Rock Circus in Box takes shape

Click here to view progress on this project.

The quarry blocks, obelisk, fossil rubbing table and climbing blocks will all be arriving next week from Tuesday. We hope the play surface, with its dinosaur footprints, will be poured on Tuesday 7th August. Hopefully, we shall be holding a small, unofficial opening ceremony on Thursday 9th August at 11.00 a.m Selwyn Hall car park, Box. Please come if you can!
Email for further details.

Chemical ghost of 120million years-old bird

This is the 120 million year-old fossil of Confuciusornis sanctus, a bird from China; the earliest known bird with a beak. About the size of a pigeon, it had long twin tail-feathers strongly suggestive of sexual selection. This bird was one of a flock that was caught in a volcanic explosion and ended up fossilised at the bottom of a lake. The fossil shows clear impressions of feathers, bones and soft tissues but what is even more amazing, there are chemicals which indicate its colour in life.
Read more - it's amazing, especially the ipad technology!

Scale of the Universe

Lyme Regis Museum activities

As ever, Lyme Regis Museum will be very active throughout the summer. There are fossil walks, Mary Anning walks and the new 'Facts on Fossils' sessions. These are mini master class for all ages and levels of interested fossilists, with plenty of fossil handling, tips on how to find and identify, and lots of recently-found extraordinary fossils to see and hear about, as well as an invitation to bring your own fossils for identification.
Visit the website for dates and details

Ancient relative of man

South African scientists claim they have uncovered the most complete skeleton yet of an ancient relative of man, that was hidden in a rock excavated three years ago. The skull is from a juvenile male Australopithecus Sediba species. It is not certain whether the species, which had long arms, a small brain and a thumb, was a direct ancestor of humans' genus, Homo, or simply a close relative.
Read more

How Volcanoes shaped Britain's Landscape

Have you seen this article?
Also, Volcano Live BBC2 9th July at 8.00 - Prof Iain Stewart and Kate Humble

Monnow Valley - Landscape evolution on the Old Red Sandstone

Dave Green will talk about the Monnow Valley tomorrow, Thursday 5th July and lead a field trip to the area on Saturday July 7th
Everyone is welcome to both the talk and the field trip. £4 for visitors to the talk and £2 for visitors on the field trip.
The talk takes place at BRLSI, 16 Queens Square, Bath - free refreshments.
On Saturday, meet at 11.00 a.m. at St. Maughan's Church car park SO461171. Car sharing is recommended as we shall be on narrow roads with restricted parking. Strong shoes and a packed lunch are required.
Further details

Outcrop - another west country geology blog

Have you seen Outcrop, Avon RIGS group blog? The Group's aim is to identify, survey, protect and promote geological and geomorphological sites in the former County of Avon - the modern unitary authorities of Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. RIGS are selected for their educational, research, historical and aesthetic value.
There is a live link to Outcrop on the right-hand side of this blog so you can always see what is happening in the west country.