30th July to 5th August 2018

NEXT WEEKS EVENTS

30th July to 5th August 2018

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXTRACT FROM BRISTOL AND WEST COUNTRY GEOLOGY CALENDARS

MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE BRISTOL AND THE WEST COUNTRY CALENDARS AND ON THE WEB SITES OF THE RELEVANT SOCIETY OR ORGANISATION.

Mendip hills AONB have a SERIES of events which have only recently come to my notice - (actually this afternoon!). They can be discovered HERE. I have inserted some of them below. Visit the website for booking details.

MONDAY 30TH

Rockwatch Field Trip to Jurassic Coast

When

30 Jul – 3 Aug 2018

Where

Leeson House Field Study Centre in Langton Maltravers outside Swanage (map)

Description

16th Annual Rockwatch Residential Fieldtrip – to the Jurassic World Heritage coast of Dorset and East Devon  

Join the team with Susan, Aerona, Alan, Sam, Simon, Richard and Mike for a week exploring quarries on the Isles of Purbeck and Portland.  Hear about the smugglers’ tales along these cliffs and see where they hid their booty!  Explore beaches and cliff tops, find fossils and dinosaur footprints and maybe do some rock carving and find a few caves to explore along the way.  You’ll be investigating the geology of Weymouth and going over to Portland where you can see extraordinary sweep of Chesil Beach – and possibly finding some dinosaur footprints!  

Your accommodation during the week will be the Leeson House Field Study Centre in Langton Maltravers outside Swanage which is comfortable, spacious and with grounds to have a run around.  The cost of the trip includes all your food during the stay and transport during the whole visit.  If you arrive by train you will be met at the station – luxury!

Adults (aged from 18 up): £320.00

First child (up to 17 years inclusive): £225.00

Second child: £145.00

If you would like to go on this residential fieldtrip either email the Rockwatch office:  hello@rockwatch.org.uk  and ask for a booking form or book a place on line. 

www.rockwatch.org.uk

TUESDAY 31st

Rockwatch Field Trip to Jurassic Coast

Wednesday 1st

FAIRY CAVE QUARRY BOTANY AND GEOLOGY WALK

July 31 @ 2:00 am - 4:00 pm

FREE

A walk with botanist Liz McDonnell, (Somerset Rare Plants Group) and Dr Gill Odolphie (Somerset Earth Science Centre), to discover the plantlife that has evolved to colonise the disused limestone quarry which is now a SSSI.

Parking: On lane side & in private carpark on Limekiln Lane, Stoke St Michael, ST65734753

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Rockwatch Field Trip to Jurassic Coast

Thursday 2nd

WHATLEY QUARRY TOURS WITH SOMERSET EARTH SCIENCE CENTRE

August 2 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

£5.00

A minibus tour to see the vast working quarry at Whatley with dramatic exposures of carboniferous limestone.

For 16yrs and over. Waterproofs/boots needed. Charge £5 pp. Limited places.

Parking at SESC, Moons Hill Quarry, Stoke St Michael, BA3 5JUfor tours.

Info: Gill Odolphie 01749 840156

Also at 2PM

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Rockwatch Field Trip to Jurassic Coast

Friday 3rd

PEN HILL GEO WALK “THE SOUTHERN SLOPES OF PEN HILL – 200 MILLION YEARS OF GEOLOGY ON WELLS DOORSTEP” WALK PART 1

August 3 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

A walk led by geologist Doug Robinson tracing ~ 200 million years of Earth history from the Carboniferous to Jurassic periods, from the southern tropics across the equator into desert settings then invasion by the Jurassic seas. Route is ~ 4.5 km with overall elevation gain of ~ 130 m. Walk along public footpaths and ~ 100m along narrow road, with no footpath.

Meet in Milton/Split Rock quarry, Wells (ST 5389 4709) (Max 15 places). Parking along upper part of Milton Lane between ST 5413 4694 and ST5425 4668; do not to park on actual lane or block gateways – beware large stone blocks are hidden in grass verge on west side of lane.

