Spring 2021 an Enigmatic Giant
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THE MAGAZINE OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON SPRING 2021 AN ENIGMATIC GIANT GEOSCIENCE DIPLOMACY IN NORTH KOREA TAKING THE BLACK IN DECOLONISING ALL THAT NEXT STEP GEOSCIENCE COLLECTIONS GLITTERS The pros and cons of Initiatives to Historical links Tales of fortunes post-doctoral research confront invisibility assessed made and lost SPRING 2021 Editor’s welcome elcome to the linked to our science first edition features. The magazine of the Geological Society of London W of the We appreciate that new-look, quarterly some readers are The Geological Society Trustees of the Geological Geoscientist magazine. disappointed to lose the Burlington House Society of London We’ve had great fun monthly print issues and Piccadilly 2020-2021 putting the issue question whether they’ll London W1J 0BG Dr Michael Daly (President) together, working engage as much digitally T +44 (0)20 7434 9944 Mrs Joanna Alexander with our new publishers, James (p. 19). This was a difficult decision [email protected] Mr Thomas Backhouse Pembroke Media, and we hope you for us to make and was, of course, (Not for Editorial – Please Mr Andrew Bloodworth find it stimulating and entertaining. partly motivated by the need to contact the Editor) Mr John Booth (Vice This issue takes us from volcanic make financial savings. Likewise, President) peaks in enigmatic North Korea tough choices have had to be Publishing House Dr Jennie Gilbert (p. 22), to the Californian and made across the Society as we The Geological Society Dr Joel Gill (Secretary, Australian gold rushes of the 19th face a period of considerable Publishing House Foreign & External Affairs) Century (p. 40). It also touches uncertainty (p. 6). Unit 7 Mr Graham Goffey (Treasurer) on the critical issues of diversity, But there are also positive motives Brassmill Enterprise Centre Dr Kathryn Goodenough equality and inclusion, with reports behind the change. Many of you Brassmill Lane Prof James Griffiths and opinion pieces that highlight have written to us with questions Bath BA1 3JN (Secretary, Professional the immense and persistent about the sustainability of print, and T +44 (0)1225 445046 Matters) barriers faced by many, including some have chosen to opt out of print E [email protected] Dr Michael Kehinde Black (p. 30) and LBGTQ+ (p. 16) entirely, in favour of a digital offering. Prof Chris King geoscientists, as well as outlining We want to communicate afresh Library Mr Andrew Moore the actions we can all take to help in print and digitally and, in doing T +44 (0)20 7432 0999 Prof Bryne Ngwenya remove these barriers and make so, retire our outdated and poorly E [email protected] Dr John Perry our community more inclusive. functioning website, which was Mr Nicholas Reynolds (Vice unloved and rarely used. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: President) At a time when both Fellowship Prof. Andy Fleet Mrs Sarah Scott and geoscience student numbers DEPUTY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Ms Gemma Sherwood Geoscientist are in decline, it is essential to widen Mr David Shilston Miss Jessica Smith magazine will our reach, and we truly believe EDITORS: (Vice President) continue to serve that by focusing our efforts on Dr Amy Whitchurch Dr Helen Smyth as a welcoming and both print and digital, we can place Ms Sarah Day Prof Robin Strachan Geoscientist magazine – a showcase E [email protected] (Secretary, Publications) inclusive forum for the activities of the Society and Dr Alexander Whittaker of geoscientists – into more hands. EDITORIAL ADVISORY (Secretary, Science) Those readers may be people who PANEL Mrs Lucy Williams It is no secret that diversity is an have not found us before, those Mrs Natalyn Ala Dr Keith Myers (co-opted issue both within the geoscience who perceive the Society as elitist Mr Steve Branch – Treasurer designate) community and in our Society. and outdated, or those who view the Dr Robin Cocks Change is slow, but the Society field of geoscience as simply dirty Dr Howard Falcon-Lang The Geological Society is taking steps to rectify this. For and polluting, rather than a key part Dr Hazel Gibson of London is a Registered example, Council recently asked of the journey towards net zero. Prof. Tony Harris Charity, number 210161. for an evaluation of the Society’s We hope that by providing a range Mr Edmund Nickless ISSN (print) 0961-5628 historical links to slavery and of options for accessing content, we Dr Alan Roberts ISSN (online) 2045-1784 colonialism, and our Archivist, will reach a more diverse audience, Prof. Peter Styles Caroline Lam, reports the findings and that Geoscientist magazine will Dr Colin Summerhayes Subscriptions: for non- on page 36. The research will be continue to serve as a welcoming Prof. Frances Wall member subscriptions, please used to determine Society policies and inclusive forum for both long- Dr Jan Zalasiewicz contact the Publishing House. and we will ensure that updates are term and new readers. provided in the future. Our new print