Next Week 17th to 23rd October 2016

NEXT WEEKS EVENTS

17th to 23rd October 2016

The following is an extract from Bristol Geology Calendar

More details can be found in the Calendar and on the web sites of the relevant Society or organisation.

Monday 

Teme Valley GS - Geology of the Andes

WhenMonday, 17 Oct 2016

WhereMMH Martley Memorial Hall B4197 by Sports Ground (map)

DescriptionGeology in the Andes with Prof. Donny Hutton

Mendip Rocks! - Mendip Lead

WhenMon, 17 October, 14:00 – 16:30

WhereMeet: Blackmoor Reserve, Charterhouse BS40 7XR. ST498553. (map)

DescriptionGuided Walk with Dr Richard Brunning South West Heritage Trust. Guided walk around Blackmoor/Charterhouse reserves to see remains of post-medieval & Roman lead industry. Walk led by Dr Richard Brunning of SW Heritage Trust. Meet: Blackmoor Reserve, Charterhouse BS40 7XR. ST498553. Boots/waterproofs. No need to book, Details: Dr Richard Brunning Tel:01823 347432 Email:Richard Brunning Donations welcome £3 pp

Tuesday

Geological Society - Western Regional Group

WhenTue, 18 October, 18:30 – 19:30

WhereS H Reynolds lecture theatre, Bristol University (map)

DescriptionGeology and Engineering on the Severnside Levels The Western Regional Group is pleased to invite Dr Alan Cattell. Alan is a Principal Geotechnical Engineer and Associate Director at Structural Soils Ltd. Alan will be here to share his knowledge about the ground conditions and engineering considerations of the Severnside Levels. The geology and engineering properties of the estuarine alluvium of the Severnside Levels were investigated and reported on in the 1960s to 1980s, spurred by the construction of the M5, culminating in Hawkins’ (1984) observations on engineering consequences of the geology. Structural Soils have carried out many site investigations on the Severnside Levels in subsequent years, which have included >140 boreholes, most of which reached bedrock, and many extended into bedrock by rotary coring. Many investigations include CPT testing. Based on these, maps are presented showing features such as the depth to bedrock, buried cliff lines, the distribution of sands with the Holocene alluvium, the extent of earlier gravels and even the distribution of a cockle bed which provides a useful marker horizon. Also presented are detailed logs and photographs of typical profiles based on piston samples and adjacent CPTtests, which show the true nature of the soft alluvium and peats, which is far removed from that depicted in a typical borehole log. The soils are often layered, and contain long and open root traces, down to 15m depth, which will dramatically affect consolidation rates, a key factor in construction. The stratigraphy is compared with that used in archaeological reports, which provide very detailed descriptions of the upper parts of the alluvium. The effects of these observations on estimates of the amount and rate of settlement are discussed, and also correlations of the engineering properties are presented.

Wednesday

Mendip Rocks! - Tor Hill Geological Mapping Walk Wells

WhenWed, 19 October, 15:30 – 16:45

WhereMeet outside Wells and Mendip Museum, Cathedral Green. (map)

DescriptionTor Hill Geological Mapping Walk, Wells. An exploration of the geology of Tor Hill on the edge of Wells with Cathedral School geologist David Rowley. The geological structure & rock types of Tor Hill will be looked at on a walk involving steep hills, stiles, and brambles. We will provide clipboards/clinometers and hand lens. Meet outside Wells and Mendip Museum, Cathedral Green. Booking essential Adel Avery, 01749 840240 or adel@nettlebridge.com. Donations £3pp.

Thursday

Mendip Rocks - Whatley Quarry Tours

WhenThu, 20 October, 10:00 – 12:00

WhereSomerset Earth Science Centre, Moons Hill Quarry, Stoke St Michael, BA3 5JU. (map)

DescriptionWhatley Quarry Tours Somerset Earth Science Centre, Moons Hill Quarry, Stoke St Michael, BA3 5JU. Join the team at Somerset Earth Science Centre for a minibus tour of one of the UKs largest working Limestone Quarries, at Whatley. Morning/afternoon tours, boots/waterproofs. Booking essential: Gill Odolphie 01749 840156 gill@earthsciencecentre.org. £5 pp. Adults only. Max 10 in group.

