Dinosaur Demise - Asteroid not the only reason
In THIS article Mike Benton of Bristol University argues that the dinosaurs were in decline before the meteorite hit of 66m years ago.
Tuesday, 28 February 2017
Friday, 24 February 2017
Next week 27th February to 5th March 2017
NEXT WEEKS EVENTS
27th February to 5th March 2017
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
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
WhenThu, 2 March, 19:30 – 21:30
WhereThe Chantry, Thornbury. (map)
DescriptionRocks and Minerals under the Microscope.
This 10 week course aims to introduce you to the identification and description of rocks and their component minerals under the petrological microscope. This is a practical course, each participant will be provided with a microscope and a set of thin sections of rocks, and will work through a course at their own pace. Held at The Chantry, Thornbury. First meeting 7.30 – 9.30, Thurs 12th January until March 23rd (not Thurs 16th Feb) in the Buckingham Room. Max. numbers 20, “first come, first served” due to number of slide sets. Cost £75
WhenThu, 2 March, 19:30 – 21:00
WhereBath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, 16 Queen Square, Bath (map)
DescriptionGas, geothermal energy and gold: the Earth’s crust as a percolator
Professor Tom Blenkinsop, School of Earth and Ocean Science, Cardiff University
Assessment of Earth’s finite natural resources becomes an increasingly urgent task as they are depleted, yet demand continues to rise. "Peak resources", the time at which production starts to decline, may occur within a few decades for some critical metals and oil. New methods of resource evaluation take advantage of the fractal geometry of georesources. Lode gold deposits, geothermal wells and volcanoes, and conventional and unconventional gas wells all have fractal characteristics that can be assessed by these techniques. These seemingly disparate resources are connected, as they form by fluid fluxes through the crust. Their origin can be considered as a consequence of percolation, bringing a further armory of theory to bear on understanding their formation and distribution.
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Wednesday, 22 February 2017
Want to go to Annapurna?
Advert for Geology Trip to Annapurna
This has come my way and some of you may be interested. The illustration below is just a picture but the real PDF can be downloaded from HERE. The leader of the trip, Dr. Daniel D. Clark-Lowes, FGS, is based locally.
Corsham Walking Festival
Corsham Walking Festival
I have received the following which may find its way into your diary.
Corsham Walking Festival - 9 – 11 June 2017
Our lovely medieval town founded on weaving and stone quarrying, is at the very edge of the Cotswolds, and at the very heart of the Corsham Walking Festival. From here a variety of walks will take you into the breath-taking rolling countryside of North Wiltshire, visiting local delights such as historic Lacock, Box and Castle Combe. Corsham is now a ‘Walkers are Welcome’ town with many friendly places to eat, drink and shop.
Building on the success of the previous three Festivals this year we are offering 18 walks over 3 days, with an optional quiz, music and buffer supper on the Saturday evening.
Our wide ranging mostly themed walks feature such topics as geology, stone mines, Brunel’s railway and wildflowers. Children’s treasure hunt and a newly devised Corsham Quest are also included to capture the imagination.
Local history and lovely walks in the surrounding countryside there will surely be a walk just for you.
Bookings for walks and the evening event will start on the 3 April.
Please visit our website at www.corshamwalkingfestival.org.uk for more information.
Monday, 20 February 2017
Somerset Geology Revived
The Somerset Geology Group
I recently received the following from Garry Dawson which, I am sure, will be of interest to many of you!
There is also an offer for unpaid internships to do the work - see at the end of this entry.
CURRY FUND SUPPORT FOR SOMERSET GEOLOGY SITES REVIEW
The Somerset Geology Group (SGG) is one of the natural history groups that operate in partnership with Somerset Wildlife Trust (SWT) and the Somerset Environment Records Centre (SERC). The Group was originally formed in 1984 to advise SWT and others on geological matters relating to planning and development. It has recently been re-formed and its role remains principally concerned with the conservation and promotion of Somerset’s geodiversity.
The newly reformed group has initially decided to focus on a review of Somerset’s Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGS), which are now referred to as Local Geological Sites (LGS). In December 2016 we heard the good news that the Curry Fund of the Geologist’s Association have agreed to grant aid to support the sites review. This will enable us to start the review of Somerset’s LGS very soon with a view to completing the work within 2 years.
