Saturday 26 January 2019

28th January to 3rd February 2019


NEXT THREE WEEKS EVENTS

28th January to 3rd February 2019

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXTRACT FROM BRISTOL AND WEST COUNTRY GEOLOGY CALENDARS

MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE BRISTOL AND THE WEST COUNTRY CALENDARS AND ON THE WEB SITES OF THE RELEVANT SOCIETY OR ORGANISATION.


MONDAY 28th

Course - The Geology of Eruptions, Earthquakes and Tsunamis
When
Mon, 28 January, 19:30 – 21:30
Where
Wynstones School, Stroud Road, Whaddon, Gloucester (map)
Description
The Geology of Eruptions, Earthquakes and Tsunamis  
Three of the most devastating natural disaster-forming events are geological, all related to plate tectonics, and are very difficult, if not impossible, to accurately forecast.  What are the causes of these events and their various manifestations? Why are some more dangerous than others? How can we prevent or mitigate these effects? Examples of some of these phenomena will be used to illustrate these points Monday 7th for 10 weeks (not 18h Feb) until 18th March. Held at Wynstones School, Stroud Road, Whaddon, Gloucester from 7.30-9.30pm on Mondays . Cost £75

Contact Dave Green by email at davegeostudies@gmail.com, by phone at 01594 960858 and by post at Dave Green, Joys Green Farm, Lydbrook, Gloucestershire, GL17 9QU

Tuesday 29th

DIGS Meeting
When
Tue, 29 January, 19:00 – 21:00
Where
Dorset Wildlife Trust, Brooklands Farm, Forston, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7AA, United Kingdom (map)
Description
DIGS Meeting at Dorset Wildlife Trust 
 

wednesday 30th

Bristol Nats - ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND MEMBER’S MEETING
When
Wed, 30 January, 19:30 – 21:00
Where
room G8, Wills Memorial Building, University of Bristol, BS8 1RJ (map)
Description
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND MEMBER’S MEETING 
Wednesday 30 January 2019

The Geology Section’s Annual General meeting will consider the report on Section activities during 2018 and appoint the officers and committee to serve for 2019. 

This involves the election of a President, Secretary, Field Secretary and other committee members. Anyone interested in taking on these positions is asked to contact the Section Secretary who will not be in any way upset if another person wishes to take on the Secretary or Field Secretary roles. Please consider if you might be able to help organize our programme of talks and walks by suggesting Speakers or Leaders. 

It will be followed by presentations or short talks by members of the Section. Displays of rocks and fossils by members will be especially welcome as will short talks on any aspect of geology. This will be an occasion for members to socialize and really get to know each other so please do come along. 

Thursday 31st

Course - Advances in Understanding Earth’s Structure and Operation
When
Thu, 31 January, 19:30 – 21:30
Where
The Chantry, Thornbury. (map)
Description
Advances in Understanding Earth’s Structure and Operation. 
This 10 week course aims to introduce you to relatively new ideas, some accepted, some controversial, about the internal structure and tectonics of the Earth. Many ideas have changed radically since the inception of the Plate Tectonic hypothesis, and especially in the period from the 1990s, partly as a result of new technology, and the re-examination of parts of the theory that evidence did not support. Each week we will examine a different topic, such as subduction, mantle dynamics, mantle plumes.   Held at The Chantry, Thornbury.  First meeting 7.30 – 9.30, Thurs 10th January until March 21st (not Thurs 21st Feb). Cost £75

Contact Dave by email at davegeostudies@gmail.com, by phone at 01594 960858 and by post at Dave Green, Joys Green Farm, Lydbrook, Gloucestershire, GL17 9QU

Friday 1st



Saturday 2nd

OUGS South West - Day of Talks and AGM
When
Sat, 2 February, 10:00 – 16:30
Where
Gipsy Hill Hotel, Gipsy Hill Lane, Pinhoe, EXETER EX1 3RN (map)
Description
Programme:

10.00    Welcome.

10.15    Dr Danny Clark-Lowes ‘Recent Advances on Himalayan Geology’ A report from the HKT (Himalaya / Karakorum / Tibet) Research Conference in Lausanne.

11.00    Break.

11.15    Professor Malcom Hart (Plymouth University) ‘The K/Pg (Cretaceous/Paleogene) boundary and extinctions’. "The Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary forms one of the major extinctions of the geological record. Fieldwork in Texas, Alabama, Denmark and elsewhere will be used to demonstrate the events across the boundary, including the role of ocean acidification in some of the marine extinctions."

