Ologies with Alie Ward Haunted Hydrology (SPOOKY LAKES) with Geo Rutherford
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Oct 8, 2025 In this engaging discussion, artist and science communicator Geo Rutherford, known as Geodesaurus, dives into the eerie world of haunted lakes. She reveals the chilling histories of the Great Lakes and ecological mysteries like the rise and fall of the Salton Sea. Geo shares thrilling fieldwork stories, from encountering hidden river dangers to exploring bizarre pink ponds. With insights on unique species and the lore surrounding notorious shipwrecks, this conversation blends art, science, and the spooky side of hydrology into an unforgettable journey.
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Lake Tahoe's Deep, Preserving Waters
- Geo visited Lake Tahoe and explains its extreme depth, age, cold water, and shipwreck mysteries.
- She notes bodies and wrecks can remain preserved by saponification in cold freshwater, making Tahoe 'hold on to you forever.'
Why Some Lakes Are Pink
- Geo explains pink lakes like Lake Hillier form from salt-loving pigmented microbes and brine shrimp.
- Flamingos turn pink by eating brine shrimp from these saline, pigment-rich ecosystems.
Volcanic Lakes That Change Color
- Volcano-linked crater lakes can shift vivid colors as mineral inputs and thermophile communities change.
- Geo notes Indonesian volcano lakes that act like mood rings, changing hue with chemistry.