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Rockwatch Field Trip to Jurassic Coast

Saturday 4th

“IT’S A BLAST AT WESTBURY QUARRY”

August 4 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

FREE

Open day to discover how the quarry has been restored for wildlife and is now used for explosive research. Watch a demo blast – safely controlled by expert Nigel Taylor. Children’s wildlife and rock and fossil fun. Geology tour and wildlife walks.

Blast will take place before midday.

For your chance to push the button, tickets can be purchased on the morning for £2.50

Parking in car park on site, off Stancombe Lane, Westbury Sub Mendip, BA5 1HT.

Refreshments available.

Sunday 5th

Unidentifiable fossils

Unidentifiable fossils: palaeontological problematica

Here is an interesting article about fossils which cannot be fitted into the tree of life as present knowledge thinks it is.

Conodonts used to be here even though they were a mainstay of stratigraphy. Their evolution could be followed but we didn't know what they were. it is only fairly recently that they were identified as being part of a jawless eel-like chordate. (I prefer worm).

Lots of different remains are named, most of which I had never heard of, but interesting all the same  - or because of this! There are few picture but lots of references.

16th to 29th July 2018

NEXT WEEKS EVENTS

16TH TO 29TH JULY 2018

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXTRACT FROM BRISTOL AND WEST COUNTRY GEOLOGY CALENDARS

MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE BRISTOL AND THE WEST COUNTRY CALENDARS AND ON THE WEB SITES OF THE RELEVANT SOCIETY OR ORGANISATION.

MONDAY 16TH

Tuesday 17th

WRG July 2018 Public Perception of geothermal power talk

When

Tue, 17 July, 18:00 – 20:00

Where

The Hub, 500 Park Avenue, Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol (map)

Description

We’re going deeper underground: discovering public perceptions of the geological subsurface through Geothermal Power 

Dr Hazel Gibson, University of Plymouth

17th July 2018. The Hub, Aztec West, Bristol. 

Refreshments at 6pm for 6:30pm Start

The Western Regional Group is pleased to invite Dr Hazel Gibson, a researcher of the public perception and communication of geothermal power at the University of Plymouth. She is currently examining public perceptions of geology in the South West of England. Covering science communication, psychology, geology and geography, this research has led to a whole new understanding of how expert and non-expert geoscientists conceptualise the geological subsurface and how that understanding can be used to improve the effectiveness of our communications.  

‘Geology; that’s just rocks isn’t it?’ Undoubtedly this is a phrase any geoscientist has heard many times in their life. But, as we know, geology is more than just rocks. In fact, from reducing our carbon budget using Carbon Capture and Storage, to the deep geological disposal of radioactive waste, geologists are attempting to solve several of our biggest environmental issues in many innovative ways. However, for the public, new technological solutions are often viewed with uncertainty, even fear and when questions held by the public are not addressed, the result can be catastrophic. Nowhere is this more clearly illustrated than with fracking, a technology whose public image is now so bad that it is hard to envision a space where communication is about engagement and not crisis management.

Enter Deep Geothermal Power. A relative newcomer to the deep geological technologies mix in the UK, it benefits from being fairly unknown and thus avoiding major negative connotations, but also being a renewable energy resource and therefore generally perceived to be popular.  Managing deep geothermal’s debut into society is something that must be carefully handled, and it is essential that the public is partner in this introduction. The United Downs Deep Geothermal Power project just outside Redruth in Cornwall is providing the perfect opportunity to explore public perceptions of geothermal power and how those perceptions influence effective communication.

Venue: The Hub, 500 Park Avenue, Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol, BS32 4RZ

The talk is open to everyone, no booking is required.

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Dave green, Field Course - Geology and Landscape in Gloucestershire

When

Tue, 17 July, 19:00 – 21:00

Where

Meet at the car park for the picnic site at Coaley Peak GR SO 794014 (map)

Description

17th July Haugh Wood to Fownhope, Woolhope

In the Woolhope Dome, an eroded anticline in Silurian sediments, there is a very close relationship between rock type, geological structure and the position of hills and valleys. This is a particularly beautiful part of Herefordshire.

