Ramues Gallois and Geoff Davis on the Slippery Geology of the Historic English Resort

SCIENTISTVOLUME 28 No. 05 ◆ JUNE 2018 ◆ WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST

GEOThe Fellowship Magazine of the Geological Society of London UK / Overseas where sold to individuals: £3.95

SOCIETY AWARDS! A new structure

SAVING LYME REGIS Ramues Gallois and Geoff Davis on the slippery geology of the historic English resort

SORTING THE GONGS DIVINE INSPIRATION CONTROVERSY ANYONE? Marie Edmonds on a new Nina Morgan on the history Mike Ridd wonders where structure for Society Awards of geology and dowsing our spirit of rebellion has gone The Geological Society Career and Industry Days 2018/19

Wednesday 7 November 2018 Venue: Our Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh, UK www.geolsoc.org.uk/careersday18edinburgh

Wednesday 14 November 2018 Venue: BGS, Keyworth, Nottingham, UK www.geolsoc.org.uk/careersday18nottingham

Wednesday 20 March 2019 Venue: Royal School of Mines, Imperial College London, UK www.geolsoc.org.uk/careersday18london

The Geological Society Career & Industry Day is an essential meeting place for geoscience students and the geoscience industry, and is the most recognised geoscience careers focused forum in the country. The day will include short career and industry presentations covering different areas of geology and academia, and there will be an exhibition consisting of industry and professional bodies, and higher education institutions promoting MSc and PhD programmes. There will also be a CV and careers workshop running alongside the talks.

Registration This event is free to attend but there are limited numbers so pre- booking is recommended. Delegates will be required to pre-register to receive a student manual, free packed lunch and free drink at the drinks reception.

Contact Information

Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG T: 0207 432 0981 E: [email protected] Background image: Assynt ©Timothy Gregory Follow these events on Twitter: #GSLcareers18 GEOSCIENTIST CONTENTS

Geoscientist is the ADVERTISING SALES Fellowship magazine Alex Kilen of the Geological Society T 01727 739 182 of London E [email protected] The Geological Society, ART EDITOR Burlington House, Piccadilly, Heena Gudka London W1J 0BG T +44 (0)20 7434 9944 DESIGN & PRODUCTION F +44 (0)20 7439 8975 Ryan Gaston E [email protected] (Not for Editorial - Please PRINTED BY contact the Editor) Century One Publishing House Publishing Ltd. The Geological Society Publishing House, Unit 7, Copyright Brassmill Enterprise Centre, The Geological Society of Brassmill Lane, Bath London is a Registered Charity, BA1 3JN number 210161. T 01225 445046 ISSN (print) 0961-5628 F 01225 442836 ISSN (online) 2045-1784 Library 05 16 T +44 (0)20 7432 0999 F +44 (0)20 7439 3470 The Geological Society of London accepts no responsibility for the views E [email protected] expressed in any article in this publication. All views expressed, except EDITOR-IN-CHIEF where explicitly stated otherwise, Professor Peter Styles represent those of the author, and not The Geological Society of London. All EDITOR All rights reserved. No paragraph of this Dr Ted Nield publication may be reproduced, copied E [email protected] or transmitted save with written permission. Users registered with Copyright Clearance Center: the Journal EDITORIAL BOARD is registered with CCC, 27 Congress Dr Sue Bowler Street, Salem, MA 01970, USA. 0961- Mr Steve Branch 5628/02/$15.00. Every effort has been Dr Robin Cocks made to trace copyright holders of Prof. Tony Harris material in this publication. If any rights 10 27 have been omitted, the publishers offer Dr Howard Falcon-Lang their apologies. Dr Andy Fleet (EIC elect) Mr Edmund Nickless No responsibility is assumed by the Mr David Shilston Publisher for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of Dr Jonathan Turner products liability, negligence or Dr Jan Zalasiewicz otherwise, or from any use or operation ON THE COVER: of any methods, products, instructions Trustees of the or ideas contained in the material 10 SAVING LYME REGIS Geological Society herein. Although all advertising of London material is expected to conform to ethical (medical) standards, inclusion Ramues Gallois & Geoff Davis on the Mr Malcolm Brown (President) in this publication does not constitute Mr John Booth a guarantee or endorsement of the engineering geology behind stabilizing Mr Rick Brassington quality or value of such product or of Dr Jason Canning the claims made by its manufacturer. the famous resort Miss Liv Carroll Subscriptions: All correspondence Ms Lesley Dunlop relating to non-member subscriptions Dr Marie Edmonds (Secretary, should be addresses to the Journals Science) Subscription Department, Geological Society Publishing House, Unit 7 Mr Graham Goffey (Treasurer) Brassmill Enterprise Centre, Brassmill FEATURESFEATURES Dr Sarah Gordon (Secretary, Lane, Bath, BA1 3JN, UK. Tel: 01225 Foreign & External Affairs) 445046. Fax: 01225 442836. Email: 16 AWARDS REVIEW Mrs Tricia Henton [email protected]. The subscription Ms Naomi Jordan price for Volume 28, 2018 (04 issues) Marie Edmonds (Secretary, Science) reports on her to institutions and non-members will review of the Society’s Medals, Awards and Funds Dr Robert Larter be £157 (UK) or £179 / US$358 (Rest Dr Jennifer McKinley of World). Dr Colin North (Secretary, Publications) © 2018 The Geological Society Dr Sheila Peacock of London REGULARS Prof Christine Peirce Geoscientist is printed on FSC® mixed Mr Nicholas Reynolds credit - Mixed source products are a 05 Welcome Ted Nield hands on the eyeshade Prof Nick Rogers (President blend of FSC 100%, Recycled and/or Controlled fibre. Certified by the Forest designate) Stewardship Council®. Dr Katherine Royse (Secretary, 06 Society News What your Society is doing at home and Professional Matters) abroad, in London and the regions Mr Keith Seymour (Vice president, Regional Groups) 09 Soapbox Mike Ridd wonders where our spirit of Miss Jessica Smith controversy has gone Mr John Talbot (Vice president, Chartership) 20 Calendar Society activities this month Dr Alexander Whittaker Published on behalf of the 22 People Geoscientists in the news and on the move Geological Society of London by 24 Books and arts Six new books reviewed by Jan Zalasiewicz,

SCIENTISTVOLUME 28 No. 05 ◆ JUNE 2018 ◆ WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST

UK / Overseas where sold to individuals: £3.95 Jeremy B Joseph, John Underhill, Mark Griffin, Ayla Stenning and Century One Publishing GEOThe Fellowship Magazine of the Geological Society of London SOCIETY AWARDS! Alban Row, 27–31 Verulam A new structure Gordon Neighbour Road, St Albans, Herts, AL3 4DG 23 Obituaries Marlan Wayne Downey 1931-2017, T 01727 893 894 Anthony Hallam 1933-2017 & John Kenneth Shanklin F 01727 893 895 SAVING 1926-2017 LYME REGIS E enquiries@centuryone Ramues Gallois and Geoff Davis on the publishing.uk slippery geology of the W www.centuryone historic English resort SORTING THE GONGS DIVINE INSPIRATION CONTROVERSY ANYONE? Marie Edmonds on a new Nina Morgan on the history Mike Ridd wonders where publishing.uk structure for Society Awards of geology and dowsing our spirit of rebellion has gone WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | JUNE 2018 | 03 Mineral Resources poster 2018 v3 23-4-2018_Layout 1 24/04/2018 22:56 Page 1

Contaminated Land and Groundwater: Resources, Past and Future Mineral Resource Estimation: Thursday 26th July 2018 at University Place, Manchester Recent Advances and Current Best Practice 2018 is the “Year of Resources” and this conference will explore the role of the contaminated land specialist in management of risk to, and sustainable use of, our increasingly valuable land and groundwater resources. 22 October 2018 The Geological Society, Burlington House, London The UK and in particular the north of England has a long industrial history including exploitation of the land for resources such as coal, manufacture of natural gas and use of the land for landfill sites. In an era of rapid technological innovation, opportunities In this conference we explore the management of this legacy with respect to ground contamination. exist to improve efficiency and quality of resource estimates; both developing trust and encouraging investment in mining Topics projects. Forming part of the Year of the Resource, this conference aims to provide a forum for resource estimate • Ground investigation and assessment of gas works and coal mine sites. practitioners to meet and discuss new developments and • Protection and assessment of risk to groundwater resources including from new shale gas advances in mineral resource estimation and reporting. extraction sites and nuclear waste disposal sites. Confe rence topics will include: • Soil degradation and soil health. • Redevelopment of landfill sites. • Exploratory data analysis: analysis of geoscience data prior to use in a MRE including databasing, data quality • The Caerau Colliery project, where disused mine water is being used to heat homes. analysis, utilising ‘big data’ and methods of critical Register at www.geolsoc.org.uk/contam18manc Fellow: £90 Non-Fellow: £130 Students: £50 evaluation. • Geological modelling: methods and processes used for Confirmed Speakers generating 3D models of geological features, including Russell Thomas (WSP) software advances and comparisons, how to integrate ‘big Dave Jacobs (RSK) data’ and busting commonly enc ountered myths. Peter Brabham (Cardiff University) • Geostatistics and grade estimation: methods for The Coal Authority estimating tonnage and grade/quality of a mineral deposit, including recent software advances, new techniques and Workshops comparisons of techniques in different mineralisation types. Ian Bishop (One Touch Data) Reconciliation between estimates and production and ground truthing models. Darren Beriro (BGS) Convenors Peter Dumble (PD Hydrogeology) and • Resource reporting: methods used for generating mineral Ben Lepley (SRK Consulting) Kayleigh Smith (Insitu) resource statements, including meth ods for demonstrating Lucy Roberts (SRK Consulting) ‘reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction’ Convenors: Contaminated Land Early Career Poster Competition Further information (as defined in international reporting codes), including Entries should be from early career professionals (less than 5 years updates/comparisons of CRIRSCO standards and Group early-careers sub-committee For further information please contact: experience) and should comprise a 250 word summary of their participating committees. Katherine Ashdown (Jacobs) Chair Georgina Worrall, Conference Office, Amy Juden (Arup) Secretary poster topic. Poster topics should be in the field of contaminated The Geological Society, Molly Brown (IGE Consulting) land and closely related to the “resources” theme. The CLG Burlington House, Piccadilly, Kristian Fox (Atkins) committee will shortlist the entries submitted, and the four entries London W1J 0BG Clay Durrant (Environment Agency) selected will each get a FREE delegate place to the conference to T: 0207 434 9944 Call for papers Sarah Hey (Hydrock) present their poster. The overall winner will receive a Geological E: [email protected] We welcome oral and poster abstract contributions for Society special publication of their choice. Web: this meeting. To be considered for a slot in the www.geolsoc.org.uk/mineralresource18 programme or a poster presentation, please send an Follow this event on Twitter: abstract of no more than 500 words to Georgina Worrall, The event is proudly sponsored by ALS. If For further information and #mineralresource18 no later than Sunday 1 July 2018. you are also interested in sponsoring the competition entries, please contact event please contact [email protected] [email protected] Background photo courtesy of IGE Consulting

