Nick on the Rocks

Nationally recognized geologist Nick Zentner leads viewers on armchair adventures through Washingtons diverse landscapes from massive lava flows and the planets biggest Ice Age waterfall to wandering mountains and a flank of Mt. Rainier that traveled to Tacoma.

Episodes

“Giant Ripples in the Scablands”

Season 3

The fingerprints of rushing water rise from the desert as huge ripples of rocks. The...

“Ghost Forests”

Season 3

The record of the Northwest’s last cataclysmic earthquake is buried in the mud with only...

“Puget Sound's Exotic Terranes”

Season 3

From the Deception Pass bridge you can see all the way to Mexico— but only if you look...

“Goldilocks Miracle of the Palouse”

Season 3

Discover the Ice Age secret locked in the rich depths of the Palouse. Long thought to be...

“Steamboat in the Desert”

Season 3

How did giant Steamboat Rock survive the powerful Ice Age forces that formed the Grand...

“Ice Age Mystery of Lake Lewis”

Season 3

Follow the trail that led geologists to find an ancient lake that submerged much of...

Specials

“Yakima River Canyon ”

Season 1

The majestic river canyon meanders across the central Washington desert — apparently...

“Mount Stuart — From Mexico? ”

Season 1

The Stuart Range near Leavenworth is one of the most beautiful mountains in all of the...

“Giant Lava Flows ”

Season 1

Some of the largest lava flows in the world can be found in the deserts of Eastern...

“Liberty Gold Mines ”

Season 1

Washington’s gold rush isn’t over. Find out how gold came to Washington and where active...

About Nick

Nick Zentner is the Science Outreach and Education Coordinator for the Department of Geological Sciences at CWU. He has produced more than 40 short videos about central Washington geology. Since 2008, Zentner’s colloquial, humorous lectures have made him a popular speaker at educational and civic organizations throughout the Northwest. In 2015, Nick received the prestigious James Shea Award, a National Association of Geoscience Teachers award recognizing exceptional delivery of Earth Science content to the general public. See more of his lectures on his website.

Upcoming Episodes

Thu 2/21, 8:54pm

Ghost Forest

The record of the Northwest’s last cataclysmic earthquake is buried in the mud with only ancient trees to tell the story above ground. Follow the trail of the quake that dropped the coastline six feet and pushed a mega-wave all the way to Japan...

Fri 2/22, 4:44pm

Ghost Forest

The record of the Northwest’s last cataclysmic earthquake is buried in the mud with only ancient trees to tell the story above ground. Follow the trail of the quake that dropped the coastline six feet and pushed a mega-wave all the way to Japan...