Next week 3rd to 9th April 2017

NEXT WEEKS EVENTS

27th March to 2nd April 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

18:00

 Geol Soc Lecture - Geology of the Avon Gorge

WhenTue, 4 April, 18:00 – 19:30

WherePugsley Lecture Theatre, Queens Building, University Walk, University of Bristol, BS8 1TR (map)

DescriptionBob Benton & Robert MacKean The talk will cover the geology of the Avon Gorge and focus upon the site investigation and rock stabilisation works which are critical to maintaining these imposing rock faces, which support Brunel’s iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge. Bob Benton will begin by describing past problems with the Avon Gorge rock faces and how these have led to the construction of the rock protection shelter over the A4 portway road. A review of the design and construction of the Rockfall Gallery will focus upon the requirement for rock anchoring and piled foundations. Robert MacKean will follow with a review of the geology of the Avon Gorge and discuss his involvement in recent investigations to evaluate the bridge abutments and foundations to the masonry towers.

Wednesday

13:30

 Teme Valley Geological Society Field Trip - Field trip to Southstone Rock and Brockhill Dyke in Teme Valley

WhenWed, 5 April, 13:30 – 16:30

WhereMartley Memorial Hall B4197 by Sports Ground (map)

DescriptionField trip to Southstone Rock and Brockhill Dyke in Teme Valley Prof. Ian Fairchild along with Leominster U3A and TVGS

Thursday

19:15

 Bath Geol Soc Lecture - Cosmic Dust

WhenThu, 6 April, 19:15 – 20:45

WhereBath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, 16 Queen Square, Bath (map)

DescriptionCosmic Dust: Little Rocks from Space Dr. Matthew Genge, Senior Lecturer in Earth and Planetary Science, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Earth Science & Engineering, Imperial College, London University Extraterrestrial dust falls everywhere, it is on our homes and even on our clothes. These tiny particles come from asteroids and comets and tell us about the origins of our solar system. They are also the fastest dust particles on Earth and their fiery entry into our atmosphere leaves its mark on these objects.

Friday

Saturday

Bath Geol Soc Field Trip - Lulworth Cove and east to Mupe Bay, Dorset

WhenSaturday, 8 Apr 2017

WhereMeet at the Lulworth Cove car park at 10.30 am. (map)

DescriptionLulworth Cove and east to Mupe Bay, Dorset Leader: Maurice Tucker, University of Bristol and Bath Geological Society Lulworth Cove is a classic geological section of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. Highlights include the spectacular bay itself, Stair Hole and the Fossil Forest. At Lulworth we will see the Upper Jurassic - Cretaceous strata: tectonics, stratigraphy, sedimentology and palaeontology. The Portland limestone and Purbeck beds show oolites, stromatolites, collapse breccias from evaporite dissolution, lacustrine limestones with bivalves and gastropods; the overlying Wealden consists of fluvial sandstones (some impregnated with oil) and palaeosoils. The Greensand and the Chalk at the back of the Bay contain fossil echinoids, bivalves and serpulids. There are also spectacular folds and faults, at Stair Hole in particular. There is much to see geologically around Lulworth Cove itself, but we will then walk along the Southwest Coastal Path to the east across the army firing range towards Mupe Bay. This 2-mile stretch is described as moderate and strenuous on the Jurassic Coast website and Mupe Bay as an "ideal spot for those who like their coastline wild, rugged and just a little bit dangerous!" ​ ​We will avoid the dangerous parts. There are some steps to climb to get out of Lulworth Cove. We hope at least to view the fossil forest from above, if access is still an issue following the cliff fall in 2015. Meet at the Lulworth Cove car park at 10.30 am. Post-code for the Lulworth car-park is BH20 5RQ. Price £7.50 for up to 6 hours (£9 >6 hrs). We will aim to be finished by 16.00. Strong footwear and packed lunch will be needed. Transport will be by private car. We will try to arrange lifts. Sign-up for the trip on the sheet at the February (2nd) or March (2nd) meeting of the Bath GS at BRLSI or contact bob_mustow@hotmail.com or 01249 443019 or mobile 07712 776117.