Corporate Supporters: Call for Abstracts – Deadline: 30 November 2018 Petroleum Geology of Mexico and the Northern Caribbean ©Dex Images PTE Ltd 14-16 May 2019 WHAT Use of the deep subsurface in the UK: What are the The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London implications for groundwater resources? WHERE The Geological Society, Burlington House, London, UK WHEN 11–12 July 2018

Convenors: There is renewed interest in the deep (>200 m from deep sub-surface activities along with Jonathan Hull Ophir Energy – Chair below ground level) onshore sub-surface in the associated uncertainties will be identified. the UK, with increasing exploration for, and We welcome contributions related to: Matthew Bowyer development of: Cairn Energy 2017 Zama Discovery ▪ Characterisation ▪ Ian Davison conventional and unconventional oil ▪ Flow and transport Earthmoves The Gulf of Mexico is a world class prolific hydrocarbon system. As a result of recent energy reform the and gas ▪ Environmental risks and impacts Mexican sector of this basin has been open to international companies for the first time through a series of ▪ geothermal energy Mike Hohbein competitive licence rounds. The first phase of drilling on these newly awarded permits has resulted in the ▪ Policy challenges Ophir Energy ▪ potash mining discovery of giant hydrocarbon accumulations in the Mexican offshore sector. Geologically, the offshore and ▪ Communication and engagement. onshore basins of Mexico offer a diverse range of play types with multiple source / reservoir pairs and are Aruna Mannie characterised by complex tectonic evolution with associated halokinesis and shale tectonics. and for storage purposes including: Premier Oil Keynote speakers More widely within the Northern Caribbean region, exploration activities are ongoing in several countries ▪ nuclear waste Kevin Parks (Alberta Energy Regulator) Chris Matchette targeting both proven and frontier petroleum systems. Some of these play elements are potential extensions ▪ natural gas Downes of the proven systems in Mexico. While geologically complex, these areas have the potential to emerge as Irina Gaus (Nagra) CaribX major hydrocarbon basins. ▪ carbon dioxide Avner Vengosh (Duke University) This regional conference aims to bring together both academic and industry geoscientists to discuss Adrian Neal the current state of understanding of the geology and petroleum systems in these geologically complex, but However, the use of the deep subsurface Badley Ashton Convenors prolific hydrocarbon basins. introduces significant technological challenges Tim Besien (Environment Agency) Mark Shann The committee now invite submissions of abstracts along the following themes and with this an element of risk to ground- John Bloomfield (BGS) Sierra Oil & Gas • Regional Plate Tectonic Evolution • Neogene Clastic Depositional Systems water resources, both in terms of quality and Ian Davey (Environment Agency) • Basins of Mexico and the Northern Caribbean • Carbonate Depositional Systems quantity. • Onshore Basins and the Laramide and Chiapas • Salt Tectonics Barnaby Harding (ESI) Fold Belt effects • Controls on hydrocarbon habitat – seal capacity This meeting will bring together a range of Stefan Krause (University of Birmingham) • Petroleum Systems • Relevant GOM Analogues stakeholders including those responsible for Sian Loveless (BGS) • Exploration & Production History policy and decision making, researchers and Ulrich Ofterdinger (Queen’s University, Belfast) Sponsored by: Call for Abstracts: technologists. The current state of knowledge Mike Rivett (GroundH2O plus) Please submit talk or poster abstract to [email protected] by 30 November 2018. will be discussed and the critical gaps that Sarah Scott (Environment Agency) For further information please contact: need to be addressed to better understand, Rob Ward (BGS) Sarah Woodcock, The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG. assess and manage the risks to groundwater Fred Worrall (Durham University) Tel: +44 (0)20 7434 9944

At the forefront of petroleum geoscience For more information on the conference please see: https://www.hydrogroup.org.uk/use-of-the-deep-subsurface-in-the-uk- www.geolsoc.org.uk/petroleum what-are-the-implications-for-groundwater-resources/

04 | JUNE 2018 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST ~ GEOSCIENTIST WELCOME

I CANNOT EMBARK UPON THIS FAREWELL WITHOUT ACKNOWLEDGING THE HELP I HAVE RECEIVED FROM ALL MY COLLEAGUES IN LONDON AND BATH - AND ST ALBANS ~ FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK: The long goodbye

his is my final issue as Editor of Geoscientist, your Geoscientist during my term. The lifeblood of all magazines is reader independent Fellowship magazine. On the 21 June I interaction, especially when that magazine belongs will be leaving, after 21 years in Burlington House. to them. With our long lead-times, like old soldiers, magazine I owe a particularly heartfelt thankyou to two people who have editors tend to fade away; so although I shall have had a left us - the late Carol Liddle (1955-2009) and Nick Simpson (1956- hand in both July and August issues, from next month 2012). Carol was the first to apply design expertise to Geoscientist, Tyour Editor will be Dr Amy Whitchurch, formerly Senior Editor at and indeed to the Society; lovingly crafting every spread (not to Nature Geoscience. mention annual reports, book covers, stationery, leaflets, posters, Amy took a BSc in Environmental Science at Lancaster University, bookmarks – the list is almost endless). including an exchange year at the University of Minnesota, and an Nick Simpson, founder and CEO of CenturyOne, rode to our MRes (Leeds) in volcano-seismology. Her PhD, from Imperial rescue with his ebullient energy, drive, and the flair of his College London, focused on the sedimentary signature of hotspot wonderful team, creating the design template that, with evolution in Yellowstone. After completing a post-doc at Imperial, modifications, we are using today. Carol and Nick remain among Amy joined Nature Geoscience in December 2009. us. They remain, of course, in the hearts of those who knew them; I can think of no greater parting accolade than that someone like while for everyone else, they live on through their work. Si Amy should now wish to be the Editor of the magazine I have been monumentum requiris, circumspice*. developing since 1997. (Nor, indeed, was she the only candidate of Finally thank you, my alter egos Adler deWind, Dwain Eldred whom this would have been true.) I wish her every success in and Dawne Riddle, who as house bylines, have added their voices to taking Geoscientist on to new heights, with renewed vigour. the mix from time to time. Some cruciverbalists have noticed that I cannot embark upon this farewell without acknowledging the they are all anagrams of each other. They are also anagrams of help I have received from all my colleagues in London and Bath Edward Nield. - and St Albans, where the magazine is now produced - nor indeed, Apologies to everyone who has tried, in vain, to email them. without thanking Editors-in-Chief Tony Harris and Peter Styles; the Editorial Board, and everyone who has ever contributed to *If you seek a monument, gaze around

Walker, 1946, by Ted Nield Sr. (1920-2013)

DR TED NIELD NUJ FGS, EDITOR - [email protected] @TedNield @geoscientistmag

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | JUNE 2018 | 05 GEOSCIENTIST SOCIETY NEWS

What your society is doing at home and abroad, in SOCIETYNEWS London and the regions

Research Grants 2018 Council & OGMs

The Research Grants Committee met on 1 March and considered 44 OGMS: 2018: 4 July, 18 September, 28 November. applications from Fellows and non-Fellows spanning early career and 2019: 6 February, 3 April established researchers. Council approved the award of 30 grants totalling £35,526 and the Robert Scott Memorial Fund of £2,000 to one applicant. COUNCIL: 2018 4 July, 18 & 19 Sept (residential), The Society is very grateful for the contributions made by the Jeremy Willson 28 November. 2019: 6 February, 3 April Charitable Trust and the Robert Scott Memorial Award. A full list of winners can be inspected online. Editor Chartership news

