In a forum given on Tuesday, July 28, Jani Radebaugh brought the exotic lands of Ethiopia, India, Antarctica, and even Jupiter, Saturn, and Titan to BYU.
Radebaugh, associate professor in the Department of Geological Sciences, spoke on her adventures and explorations both in and beyond this world. She emphasized the importance of not just the discoveries being made in the field of planetary science, but also of going on expeditions.
“Why would we undertake these kinds of expeditions as scientists?” Radebaugh said. “Why do we think it’s scientifically valuable to go out and observe the geology in action? We explore so that we may discover.”
Radebaugh recounted an experience of a long trek she and a group of others took through Ethiopia to witness a brewing volcano.
“It is hard to describe what it is like to witness the creation of new land,” Radebaugh said. “We understand as scientists that we can learn more about our natural world simply by exploring it. So we endure, and maybe we even enjoy, the hardships that come along with such an endeavor.”
Through her explorations Radebaugh has been able to conduct research to help others better grasp Earth’s geology. By studying other planets and moons, we are better able to understand our own planet.
On the flip side, Radebaugh showed how studying Earth can help us understand our solar system.
“One place that perfectly blends Earth exploration with discovery in space is the deep field of Antarctica,” Radebaugh said. “Somehow it’s in the cards that we must go to the most remote location on the planet — the place most difficult to access in every way, the place most challenging to live and survive in — in order to find the biggest collection of pieces of rock from outer space.”
In her cold quest across Antarctica, Radebaugh has found many meteorites. Although meteorites can be found all over the Earth, they are better preserved in Antarctica because of the cold, dry climate.
“It is a treasure trove of specimens from all across the solar system,” Radebaugh said. “These rocks speak to us of our origins, for they are siblings of Earth.”
Radebaugh does not go on these journeys alone. Students have accompanied her as she travels across extreme environments to better understand our own planet Earth.
“When we go as scientists, we see a different kind of beauty,” Radebaugh said, speaking of fragile, wind-carved ridges. “We feel lucky to see [these creations] because we know they disappear quickly.”
Radebaugh’s main research areas focus on geological processes on planetary bodies including Earth, Saturn’s moon Titan, Jupiter’s moon Io, and Earth’s Moon. Radebaugh has also done research in Namibia, Hawaii, the Sahara Desert, and many other locations.