12.00   Dr Arjan Dijkstra (Plymouth University) ‘The Lamprophyre story and hidden Terrane boundary’. "Our findings suggest that although there is no physical line on the surface, there is a clear geological boundary which separates Cornwall and South Devon from the rest of the UK."

13.00   Lunch

14.00   Dr Doug Robinson ’The Making of the Mendips. A 200Million year, 7,500km journey across the planet.' The talk is based on field examination of the sequences seen in the southern central Mendip area centred around the city of Wells. Details of metamorphic rocks not reported before from the Mendips will be presented, along with the first actual exposure of of the southern western overthrust, as exemplified by the Ebbor Thrust.

14.45   Taryn Clements ‘Volcanoes’

16.00  OUGS Southwest Branch AGM

The cost for the day is £20 for OUGS members, £25.00 for non-members and will include a light lunch and tea or coffee. The Booking Form is attached below.

Booking is essential. 

Those wishing to attend the AGM only will be admitted, free of charge, at 16.00.
--------------------------

OUGS Oxford - AGM and Lecture
When
Sat, 2 February, 13:00 – 14:30
Where
South Hinksey Village Hall, South Hinksey, Oxford, OX1 5AS (map)
Description
Oxford Branch AGM


Speakers: Mellissa Freeman, Peter Wood & Sally Munnings - Hawaii 2018

Venue: South Hinksey Village Hall, South Hinksey, Oxford, OX1 5AS

Date: February 2nd 2019 (Saturday)

Type: Branch Annual General Meeting

Summary: To determine the future of the branch. Commences at 13:00.

More info:
Oxford Branch members need to be made aware that the branch is not sustainable without a Branch Organiser and be prepared for the possible amalgamation with one or more neighbouring branches.

AGM agenda: OUGS_Oxford_2019_AGM_Agenda.docx 

Contact: Jane Randle  [oxford.lectures@ougs.org]


Sunday 3rd




Wednesday 23 January 2019

Saturday 19 January 2019

21st to 27th January 2019


NEXT THREE WEEKS EVENTS

21st to 27th January 2019

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXTRACT FROM BRISTOL AND WEST COUNTRY GEOLOGY CALENDARS

MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE BRISTOL AND THE WEST COUNTRY CALENDARS AND ON THE WEB SITES OF THE RELEVANT SOCIETY OR ORGANISATION.


MONDAY 21st

Course - The Geology of Eruptions, Earthquakes and Tsunamis
When
Mon, 21 January, 19:30 – 21:30
Where
Wynstones School, Stroud Road, Whaddon, Gloucester (map)
Description
The Geology of Eruptions, Earthquakes and Tsunamis  
Three of the most devastating natural disaster-forming events are geological, all related to plate tectonics, and are very difficult, if not impossible, to accurately forecast.  What are the causes of these events and their various manifestations? Why are some more dangerous than others? How can we prevent or mitigate these effects? Examples of some of these phenomena will be used to illustrate these points Monday 7th for 10 weeks (not 18h Feb) until 18th March. Held at Wynstones School, Stroud Road, Whaddon, Gloucester from 7.30-9.30pm on Mondays . Cost £75

Contact Dave Green by email at davegeostudies@gmail.com, by phone at 01594 960858 and by post at Dave Green, Joys Green Farm, Lydbrook, Gloucestershire, GL17 9QU

Tuesday 22nd



wednesday 23rd

SGMRG - Lecture
When
Wed, 23 January, 19:30 – 21:00
Where
The Miners Institute, BS36 2QB Badminton Rd, Coalpit Heath, Bristol (map)
Description
Talk 1 – The last years of Coal Mining in South Wales.  A talk by Steve Grudgings.  Steve’s latest book will be on sale at the talk.          
Non members welcome to talk – £2 each (Membership is £17.50 per year)