Bill Gaskarth, Accreditation Officer, can experience route. They now will now be DGMF hardly contain his excitement. required to provide a short presentation, at The Distinguished Geologists’ Memorial Fund the start of their interview, to discuss how (DGMF) provides two £2000 travel bursaries Newly Chartered they fulfil Chartership criteria, and they will per year for early-career Fellows who are CGeol: Darren Bench; Helen Brown; Daniel also be asked to bring to interview some either working towards Chartership or who Drummond; Anna Firth; Neil Forrow; Gary documentary evidence of their work in have very recently attained it. They are for Hampson; Catherine Inglis; Anna Irlam; support, together with their CPD record. professional development (courses, field Tajudeen Iwalewa; Phillipa Kiernan; Martin trips, conferences, industrial visits, gaining Lucass; Brendan Marrinan; David Becerra ‘CGeol’ in retirement experience and learning new techniques etc) Nunez; Marc Perry; Elliott Thomas. CSci: Neil CGeol may be retained as a title in retirement Forms are available on the Society’s website Brown; Godwin Eton; David Granger; Eric Sit. with no requirement for CPD recording for (in ‘About Us’ on the Home Page). EurGeol: Alex Beever; Richard Belcher; Miles Fellows who are not continuing with Applications should be sent to E: Martin; David Moy; Adam Venn; Imtiaz Ujjan. professional work. Their fee for retaining the [email protected]. Fellows with Interest in Chartership continues to grow and title will be reduced. Retirees who continue to mentoring responsibilities are asked to bring the number of applications for the May/June offer professional services, including advice this to the attention of their ‘mentees’ and any interviews stands at 41. and scrutineering, and who wish to use the other early-career Fellow in this category. title professionally, must demonstrate that Changed procedures they are maintaining their competence by A number of Engineering Geologists have doing and recording CPD. the job title ‘Geotechnical Engineer’ or similar within their company employment. As a result Contaminated land many have focused their CGeol applications This Specialist Group has rewritten the Guidance to show their geotechnical competency. This for Fellows from this area of work wishing to is a common mistake. They are applying for apply for Chartership (CGeol and CSci). This is the title of Chartered Geologist and hence now available on the Society’s website. it is their geological competency that is to be assessed, rather than their engineering. Mentoring workshop Part of this confusion is because we list A further Workshop is scheduled for June 28, ‘Geotechnics’ as an area of expertise on the probably in Manchester. A few places are still Application Form. This will now be removed. available. Anyone interested should contact me The table for indicating up to three areas of (E: [email protected]) as soon geoscience expertise will also be removed. as possible. The reason is that many applicants take three Several people have indicated that as a requirement, and some Scrutineers then they would like to attend one in assess them on all three. Applicants will now London later in the year. The date I be asked to produce a short note to specify have in mind for this would be the area of geoscience for which they are September 27. Anyone interested claiming competency and the guidance on is asked to contact the the website will be modified to reflect this. Chartership Officer asap. If there A small change will also be made for is sufficient interest I will confirm Bill Gaskarth, those applying using the 20+ years’ the date. Chartership Officer

06 | JUNE 2018 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | JUNE 2018 | 07 GEOSCIENTIST SOCIETY NEWS

Environment Network

Bryne T Ngwenya, Council Member and Convener, on an catered for by a number of Specialist Groups, which organise activities organisation of geoscientists for the environment. focusing on specific themes and topics. However, the environment The Geological Society is re-invigorating the Environment Network, is an overarching theme to many of these Groups, and other learned launched in 2011 as a vehicle to facilitate networking on themes that societies, and there is currently a gap in structures that can respond Council & OGMs cut across all aspects of environmental geoscience. The network will to cross-cutting themes. The Environment Network aims to fill this gap promote and develop activities that focus on big issues that affect by providing a vehicle to co-ordinate events. Our companion poster our environment. (see p.31) outlines how the network will achieve its aims and objectives. Aims and objectives Geoscience encompasses the Earth’s Environment, which currently Getting involved faces increasing pressure from a range of natural and manmade Membership is free to all Fellows of the Geological Society - and to challenges, including diminishing resources, increasing production non-Fellows. You can register interest and sign up to membership of hazardous wastes, climate change and the effects of emerging to receive advance notification of events. Our Committee welcomes pollutants. ideas for future meetings, events and publication themes, as well as The Geological Society is home to a multidisciplinary membership, alerts to exciting activities going on in your field. Education at the Geological Society

What does the Society do in Education? Education Officer Online Resources Will Foreman explains. We also have three online modules on our website: The Rock Education and outreach are a focal point of the Geological Cycle; Plate Tectonics and Geology Career Pathways. All three Society’s work. The Education Team is involved in lots of projects, are full of diagrams and information for students of Key Stage 3 from supporting school students and teachers, to geology in and up. These are the most regularly visited material on our Higher Education, with visits to festivals and interaction with other website. geoscience organisations along the way. Geoscience Education Academy School Resources The best way to bring geology into the classroom is to become With geology cropping out in the national curriculum from Key Stage the expert yourself. This year will see the 8th Geoscience 2 up to sixth form, we aim to promote geology to students of all Education Academy (GEA) being run at Burlington House. Every ages and inspire older students to register for a degree in July, 30 secondary level teachers and three trainers gather for this geoscience. four-day residential course. It is always well received and generates So the ‘resources’ section of the Society website has been great enthusiasm. Look out for the forthcoming extension of GEA growing. Now, alongside the classic topics of Volcanoes and for teachers of younger children… Primary GEA is under Earthquakes, readers can find factsheets, activity sheets and development now! presentations on many more aspects of geology such as Tsunamis, Flooding and the Rock Cycle. One of the main reasons for developing our resources is the Geology STEM Ambassadors scheme. Partnering with STEM Learning, this helps to match geologists who want to raise awareness of all things geological with schools that request visits. Everybody benefits! Events and Competitions In 2017 we went to the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival and New Scientist Live, and sent our tireless volunteers to represent us at other careers events across the country. We also run our own events. The Schools Geology Challenge, a competition open to sixth form students, and the Early Careers Award, which celebrates the work of early career geologists, are both annual events run in conjunction with our Regional Groups. One day of Earth Science Week is always allocated for a schools’ activity. Last year we ran a workshop on ‘Plate Tectonics and Mineralogy’ with lectures and practical activities for groups of visiting secondary level students, including a prospecting team game. The ➤ For more information and all our resources please visit 2018 Earth Science Week will take place on 13-21 October with the theme ‘Earth Science in our Lives’. Please visit the website to see www .geolsoc.org.uk/education. Enquiries should be directed what else is going on. to Will Foreman (E: [email protected])

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | JUNE 2018 | 07 GEOSCIENTIST SOCIETY NEWS

PUBLIC LECTURE SERIES FROM THE LIBRARY Gemstones and Jewellery - u Online Library catalogue Ethical Resources? Search the online catalogue of books, journals and maps held in the Geological Society Library. Fellows and Corporate Affiliate members Speaker: Cally Oldershaw, Geologist, Gemmologist can now login to the Library Catalogue to renew loans, view loan history, and Earth Science Education Consultant request items and create Favourite lists bit.ly/2Hj6jtH Date: Wednesday 27 June 2018 u E-Journals and e-books Programme Fellows of the Society can access over 100+ e-journals and e-books using Athens authentication. There is no charge to Fellows for this service. Visit ◆ A fternoon talk: 14:30pm Tea & Coffee: 15:00 www.geolsoc.org.uk/virtuallibrary to register. Lecture begins: 16:00 Event ends ◆ E vening talk: 17:30 Tea & Coffee: 18:00 Lecture u Literature searching begins: 19:00 Reception. Not enough time or struggling to find the information you need? We can search a wide range of resources on your behalf and send you the results Further Information directly to your inbox. To find out more about this service, please email Please visit www.geolsoc.org.uk/gsllondonlectures18. [email protected] Entry to each lecture is by ticket only. To obtain a ticket please contact the Society around four weeks u Document delivery before the talk. Due to the popularity of this lecture Not based in London or simply too busy to come to the Library? We can send series, tickets are allocated in a monthly ballot and you by email or post copies of articles from our collection. To find out more about cannot be guaranteed. this service, please email [email protected] or call 020 7432 0999 u Postal loans Contact: Sarah Woodcock, The Geological Society, Burlington You do not need to live in London to borrow books, maps or journals from the House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG, Library – we can post them to you ! For more information, contact T: +44 (0) 20 7432 0981 E: [email protected] [email protected] or call 020 7432 0999

FURTHER READING

Brunsden, D, 2002. Geomorphological roulette for engineers and planners: some insights into an old game. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, v. 35, p. 101-142 Gallois R W, 2016. Geological investigations for coastal protection and landslide remedial works at Lyme Regis, Dorset, UK. Geoscience in South-West England, v 14, p. 1-11. Gallois R W and G M Davis G M 2001. Saving Lyme Regis from the sea: recent geological investigations at Lyme Regis, Dorset. Geoscience in south-west England, v. 10, p.183-189. Moore R, Stannard M, Davis G M and Browning N 2017. Stabilising Lyme Regis-a strategic approach. Civil Engineering, v. 170, p. 63-70.

Ramues Gallois, Gallois Geological Consultancy [email protected] Geoff Davis, engineering geologist

Fig.12 (left) Sketch diagrams of the W. part of the Black Ven-Spittles landslide complex showing how the topographically higher (Cretaceous) part expanded westwards between 1955 and 1996 and caused the lower (Jurassic) part to expand in the same direction. Topographical surveys have shown that this westerly extension has mostly occurred within the last 100 years. bored piles, soil nails and drainage works in conjunction with a new, more substantial sea wall

Fig. 16: View NE from the new seawall 25 February 2016, showing part of the extensive bare-rock platform that has become exposed since the completion of the wall GONG-HO!

