June 5th and 7th - Huntley Quarry and May Hill, Gloucestershire

'The Enigmatic Huntley Quarry' On June 5th, Hellen O'Connor, Gloucester Geology Trust, will give a talk to the Bath Geological Society about this quarry. For over 180 years geologists have been arguing over the date of the rocks of this very small quarry nestling in the side of May Hill. The quarry contains the only known exposure of the Huntley Quarry Beds. These volcaniclastic sediments, sandstones with volcanic material, have been subject to intense tectonic activity due to the close proximity of the regionally important Blaisdon Fault. This fault is very well displayed in the quarry as is the folding and distortion of the Huntley Quarry Beds themselves. Importantly, the age of the sediments is still unknown with a possible age range of 570 Ma (Precambrian, Neo-proterozoic) to 436 Ma (Silurian, Llandovery) having being postulated. The talk will discuss the sediments and the problems of dating them.
On June 7th, Hellen will lead a field trip to the quarry where the Huntley Quarry Beds and the Blaisdon Fault can be examined; there will also be an opportunity to see the newly exposed Lower Silurian Bright's Hill Quarry. Details can be found on the Bath Geological Society's website.
Everyone is welcome to attend these two events - non-members £3.00. Please contact the society on admin@bathgeolsoc.org.uk if you wish to come on the field trip but cannot come to the talk.

About.com - geology

One of our subscribers suggested that this site should be advertised - click here to view. Anything you want to know about geology is there. Guy has been using the site for many months; this week's word was poikilitic. (see image). As you can see, you get much more than just the definition.
Thank you Guy.

A brilliant Museum site

Following yesterday's post about Museum geological collections, David has sent this excellent link. As he says, not West Country but worth looking at anyway! Click here.

Using Museum Geological collections

Did you know that there is a jiscmail group? The Geological Curators' Group run a jiscmail list that is used for queries, problems, calls for help and so on. You are welcome to post questions on it relating to all things - fossil/rock/crystal/geological & museum-y.
Past queries have included "what the heck is it" fossil identifications ... so don't feel you can't ask!
Educational resources and activities are also being planned for the website in the near future ... so if you have any bright ideas that you want to share......

Landslip, Lyme Regis, Dorset

This image was sent on May 8th by a supporter of this blog. It shows a tree just about to fall during the landslip at Lyme Regis in Dorset.
Further details of this landslip plus a short video can be viewed on this BBC website.

Events in May/early June

Avon Gorge Geological Walk - May 10th Bristol NATs has organised this walk on 10th May at 10.00 a.m.
Join Dr. Tim Ewin, Bristol City Museum’s Curator of Geology, for a walk along the Avon Gorge. Find out about the controversies surrounding its formation, what it is made out of and how long it took to form. The trip will further include a peek into the mining and mineral heritage of Bristol, jewellery, hot springs and great Earth movements that have helped shape the iconic landscape of Bristol.
Meet at Durdham Downs on Circular Road near toilets Grid Ref ST 561 746 The walk will end at The Observatory near the Clifton Suspension Bridge
Contact Bristol NATS - info@bristolnats.org.uk if you wish to join the walk.

WEGA AGM - 22nd May In addition to all the usual (very short) reports of office holders, elections, book and rock sale etc., there will be the opportunity to get your rock samples identified by a galaxy of talent embodied in your present committee, a short quiz 'Identify what is in the photograph' with a prize for the winner and a free glass of wine at the end of the evening. The meeting is in the Wills Memorial building, University of Bristol at 7.30 p.m.

'Second deluge or just another drop in the ocean: what can we expect of ice sheets in the 21st century' lecture by Prof Tony Payne, Professor of Glaciology - May 22nd Peel Lecture Theatre, School of Geographical Sciences, University Road, 5.30 p.m.
Satellite based observation has revolutionised the study of ice sheets over recent decades. The picture of rapid change that has emerged raises the possibility of substantial future glacial contributions to global sea level.
This lecture is free and open to the general public. No prior booking necessary.

Holm Islands - dayschool - June 1st The boat departs from Cardiff. Contact Continuing Education - Earth Sciences, email earth-ce@bristol.ac.uk
The geology field trips to Ulster and Brittany with Prof. Donny Hutton are going ahead - same contact as above, if you are interested.

The Enigmatic Huntley Quarry - June 5th
Lecture organised by Bath Geological Society, given by Helen O'Connor of the Gloucester Geology Trust. Details on the Bath GS website. This is followed by - - -
Field trip to Huntley Quarry - June 7th