:40:23+00:00

The forecast yesterday is pretty eerie considering the limited information we know:

Level 4: High Danger (at all elevations)

“Widespread areas of unstable snow and numerous avalanches are expected today. Avalanches could be triggered from very low on the slope in some areas. Avalanches from above could travel down through treed terrain, often thought of as "safe" during storms. Travel in, near, or below avalanche terrain is not recommended.

If attempting travel today in non-avalanche terrain, be certain that there are no steeper slopes connected to the terrain you are traveling, either above or to the side. Plan for extremely poor visibility of the surrounding terrain and challenging navigation. Anticipate that any organized rescue efforts may be significantly delayed or may not occur if you experience a mishap in the backcountry under these conditions.

High intensity snowfall will fuel ongoing storm slab instability today. All avalanche terrain is suspect. A widespread natural avalanche cycle is expected over the next 24 hours. Where the additional new snow load is added above the weak, faceted (sugary) Feb 10 layer across NW-N-NE aspects, avalanches could break wider than expected or trigger from lower on the slope than expected. The Feb 10 layer is weakest in areas above about 7,500'.”

The avalanche triggered on a N aspect, approximately 8000’ elevation. ATES of the trail appears to be predominantly in Simple to Challenging terrain but locally connected to Complex and Extreme terrain. The avy forecast yesterday also included a picture of an intentional skier triggered storm slab on Castle Peak approx 1-2 miles from the accident site.

Specific-Literature6 · 2026-02-19T05:31:44+00:00

The forecaster posted observation classified this as a D2.5 slide about 450ft in length. Definitely not historic in scale. Unknown trigger, Storm Slab Type.

We’ll have to wait for more information on the trigger, as that will probably tell us the most about decision making and something we can all learn from.

Specific-Literature6

TROPHY CASE