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | JUNE 2018 | 17 GONG-HO! As we look forward to the Awards Ceremony on June 6, Marie Edmonds* reports on an Awards Committee review of Society’s medals and awards

he Society’s Awards and for contributions to ‘soft’ rock studies Medals are a valuable and the Murchison for ‘hard’ rock. The way of honouring the William Smith Medal is awarded for achievements of individuals contributions to applied or economic T and groups in the geoscience aspects. community. Recently, they have been These medals are named for comprehensively reviewed and updated, distinguished geoscientists who were to allow proposers to understand more among the founders of our science. clearly the categories, eligibility and The Lyell was established under the criteria for each. will and codicil of Sir Charles Lyell This year we also have a new gong: (1797 – 1875), the author of Principles the Dewey Medal, named for Professor of Geology. The Murchison Medal John Dewey FRS, which will be awarded was established under the will of Sir for excellence in geological fieldwork. Roderick Impey Murchison (1792- Furthermore, our Specialist Groups offer 1871), author of Silurian, Permian and a raft of awards and prizes that are given Devonian Systems. The William Smith annually (some of which involve cash). Medal is named for so-called ‘father of Nominating someone for one of these English geology’ the maker of the first Awards is easy and will really make geological map of Britain and arguably a difference to them. This is how the the pioneer of applied geology. process works. The Sue Tyler Friedman Medal is awarded for distinguished Who’s Wolly? contributions to History of Geoscience. Of the Society’s ‘career achievement’ In 2013, for example, it was awarded awards, the Wollaston Medal ranks to Henry Robert (Hank) Frankel, of the highest. The Wollaston was established University of Missouri-Kansas City, by William Hyde Wollaston (1766-1828), who wrote the definitive account of an eminent figure in British science the evolution of ideas that led from credited with discoveries across the continental drift to plate tectonics: The natural sciences. The Medal, originally Continental Drift Controversy (2012 - in of gold, is now of palladium, a metal four volumes). Wollaston himself discovered. The Medal The Society is delighted to introduce was intended to promote ‘researches the Dewey Medal, to be awarded on concerning the mineral structure of the President’s Day (6 June). The Dewey Earth’ …‘or of the science of Geology in Medal is named for Professor John general’. Its first recipient was William Dewey FRS, who has held positions Smith (1831). The first woman to receive as Professor of Geology at Durham, it was palaeo-oceanographer Professor Oxford and UC Davis. Prof Dewey Maureen Raymo, of Lamont-Doherty is a structural geologist who has Earth Observatory, Columbia University, made important contributions to in 2014. understanding the history of the The Lyell, Murchison and William Appalachians as well as the Scottish and Smith trio of medals, as well as the Irish Caledonides, and the development Prestwich Medal (established under the and orogenic history of the Himalayas. will of Sir Joseph Prestwich, 1812-96), The Medal is to be awarded annually to are held in high regard and considered a geologist who has made ‘substantial equally prestigious. They are awarded and significant contributions to geology to geoscientists who have made through sustained field mapping and/ sustained and excellent contributions or field observation of rocks, and who to their fields by means of a substantial has a strong record of training, leading body of work through their careers and encouraging others to practise in academic, applied or economic and pursue advances in geology by

geoscience. The Lyell is normally given this means’. ▼

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | JUNE 2018 | 17 Dr Richard Hinton receiving the Distinguished Service Award in 2017. Photo: Ted Nield.

▼ Mid and Early career Unsung heroes At a mid-career level, we have the Bigsby There are some within the community and Aberconway Medals. The former who deserve special honour – those who THE SOCIETY’S has the intriguing description of ‘early run essential services, work quietly in AWARDS AND MEDALS career’ as being someone who must have the background, or go beyond the call of done no more than 25 years’ FTE research, duty in areas of administration, teaching ARE A VALUABLE WAY and is ‘thus probably not too old for further or policy, all in the name of geoscience. OF HONOURING THE work, and not too young to have done much’. For such worthy but otherwise unsung ACHIEVEMENTS OF The Aberconway recognises distinction individuals, or groups, the Distinguished in the practice of applied or economic Service Award was established in 1998. INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS geoscience and was established by a In 2017, for example, this Award IN THE GEOSCIENCE donation from ECC International Ltd. and was given to Dr Richard Hinton, of the COMMUNITY its chair Charles Melville McLaren (1913- University of Edinburgh, in recognition 2003), 3rd Baron Aberconway. for dedicating a large part of his career Early career geoscientists are a to the provision, support, and continued particular focus for the Society’s awards. development of a world-class ion Award was given to Mr Paul Denton of the The four Funds, (Wollaston, Lyell, microprobe facility in the UK: the British Geological Survey, for his role in the Murchison and William Smith), celebrate NERC-funded Edinburgh Ion ‘School Seismology’ Programme. the achievements of geoscientists no Microprobe Facility. more than 10 years from the award of The R H Worth Award is conferred in It’s the real thing their first degree. Receiving awards at recognition of achievements in outreach, The Coke Medals are more properly titled this career stage enhances promotion public engagement and/or education the Major John Sacheverell A’Deane Coke prospects as well as raising profile, in carried out by an individual or an and Major Edward D’Ewes Fitzgerald both research-focused and more applied institution. It was established in 1955 Coke Medals. These Awards are made fields. Presidents may make their own under the will of Richard Hansford Worth. to geoscientists for their contributions discretionary awards. The President’s In 2017 it was awarded to Rotunda – The to science, in addition to significant Awards (typically two per year) are William Smith Museum of Geology, service to geoscience - for example conferred on individuals within five years Scarborough, which plays a leading role in through administrative, organisational or of their first degree ‘who show significant introducing the interested public to geology promotional activities resulting in benefits early promise and are judged to have via excursions, talks, fossil-handling to the community. potential to be future leaders in their sessions, open days, school, university The awards may be made to scientists fields’, and come with a cash prize. and geological group visits. In 2016 this whose training and interests lie outside

18 | JUNE 2018 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | JUNE 2018 | 19 (Left): Hank Frankel receives the Sue Tyler Friedman Medal, 2013

(Right): Maureen Raymo receives the Wollaston Medal, 2014. Photos: Ted Nield

Bigsby Medal Bigsby Medal Coke Lyell Medal Lyell Medal Murchison Medal obverse reverse Medal obverse reverse obverse

Murchison Medal Prestwich Smith Dewey Dewey Medal Wollaston reverse Medal Medal Medal reverse Medal

the main fields of geoscience, but whose the most prestigious of the Engineering contributions are of great significance. Group’s awards. Rudolph Glossop (1902 These two medals are named in honour of - 1993) was Chairman of the Engineering two sons of Lt. Col. Basil Elmsley Coke’s Group (1884-1970) cousin, who both died at the (1965-68) and Vice President of the Battle of Arnhem (1944). In 1965, Lt. Col. Geological Society (1969). The Award is Coke, a Fellow of the Society, established given annually to an outstanding Early an endowment fund for his daughter, Career engineering geologist or with the instruction that after her death geo-environmentalist. the Geological Society was to become the For more information on the other beneficiary - which it did, in 1982. awards given out by the 22 Specialist Groups of the Society, see www. THE The list goes on geolsoc.org.uk/Groups-and-Networks/ NOMINATION PROCESS Specialist Groups of the Geological Society Specialist-Groups. IS STRAIGHTFORWARD. have their own Awards and Medals, THE DEADLINE typically given out at their Annual General Nominate! Meetings. The British Sedimentological The nomination process is FOR 2019 IS 28 Research Group, for example, has the Perce straightforward. The deadline for 2019 SEPTEMBER 2018. Allen Award for a substantial body of awards is 28 September 2018. Download DOWNLOAD AND FILL research in any field of sedimentology, the and fill out the correct nomination form Roland Goldring Award for noteworthy at www.geolsoc.org.uk/awards, where OUT THE CORRECT published research in any field of you will also find guidance notes, which NOMINATION FORM AT sedimentology within 10 years (FTE) explain the process in full - including WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG. of the commencement of their research the requirements for proposers and career, and the Harold Reading Medal for seconders. Note that if the nomination UK/AWARDS the best publication by a current or recent is made by a Specialist Group of the postgraduate student (normally within two Society, only the Chair’s signature is years of doctoral award) from a PhD project required on the form. President’s Awards * Dr Marie Edmonds (University of in the field of sedimentology require merely a letter, preferably Cambridge) was the Society’s and stratigraphy. with CV, to the President - describing Science Secretary and ex officio The Glossop Award and Glossop Lecture the achievements and qualities of the member of the Awards (the latter accompanied by a medal) are proposed recipient. ◆ Committee. E: [email protected]

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | JUNE 2018 | 19 GEOSCIENTIST CALENDAR

PUBLISHING HOUSE ENDORSED TRAINING/CPD

MEETING DATE VENUE AND DETAILS

‘Lapworth’s Logs’ is a series of e-courses involving practical exercises of Lapworth’s Logs N/A increasing complexity. Contact: [email protected]. Lapworth’s Logs is produced by Michael de Freitas and Andrew Thompson. Petroleum Geology of NW Europe: 50 Years of Learning

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE MANY MORE MEETINGS FOR WHICH WE DO NOT HAVE SPACE. Proceedings of the 8th Petroleum Geology Conference EVENTS ALWAYS CHECK WITH WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/LISTINGS Edited by M. Bowman & B. Levell MEETING DATE VENUE AND DETAILS 646 Pages Diversity in Geoscience UK (DiG-UK) Day-long conference & workshop with reception. 4 June Venue: Burlington House. Time: See website. Hardback in a slip case Geological Society Contact: Alison Stokes E: [email protected] List price: £ 150 Advances in Production Geoscience as an Fellow’s price: £ 75 enabler for maximising economic recovery Conference & workshop. Venue: Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. and ensuring a future for the UKCS 6-7 June See website for details and registration. Fees and discounts apply. The 8th Conference on the Petroleum Geology of NW Contact: Sarah Woodcock E: [email protected]. Europe was held in September 2015 and marked the Petroleum Gp. Year of Resources 50th anniversary of the ﬁ rst commercial discovery Venue: Burlington House. Time: 11.00 (AGM. Awards Ceremony, President’s Day offshore in the North Sea (West Sole, in September Lunch (fee) and talks by medallists. Evening reception. See website for 6 June registration and details. Contact: Steph Jones 1965). Its focus was ‘50 Years of Learning – a Platform Geological Society [email protected] for Present Value and Future Success’ and its objective Early Career Geologist Award Finals was to provide an update on discoveries, developments, Competition, Lecture. Venue: Burlington House. Time: 15.00. See website for details. Contact: Will Foreman technologies and geological concepts from the region. Geological Society 8 June E: [email protected] Regional Groups The 39 extensively illustrated technical papers cover 2018 NGWA McEllhiney Lecture on the full width of recent activity and are divided into Electrical Hydrogeology Conference, evening reception. Venue: Burlington House. 11 June the following sections: See website for details. Hydro Group; Contaminated Land Group - Plays and fairways Discovery of phosphatic chalk along the - Play assessment line of the proposed A303 Stonehenge Evening lecture. Venue: AECOM Midpoint Alencon Link Basingstoke. Tunnel 13 June - Recent successes and learnings from failures Time: 1830 for 1900. Contact: [email protected]. Thames Valley Regional - Infrastructure-led exploration and development - Late-life ﬁ elds, re-development and the ‘next life’ - Onshore exploration and development.