Thursday 24th

Course - Advances in Understanding Earth’s Structure and Operation
When
Thu, 24 January, 19:30 – 21:30
Where
The Chantry, Thornbury. (map)
Description
Advances in Understanding Earth’s Structure and Operation. 
This 10 week course aims to introduce you to relatively new ideas, some accepted, some controversial, about the internal structure and tectonics of the Earth. Many ideas have changed radically since the inception of the Plate Tectonic hypothesis, and especially in the period from the 1990s, partly as a result of new technology, and the re-examination of parts of the theory that evidence did not support. Each week we will examine a different topic, such as subduction, mantle dynamics, mantle plumes.   Held at The Chantry, Thornbury.  First meeting 7.30 – 9.30, Thurs 10th January until March 21st (not Thurs 21st Feb). Cost £75

Contact Dave by email at davegeostudies@gmail.com, by phone at 01594 960858 and by post at Dave Green, Joys Green Farm, Lydbrook, Gloucestershire, GL17 9QU

Friday 25th



Saturday 26th

SWGA - Lecture
When
Sat, 26 January, 11:00 – 12:30
Where
Lectures at Cardiff University are held in the Department of Earth Sciences in the ‘Main Building’. We meet in the Earth Sciences staff room on Floor 1 and lectures are held in Lecture Theatre 1.25. (map)
Description
(Cardiff): Life in the Freezer: how microbes live in the coldest places on Earth: Dr Liz Bagshaw (Cardiff)

Click here to see the building location on a map from Cardiff University. It is numbered 5 in the key.

All meetings commence at 11.00am except for the AGM which begins at 10.30am.
Refreshments are served from about 45 minutes before each meeting. We take the speaker
to lunch after the meeting and all members are very welcome to join us.

Sunday 27th




What did the Earth look like X million years ago?

What did the Earth look like X million years ago?

I came across THIS WEB SITE and thought some of you might find it useful. There are lots of things to adjust. The older views use present day coastlines to suggest where we are looking; the later ones use countries borders - neither is very satisfactory. But a very good attempt to make the extremely complex approachable.


Saturday 12 January 2019

14th to 20th January 2019


NEXT THREE WEEKS EVENTS

14th to 20th January 2019

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXTRACT FROM BRISTOL AND WEST COUNTRY GEOLOGY CALENDARS

MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE BRISTOL AND THE WEST COUNTRY CALENDARS AND ON THE WEB SITES OF THE RELEVANT SOCIETY OR ORGANISATION.


MONDAY 14TH

Course - The Geology of Eruptions, Earthquakes and Tsunamis
When
Mon, 14 January, 19:30 – 21:30
Where
Wynstones School, Stroud Road, Whaddon, Gloucester (map)
Description
The Geology of Eruptions, Earthquakes and Tsunamis  
Three of the most devastating natural disaster-forming events are geological, all related to plate tectonics, and are very difficult, if not impossible, to accurately forecast.  What are the causes of these events and their various manifestations? Why are some more dangerous than others? How can we prevent or mitigate these effects? Examples of some of these phenomena will be used to illustrate these points Monday 7th for 10 weeks (not 18h Feb) until 18th March. Held at Wynstones School, Stroud Road, Whaddon, Gloucester from 7.30-9.30pm on Mondays . Cost £75

Contact Dave Green by email at davegeostudies@gmail.com, by phone at 01594 960858 and by post at Dave Green, Joys Green Farm, Lydbrook, Gloucestershire, GL17 9QU

tuesday 15th

SMFS - AGM and Members Display
When
Tue, 15 January, 19:30 – 21:00
Where
The Friends' Meeting House, Ordnance Road, Southampton (map)
Description
SMFS Annual General Meeting followed by a specimen display of material collected, prepared or acquired by members. If up to it a brief verbal description of your finds would be appreciated. No competition just a chance to admire some lovely specimens. Annual subscriptions are due and can be paid on the evening.

Members' Display: Your best self collected pieces.

wednesday 16th



thursday 17th

Thornbury Geology Group, 7.30pm, The Chantry, Thornbury
When
Thu, 17 January, 19:00 – 21:30
Description
Thornbury Geology Group, 7.30pm at The Chantry, Thornbury, and every 3rd Thursday in the month.  

friday 18th



saturday 19th

OUGS Wessex - AGM and Lectures
When
Sat, 19 January, 10:00 – 16:00
Where
The D’Urberville Centre, Wool, Dorset (map)
Description
Wessex Branch AGM 2019


Leader: Colin Morley

Venue: The D’Urberville Centre, Wool, Dorset

Date: January 19th 2019 (Saturday)

Type: Branch Annual General Meeting

Summary: It is your branch and the AGM is an important way to see that it is being run for you. There will, of course, be lunch, and a programme of talks on the theme of 'Our Changing World'.

