7 awesome YouTube channels for cave, rock and fossil fans
7 awesome YouTube channels for cave, rock and fossil fans
The weird world of caves is a bit like bungee jumping or Pringles. Once you get a taste for it, you can't help but keep going.
As a hobby, it just gets deeper and deeper. Before you know it, you've developed a keen interest in geology, too. (After all, most caves are made of rock – and rocks are
really
interesting.)
From there, the next step is inevitable. Did you know some rocks contain the hardened remains of creatures that lived millions or billions of years ago? Congratulations, you're now a die-hard fossil fan. (Die… hard… get it?)
Well, all we can say is, "Welcome to the club". You're going to have loads of fun learning about the fascinating history of our curious little planet.
And we're not the only ones with a rocky inclination. There are plenty of YouTube creators out there whose content is right up our geological street.
Fancy binge-watching some YouTube videos – and learning a whole lot in the process? Check out these seven channels that specialise in caving, geology or fossil finding.
Caving YouTube channels
1. Keith Edwards (@CaverKeith)
Keith Edwards describes his channel as "a cornucopia of material for armchair cavers" – and, by gum, does he deliver.
Judging by the sheer number of caving videos he's cranked out, Keith spends every spare moment boiler-suited, sturdy-booted and crawling through some narrow cavern or other. Tune in and you can see first-hand footage of some of the UK's best wild caves and abandoned mines, including the Kingsdale Master Cave, here in the Yorkshire Dales.
But Keith is a man of many talents – and many interests. So, you'll also spot videos about Meccano models and miniature railways, among other things.
Our favourite video, however, might be this short paean to the joys of gummy sweets. Enjoy.
2. Derek Bristol (@DerekBristol)
Derek Bristol is a US-based caving enthusiast and all-round cave expert. So, as well as the usual expedition vlogs, his channel also features educational content about spelunking gear, cave surveys and rigging best practices.
Let's not sell those vlogs short, though. Derek has deep-dived into many of the world's most stunning and notorious cave systems – sometimes literally. Take this nail-biting trip into Borneo's Nasib Bagus cave, where Derek and his fellow cavers were trapped underground by floodwater after heavy rain. Yikes.
Geology YouTube channels
3. SciShow Kids (@SciShowKids)
SciShow Kids is an offshoot of the hyper-popular SciShow YouTube channel, focusing on educational content for grades one to three. That's the US equivalent of years two to four in the UK, which roughly aligns with Key Stage 1 in the national curriculum.
The channel isn't purely geology-focused. There are videos about every subject under the Sun – as well as, erm… the Sun. But young rockers will find plenty to enjoy, including fun takes on volcanoes, floods and ice caves.
Expect high production values and high-energy vibes. If you're looking for easy-to-understand vids for kids, you won't find much better.
4. GEO GIRL (@GEOGIRL)
Most geoscience channels aimed at adults are as dry as a drought.
GEO GIRL is a welcome exception – her content is engaging, educational and endearing as all heck.
Rocks and minerals are her bread and butter. But there are plenty more topics to pack into your playlist. Recent diversions include aliens, mass extinctions and this fascinating look at the pros and cons of resurrecting woolly mammoths.
5. Myron Cook (@myroncook)
Myron Cook looks like your favourite secondary school teacher and has the kind of mellifluous voice that could rival the late, great Bob Ross.
Yes, watching his content feels like a hug, a hike and a long chat with a trusted friend. It's a bonus that he also knows geology inside and out.
Myron's videos are neither snoozingly complicated nor childishly simplified. This makes them the perfect starting point for adults who are just getting into this whole rock thing.
His most popular video, at the time of writing, is this corker that looks at a little-known geological feature off the coast of Louisiana. Prepare to be mesmerised for 25 minutes.
Fossil YouTube channels
6. The Yorkshire Fossil Hunter (@TheYorkshireFossilHunter)
We can't mention fossil-focused YouTubers without giving a shout-out to Stump Cross cohort Mark Kemp – AKA
The Yorkshire Fossil Hunter.
Mark is a regular visitor to our caves, where he leads fossil-hunting expeditions across the beautifully barren landscape of the Yorkshire Dales. If you've taken part, you'll know that Mark is an accomplished educator with an infectious enthusiasm for natural history.
No surprise – his YouTube channel is just as engaging. Tune in to see Mark scouring the UK for fossils, showing off his finds and sharing his wealth of geological knowledge.
7. Lyme Regis Fossils (@LymeRegisFossils)
Lyme Regis Fossils is the brainchild of Brandon Lennon, a fossil enthusiast of some 40 years vintage. His lively, accessible presentation style and boundless knowledge have earned him more than 60,000 subscribers and upwards of 53 million views.
Brandon's hunting ground is the Jurassic Coast, made famous by
fossil pioneer Mary Anning. This 95-mile-long strip of coastline is absolutely teeming with fossils – and Brandon takes full advantage of the fact, producing video after video of A-grade fossil finds.
Want to see the real thing?
YouTube videos are all well and good. But nothing beats the real thing.
So, if you're in the UK and you're hankering for an interesting day out, why not visit our beautifully preserved
caves in Yorkshire?
Nestled beneath the hills and valleys of the Yorkshire Dales, Stump Cross Caverns is a winding network of limestone chambers and passageways. It's chock-full of awe-inspiring rock formations, surprising secrets and fun things to do.
That includes family-friendly activities like our genuine
gem-panning sluice – and our regular
fossil dig activities, where kids can discover real ancient fossils that they can take home and keep.
We promise an enjoyable and educational experience for all the family. How about it? It's quick and easy to
book tickets online.