OUGS South West Field Trip - Kelly Mine and Great Rock Mine

WhenSaturday, 8 Apr 2017

WhereTeign Valley, Devon near Lustleigh (map)

DescriptionField Trip to Kelly Mine and Great Rock Mine Leaders: Nick Walter, Bruce Bolton Location: Teign Valley, Devon near Lustleigh Date: April 8th 2017 (Saturday) Type: Day Trip Summary: We will visit the restored surface workings at Kelly Mine and go underground at Great Rock Mine on Saturday 8th April 2017. More info: 2017_kelly.pdf Kelly mine formerly produced micaceous haematite, along with ten other mines in the Bovey triangle. The ore was used to produce 'battleship grey' paint for protecting steel structures from rusting. Visitors can trace the whole process, from mining the ore to the dispatch of the final product from the drying shed. The society holds an Open Day every two years, usually in September, the last one was held in September 2016. Take this opportunity of a private visit to see working stamps and processing machinery, waterwheels and the drying process, to go underground at Great Rock Mine. A wealth of information can be seen on the Kelly Mine Preservation Society website. http://www.kellymine.co.uk Please contact Tim Legood by email for more information.

South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group Outing

WhenSaturday, 8 Apr 2017

WhereTo be confirmed (map)

DescriptionCollieries of Bristol City Contact Steve Hillyard 0117 923 6595

Sunday

Odd shapes in space

The Ridge of Iapetus

The moon of Saturn, Iapetus, has a ridge running around it, at its equator. Why?

Did it come from outside - a slowly collapsing disc. Or from the inside - low density ice coming to the surface as rocky material moved downwards. 

All very interesting stuff. Read all about it HERE.

Next week 27th March to 2nd April 2017

Next Weeks EVENTS

27th March to 2nd April 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

19:30

 Bristol Nats Lecture - The Origins of Dolomite

WhenWed, 29 March, 19:30 – 20:30

WhereS H Reynolds lecture Theatre, Wills Memorial Building, University of Bristol, BS8 1RJ (map)

DescriptionProfessor Maurice Tucker: The Origins of Dolomite Dolomite is a common sedimentary rock – plenty in the Bristol district and South Wales in the Carboniferous and Triassic, but there is a problem in explaining its origin. Seawater is supersaturated with respect to dolomite but it does not precipitate there; dolomite appears to increase in abundance back through time, being especially common in the Precambrian; to dolomitise a limestone needs much Mg and through-flow of water – but how does that work? Dolomites are very important as reservoirs for oil and hosts of lead-zinc sulphide deposits, so understanding their origin and geometry is important. This talk will examine dolomites from around the world and up and down the geological column and discuss the hot topic as to whether microbes provide the answer. Members of WEGA and other local geological societies are invited to attend and bring proposals for field meetings for 2017.

Thursday




Friday




Saturday




Sunday

WEGA's NW USA Excursion

At Long Last - WEGA's NW USA Excursion Blog.

At last, 9 months in the making, the record of WEGA's excursion to the North West USA is published. Lots of geology, lots of maps, lots of photos find it HERE.

Gypsum sand dunes

Gypsum Sand Dunes - but the Grains are Too Big!

The Salar de Gorbea in the Atacama in Chile has gypsum sand dunes, like White Sands National Monument in New Mexico, USA. But, at White Sands the grains are small and wind blown, at the Salar they are up to 20cm! But they look wind blown! 

THIS ARTICLE in the Economist discusses how such huge crystals get to the dunes from gypsum producing ponds 5km away. Dust Devils? - perhaps.

Spherical world - flat maps

Map projections

This has little to do with geology but as we are always dealing with maps it is not without interest. read all about it HERE

Dinosaurs revisited - again

Will the Dinosaur Family Tree be Rewritten?

Mike Benton writes HERE that recent research in cladistics might necessitate a reappraisal of dinosaur evolution. I don't pretend to understand it but it is probably important!

Jokes

Geological Jokes

While procrastinating in front of my computer I came across THIS PAGE. I expect that the jokes may elicit a few groans - Some were old when I was a boy in the Holocene.

Geological Photos

Rather Nice Geological Photos - Mostly

I found these photos online and thought some of them were rather good. Hope you like them.

Geology Porn

Next week 20th to 26th March 2017

NEXT WEEKS EVENTS

20th to 26th 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

Teme Valley Geol Soc - Lecture

WhenMonday, 20 Mar 2017

WhereMartley Memorial Hall B4197 by Sports Ground (map)

DescriptionThe Quaternary, Dr Eleanor Brown Contact:- Janet 01886 821061 Mem £1 Non £3

Tuesday

18:30

 Geological Society - Western Region

WhenTue, 21 March, 18:30 – 19:30

WhereS H Reynolds lecture theatre, Bristol University, Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1RJ (map)

DescriptionReconstruction of Lake Ohrid Reconstruction of past environmental change from sediments of Europe's oldest lake, Lake Ohrid (>1.4 Ma) Provisional event Speaker Jens Holtvoeth - Bristol University

Wednesday

Thursday

19:30

 Dave Green's microscope course

WhenThu, 23 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

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Rhynie Chert explained

Rhynie Chert 100 years old (+410Ma)!