The proceedings volume follows the format of many of the previous conferences since the ﬁ rst in 1974. Collectively these provide a unique documentation of the discovery and development of several NW European hydrocarbon provinces. The volume will be of interest to all geoscientists involved in exploration and development in NW Europe. It provides a fascinating overview of how creativity can continue to reveal hidden resources in an area that has been called ‘mature’ for at least the last 20 of its 50-year history.

Find out more online at: www.geolsoc.org.uk/PGC8

Background image © Katherine Doyle 20 | JUNE 2018 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST PUBLISHING HOUSE

Petroleum Geology of NW Europe: 50 Years of Learning Proceedings of the 8th Petroleum Geology Conference Edited by M. Bowman & B. Levell

646 Pages Hardback in a slip case List price: £ 150 Fellow’s price: £ 75 The 8th Conference on the Petroleum Geology of NW Europe was held in September 2015 and marked the 50th anniversary of the ﬁ rst commercial discovery offshore in the North Sea (West Sole, in September 1965). Its focus was ‘50 Years of Learning – a Platform for Present Value and Future Success’ and its objective AD wasSPACE to provide an update on discoveries, developments, technologies and geological concepts from the region. The 39 extensively illustrated technical papers cover the full width of recent activity and are divided into the following sections: - Plays and fairways - Play assessment - Recent successes and learnings from failures - Infrastructure-led exploration and development - Late-life ﬁ elds, re-development and the ‘next life’ - Onshore exploration and development.

Find out more online at: www.geolsoc.org.uk/PGC8

Background image © Katherine Doyle PEOPLE NEWS

DISTANT THUNDER Divine intervention

Geologist and science Charity founded in 1933 to beginning it should be now ... the would be a novelty to have a writer Nina Morgan promote dowsing in the United fact appears that on the Mendip ‘Professor of the Divining Rod’ assesses the ongoing Kingdom and beyond, offers a Hills the Divining rod is still used.” at Jermyn Street!” wide range of training in the art, Woodward’s incredulity about But there may be more debate about water hydrogeologists generally remain the continued use of divining to Taylor’s mischievous divining sceptical. As they point out, rods elicited a speedy response suggestion than meets the a water diviner can walk over and confirmation of its use from eye. As a young man Taylor In November 2017 ten of an aquifer such as the Chalk the East Anglian-based curator, had to choose between a the twelve water companies and predict that water will be prolific author and science religious and a scientific in the UK told the science found at a certain location, but a populariser and geologist, John career, and grew up to be a blogger Sally LePage (via hydrogeologist knows that a well Ellor Taylor. Taylor had met companionable man of liberal Twitter) that they employed drilled almost anywhere on the with a similar response when and humane sympathies. the practice of water divining, Chalk will encounter some water. he suggested that geological In his teaching he aimed to or dowsing, despite the science – in the form of the reconcile orthodox science lack of scientific evidence Nothing new newly published Geological with reverence for the divine for its effectiveness. But The debate about water divining Survey Memoir on the London principle in creation. So after the disclosure was first is nothing new. Henry Bolingbroke Basin written by the geologist perhaps the only reasonable reported in The Guardian Woodward [1832 – 1921], Keeper and leading authority on water conclusion Taylor could and then picked up by of the Geological Department supply and underground geology, accept about the effectiveness media across the world, of the British Museum (now William Whitaker [1835 – 1925] of water divining was ‘God many of the companies Natural History Museum) from – might be a better bet when it only knows!’ have tried to play down their 1880 – 1901) and in 1864 one of came to finding water. claim. Nevertheless, belief the founders of the Geological In the December 1872 issue of in the effectiveness of water Magazine and its sole editor from Geol. Mag., Taylor wrote: ➤ Acknowledgement divining, continues to thrive 1865 to 1918, published a letter “... A few days ago I was Sources for this vignette and there remain many of his own in the November 1872 travelling in company with a include: letters from H B Woodward and J E Taylor, adherents, even among issue, entitled The Divining Rod in gentleman to whom I had been and a review of The scientists. Somersetshire: introduced, who was a civil Geology of the London Although the British “Sir, One would imagine that engineer and architect. He was Basin, published on Society of Dowsers the Divining-rod or Dowsing fork telling me of some borings he pages 20, xxi and 474, (www.britishdowsers. had become a thing of the past had to conduct in Essex, in 528 and 576, respectively org) a Registered UK – that in these ‘enlightened’ days the London-clay, for water. I in The Geological no man could immediately referred him to Mr Magazine, vol. IX, 1872, The Dictionary of National go about with W. Whitaker’s recently published Biography entry for John a forked hazel- memoir on the London Basin, in Ellor Taylor by Steven twig pressed which is given such a copious Plunkett, the obituary for to his ribs list of well and other borings, Henry Woodward, and believe it thinking these might help him. Geological Magazine, vol. could indicate I was replied to with a smile of LVIII, 1921, pp. 481 – 484, a coal-crop, a self-satisfaction, and presently and the obituary for William Whitaker, Nature, metalliferous informed that when he wished vol 115, 24 January 1925, deposit or a to find water, he always used a pp. 129 -130; and an water supply. forked hazel wand, which plainly article about UK water Yet there and distinctly “turned in his hand” companies and water are some in the direction where water lay, divining by Matthew who still and that he had never known this Weaver which appeared in The Guardian on 21 cling without plan to fail!” November 2017. question Therefore, Taylor concluded, to the faith tongue firmly in cheek: of their “My purpose in writing is to * Nina Morgan is a geologist and fathers, on recommend the practice to the science writer based near Oxford. the principle Geological Survey, so that a Her latest book, The Geology of that as it corps of hazel-wand explorers Oxford Gravestones, is available via was in the might be formed and drilled! It www.gravestonegeology.uk

22 | JUNE 2018 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | JUNE 2018 | 23 GEOSCIENTIST PEOPLE NEWS

Geoscientists in the news and on the move in the UK, Europe and worldwide

Celebrate the South West!

From Roman Baths to building stones, Group (GCG) on 18–19 September, aims to fossil finds to mineral mines, the geology set this right. Hosted by the Bath Royal and industrial history of South West Literary and Scientific Institution (BRLSI), Britain is full of interest. Amateur, the meeting will include a day of talks and The Society notes with professional and academic geologists posters followed by a day of optional field sadness the passing of: and collectors alike played key roles in trips. unravelling its fascinating geology, but To find out more or to register, visit: W: Allenby, Douglas many of their names and achievements are www.geocurator.org; or contact E: nina. Booth, Tony* Bowen, Geoffrey Gordon* mparkes@museum. now forgotten. [email protected]; Chillingworth, Patrick Cecil Hamilton* Collectors, Collections and the Geology ie or [email protected]. Registration Drysdall, Alan Roy * of South West Britain, a meeting jointly <£20; Discounts for members of HoGG, Droogmans, Serge L* organised by the History of Geology GCG, BRLSI and members of several SW Dunning, Frederick Weir Elueze, Anthony Azbuike* Group (HoGG) and the Geological Curators local geological societies and groups. Fischer, Alfred* Gladwell, David Robert* Cornwall, Devon and W Somerset, from the first Geological Survey Memoir, Helm, Derick* Report on the Geology of Cornwall, Devon and West Somerset by Henry de Helm, Douglas George* la Beche, published in 1839 (Courtesy, Nineteenth Century Geological Maps, www.geolmaps.com) Howell, Frank Travis* Kelly, Desmond Michael * Kenna, Raymond * Laws, Michael James* Leighton, James* Marshall, Mr John A* Milward, Anthony Frederick* Morgans, Michael William*§ O’Reilly, Kevin J O* Pegg, Eric Arnold * Shepherd, Colin* Shingleton, Sam* Tarney, John Whitlow, Roy* Young, Paul Ivor* Younger, Paul Lawrence

In the interests of recording its Fellows’ work for posterity, the Society publishes obituaries online, and in Geoscientist. The most recent additions to the list are in shown in bold. Fellows for whom no obituarist has yet been commissioned are marked with an asterisk (*). The symbol § indicates that biographical material has been lodged with the Society.