Mendip Rocks! - Whatley Quarry Tours

WhenThu, 20 October, 14:00 – 17:00

WhereSomerset Earth Science Centre, Moons Hill Quarry, Stoke St Michael, BA3 5JU. (map)

DescriptionWhatley Quarry Tours Somerset Earth Science Centre, Moons Hill Quarry, Stoke St Michael, BA3 5JU. Join the team at Somerset Earth Science Centre for a minibus tour of one of the UKs largest working Limestone Quarries, at Whatley. Morning/afternoon tours, boots/waterproofs. Booking essential: Gill Odolphie 01749 840156 gill@earthsciencecentre.org. £5 pp. Adults only. Max 10 in group.

Dave Green - Geology of the Wye Valley

WhenThu, 20 October, 19:30 – 20:30

WhereHeld at 6th form and adult education centre John Kyrle High School, Ross on Wye (map)

DescriptionGeology of the Wye Valley and its tributaries This 10 week course, starting on Thursday September 22nd, aims to familiarise you with the geology of this part of western Britain. A 10 week, class-based course (with the possibility of day or residential field trip(s)). The course will examine the geology of the Wye and its tributaries (including the Ithon, Lugg, Arrow, Frome, Honddu, Dore, Garron, Monnow and Troddi) from its source on Plynlimon to the sea; including places such as Rhyader, Builth Wells, Llandrindod Wells, Leominster, Kington, Presteigne, Hay, Hereford, Ross and Chepstow. The geology covers a vast range of geological time – from the late Pre Cambrian (the oldest rocks in southern Britain, dated at 715 million years), through Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, Carboniferous to the Triassic (200 million years), a journey which took us from near the South Pole, across the Equator to 30oNorth Held at 6th form and adult education centre John Kyrle High School, Ross on Wye. Cost £45. Contact Paul Mason on 01989 760399. Enrol before 15th September.

Thornbury Geology Group meeting WhenThu, 20 October, 19:30 – 20:30 Description Thornbury Geology Group, The Chantry, Thornbury, 7.30pm, contact 01454 416882 The group is is an offshoot of Thornbury and District Museum and we welcome new members. Previous geological knowledge can be helpful but is not necessary as members are very willing to share their own knowledge with anyone keen to learn more about Earth Science. The group is loosely following a pre-recorded lecture series which is supplemented by use of other material and geological specimens. On occasions a guest speaker will talk on their specialist topic. Costs are met from attending members' monthly contributions and the group does not have membership subscriptions or a committee

Friday

Saturday

Mendip Rocks! - Coal Mines and Railways WhenSat, 22 October, 11:00 – 14:00 WhereRadstock Museum, BA3 3EP. (map) DescriptionCoal Mines and Railways - Radstock and Kilmersdon walk with the Mendip Society. A walk with Roger Moses of the Mendip Society around the industrial remains of the Somerset Coal Field. Remains of old mines, railways and the Somerset Coal Canal. Some moderate climbs/descents, stiles, may be muddy in places, easy return along railway. Museum open at finish for refreshments. Radstock Museum, BA3 3EP. Walking boots/shoes. No need to book: details 01179620541. Donations welcome £3pp. Max 15

Sunday

Mendip Rocks - Explore Ebbor Gorge Family Funday WhenSun, 23 October, 10:00 – 17:00 WhereEbbor Gorge National Nature Reserve, ST 520484. Car park on Priddy to Wookey road. (map) DescriptionExplore Ebbor Gorge Family Funday Fun packed family day of ‘sand pit fossil digs’, story telling, guided walks to gorge and caves and much more to reveal the reserve’s unique geology and rare archaeological finds. With National Trust, Mendip Hills AONB, SESC and Natural England. Family activites/rocks and fossils. Ebbor Gorge National Nature Reserve, ST 520484. Car park on Priddy to Wookey road. Booking for walks of gorge and caves only Simon Clarke Tel:01458 860120 Email: simon.clarke@naturalengland.org.uk