Meet at the car park of the New Inn, Fownhope SO 578345, from where we shall take a small number of cars to Haugh Wood and walk back from the centre to the southern margin of the Woolhope Dome, crossing the Silurian rock types in order of age. The linear walk is on paths, tracks and minor roads, and will be 3-4km long, including some relatively small/gentle hills

Dave Green, Joys Green Farm, Forge Hill, Lydbrook, Glos GL17 9QU Tel 01594 860858

davegeostudies@gmail.com

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SMFS Evening Meeting

When

Tue, 17 July, 19:30 – 22:00

Where

The Friends' Meeting House, 1A, Ordnance Rd, Southampton. SO15 2AZ (map)

Description

Dinosaurs and their Bowels! Presentation by Dr Jeremy Lockwood.

Members’ Display Table: Fossils & minerals from the Isle of Wight.

Wednesday 18th

Thursday 19th

Thornbury Geology Group, 7.30pm, The Chantry, Thornbury

When

Thu, 19 July, 19:00 – 21:30

Description

Thornbury Geology Group, 7.30pm at The Chantry, Thornbury, and every 3rd Thursday in the month.  

friday 20th

Saturday 21st

Nick Chidlaw Course - The River Avon

When

Sat, 21 July, 10:00 – 17:00

Description

July – field course studying the landforms and underlying geology of the river Avon valley between Trowbridge and Clifton, Bristol

2 day course:

THE BRISTOL AVON AND ITS HOT SPRINGS: A RIVER’S COURSE PECULIAR

A weekend late July: 21st and 22nd

10.00 am – 5.00 pm each day. 

Tuition fee is  £45.00 per person

Deadline for course viability: 23rd June

Enrolments can be made and further details requested by contacting tutor Nick Chidlaw nickchidlaw@gmail.com 

A field weekend examining the course of the river between Trowbridge, Wiltshire and the gorge at Clifton, Bristol. In this tract, the Avon repeatedly enters upland via a gorge, instead of crossing adjacent lower ground. Along its course at Bath and Hotwells, Bristol, occur hot springs. The course focuses on these curious / unusual features, and considers possible causes. One published proposal in fairly recent years, that the course and its hot springs may have been a product of active fault movement during the Ice Age, has since been refuted by the absence of geophysical evidence. 

For the course, a handout outlining the two-day programme, including location sketch maps, optional reading list, and outline geological history, will be forwarded in advance of the course to those enrolled.

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SWGA Excursion - Saturday 21st July: Flat Holm, with Chris Lee

When

Sat, 21 July, 11:15 – 16:15

Description

Saturday 21st July: Flat Holm ** ADVANCED BOOKING AND PAYMENT ESSENTIAL

Leader: Chris Lee

Meet at 11.15 prompt. Location and booking details will be given on booking. We will board the

boats (RIBs) and catch the 1200 lock out of the Bay to sail across to Flat Holm for a 2 - 2.5 hour

visit. Our return journey will entail a circuit of the island after which we will sail north to look at

Sully Island from the seaward side and then cruise along the Jurassic / Triassic Coast to catch the

15.45 lock back into Cardiff Bay. We will be back in Penarth for 1600.

As the most southerly pub in Wales (the Gull and Leek) may or may not be open on the day you

will need a packed lunch with a hot/cold drink. As the trip can be ‘bumpy’ (nautical term!) H&S

precludes all those with back problems or who are pregnant. Otherwise just normal fitness levels

are required. There is a steepish, stepped incline up from the island jetty but once on top it is

pretty flat (the clue is in the name), with otherwise just the usual scrambles.

Bay Island Voyages will take a decision on whether the trip will go based on meteorological

considerations some 48 hours before hand so there should be no last minute cancellations.

The cost is £30 for the boat plus a £5 landing fee giving a total price of £35. With the boats

available we can take a maximum of 32 people. You need to book a place and pay in advance on a

first come basis. If for any reason the boat cannot sail then you will get a full refund. To book

please contact: Rhian Kendall: rhian@carreg.org.uk Payment can be made by cheque or bank

transfer.