More info:

If you would like to attend, please contact Colin Morley at wessex@ougs.org. Please also contact Colin if you would like to raise an additional agenda item or question, or nominate someone for the committee.

2019_AGM.pdf

10.10am Registration

10.30am Dr Giles Droop - 'Continental collision in the Alps'

11.30am Dr Steve Sweetman - 'The vertebrate faunas of the Wealden and Purbeck groups'

12.40pm Buffet lunch (provided by committee and friends)

1.30pm AGM (agenda is available in the member's area)

2.20pm Sarah Holmes (PhD researcher) 'Recent research into clams and climate change'

3.45pm Close

The charge for the whole day, including lunch, is £8 per person (NB: no charge for the AGM)

Contact: Colin Morley   [[wessex@ougs.org]

sunday 20th




Geological Sites of the Bristol Region

Geological Sites of the Bristol Region





Since then I have received some correspondence giving mixed reviews of the book. Generally there is approval of the geological descriptions and explanations but universal condemnation of the maps. 

The location maps are virtually useless - try finding Pen Park Hole with this map - I tried and eventually resorted to Google Maps to find it.


The geological maps are worse. Have a look at this one -


Anyone care to give a geological explanation of the area? The legend for these "maps" is on the back flap of the dust jacket.

If there is a second edition of this book, and I hope there is, the maps need to be replaced if the book is to be regarded seriously. 

I have been told that there are mistakes and omissions in other parts of the text. My knowledge of Bristol geology is superficial so I would be grateful if persons with greater expertise would pass on to me their comments so that the next edition can be improved.

More on Anak Krakatau

More on Anak Krakatau

Following on from a previous post a correspondent sent me this link which has this fantastic photograph assembled from radar images taken from space.


One can see that the shape of the island is changing. The crater is no longer connected with the sea. Perhaps someone can tell me why the sea is coloured red.

For a closer look at the island there is some drone footage available. 



Saturday 5 January 2019

7th to 13th January 2019


NEXT THREE WEEKS EVENTS

7th to 13th January 2019

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXTRACT FROM BRISTOL AND WEST COUNTRY GEOLOGY CALENDARS

MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE BRISTOL AND THE WEST COUNTRY CALENDARS AND ON THE WEB SITES OF THE RELEVANT SOCIETY OR ORGANISATION.


MONDAY 7TH

Course - The Geology of Eruptions, Earthquakes and Tsunamis
When
Mon, 7 January, 19:30 – 21:30
Where
Wynstones School, Stroud Road, Whaddon, Gloucester (map)
Description
The Geology of Eruptions, Earthquakes and Tsunamis  
Three of the most devastating natural disaster-forming events are geological, all related to plate tectonics, and are very difficult, if not impossible, to accurately forecast.  What are the causes of these events and their various manifestations? Why are some more dangerous than others? How can we prevent or mitigate these effects? Examples of some of these phenomena will be used to illustrate these points Monday 7th for 10 weeks (not 18h Feb) until 18th March. Held at Wynstones School, Stroud Road, Whaddon, Gloucester from 7.30-9.30pm on Mondays . Cost £75

Contact Dave Green by email at davegeostudies@gmail.com, by phone at 01594 960858 and by post at Dave Green, Joys Green Farm, Lydbrook, Gloucestershire, GL17 9QU

Tuesday 8th

NO WEGA LECTURE! Activities resume in FEBRUARY.
-------------------------------

Cardiff University Lecture - When Sea levels Change...
When
Tue, 8 January, 18:30 – 20:00
Where
The 2018-2019 monthly Tuesday evening lectures in the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences will be held in the Wallace Lecture Theatre (0.13), Main Building, Cardiff University, Park Place, CF10 3AT. Lectures begin at 18.30. Booking is not needed. (map)
Description
Sea level change and global warming: lessons from the past to
inform the future.
Roland Gehrels (York)

wednesday 9th

Oil in Dorset
When
Wed, 9 January, 19:00 – 21:00
Where
Dorset County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XJ, United Kingdom (map)
Description
Talk by Alan Holiday, chairman of DGAG 
This is the first of a series of Earth Science-based lectures organised by DGAG in collaboration with other groups. 
As the Dorset County Museum is closed for refurbishment, ’til summer 2020,  the lectures will take place in Committee Room 1 at County Hall. They will follow the familiar pattern of being on the second Wednesday of the month starting at 7 pm. 
Parking is available behind County Hall and is free in the evening. 
The cost is £5 per session to cover hire of the venue and lecturer travel expenses etc. 
Details of the full programme of lectures will be published shortly. 