If you would like to contribute an obituary, please email [email protected] CAROUSEL to be commissioned. You can read the guidance for authors at www.geolsoc. All Fellows of the Society are entitled to entries in this column. org.uk/obituaries. To save yourself Please email [email protected], quoting your Fellowship number. unnecessary work, please do not write anything until you have received a commissioning letter. ◆ Michael Benton ◆ Sir Keith O’Nions Professor of Vertebrate Palaeontology Will chair the new BGS Board, Deceased Fellows for whom no obituary is and Head of School of Biological created ‘to assist BGS in forthcoming have their names and dates Sciences, Bristol Unviersity and Society meeting future challenges recorded in a Roll of Honour at www.geolsoc.org.uk/obituaries. Lyell Medallist, has been awarded a and ensure it continues as a European Research Council (ERC) Advanced world-leading survey, delivering services Help your obituarist Grant in recognition of excellent science and and providing infrastructure support The Society operates a scheme for Fellows to deposit biographical material. The object ground-breaking research, for his project: nationally and globally. is to assist obituarists by providing contacts, ‘Innovation and opportunity in the evolution of life’. Sir Keith’s appointment was announced dates and other information, and thus ensure The grant is worth 2.5m. in December 2017. that Fellows’ lives are accorded appropriate

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | JUNE 2018 | 23 FOR A FULL LIST OF TITLES AVAILABLE, GO TO [WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/REVIEWS] BOOKS & ARTS

Earth’s Climate modelling, Cretaceous climates and concepts like water fluxes and virtual so on. But it is the detailed record of water – existing water architecture - and Evolution the past few millions of years, and the proposed means of attaining the few millennia, that are highlighted. new architecture. The latter ends with a First things first. This The new climate trajectories of recent potential way forward. The larger part of is a marvellous book: times are nicely integrated into the text is very well written, although a the best serious, all- the wider palaeoclimatic context, small amount is slightly shaky, and many round, in-depth book and commented on pithily and of the statistics and facts are fascinating on palaeoclimate I appropriately. and astounding. It would be reasonable to have encountered. There are some glitches. The index is describe them as shocking, too, if emotional If you have space of ‘things’ only, and does not include terms seemed fitting. on your bookshelf people – an annoying omission that The text is supported by many figures, for just one properly should be remedied in any new tables and breakout boxes, which, between substantial volume edition. But this is a minor gripe. them, go a long way toward clarifying the on this huge and many-faceted topic – Overall, the book is terrific. more complex issues and concepts. My one well, look no further. This is it. quibble is that some of the figures – only a It is a scholarly book, excavating Reviewed by: Jan Zalasiewicz few – have been compressed so far that they deep into its subject on the basis of are quite hard to read. The book deserves primary literature (some 1400 scientific EARTH’S CLIMATE EVOLUTION better than that, and judicious expansion by COLIN SUMMERHAYES Published by: Wiley-Blackwell papers are cited), and focusing both 2015. 410pp hbk. ISBN-13: 978-1-118-89739-3 of selected figures could be used to absorb on the processes that affect planetary List Price: £600.00. Kindle Edition: some of the several blank pages at the end. climate, from the Sun’s radiation, £54.00 W: https://www.wiley.com/en-gb/ This is a well written book on a subject Earth’s+Climate+Evolution-p-9781118897393 to the forms of heat control exerted of ever increasing importance – it seems, by oceans, atmosphere and land, to at best, very unlikely that water stress classically geological factors such as will go away anytime soon – and is highly palaeogeography, while carbon dioxide Water Resources – a recommended. I am delighted to have it on plays a central role in the narrative, new water architecture my shelves and imagine that it might be in the Earth’s deep past as today. The rather well thumbed in a few years’ time. book explains complex themes in depth, All chapters end with extensive and useful from astronomical cycles, to carbonate Water is often cited reference lists, making the book a valuable chemistry, multi-proxy stratigraphic as the ultimate source of external information, in addition analysis and climate modelling. example of the to the stunning statistics in its own first, The amount and range of subject renewable resource. and rather larger, half. matter here can be overwhelming, but There’s little doubt the reader is helped by the style and that that is true. Reviewed by: Jeremy B Joseph narrative form: the story is told through The fact remains, the characters who built the science. however, that more WATER RESOURCES – A NEW WATER ARCHITECTURE This pattern is set with the early days than seven billion ARCHITECTURE by ALEXANDER LANE, MICHAEL NORTON of climate science, taking in both the people need access AND SANDRA RYAN, 2017. Published by: Wiley-Blackwell geological evidence assembled by the to it for very many and wide-ranging (J W Wiley & Sons), Chichester, UK. ISBN: 978-1-118- 79390-9. Hbk. 328 pp. List Price: £99.99 likes of Buffon and Buckland, Lyell purposes. As the world’s population W: bit.ly/2ji1wh3 and Agassiz, and the physico-chemical grows, water scarcity and shortage are advances of such luminaries as Fourier, becoming increasingly common, and Tyndall and Arrhenius. will continue to do so. This excellent The style is maintained in recounting book sets all that out in the context of the The Geometry & Growth more recent breakthroughs, where inadequate and inappropriate resource Nick Shackleton, Jane Francis, Bill management that, as it says, is “already of Normal Faults Ruddiman, Maureen Raymo, Wallace taking its toll on the quality of life of Broecker and many others take their millions of people”. It also notes that Normal faults are turn on centre stage. The combination much of the old-style management was the fundamental of human and research interest allows valid when the resources available were crustal structures the learning to be worn lightly, even as relatively free of stress – from Roman that accommodate the author delves deeply into scientific times until, perhaps, the 20th Century. extension within detail. The momentum of the narrative is The problems arose with the arrival of extensional maintained by clear and fluent writing. water-resource stress, and can only be sedimentary There is a focus, almost unavoidable, expected to get worse. basins, developed on the younger end of the geological The text is well constructed, comprising in continental rifts column, mostly the Cenozoic and sections dealing in turn with the current and passive margin particularly the Quaternary. Older water resource scene, stresses and settings. Their geometry and growth events do figure – there is honourable strains – covering living, eating, and are intimately linked, and the current mention of Phanerozoic carbon water consumption, and introducing understanding of how these faults grow

24 | JUNE 2018 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | JUNE 2018 | 25 FOR A FULL LIST OF TITLES AVAILABLE, GO TO Would you like to receive a free book and write a review? WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/REVIEWS Available titles are listed online, of which a small selection is shown below. Contact the editor for further information [email protected]

is directly derived from observations Salt Tectonics: systems and mini-basins that are encased of fault geometry. This volume is the in salt. The last chapter focuses on the key outcome of a conference (of the same Principles and Practice elements of the petroleum system including title) held at the Geological Society of a description of stratigraphic traps located London in 2014 in honour of a pioneer in Right up until his on the flanks of salt diapirs, and drilling the field, Juan Watterson. untimely death hazards. Introduced with an overview paper in May 2016, In conclusion, this is an excellent book. from the editors, the volume presents Martin Jackson Allowing for the omission of igneous 23 papers covering the current research was working; and interactions with salt, it is arguably the into the geometry and growth of normal the posthumous most comprehensive textbook on salt faults. Organised into five thematic publication of tectonics and is essential reading for sections - Fault geometric analysis, this book with his anyone wishing to get up-to-speed with the Fault kinematic analysis, Fault zone University of Texas latest thinking on the subject. structure, Fault-related folding and at Austin colleague Pre-existing structure and reactivation – Mike Hudec is a fitting tribute to his Reviewed by: John Underhill these papers present the latest research dedication to salt tectonics. The volume outcomes from both outcrop and is well written, superbly illustrated and SALT TECTONICS: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE by MARTIN P A JACKSON & MICHAEL R HUDEC subsurface studies of the geometrical clearly a labour of love, borne from a life- 2017. Published by: Cambridge University Press. ISBN: evolution of normal faults from several long devotion to structural geology and 9781107013315 (hbk). List Price: £49.99 significant global basins. halokinesis. W: cambridge.org/core/books/salt-tectonics/446C 8E30E32056FC371BEE9A807D9792 Further complementary studies using The book is separated into four main analogue and numerical modelling sections covering Evaporite Deposition and techniques are included and underpin Flow; Salt Structures; Salt Tectonic Systems; the current understanding of the and Practical Applications of Salt Tectonics. Monogenetic Volcanism fundamental aspects of normal fault Each is subdivided into component chapters. kinematics. Research topics are varied The first section begins with a short We are quickly made and include how fault length evolves but wide-ranging overview outlining the acutely aware of with displacement, how faults interact importance of salt. While I am not sure the complexity and with each other, the controls exerted the excavated head of an Iranian Iron Age intrigue surrounding by pre-existing structure on fault miner was really needed, it did cause me monogenetic development and the nature and origin to sit up and think: this is not going to be volcanism; a topic of fault-related folding. a run-of-the-mill textbook. The next two that has, until fairly The volume provides an in-depth introductory chapters describe evaporite recently, fallen description of current models of fault minerals, the depositional settings in which within the shadow growth, and discusses the methods by they occur, their material properties, rock of those deemed which these models can be investigated. mechanics, the laws that govern salt flow more volcanologically compelling, The main focus of the volume and the importance of elastic deformation, despite being the most abundant type emphasises how geometric observations fracture strength, creep rheology, of volcano on Earth. Recent IAVCEI provide constraints on fault growth. forces that drive salt movement and the (International Association of Volcanology In summary, the volume provides microstructures that result. and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior) an excellent overview of recent A series of six chapters makes up conferences have led to this publication, interdisciplinary geoscientific the second section, describing pillows, a compilation of 14 papers. As a collective developments within this important anticlines, stocks, walls, sheets, canopies, entity, these papers serve in laying the and evolving field. The contributions are mini-basins and welds. The next section foundations of current understanding well written and edited, complemented examines the interaction between in a subject of which we are still with appropriate figures, photographs structures in linked salt-tectonic systems, fundamentally scratching the surface, and data-tables - features one has including basement-detached extensional while also frequently delving deeper and come to expect from the GSL Special deformation, turtle-back structures, rift-raft yet remaining highly self-aware of the Publication series. Editors and tectonic geometries, the structural styles flaws and drawbacks that still remain contributors are to be congratulated that characterise rifts and passive margins, within the scope of current research and on an informative - and recommended contractional salt-tectonic systems, drawing existing models. - read. upon examples from onshore fold-and- The structure and flow of the publication thrust belt, deep marine toe-thrust, basin initially promises a varied global outlook Reviewed by: Mark Griffin inversion and strike-slip settings. upon the subject but soon refines the The fourth and final section provides worldwide perspective to focus upon THE GEOMETRY AND GROWTH OF NORMAL FAULTS useful pointers for seismic interpreters central and southern American regions. by CHILDS, C, HOLDSWORTH, R E, JACKSON, C A-L, who seek to identify prospective parts of With this convergence of attention comes MANZOCCHI, T, WALSH, J J and YIELDING, G (eds). 2017 a basin. It also touches upon key issues the chance to inspect and compare more Published by: The Geological Society of London SP439. ISBN 978-1-86239-967-9. Hbk. 540pp. ISSN 0305-8719 like depth conversion and data distortion closely the dynamics at play. The crux of List Price: £120.00, Fellows’ Price, £60.00. and their consequences for mapping and this volume dwells on the visual subaerial W: geolsoc.org.uk/SP439 guidance on how to recognise feeder products of various forms of monogenetic

