Magazine of the Geologists' Association

MAGAZINEMAGAZINE OFOF THETHE GEOLOGISTS’GEOLOGISTS’ ASSOCIAASSOCIATIONTION Volume 10 No. 2 June 2011

Future Lectures Awards 2011 Presidential Address April/March Lecture Annual Dinner Palaeontolgy in the Digital Age CIRCULAR ‘That’s Big’ Festival of Geology- from the floor Musings of a GA Treasurer Rockwatch News Charnwood Forest - a complete set Book Reviews GEOCONSERVATION MEETING UPDATE Magazine of the Geologists’ Association From the President Volume 10 No. 2, 2011 The harsh days of winter are behind us and we are now enjoying a warm and Published by the early spring (at least in most places), too dry for many farmers and gardeners, Geologists’ Association. although (along with our Durham CONTENTS Physical Geography 2nd Year students) I Four issues per year. received a thorough soaking on Skye at ISSN 1476-7600 3. The Association the beginning of April. Now I am looking forward to the weekend GA excursion Production team: JOHN CROCKER, 4. Future Lectures 5. Awards 2011 'Pre-Anglian Quaternary drainage in the Paula Carey, John Cosgrove, English Midlands' in June (see page 14), Vanessa Harley, Jon Trevelyan, 6. Presidential Address which will be a break from the examina- Chris Woolston 7. April Lecture tion process at the University. 8. March Lecture Organization of the September meeting 9. Annual Dinner in Worcester on 'Geoconservation for sci- Printed by City Print, Milton Keynes ence and society: an agenda for the 21st 10. AGS at 45/Book Review Century' continues apace, and I draw The GEOLOGISTS’ ASSOCIATION 11. Palaeontolgy in the Digital Age your attention to details on the back 13. Obituary - Paul Clasby page. In connection with this, a view- does not accept any responsibility for point paper has been published in the views and opinions expressed by indi- 14. CIRCULAR 18 ‘That’s Big’ PGA online (Prosser et al.) and will vidual authors in this magazine. appear in the printed version this sum- 19. Festival of Geology- from the mer, in time for the meeting. Also in con- floor nection with Geoconservation, I attended The Geologists’ 20. Musings of a GA Treasurer an Editorial Board of Earth Heritage, in Association 21. Rockwatch News Ludlow, on March 23rd, to discuss possi- bilities for GA involvement in the produc- The Association, founded in 1858, exists to 22. Charnwood Forest - tion and distribution of that specialist foster the progress and diffusion of the sci- a complete set publication, funding for which has previ- ence of geology, and to encourage 23. Book Review ously come from the Government agen- research and the development of new Back Cover. GEOCONSERVATION cies (Natural England, Scottish Natural methods. It holds meetings for the reading MEETING UPDATE Heritage, Countryside Council for Wales of papers and the delivery of lectures, and the Joint Nature Conservation organises museum demonstrations, pub- Committee) but is now (unsurprisingly) lishes Proceedings and Guides, and con- much reduced. With reduced resources it looks set to continue as an online publi- ducts field meetings. cation in future (with even that in jeop- Annual Subscriptions for 2011 are £40.00, ardy beyond a year or so), although with Associates £30.00, Joint Members £58.00, © The Geologists’ Association. GA involvement a renewed 'as-required' Students £18.00. All rights reserved. No part of this publi- print run might be possible, by subscrip- For forms of Proposal for Membership and cation may be reproduced, stored in a tion. A proposal will come before the GA further information, apply to the Executive retrieval system or transmitted, in any Publications Committee shortly but, Secretary, The Geologists’ Association, form or by any means, without the prior meanwhile, I would welcome views from Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J permission in writing of the author and the members who are familiar with Earth 0DU. Geologists’ Association. Heritage; for example, would they wel- E-mail [email protected] come this as part of a GA package and what do they think about online (down- Telephone 020 7434 9298 LAST Copy dates for the Circular & loadable pdf) versus printed copy? Fax 020 7287 0280 Magazine Also in connection with Geoconservation Website: http://www.geologistsassocia- March Issue January 14 matters, my attention has been drawn to tion.org.uk June Issue April 22 the cessation of the Aggregates Levy September Issue July 22 Sustainability Fund (ALSF) at the end of President: David Bridgland December Issue October 21 the last financial year. That fund, admin- istered through Natural England and Executive Secretary: Sarah Items should be submitted as soon as English Heritage, provided a resource for Stafford possible and not targeted on these some extremely valuable geological dates. We welcome contributions from research and for Geodiversity schemes of all sorts. Its demise, it would seem, is an Members and others. example of the reduction of resources available to the volunteer community that seems destined to undermine the Prime Minister's 'Big Society' initiative. We might hope that the Heritage Lottery Curry Fund Dates for 2011 Fund will step into the breach; with that Cover picture: in mind, I completed an online consulta- A computer reconstruction of Applications to Committee tion questionnaire concerning future HLF to be received by Date strategy for 2013-2019 on behalf of the the trigonotarbid Eophrymus GA, taking what limited opportunity it prestvicii Fossil 30 mm in February 20 March 11 offered to emphasize the needs, post- ALSF, of the Earth science conservation May 20 June 10 length. See article on page 11 community, particularly in the light of August 20 September 16 cuts to Government Agency resources. November 20 December 9 For more on all this you will need to come to Worcester in September! Finally I would like to thank all those 2 GA Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 