Sunday 22nd

Nick Chidlaw Course - The River Avon

When

Sat, 21 July, 10:00 – 17:00

Description

July – field course studying the landforms and underlying geology of the river Avon valley between Trowbridge and Clifton, Bristol

2 day course:

THE BRISTOL AVON AND ITS HOT SPRINGS: A RIVER’S COURSE PECULIAR

A weekend late July: 21st and 22nd

10.00 am – 5.00 pm each day. 

Tuition fee is  £45.00 per person

Deadline for course viability: 23rd June

Enrolments can be made and further details requested by contacting tutor Nick Chidlaw nickchidlaw@gmail.com 

A field weekend examining the course of the river between Trowbridge, Wiltshire and the gorge at Clifton, Bristol. In this tract, the Avon repeatedly enters upland via a gorge, instead of crossing adjacent lower ground. Along its course at Bath and Hotwells, Bristol, occur hot springs. The course focuses on these curious / unusual features, and considers possible causes. One published proposal in fairly recent years, that the course and its hot springs may have been a product of active fault movement during the Ice Age, has since been refuted by the absence of geophysical evidence. 

For the course, a handout outlining the two-day programme, including location sketch maps, optional reading list, and outline geological history, will be forwarded in advance of the course to those enrolled.

MONDAY 23rd

TUESDAY 24TH

WEDNESDAY 25TH

THURSDAY 26TH

FRIDAY 27TH

SATURDAY 28th

SUNDAY 29th

Oxford Mineral Fossil Show

When

Sun, 29 July, 10:30 – 16:00

Where

Exeter Hall, Kidlington, north Oxford OX5 1AB (map)

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WEGA and Thornbury Geology Group - Field Trip

When

Sun, 29 July, 11:00 – 15:00

Where

Windmill Inn car park, Nore Road. ST 458 766 (map)

Description

 WEGA and Thornbury Geology Group 

The field trip to Portishead, North Somerset will take place on the 29th July 2018. It will be led by Hugh Jones. Please notify me on huandsu@btinternet.com if you plan to attend. Note there will be a charge for non-members.

Start time 11.00 am. Planned to end around 3.00 pm

Start location Windmill Inn car park, Nore Road. ST 458 766

Car Parking Limited parking at the Windmill. It is recommended parking on The Esplanade (ST 463 771), and then walk south up Beach Road West for 70 m. then turn right to cross the Picnic Grounds to the Windmill Inn car park.

Amenities Bring a packed lunch to eat in the Lake Grounds, or go to local cafés (Lakeside or Lido). There are public toilets next to the Lakeside Cafe, and toilets in the Lido café.

Route The walk will start on the beach below the Windmill Inn at Fishermen’s Steps. From there It will be along the beach to Esplanade Road and on towards Portishead (Battery) Point lighthouse. From Battery Point it will be up to and along Woodlands Road to the beach close to the Royal Inn.

Conditions Total walk less than 4 miles.

Some steps, paths, and grass slopes. The beach is slippery and uneven in places with rock, pebbles and mud. Stout footwear is needed. Be prepared for a small amount of clambering over or around rocks.

There are some low cliffs with loose material so hard hats needed if you wish to get close up.

Geology There are sedimentary structures, unconformities, folding, faulting, fossils and maybe some Gneiss (ex. ships ballast?).

 Devonian, Carboniferous and Triassic materials.

Landslides in Japan

Landslides in Japan

One of my favourite web sites has some pictures of the recent spate of landslides in Japan following very heavy rain.

The same website has another report of a landslide in Iceland. There is not a great deal of geology involved but there is a wonderful video which will allow you to practise your Icelandic and also admire the equanimity of people under mass attack from flies!

9th to 15th July 2018

NEXT WEEKS EVENTS

9th TO 15TH JULY 2018

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXTRACT FROM BRISTOL AND WEST COUNTRY GEOLOGY CALENDARS

MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE BRISTOL AND THE WEST COUNTRY CALENDARS AND ON THE WEB SITES OF THE RELEVANT SOCIETY OR ORGANISATION.