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | JUNE 2018 | 25 FOR A FULL LIST OF TITLES AVAILABLE, GO TO [WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/REVIEWS] BOOKS & ARTS volcanism and their relation and nature New Perspectives on a passing interest in palaeontology. It of occurrence with respect to their multi- adds significantly to our knowledge faceted subterranean counterparts, as well Pterosaur Palaeobiology of Mesozoic life, and deserves a wide as incorporating eruptive styles. From readership. individual maar diatremes and kimberlite There is an English pipes to large-scale volcanic fields and idiom that says ‘don’t Reviewed by: Gordon Neighbour igneous provinces, there is a plethora judge a book by its of insight - including a particularly cover’: however in NEW PERSPECTIVES ON PTEROSAUR PALAEOBIOLOGY by HONE D W E, WITTON M P & MARTILL D M (Eds) 2017. illuminating segment on Isla Isabel, an this case I would Published by: The Geological Society of London SP 455. isolated volcanic island that has remained advise the reader List Price: £90.00 Fellows’ Price: £45.00. relatively uncharted and has until now held to do just that! This W: geolsoc.org.uk/SP455 more questions than answers. Geological Society Several papers highlight the debate Special Publication and ‘paradoxical situation’ surrounding has been published BOOKS FOR REVIEW monogenetic volcanoes in terms of their to disseminate papers and posters universally accepted premise, classification presented at the Flugsaurier 2015 meeting, Please contact [email protected] if you would and nomenclature (especially when which was held at the University of like to supply a review. You will be invited to keep the considering their comparison with Portsmouth, and from the excellent review copy. See a full up-to-date list at www.geolsoc.org.uk/reviews polygenetic volcanoes as less like clear-cut artwork on the front to each of the papers contrasting endmembers and more akin to contained within, it is a very high- ◆ a transitional intermingling scale), and this quality product. NEW! Geological Belts, Plate Boundaries and Mineral Deposits in Myanmar by Andrew Mitchell. volume at times has occasionally a similarly It encompasses a wide range of papers Elsevier 2018 509pp sbk ‘disjointed’ feel. This is perhaps induced on pterosaurs, including their taxonomy, ◆ NEW! Land Bridges: ancient environments, partly by the differing emphases and behaviour, ecology and relationships. plant migrations and new world connections approaches towards the subject, wavering Often languishing in the shadow of the by Alan Graham. Chicago University Press 2018 depth of analysis, as well as the subtly dinosaurs in the literature, these papers 310pp sbk varying levels of audience that it seems to show that these enigmatic creatures have ◆ NEW! The Epochs of Nature by Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon. Transl. & Ed. be addressing. Having said this, it does add given rise to a strong research-base. The by Jan Zalasiewicz, Anne-Sophie Milon & Mateusz to the effect and, overall, consolidates the papers are an excellent mixture; some Zalasiewicz. Chicago UP, 2018. 190pp hbk. Illustrated feel of a comprehensive study - engaging concentrating on the development of our ◆ NEW! From Source to Seep - geochemical and appropriate for a multitude of understanding of individual species, applications in hydrocarbon system purposes. others covering the pterosaurs’ place in by Lawson et al. (eds) 2018 Geol Soc Spec Pub #468 Though occasional editing and the wider Mesozoic world. What is clear 208pp hbk formatting quirks may be slightly is that the world of pterosaur research ◆ NEW! The Permian Timescale by Lucas S G & Shen S Z (eds) Geol Soc Spec Pub #450 2018 458pp hbk distracting (some images and diagrams is alive and well and that despite ◆ Introduction to Endvironmental modelling would have benefited from colour for the having the longest research history of by Gray WG & Gray GA 2018 425pp sbk sake of clarity and lack of ambiguity) the any extinct vertebrate group, there still ◆ The First Global Inegrated Marine Assessment - undeniable strength of this publication remains much to learn. World Ocean Assessment 1 (united Nations) is the work - intertwined throughout the The discovery of many excellent by Ijnnick L and Simcock A (coordinators) 2018 973pp volume - on maar diatreme volcanoes. specimens in lagerstätten in both China hbk ◆ and Brazil has undoubtedly led to the Petroleum Geology of NW Europe: 50 years of Reviewed by: Ayla Stenning learning (Proc. 8th PGC) by M Bowman and B recent surge in interest in this vertebrate Levell (eds) 2018 GSPH 646pp hbk in slipcase group. It would have been easy to allow ◆ Exploration of Subsurface Antarctica 2018 MONOGENETIC VOLCANISM this volume to have concentrated on by Siegert M A, Jamieson S S R, & White DA (Eds). by NÉMETH K, CARRASCO-NÚÑEZ G, ARANDA-GÓMEZ GSL SP461. 256pp (hbk) J J & SMITH I E M, 2017. Published by: The Geological some of these spectacular new finds, Society of London SP446, 388pp (hbk), ISBN: 978-1- so the editors are to be congratulated ◆ Subseismic-scale Reservoir Deformation 2018 78620-276-5 List Price: £110.00. on putting together a balanced volume by Ashton M, Dee S J & Wennberg O P, (eds) GSL Fellows’ Price £55.00 W: geolsoc.org.uk/sp446 SP459. 216pp (hbk) that has something for everyone who is ◆ Crustal Evolution of India and Antarctica: The interested in studying these animals and Supercontinent Connection by Pant & Dasgupta, their place in Mesozoic ecosystems. GSPH/SCAR Special Publication #457 359pp hbk Depending on one’s own interest, ◆ Geological Evolution of the Central Asian Basins Write a review! there will be papers that will attract and the Western Tien Shan Range by Brunet et al., If you would like to contribute a review, your special attention, whether it be GSPH Special Publication #427 605pp hbk consult the list of available titles on p23. the more systematic palaeontology of ◆ Subterr anean Norwich – the grain of the city, by Better still, go online to W: www.geolsoc. Matthew Williams. Lasse Press 160pp sbk a new species or a review of pterosaur org.uk/reviews for a list that is always ◆ Geochemistry and Geophysics of Active Volcanic complete and up-to-date. Editor. skull-strengths. The quality of the Lakes by Ohba et al. GSL Publishing SP#437 295pp, hbk diagrams, graphs and images in each ◆ Chesapeake perspectives - decoding the deep of the papers presented is very high. sediments: Ecological History of Chesapeake Bay This is a book that can be dipped into or by Grace Brush. 2017 Maryland Sea Grant 63pp sbk read straight through – there genuinely is something for everybody with even

26 | JUNE 2018 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | JUNE 2018 | 27 GEOSCIENTIST OBITUARY FOR A FULL LIST OF TITLES AVAILABLE, GO TO WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/REVIEWS

OBITUARY Marlan Wayne Downey 1931-2017

Legendary oil finder with Shell, Roxanna Oil, Atlantic arlan Wayne In 2009 he was awarded the Downey was Richfield, Arco International and academia AAPG’s Sidney Powers Medal - born in Falls the ‘Nobel Prize’ in his field. City, Nebraska, Marlan, Senior Fellow of M on 2 October the Institute for the study of 1931, the oldest child of Wayne Earth and Man at SMU, was and Elizabeth Downey. After an elected Fellow of AAAS. graduating from Falls City In 1987, President Biya of High School at 16 he attended Cameroon knighted Marlan Peru State College for his first for his services to that country. degree, in Chemistry. He continued to serve on He was inducted into the US the boards of several energy Army on the day he graduated companies and remained and served in artillery during Chairman of Roxanna Oil. the Korean War. After two years’ service, he attended the Blacksmithing University of Nebraska under Marlan was a voracious the GI Bill, earning a BA and a reader. He enjoyed time at Masters in Geology. His first their cottage in England and work as a geologist was in their ranch north of Dallas. gold mining in South Dakota, His hobby was blacksmithing, but he switched to a job with specialising in custom knives Shell on graduation. and spurs. Marlan also built a log cabin using the same Pecten tools as his much-admired Marlan Downey had a grandfather. 30-year career, becoming Ever modest, eager to Shell’s youngest-ever Chief Migration of Hydrocarbons’ three years. encourage, befriend and Geologist; leading Shell’s research project at Shell For his services to the mentor young people, his Alaska Division; then Bellaire. He led the charge University and his students, advice was to keep learning, organizing and heading on unconventional oil & gas Marlan was made an honorary and he led by example. Marlan Shell’s Pecten International for the remainder of his life. University of Oklahoma had wanted to ‘outlive’ his Company, with major Alumnus He also taught grandfather, who died aged discoveries and developments Roxanna courses and seminars at SMU 102. Sadly for all, he passed in Cameroon, Syria, Canada, After a brief retirement where his students included away on May 29, Memorial Malaysia, and Brazil, retiring from Shell (during which his sons, SMU undergraduates Day. However, his last in 1987. he founded Roxanna Oil, and some senior oil and gas moments were spent cheerfully After Shell, Marlan was the family oil and gas executives in Dallas. talking about his full range of a director, consultant and business) Marlan joined A past President of AAPG, interests during lunch with a special adviser to numerous Atlantic Richfield and he was honoured as ‘A long-time friend. oil and gas companies across served as President of Arco Living Legend in the Oil and His family laid him to rest the US and internationally, International. Retiring from Gas Business’. In 2005, the on June 1 in Dallas. His wife making profound Arco at age 65, he resumed Petroleum History Foundation Marea, and children Donald, contributions especially in the work with Roxanna and honoured him as a ‘Legendary Julie, Karen, Justin, Alex and evolution of shale exploration assumed the Bartell Chair Oil Finder’. In 2002 he Nicholas, survive him. and production. Marlan was as Professor of Geoscience at received the R H Dott Award responsible for the seminal the University of Oklahoma. for best geological publication ➤ By Marea Downey work on producing oil and There he was Chief Scientist and (2003) the Hedberg ◆ A longer version of this obituary gas from shales while he and Chairman of the Medal for distinguished may be read online – Editor was head of the ‘Origin and Sarkeys Energy Center for international scientific service.