Across Somerset 233 geological sites were identified as RIGS in the 1980s and 1990s. Following updated guidance from Defra on local sites (published in 2006) and several recent initiatives across the country encouraging awareness of geo-diversity at a landscape scale there is a need to review Somerset’s LGSs. The Curry Fund grant will allow us to ensure that we keep up the good work of earlier years by completing the LGS review. This will be done by geologists using LGS criteria & assessment forms (based on collated best practice from across the country) to carry out desk and site based assessments.
All members of SGG are volunteers. The Group normally meets twice each year; an e-Newsletter follows each meeting and is distributed widely. We are keen to involve as many geologists with an interest in Somerset as possible and to ensure that we have access to expertise across the geological sciences. There is no subscription or constitution.
To become involved or find out more about SGG, please email Garry Dawson on somersetgeology@gmail.com
Opportunities for Undergraduate and Post-Graduate Geological Internships
The Somerset Geology Group (SGG), in partnership with the Somerset Environmental Records Centre (SERC), is undertaking a project to review Somerset’s Local Geology Sites (LGS). These were formerly designated as Regionally Important Geology Sites (RIGS).
To complete the site research and fieldwork for this review, SERC are seeking applications from geology undergraduates and post-graduates. The interns will work on voluntary basis but training, travelling expenses and other support will be provided. We are looking for individuals able to commit a minimum of 3 months of their time to the project which is planned to run for two years. The main base of SERC is within the Somerset Wildlife Trust HQ in Taunton but interns may be required to work throughout Somerset. The project is supported by several organisations including the Curry Fund of the Geologists’ Association, Geckoella Ltd and Exmoor National Park Authority.
To apply send a 2-page CV, before 2nd June 2017, to Paula Hewitson at Paula.Hewitson@somerc.com. Please indicate whether or not you hold a driving licence. For further details phone 01823 652446.
Sunday, 19 February 2017
More about Pen Park Hole
Pen Park Hole Video
You have about 3 weeks to see this BBC video about a descent into Pen Park Hole. The quality of the filming is excellent and the commentary is as good as we can expect. Click on the expand to full screen button to get the most from this.
As a retired gold mine geologist it confirms to me that large quantities of cash will be required to get me underground once more.
Saturday, 18 February 2017
Geomagnetics and Archaeology
Archaeology and Geomagnetics - trying to get a handle on this!
An article in Ars Technica reports on the discovery of a geomagnetic spike in the late 8th century BCE found by studying pottery jar handles. If such a spike happened today the electric grid might not survive!
Next week 20th to 26th February 2017
NEXT WEEKS EVENTS
20th to 26th February 2017
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
WhenMonday, 20 Feb 2017
WhereMartley Memorial Hall B4197 by Sports Ground (map)
DescriptionFrom rocks to robots to intelligent rocks: monitoring giant sediment avalanches in the oceans with Dr Esther Sumner (Southampton)
Contact:- Janet 01886 821061 Mem £1 Non £3
Tuesday
WhenTuesday, 21 Feb 2017
WhereTBC (map)
Wednesday
WhenWed, 22 February, 19:30 – 22:00
Where16 Queen Square, Bath BA1, UK (map)
DescriptionYou are warmly invited to the inaugural lecture of our new collaboration with the Royal Meteorological Society
Atmospheric Art and the Volcanic Skies of Constable and Turner
Professor John Thornes
Emeritus Professor of Applied Meteorology, University of Birmingham; Senior Climate Change Scientist at Public Health England; author of ‘John Constable’s Skies’.
Is it possible to use art works as proxy data for historical events such as volcanic eruptions and climate change? The skies of Constable and Turner will be examined for evidence of volcanic influence some 80 years before the Royal Society decided whether or not volcanic eruptions thousands of miles away can impact on our skies and climate
Thursday
WhenThu, 23 February, 19:30 – 21:30
WhereThe Chantry, Thornbury. (map)
DescriptionRocks and Minerals under the Microscope.