The first publication on the Rhynie Chert was published 100 years ago.

(Kidston, R. & Lang, W. H. 1917. On Old Red Sandstone plants showing structure, from the Rhynie chert bed, Aberdeenshire. Part I. Rhynia gwynne-vaughani Kidston & Lang. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 51(24): 761- 784.) 

Although there were mentions in 1913:-

(Mackie, W. 1913. The Rock series of Craigbeg and Ord Hill, Rhynie, Aberdeenshire. Transactions of the Edinburgh Geological Society, 10: 205-236.) 

(Newlands, M. A. 1913. Note on a fossil plant from the Old Red Sandstone, Rhynie, Aberdeenshire. Transactions of the Edinburgh Geological Society, 10 (Session 78, 1911-12): 237.)

Earlier this year the Royal Society held a meeting to share the present knowledge and there is a very good report in the Guardian about this. The comments after the report are interesting; some are entertaining.

The Rhynie chert is renowned for the exquisite preservation of the plants and animals within it. This despite its great age - Pragian, Early Devonian, formed about 410 million years ago. The preservation is thought to be due to it being close to silica rich hot springs similar to present day Yellowstone. 

 Transverse section of a stem of Rhynia. Photograph: Paul Kenrick

New minerals in the FT

More About New Minerals

The Financial Times is the latest to comment on the emergence of new minerals due to the efforts of humans. Read it HERE.

My favourite is Tinnunculite, found in Russia and formed as hot gases from a burning coal mine dump react with the droppings of the Eurasian kestrel. So biology, economic geology, environmental degradation and chemistry combine - amazing!

Tinnunculite is described HERE as:

Tinnunculite [C₅H₄N₄O₃·2H₂O]

This mineral was discovered by  Igor V. Pekov, Inna S. Lykova, Vasiliy O. Yapaskurt, Natalia V. Zubkova (Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia), Nikita V. Chukanov (Institute of Problems of Chemical Physics, Moscow, Russia), Dmitry I. Belakovskiy (Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia), Elena P. Shcherbakova (Institute of Mineralogy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Miass, Russia), and Sergey N. Britvin (Institute of Earth Sciences, St. Petersburg State University, Russia) on Mt Rasvumchorr, Kola peninsula, Russia. This mineral was not specifically predicted in the Hazen et al (2015) paper, but was found near Kukisvumchorr Mountain, a location predicted to harbor undiscovered carbon minerals. Mineralogists have described 91 minerals on Mt Rasvumchorr, but only 6 of the known minerals contain carbon. This mineral is an example of a rare mineral species that only exists under very specific conditions. In this case, tinnunculite forms when hot gases from a burning coal dump react with excrement from the European Falcon (Falco tinnunculus).  This makes tinnunculite a very rare and fragile mineral species. The mineral was named in honor of the species of falcon whose excrement is needed to crystallize it [3].

Common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). Credit Andreas Trept

Next week 13th to 19th March 2017

NEXT WEEKS EVENTS

13th to 19th 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

19:30

 WEGA Lecture

WhenTue, 14 March, 19:30 – 20:30

WhereEarth Sciences Lecture Theatre, Wills Memorial Building, Park street, Bristol (map)

DescriptionProf. Paul Pearson, University of Cardiff. 'Investigation of Earth's climate history using isotopes in foraminifera'

Wednesday

Thursday

19:30

 Thornbury Geology Group meeting

WhenThu, 16 March, 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

10:30

 South Wales Geologists' Association - Lecture

WhenSat, 18 March, 10:30 – 12:00

WhereLectures at University of Wales Swansea are held in the department of Geography in the Wallace building. We meet on the landing area inside the main entrance to the building for refreshments with lectures in the main lecture theatre. (map)

DescriptionSaturday 18th March: (Swansea): AGM: Recognition and interpretation of sea-level changes in the Marros Group (Namurian) of South Wales. Dr Gareth George (Greenwich)

13:30

 Gravestone Geology

WhenSat, 18 March, 13:30 – 14:30

WhereHeadington Municipal Cemetery, Dunstan Road, Headington, Oxford OX3 9BY (map)

DescriptionThe wide range of rock types used for gravestones means that cemeteries can be geological treasure-troves. For geologists – whether amateur, student or professional – almost any urban cemetery provides a valuable opportunity to carry out scientific field work at leisure, right on the doorstep and at no cost. From minerals to fossils, to sedimentary and flow structures and exotic metamorphic rocks, there's a lot to see. Join geologists Nina Morgan and Philip Powell on guided geological walks through three different burial grounds in Oxford during British Science Week. You'll never look at cemeteries in the same way again! The walks last around an hour. All are free to attend, no need to book – just turn up.

