Friday 28 August 2015

Geosites mobile app

With just over three weeks left to enter the 100 Great Geosites photo competition, it’s now easier than ever to find a geosite near you! This week saw the launch of the 100 Great Geosites mobile app, created in partnership with mapping and analytics company Esri UK, which allows users to search for their nearest site and plan a visit.

Rare Nautilus sighted for the first time in three decades

Nautilus pompilius (left) swimming next to a rare 
Allonautilus scrobiculatus (right) off
Ndrova Island in Papua New Guinea.
Photo: Peter Ward

Friday 21 August 2015

Dates to note in September

3rd September - Geological evolution of N American cordillera
Dr Doug Robinson
7.30 BRLSI, 16 Queen Square, Bath
Bath Geological Society

9th September 2015 - Tour of Redcliffe Caves, Bristol.
7pm at the Ostrich Pub - BS1 6TJ
Western Region, The Geological Society
 
19th September - Aust Cliff & Manor Farm, South Gloucestershire
Simon Carpenter
Bath Geological Society

Friday 14 August 2015

Survey of footpaths in UK


The Big Pathwatch is an ambitious campaign by the Ramblers to survey the condition of every footpath in the country. Because of the scale of this project, we acknowledge that we will not be able to do this on our own, and are therefore inviting every member of the public who likes walking to help us.
To take part sign in here.

Wednesday 12 August 2015

19th September - Aust Cliff and Manor Farm

Bath Geological Society
Saturday 19 September 2015
Aust Cliff and Manor Farm, South Gloucestershire
Leader: Simon Carpenter
This field trip visits two important Upper Triassic sites in South Gloucestershire representing arid coastal, shallow marine and lagoonal environments. There is an abundant marine fauna, particularly bivalves and the Westbury beds are renowned for their fish and reptile remains - particularly isolated teeth and bones. The National Grid will be undertaking repair works on their pylon during mid-September and removing talus from the Aust cliff section alongside the concrete causeway - so there may be some disruption to our visit. Simon will bring material from his own collection that he has found at both sites.
It may be muddy, so please bring boots. Packed lunch or optional pub visit (Boars Head, Aust). Bring hammers and collecting bags.
Meet 10:30a.m. at the old Aust ferry jetty (ST 564889).
There is some parking along the roadside close to this point.
Finish at 3:30pm. The route to Aust (M5) is very busy on a Saturday so leave plenty of time for your journey.
Please Register for the Field trip with the Field Secretary

Tuesday 11 August 2015

Field Geology in Pembrokeshire (Part 1)

Lifelong Learning 4 day course
Field Geology in Pembrokeshire (Part 1) 
Two weekends in October: 10th, 11th and 24th, 25th
10.00 am – 5.00 pm each day


The Pembrokeshire landscape differs from much of Wales in that it is largely unmountainous, with extensive areas forming plateaux lying below 183m (600 ft). This course will visit a number of key locations, mostly coastal and in the north of the county, examining rocks formed during Precambrian, Cambrian and Ordovician times.
The course is divided into two weekends to maximise safe tidal access and extent of rock exposures on beaches.
No prior knowledge of the area or geology is assumed.
Please note you will need to make your own travel and accommodation arrangements, with meeting times and places to be confirmed.  
The course is organised through Cardiff University. If carries assessment, which is very difficult to fail! Attendees usually find assessment on these courses useful for consolidating what they have learned.
Tuition fee is £152.00  (concessionary fee available £122.00).
Enrolments can be made by ‘phoning 029  2087  0000  or see website
For more information on course content and specific locations, contact tutor. 

Monday 10 August 2015

Bath Geological Society - CHANGES

Please note the following changes to our lecture and field trip programme
September 3rd
Geological evolution of N American cordillera
Dr Doug Robinson

The North American Cordilleran mountain chain runs N-S along western North America, and reaches up to ~ 500 km in width. The chain consists of a number of mountain ranges such as the Rocky Mountains and Coast Ranges, along with a variety of geological entities including the Basin and Range Province, Colorado plateau, Cascade volcanic arc, Columbia flood basalts and the Yellowstone plateau. These different regions record a remarkable geological evolution over a period greater than the entire Phanerozoic. This evolution records the change of the western coast from a passive margin, marking the breakup of the Rodinia supercontinent in the late Precambrian, to an active subducting margin culminating in the Larimide orogeny and the formation of the Cordilleran mountain belts. The Tertiary evolution marks the orogenic collapse phase, with the plate boundary between the Pacific and North American plates changing from a destructive margin to one involving the two transcurrent faults of the San Andreas and Queen Charlotte zones, separated by the remnant of the destructive margin that has given rise to the Cascades volcanic chain.

Saturday September 19th (changed from the 12th)
Aust Cliff
Simon Carpenter

Details to follow within the next few days. To register for the trip, please email.

Sunday 2 August 2015

Wiltshire Geology Group AGM - August 10th

Wiltshire Geology Group AGM
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Devizes
Monday 10th August 2015 at 7pm.
Please contact the secretary if you wish to receive the agenda or minutes from 2014. Nominations for the roles of chairman, secretary or treasurer must be received prior to the AGM.
If the door to the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is locked when you arrive for the AGM, or if you arrive slightly late, please follow the directions on the front door, where there will be a mobile 'phone number.
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
Elm Tree Court
Long Street
Devizes
SN10 1NJ