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At the Corner of Mudd Hall, the Secret of Blue Quartz

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The exterior of Seeley W. Mudd Hall is a stop on David Walker's geology tour of Columbia.
The exterior of Seeley W. Mudd Hall is a stop on David Walker’s geology tour of Columbia.

How did those big crystals of blue quartz get locked into the pink granite of Mudd Hall? How come they’re blue? In Part 3 of the Columbia Geology Tour, David Walker of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory explores the mysteries of granite formed deep in the earth more than 600 million years ago. Walker has for a decade or so led students and colleagues on a tour of the Columbia University campus, using building stones and features to illuminate the geological history of the planet.

Coming next week: At the Teachers College’s Russell Hall, evidence of the great oxygenation that transformed life on Earth. (You can watch all of the videos on YouTube here.)

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Collage of Turkiye beach scene and Columbia University Campus with text: UN Climate Change Conference COP31, Antalya, Turkiye, Nov 9-20, 2026

COP31, the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference, aims to advance dialogue, strengthen consensus, and accelerate climate action on a global scale. From November 9–20, 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, heads of state, ministers, scientists, business leaders, and civil society will gather to advance efforts in emission targets, climate finance, and adaptation and resilience. Once again, our experts, students, and global thought leaders from Columbia Climate School and across Columbia University are contributing to key events, sharing insights, and helping shape the dialogue toward ambitious, science-based solutions. Learn More

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