Sunday

OUGS Severnside - Excursion

WhenSunday, 19 Mar 2017

DescriptionEvent: Waterfall Country, Brecon Beacons Leader: Gareth George Location: South Wales Date: March 19th 2017 (Sunday) Type: Day Trip Summary: The itinerary will include: Penwyllt, Henrhyd Falls, Clun Gwyn Falls, Sgwyd Gwladys, River Nedd Fechan More info: Copies of both Gareth's books (Sedimentology in South Wales & A field guide to South Wales) will be available for sale on the day for a discounted price. Contact #1: Janet Hiscott [janethiscott@netscape.net] Contact #2: Janet Hiscott [janethiscott@netscape.net] Booking Form: Please contact the organiser of this event for further information. Itinerary and Risk Assessment: Please contact the organiser of this event for the Itinerary and Risk Assessment.

13:30

 gravestone Geology

WhenSun, 19 March, 13:30 – 14:30

WhereHolywell Cemetery, behind St Cross Church, Longwall Street, Oxford OX1 3TP (map)

DescriptionThe wide range of rock types used for gravestones means that cemeteries can be geological treasure-troves. For geologists – whether amateur, student or professional – almost any urban cemetery provides a valuable opportunity to carry out scientific field work at leisure, right on the doorstep and at no cost. From minerals to fossils, to sedimentary and flow structures and exotic metamorphic rocks, there's a lot to see. Join geologists Nina Morgan and Philip Powell on guided geological walks through three different burial grounds in Oxford during British Science Week. You'll never look at cemeteries in the same way again! The walks last around an hour. All are free to attend, no need to book – just turn up.

Gravestone Geology

Celebrate Science in a Cemetery

The Geological Society of London blog advertises geological walks in Oxford graveyards. We are too late for the first but the rest look equally interesting.

Gravestones in Holywell Cemetery, Oxford c. Mike Tomlinson

The wide range of rock types used for gravestones means that cemeteries can be geological treasure-troves. For geologists – whether amateur, student or professional – almost any urban cemetery provides a valuable opportunity to carry out scientific field work at leisure, right on the doorstep and at no cost. From minerals to fossils, to sedimentary and flow structures and exotic metamorphic rocks, there's a lot to see.

Join geologists Nina Morgan and Philip Powell on guided geological walks through three different burial grounds in Oxford during British Science Week. You'll never look at cemeteries in the same way again!

The walks last around an hour. All are free to attend, no need to book – just turn up.

Start times and dates:

Saturday 11 March 1:30: Holywell Cemetery, behind St Cross Church, Longwall Street, Oxford OX1 3TP

Sunday 12 March, 1:30: St Sepulchre's Cemetery, Walton Street, Oxford OX1 2HD (near Juxton Street)

Saturday 18 March 1:30 Headington Municipal Cemetery, Dunstan Road, Headington, Oxford OX3 9BY

Sunday 19 March 1:30 Holywell Cemetery, behind St Cross Church, Longwall Street, Oxford OX1 3TP

The Oxford burial grounds are featured in The Geology of Oxford Gravestones by Nina Morgan and Philip Powell.  Copies will be available to examine and buy after each walk.

For more information visit www.gravestonegeology.uk/events.php or www.britishscienceweek.org/events/

Eyes before Legs

Eyes before Legs?

This article suggests that animals moved onto land because they liked what the saw there and this happened before they had "legs" to get about easily on land.

Sounds like advertising! Promote the desire even if the customer does not have the means!

Anyway it is very interesting.

A climbing perch, which has lungs as well as gills, can survive on land for up to six days youtube

Next week 6th to 12th March 2017

NEXT WEEKS EVENTS

6th to 12th 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

19:30

 Dave Green's microscope course

WhenThu, 9 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

Friday

19:00

 Cheltenham Mineral and Geological Society

WhenFri, 10 March, 19:00 – 21:00

WhereShurdington at The Century Hall (map)

DescriptionAGM and Annual Competition

Saturday

Sunday

10:00

 OUGS SW Field Trip

WhenSun, 12 March, 10:00 – 13:00

WhereGoodrington, Paignton TQ4, UK (map)

DescriptionOUGS SW branch have an ‘Introduction to Geology' field trip running to Goodrington on Sunday 12th March. The focus of the day will be on understanding the origins, lithology and structures in a range of different sedimentary rocks from Roundham Head to Saltern Cove rather than their stratigraphical relationships, it will be focused on beginners. It will include scrambling over wet rocks at low tide so suitable footwear is vital, preferably boots, total distance about 4-5 miles. The return is by steep cliff steps and then the coastal path. Contact Rich Blagden at south.west@ougs.org for details concerning time and exact place.