Thursday 10th

Course - Advances in Understanding Earth’s Structure and Operation
When
Thu, 10 January, 19:30 – 21:30
Where
The Chantry, Thornbury. (map)
Description
Advances in Understanding Earth’s Structure and Operation. 
This 10 week course aims to introduce you to relatively new ideas, some accepted, some controversial, about the internal structure and tectonics of the Earth. Many ideas have changed radically since the inception of the Plate Tectonic hypothesis, and especially in the period from the 1990s, partly as a result of new technology, and the re-examination of parts of the theory that evidence did not support. Each week we will examine a different topic, such as subduction, mantle dynamics, mantle plumes.   Held at The Chantry, Thornbury.  First meeting 7.30 – 9.30, Thurs 10th January until March 21st (not Thurs 21st Feb). Cost £75

Contact Dave by email at davegeostudies@gmail.com, by phone at 01594 960858 and by post at Dave Green, Joys Green Farm, Lydbrook, Gloucestershire, GL17 9QU

Friday 11th



saturday 12th

SWGA - Holiday Geology
When
Sat, 12 January, 11:00 – 16:00
Where
Icon's Suite of the National Museum in Cardiff (map)
Description
Holiday Geology: 

Saturday 12th January 2019 in the Icon's Suite of the National Museum in Cardiff. 11.00am - 4.00pm 


Refreshments will be provided on arrival so please let Stephen know by 1st January 2019 at
the latest if you are planning to attend so we order enough. You will have to make your own
arrangements for lunch. You can either bring a packed lunch to eat in the room or the
museum restaurant is next door plus of course a wide range of eating establishments nearby
in the city centre. If you are prepared to offer a talk let Stephen know as soon as possible.
There will also be the usual small displays, book stall and raffle (any offers of prizes will be gratefully received!).
---------------------------

DGAG AGM
When
Sat, 12 January, 14:00 – 17:00
Where
Broadmayne Village Hall, Cowleaze Rd, Broadmayne, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8EW (map)
Description
Annual General Meeting for the Dorset Geologists’ Association Group. 
Followed by a talk on coastal protection measures by Alan Holiday. 

Sunday 13th




Friday 4 January 2019

Naming extra-terrestrial things

Naming Extra-Terrestrial Things

I came across THIS ARTICLE and, while not very geological, is very interesting.
Did you know that large craters on Mars are named after deceased scientists and writers associated with Mars (there’s an Asimov and a Da Vinci), and craters less than 60km across are named after towns and villages on Earth (there’s a Bordeaux and a Cadiz)?

Or that the moons of Jupiter (except Io - see below) would be named using names from mythology - but in a way related to the Earths climatic zones!

  • Europa - mythical names from the European temperate zone
  • Ganymede - names from near-Eastern mythology
  • Callisto - names from far northern cultures
Part of Io, with fiery names

  • Io - However, because Io was revealed to be undergoing continual volcanic eruptions, the original naming theme was deemed inappropriate and was replaced by the names of fire, sun, thunder/lightning and volcano deities from across the world’s cultures. For example, the names Ah Peku, Camaxtli, Emakong, Maui, Shamshu, Tawhaki, and Tien Mu (which occur on the map above) come from fire, thunder or Sun myths of the Mayans, the Aztecs, New Britain, Hawaii, Arabia, the Maoris, and China, respectively.
There is a lot more of this, all of it interesting. 

I was drawn to this because a pal of mine, John Bunting, discovered an astrobleme in Western Australia - Yarrabubba, possibly the deepest eroded astrobleme on the planet - and as a reward has an asteroid named after him! 

He was assured that it was unlikely to strike earth any time soon! You can find it as number 19243 on THIS PAGE

Anak Krakatau - interesting detail

Anak Krakatau - Interesting Detail

In the last few days I have come across a couple of articles concerning the recent happenings at Anak Krakatau. The slightly more technical one can be seen HERE, and the one with the better pictures HERE.


Anak Krakatau before the landslide

And after the landslide

Tuesday 1 January 2019