MONDAY 9th

Dave Green - Planetary Geology

When

Mon, 9 July, 19:30 – 21:30

Description

Planetary Geology. Monday 16th April, for 10 weeks, until 9th July (not 7th nor 28th May). The state of knowledge of the planets of the solar system has improved vastly in the past 40 years as a result of space missions and improved technology for observation and analysis. The course will examine the results of this activity and evidence for these interpretations in terms of the internal structure, magnetism and geophysics of these bodies; their tectonics and volcanism, the effects of impacting bodies, and the surface conditions –atmospheres, oceans, sedimentary features and biology. Held at Wynstones School, Stroud Road, Whaddon, Gloucester from 7.30-9.30pm on Mondays. Cost £70.

Dave Green, Joys Green Farm, Forge Hill, Lydbrook, Glos GL17 9QU Tel 01594 860858

davegeostudies@gmail.com

Tuesday 10th

Dave green, Field Course - Geology and Landscape in Gloucestershire

When

Tue, 10 July, 19:00 – 21:00

Where

Meet at the car park for the picnic site at Coaley Peak GR SO 794014 (map)

Description

10th July Tidenham Chase, Limestone Pavement and the Devil’s Pulpit

Lying in the southern part of the Forest of Dean, where it narrows between the Wye and Severn, this 

area is one of the best in Gloucestershire to illustrate the relationships between rock type, soils 

and vegetation; underlain by almost horizontally bedded lower Carboniferous sandstones and 

limestones. We will attempt a circular walk around the area, taking in the conservation area of The 

Park, the limestone pavements in East Wood and the famous viewpoint on the edge of the Wye Valley 

above Tintern.

Meet at the car park for Offas Dyke Path on the B4228 (St Briavels to Chepstow) GR ST 559 993

Dave Green, Joys Green Farm, Forge Hill, Lydbrook, Glos GL17 9QU Tel 01594 860858

davegeostudies@gmail.com

Wednesday 11th

thursday 12th

Friday 13th

Cheltenham Mineralogical and Geological Society - Lecture

When

Fri, 13 July, 19:00 – 21:00

Where

Shurdington, Cheltenham, UK (map)

Description

Members Evening

saturday 14th

Rockwatch Excursion to Pembrokeshire

When

14 – 15 Jul 2018

Description

South Wales Annual Weekend in Pembrokeshire 

 

This year we will be exploring the stunning Pembrokeshire coast.  We will be investigating the spectacular geology, scenery and building stones of the St David’s Peninsula which includes sedimentary and igneous rocks (Precambrian – Ordovician) and Quaternary landforms and deposits which give an important insight into ‘climate change’.  There will be walks along the local coastal footpath as far as Porthliskey and a look at the north coast of the peninsula.  Suitable for 10 year olds and above as there is a fair amount of walking to do!   Book through the website

www.rockwatch.org.uk

sunday 15th

Rockwatch Excursion to Pembrokeshire

When

14 – 15 Jul 2018

Description

South Wales Annual Weekend in Pembrokeshire 

 

This year we will be exploring the stunning Pembrokeshire coast.  We will be investigating the spectacular geology, scenery and building stones of the St David’s Peninsula which includes sedimentary and igneous rocks (Precambrian – Ordovician) and Quaternary landforms and deposits which give an important insight into ‘climate change’.  There will be walks along the local coastal footpath as far as Porthliskey and a look at the north coast of the peninsula.  Suitable for 10 year olds and above as there is a fair amount of walking to do!   Book through the website

www.rockwatch.org.uk

A reason to visit Beijing

Beijing Fossil Mammal Exhibition

The Guardian has this report on a public exhibition at the Beijing Museum of Natural History. To quote "(for the) dedicated palaeontologist fanbase."

The writer, Elsa Panciroli, describes many fossils which suggest mammals (and us) started in the late Triassic and were not all cowering wee beasties. Indeed one fed on (small) dinosaurs!

But the best specimen, in my opinion is Maiopatagium, a Jurassic mammal which was a tree glider.

 Maiopatagium, a Jurassic mammal fossil from China. Fur impressions are preserved around the fossil, indicating it had a patagium (skin-flap) that would have allowed it to glide between trees. Photograph: Zhe-Xi Luo

You will have to be quick - the exhibition ends at the end of July.