December 4th - Birds and Dinosaurs with Feathers

On Thursday December 4th, Prof. Mike Benton from the University of Bristol will be talking on 'Preservation of the birds and dinosaurs with feathers from Liaoning China'. The lecture starts at 7.30 at 16 Queen Square and is organised by the Bath Geological Society.
There was a sensation ten years ago when the first photographs of fossil birds and dinosaurs from the Early Cretaceous of Liaoning in China were published. Here were exquisitely preserved specimens that showed feathers. Other fossils were also exceptionally well preserved. The most astonishing find was that a number of small carnivorous dinosaurs too had feathers, so confirming the long-standing view that birds evolved directly from dinosaurs. A team from the University of Bristol is working with colleagues in Beijing to study the preservation and tissue structure of the feathers. We hope to understand just why so many thousands of astonishing specimens have been so well preserved, and to find what the unexpected view of soft tissues tells us about the evolution of birds.

New - Kimmeridgian crocodile from Westbury!

Did you know that Simon Carpenter, our local, expert fossil-finder has discovered a new crocodile from the Jurassic Kimmeridge Clay at Westbury? - Dakosaurus carpenteri! You can read all about it in the latest issue of Palaeontology.

Rock specimens needing a good home

A geologist's collection needs a good home! The specimens are mostly rock samples; many have been purchased so they have names with them. Others have parted company with their labels so
just need matching up. There are 4 - 5 carrier bags full.
Email contact if you are interested.

Join us on the committee?

The Bath Geological Society would like to recruit two new members to its committee. We meet about three or four times a year and our chief task is to organise an exciting programme for our members. Please join us; you do not have to be a geologist - just an enthusiast!
Contact details are on our website.

Next Saturday - Geofest in Cardiff

GEOFEST

National Museum of Wales
Saturday November 15th, 10.00a.m. - 5.00p.m.
Talks and Walks

11.00 a.m. The Grave secrets of Dinosaurs - Dr. Phil Manning
1.00 p.m. The building stones of Cathays Park - Dr. Eric Robinson
2.30 p.m. Mmmmagma: Edible demonstrations of volcanic processes - Dr. Alison Rust

Rockwatch: geological activities for children including trilobite racing, dinosaur dioramas and fossil casting; fossil hunting in Coal Measures shale with hammers and chisels; microfossil workshops; earthquake workshops and a range of geological activities in the Museum’s Glanely Gallery as well as behind the scenes tours of the Geology Department.
Displays from local and national geological societies and groups.

AND IT'S ALL FREE

Cornwall in April

Cornwall with the Oxford Geology Group in April.
Click here to view the preliminary programme, which fills a week.
The idea would be to spend most of the day in the field, in various ways, including hiking, studying landforms and geology close-up and at least one day collecting minerals and/or rock samples.
There are also a number of good geological guides, two of which are mentioned in the programme.
So far one lodge that sleeps six at Lanteglos has been booked (click here). At present they have ample accommodation and, depending on interest, we may book more.
We intend to use our own cars as transport.
Contact the Oxford Geology Group if you are interested.