Next Week 31st October to 6th November 2016

NEXT WEEKS EVENTS

31st October to 6th November 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 

Dave Green - Palaeontology and Evolution

WhenMon, 31 October, 19:30 – 22:30

WhereWynstones School, Stroud Road, Whaddon, Gloucester (map)

DescriptionPalaeontology and Evolution. This will be a mainly practical class, focussing on the preservation, identification and classification of fossils, and an account of the evolution of life on Earth. Starts Mon 19th September for 10 weeks (not 17th or 24th Oct), until 5th December Held at Wynstones School, Stroud Road, Whaddon, Gloucester from 7.30-9.30pm on Mondays. Cost £70 (including tea, coffee etc at breaktime!).

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Bath Geol Soc Lecture WhenThu, 3 November, 19:30 – 20:30 Where16 Queen Square, Bath (map) DescriptionResolving the early record of animal evolution: Insights from the enigmatic Ediacaran biota Dr. Alex Liu, University of Bristol (Now University of Cambridge) The evolution of animals was one of the most important biological events in the history of life on Earth, not only because it paved the way for our own existence, but because animals have had an enormous and irreversible impact on the biosphere. In recent years, the focus of palaeontological studies into the initial evolution and radiation of animals has centred on the fossil record of the late Ediacaran Period, which documents diverse communities of unusual organisms that lived between 580 and 541 million years ago. Determining what these fossilized organisms were (i.e. animals, plants, algae or an entirely unique Kingdom of life), has proven very difficult, and is one of the most controversial topics in palaeontology. In this talk, Dr.Liu will outline the current state of knowledge surrounding the Ediacaran biota, and will discuss new findings and discoveries being made across the globe. These suggest that rather than being a confusing assortment of ultimately failed biological "experiments", the Ediacaran biota record diverse, thriving ecosystems that likely contained algae, bacterial colonies, protists, and some of the earliest animals. Such ecosystems thus paved the way for the complex animal-dominated marine communities of the Phanerozoic.

Dave Green - Geology of the Wye Valley WhenThu, 3 November, 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.

Friday

Saturday

Festival of Geology at University College London WhenSaturday, 5 Nov 2016 WhereUniversity College London (map) DescriptionBristol Nats are making arrangements This annual event is organized by the Geologists’ Association and comprises geological displays and a varied programme of activities. It is the intention of the Section Secretary and several other members to attend the Festival travelling on the train that leaves Bristol Temple Meads at 8.00 am (Coach C) If you are interested in joining us for a good day out in London please get in contact with Richard Ashley.

Sunday