This 10 week course aims to introduce you to the identification and description of rocks and their component minerals under the petrological microscope. This is a practical course, each participant will be provided with a microscope and a set of thin sections of rocks, and will work through a course at their own pace. Held at The Chantry, Thornbury. First meeting 7.30 – 9.30, Thurs 12th January until March 23rd (not Thurs 16th Feb) in the Buckingham Room. Max. numbers 20, “first come, first served” due to number of slide sets. Cost £75
Friday
OUGS Severnside - Aberystwyth weekend
When24 – 26 Feb 2017
WhereAberystwyth (map)
DescriptionAberystwyth weekend - Geochemistry and Microscopes
Leader: Charlie Bendall
Location: Aberystwyth
Date: February 24th - 26th, 2017
Type: Weekend Trip
Summary: Sorry, waiting list only
More info:
Staying at Aber Park Hotel. B&B
Saturday we will be doing microscope work.
Sunday Geochemistry
Contact #1: Jan Ashton-Jones [janaj1009@gmai
Saturday
OUGS Severnside - Aberystwyth weekend
Sunday
OUGS Severnside - Aberystwyth weekend
Saturday, 11 February 2017
Next week 13th to 19th February 2017
NEXT WEEKS EVENTS
13th to 19th February 2017
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
WhenMon, 13 February, 10:30 – 12:30
WhereAt the layby by Hapsford Bridge on the Frome to Great Elms road (map)
DescriptionThe DIGS group (Dorset’s Important Geological Sites) is planning a conservation session out of county next Monday (13th February)! We are planning a conservation session at Vallis Vale, meeting at 10.30 am, at the layby by Hapsford Bridge on the Frome to Great Elms road. This is preparation for a Wessex OUGS field trip the following Sunday (19th February). If you can put it on the West Country Blog it may attract other more local helpers. My mobile is 07815482963.
Tuesday
WhenTuesday, 14 Feb 2017
DescriptionThe Bristol Portway - protecting against rock falls
Speakers:- Robert Benton and Robert MacKean
Time and place to be confirmed
Wednesday
Thursday
WhenThu, 16 February, 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
WhenSat, 18 February, 11:00 – 12:00
WhereLectures at Cardiff University are held in the Department of Earth Sciences in the "Main Building". (map)
DescriptionSaturday 18th February: (Cardiff): DAB
Memorial Lecture: Redrawing the geological map of South Wales. Professor John Cope (National Museum of Wales)
Sunday
Wednesday, 8 February 2017
Tuesday, 7 February 2017
Bath Geol Soc Lecture March 2nd
Bath Geological Society Lecture
B.R.L.S.I.
01225 312084
Gas,
geothermal energy and gold: the Earth’s crust as a percolator.
Professor
Tom Blenkinsop
Thursday 2nd
March 2017
Visitors
welcome: £4 charge if not a
member of Bath
Further details on the
website
www.bathgeolsoc.org.uk
Saturday, 4 February 2017
Next week 6th to 12th February 2017
NEXT WEEKS EVENTS
6th to 12th February 2017
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
Tuesday
WhenTue, 7 February, 10:30 – 11:30
WhereWhitecliff, Poole Park, Poole. (map)
DescriptionConservation work at Whitecliff, Poole Park, Poole.
When
Tue, 7 February, 19:30 – 20:30 Note that this is not the usual second Tuesday!
WhereEarth Sciences Lecture Theatre, Wills Memorial Building, Park Street, Bristol (map)
DescriptionDr. Richard Scrivener, Metal Mining in South-west England: Past production and future prospects.
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
WhenFri, 10 February, 19:00 – 21:00
WhereShurdington at The Century Hall (map)
DescriptionSome highlights of the geology of Montana
Our guest speaker is Phil Redfern
Saturday
WhenSat, 11 February, 11:00 – 12:00
WhereNational Museum Cardiff, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NP. (map)
DescriptionBranch AGM
Our Branch Annual General Meeting will take place at the National Museum Cardiff, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NP.
Contact: Norman Nimmo-Smith [severnside@oug
Sunday
Wednesday, 1 February 2017
Hawaiian volcano tries to fill the Pacific
Spectacular Lava "Fire Hose"!
A fire hose of lava coming out of a lava tube half way up a cliff in Hawaii! See the video and hear the explanation HERE.
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