and online offerings Cover image: Chonji (Heaven Lake) on the summit of Mount Paektu All of the articles in this issue are works in progress, and we would are available online, via our newly love to hear your thoughts and Geoscientist is published four times per year on behalf of launched and mobile-device suggestions – you can get in touch The Geological Society of London by friendly website www.Geoscientist. with us at [email protected]. www.jamespembrokemedia.co.uk Online. The site features additional uk or via Twitter @geoscientistmag. content, including more in-depth © 2021 The Geological Society of London reports and letters, as well as videos AMY WHITCHURCH, EDITOR GEOSCIENTIST.ONLINE | SPRING 2021 3 CONTENTS VOL. 31 | NO. 01 | SPRING 2021 UNEARTHED 12 30 3 EDITOR’S WELCOME 42 LIFE AFTER PHD 6 The pros and cons of NEWS post-doctoral research Updates from the Society and the community 40 16 VIEWPOINT Safe and inclusive fieldwork, Reverse the decline, Black underrepresentation in the minerals industry, Quarterly 36 dismay and more… FEATURES 22 WHERE SCIENCE AND DIPLOMACY MEET A unique collaboration provides 45 insights into Mount Paektu BOOKS & ARTS Latest recommendations from Fellows 30 WHERE ARE THE BLACK GEOSCIENTISTS? 48 Grassroots initiatives to OBITUARIES confront invisibility Norman John Snelling Peter George Fookes 36 DECOLONISING THE 50 GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY’S COUNCIL ELECTIONS COLLECTIONS All the information you need Assessing the Geological for the upcoming elections Society’s historical links to slavery and colonialism 54 FIVE MINUTES WITH…. 40 Kathryn Goodenough, ALL THAT GLITTERS Principal Geologist with the Tales of fortunes made and lost BGS and Chief Editor of ES3 The Geological Society of London accepts no responsibility for the Every effort has been made to trace copyright holders of material All advertising material is expected to conform to ethical views expressed in any article in this publication. All views expressed, in this publication. If any rights have been omitted, the publisher and trading standards, and reasonable care is taken to ensure except where explicitly stated otherwise, represent those of the offers their apologies. that advertisers are reputable and reliable. However, inclusion author, and not the Geological Society of London. All rights reserved. in this publication or as an insert does not constitute a guarantee No responsibility is assumed by the Publisher for any injury or endorsement of the quality or value of such products or No paragraph of this publication may be reproduced, copied or and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products services, or of the claims made by its manufacturer. Geoscientist transmitted save with written permission. Users registered with liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation and the Geological Society of London can give no assurance Copyright Clearance Center: the Journal is registered with CCC, of any methods, products, instructions or ideas contained that an advertiser will fulfil its obligation under 27 Congress Street, Salem, MA 01970, USA. in the material herein. all circumstances. GEOSCIENTIST.ONLINE | SPRING 2021 5 NEWS SOCIETY AND COMMUNITY UPDATES Society’s Burlington House tenure remains uncertain Steeply rising rent threatens our tenure at Burlington House. Two initiatives are underway to ensure a long, sustainable and relevant future for our Society, writes Richard Hughes, Executive Secretary IN LATE JANUARY 2021 the President, concessionary rent (as granted to Mike Daly, updated the Fellowship the Royal Academy of Arts > 150 years on behalf of Council on the situation ago); and regarding the Society’s future occupancy • The acquisition by the Society of of Burlington House. Fellows will be a long lease or virtual freehold aware that since then a public awareness arrangement either through purchase and political engagement campaign has or on the basis of a government grant The root cause been underway in an e ort to persuade refl ecting the considerable societal of the uncertainty Government to reconsider its position. In value of the LS. surrounding the Society’s parallel, a project has also begun to look at Communications with the landlord (the future occupancy of potential alternative options for the Society, Ministry of Housing, Communities and should it have to relocate. Local Government, MHCLG) continue. Burlington House A summary of the background to the However, an a ordable solution that would is una ordability situation is provided below. Further details allow the Society to remain at Burlington due to steeply are available at www.geolsoc.org.uk/ House for the long-term remains out of rising rents burlingtonhouse. reach. Discussions have led only to the The root cause of the uncertainty o er of a lease on the same terms as the surrounding the Society’s future occupancy current one, with a rate of rent increase of Burlington House is una ordability due fi xed at 8% per annum for the fi rst fi ve years rights to sub-let would be in the region to steeply rising rents.