HELP YOUR OBITUARIST The Society operates a scheme for Fellows to deposit biographical material. The object is to assist obituarists by providing contacts, dates and other information, and thus ensure that Fellows’ lives are accorded appropriate and accurate commemoration. Please send your CV and a photograph to Ted Nield at the Society.

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | JUNE 2018 | 27 GEOSCIENTIST OBITUARY

OBITUARY Anthony Hallam 1933-2017

Leading palaeontologist, geologist and geological ony Hallam passed Luminaries away after a short writer of his generation He also grew a highly successful illness on 23 October team of research students, the 2017. Tony was one initial intake including such T of the leading Earth luminaries as Bruce Sellwood, science academics of the late Geoff Townson, Franz Fürsich 20th Century, making major and Tim Palmer. Forty years contributions to an amazing later, looking back on these number of fields, including achievements, when nearly palaeoecology, evolution, all academics today pursue mass extinctions, sea-level ultra-specialised interests, change, palaeoclimatology, Tony’s broad-ranging output palaeobiogeography and looks like the effort of an entire history of science. He wrote department. This is particularly 120 papers, nearly all single- so, if the prolific publications author, and 10 books that all of his research students are became classics, translated included. Unlike the practice of into numerous languages. He today, Tony never felt the need to was awarded the Lyell Medal append his name to those of his by the Society in 1990 and postgrads. the Lapworth Medal by the In 1977 Tony made his final move, Palaeontological Association taking up the post of Lapworth in 2007. Professor at the University of Birmingham. There was no Arkell let-up in his productivity and he He studied at Cambridge continued to publish numerous University, where he graduated classic books that are masterpieces with a double first, and stayed of scientific prose. His writing style to do his thesis under the was accessible, lively and concise. supervision of that other his Jurassic investigations, Tony always said he would have great Jurassic worker, W J notably on sea-level change TONY WAS been a journalist if not an academic Arkell. Tony was the first and the cyclostratigraphic THE FIRST and there is no doubt he would to appreciate that detailed record of the Blue Lias. have made a good one. palaeoenvironmental stories Again these were pioneering TO APPRECIATE could be had from the British contributions, the sequence THAT DETAILED Tibetan Jurassic. In so doing, he stratigraphic revolution was PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL Tony retired in 1999 but initiated studies that provide more than a decade away. In continued his research for many the foundation for entire 1967 Tony moved again, this STORIES COULD BE HAD years afterwards. At the age of 68 research fields today. His 1961 time to Oxford University, FROM THE BRITISH he could still be found on Tibetan paper on the role of sea-level, and began a productive 10 mountainsides at 16,000 feet, anoxia and mass extinction in years of research marked JURASSIC. IN SO DOING, happily collecting Jurassic fossils. the Early Jurassic (Toarcian) by contributions to the HE INITIATED STUDIES His final book, Mass extinctions was the first to identify this role of biogeography in THAT PROVIDE THE and lesser calamities, published in common motif in the geological understanding continental 2006 is a typical Hallam tour de record and contains ideas that drift, and the publication FOUNDATION FOR force: readable, ultra-concise and were literally decades ahead of of several seminal books. ENTIRE RESEARCH one of the best introductions to their time. These include A Revolution the field available. After Cambridge, Tony in Earth Sciences (1973), the FIELDS TODAY moved to Edinburgh first synthesis of the plate ➤ By Paul Wignall University where he continued tectonic revolution.

28 | JUNE 2018 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | JUNE 2018 | 29 GEOSCIENTIST OBITUARY

OBITUARY John Kenneth Shanklin 1926 2017

Pioneer of professional accreditation for geologists in ohn Shanklin was European Federation born on 28 July 1926 the UK, co-founder of IG and EFG John was one of a group of and grew up at 22 geologists from Belgium, France, Osborne Road in Italy, Portugal, and Spain who J Birkenhead, then established the European in Cheshire, where his father Federation of Geologists in 1980. William Percy Shanklin was John became its first President. a shipping clerk working in EFG recognised its huge debt by the Liver Building across the awarding him the first Honorary Mersey in Liverpool. European Geologist title and In March 1944 aged 17, he medal in December 2002. In 1989, volunteered for the Royal Navy he met Bill Knight, Executive and after war service went to Director of the American Liverpool University to study Institute of Professional geology in 1948. At university, Geologists (AIPG), which led to he met fellow student Merryl a growing relationship between Cotgrave whom he married EFG and AIPG; culminating after graduating (1952). His (1998) in the establishment of first job was with the National reciprocal associate membership. Coal Board and after a couple In 1993 AIPG awarded John of years he moved to Sir Honorary Membership - a rare Alfred McAlpine & Son, first honour for a foreigner. as Geologist and later Chief The family moved to Dodleston Geologist, where his main near Chester in 1964, where he duties were to find sand and served as Chairman of Dodleston gravel for roadbuilding, and Parish Council (32 years), Vice- other sources of stone. chairman of Dodleston Village Foundation (over 20 years), and Pink diesel was a Governor at Dodleston When motorway construction supporters of its meetings WHEN Primary School. He also started in the late 1950s he and were regular attendees MOTORWAY served as a Cheshire County quickly developed the skill on field trips throughout CONSTRUCTION Councillor for many years and of finding quarries on the their lives. was a Governor at King’s School, motorway trace, a trick that John was elected Fellow STARTED HE DEVELOPED Chester (1990-2009). avoided McAlpine vehicles of the Geological Society THE SKILL OF FINDING His last few years were going on the road so they could on 14 May 1952. In 1971, QUARRIES ON THE marred by type-2 diabetes use untaxed diesel (thereby Council sent a questionnaire and, over the last five years, increasing profits). He also to Fellows on a professional MOTORWAY TRACE, A blindness. He died in hospital negotiated for McAlpine to qualification for geologists, TRICK THAT AVOIDED on 4 May 2017 aged 90. Merryl buy Hendre limestone quarry, establishing a working party MCALPINE VEHICLES died in 1981. He is survived by Penrhyn slate quarry and the chaired by Professor John GOING ON THE ROAD SO his three children, Jonathan, sand and gravel quarry at Knill who co-opted John Simon and Liz as well as Borras, near Wrexham where Shanklin and others. John THEY COULD USE Simon’s children Sandy, Pip he was based for the rest of his remained involved with the UNTAXED DIESEL and Tori. working life. Institution of Geologists until He joined the Liverpool reunification with GSL in Geological Society in 1947 and 1991, serving as Chairman his interest in furthering the ➤ By Paul Wignall was awarded its Silver Medal of Council (1980–82) and profession by successfully standing ◆ A longer version of this obituary in both 1972 and 1994. Both he President (1988-91). After twice for election to Council may be read online – Editor and Merryl were enthusiastic reunification John continued (serving 1991-94 and 1995-98).

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | JUNE 2018 | 29 Corporate Supporters: Registration open now Communicating Geoscience: Building Public Interest and Promoting Inclusive Dialogue 4 September 2018 The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London

Convenors:

Kirstie Wright Heriot-Watt University

Anna Clark Heriot-Watt University

John Argent Sound Energy Plc Engaging with the public to communicate geoscience can be fraught with difficulties, with explanations of complex subsurface concepts and the use of scientific terminology often Invited Speakers: alienating those we seek to engage with. This is especially true in communication from the Iain Stewart energy industry regarding its activities, products and role in society, which can inspire a Plymouth University passionate and often polarised reaction.

John Underhill There is often mistrust towards science and a bias towards industry, including those working Heriot-Watt University in academia who undertake industry-funded research. Accompanying this is the targeted manipulation of fact and theory, which has led to the rise of “fake news” and a greater scrutiny Lisa Rebora of both business and individual interests. While this can make science communication Equinor challenging and frustrating, engaging with the public can be rewarding and is a key tool to build trust, dispel myths and provide up-to-date scientific knowledge to the public. Hazel Gibson Plymouth University This one-day conference aims to look in-depth at geoscience communication in the energy industry to better achieve effective public engagement. This includes evaluating lessons learned from case studies, establishing best practice and understanding the value and importance of public perception. Speakers have been invited from both industry and academia and represent a range of disciplines, including oil & gas exploration, carbon capture & storage, shale gas, geothermal energy and social science. To further explore themes of communication, we plan to live stream sessions to virtual delegates in order to reach a wider audience. The conference will conclude with a panel discussion and a drinks reception to facilitate networking.

For further information please contact: Sarah Woodcock, The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG. Tel: +44 (0)20 7434 9944 or email: [email protected]

At the forefront of petroleum geoscience www.geolsoc.org.uk/petroleum Environment Network

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Find out more Structure • Convenor For further information about the Environment Network, please visit the • Communications officer Society’s website – www.geolsoc.org.uk/ • GSL staff environmentnetwork • Specialist Groups representatives @en_geolsoc • Early Career Representative Robertson New Ventures Suite Accelerate Exploration

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