2, 2011 THE ASSOCIATION at Great Malvern on 17th -19th June Museums requested £2,216.14 but was who came to the AGM at the beginning of where the Hereford & Worcester Earth awarded £951.50 towards the cost of May. It was a very pleasant evening dur- Heritage Trust, Gloucester materials and equipment for its Regional ing which it was my great pleasure to Geoconservation Trust, the Woolhope Geology Stewardship Project. This proj- present the Foulerton Award to Sarah Club, the Black Country GS and the ect is to aid the public understanding of Stafford, in recognition of her 25 years of newly formed Teme Valley GS will all be geology through visits to museums and service to the GA, the Halstead Medal working together under the GA's banner. assisting in the curation of the Museum's to Bob Markham, for his outstanding con- Dr. Colin Prosser has agreed to become geological materials. Similarly, tribution to East Anglian geology and Crag the chair of the Publications committee. Oxfordshire Geology Trust requested palaeontology, and the Ivor Tupper Award He is also our contact on Geology Today. £1,502 for a series of promotional mate- (for most promising geology student(for It was suggested that Field Guides rials. It was awarded £330 towards the most promising geology student) to Hong should be launched with an associated cost of printing new promotional leaflets. Chin Ng, who is at Bristol University. It field trip. The application from James Talbot for was also an opportunity to thank retiring Susan Brown reported that the organ- £4,155 for publication of the GA Field Council members, in particular Danielle isation for the Festival of Geology is Guide - Roadside Geology of Wales - was Schreve, at the end of her four years on going well with three speakers lined up referred to the GA Council for support. Council, during the middle part of which and the field trips organised. The application from NEWRIGS for geo- she proved to be an excellent President Professor Danielle Schreve has agreed logical trail leaflets was awarded and a very hard act to follow! John to take over the administration of the £735.50. Crocker, too, is standing down from awards and a clarification of the process An application from a University Council after 12 years as General has been agreed. She is standing down requesting £5,020 towards the cost of a Secretary, although happily he will contin- from Council after her terms as President research project was refused as it fell ue to edit this magazine.. and Senior Vice President, for which the outside our remit. Hampshire County President expressed thanks on behalf of Museums - Gosport Discovery Centre - David Bridgland Council. requested £1,452 for a mammoth inter- This was Dr John Crocker's last meet- active exhibit. The Committee was mind- Report from Council ing as General Secretary and the ful to consider some support, but President proposed a vote of thanks for requested more details before making a all John's work over the last twelve final decision. Supplementary informa- Since there is no Council in April, this years. John will stay on the Publications tion was also requested from Charmouth report is for the March and May meet- Committee as he will continue as Heritage Coast Centre about its applica- ings. Magazine Editor. tion requesting £1,550 towards the cost The President reported that the GA is The President thanked the other retir- of a project for the public about the fulfilling its obligation to GA members ing members of the Council, Mr Richard Charmouth Dinosaur. Once this informa- outside London by holding a two-day Bateman, Mr Peter Riches and Dr Wendy tion has been received the Committee meeting in September (sponsored by Kirk. will be able to make a decision. Elsevier) on Geoconservation in The President welcomed Mrs Diana There was one outstanding application Worcester (see back page for details). Clements as the new General Secretary. from the December meeting for which At the March meeting the Treasurer Dr Mike Ridd thanked Dr Paul Olver for the Committee had asked for additional explained that Maurice Whiteley, the GA a successful French field meeting which information. This had been received and accountant, has completed a first draft of 33 people attended. thus, the the GA's 2010annual accounts, and this There was discussion of the placing of Scarborough Museum Trust was awarded has been overviewed and approved "in the photographic archives with BGS, with up to £2,000 for a geological guide to a principle" by Simpkins Edwards, the proposals by Jonathan Larwood, (who William Smith Trail through the town. auditor. Council warmly thanked all those has been organising the preservation of who had contributed to a successful the photographic archive). Council financial year, with thanks particularly to endorsed the progress made thus far by Susan Brown Maurice Whiteley, the GA's Accountant. Jonathan and authorized him to continue Curry Fund Secretary The Treasurer also congratulated Sarah negotiations with BGS. It was felt that a for sending out the Annual Report and job description for a new position of GA accounts within two weeks of the audi- Archivist should be established and that tors having cleared them. Thanks were Library Notes Jonathan (if willing) should be the first With the GA Field Trip to Japan coming given to Susan Brown for her outstand- holder of the post. ing work in raising funds for Rockwatch. up later this year, I have been looking at They were also given to Peter Doyle for John Crocker our coverage of the country. We have a the continued development of Geology General Secretary general geological map at a scale of Today. 1:2,000,000(1971) with a later edition At the May meeting the Treasurer pro- on order at present. I am investigating posed the 2011 Budget. One of the Curry Fund Report provision of maps at 1:500,000 for the objectives of this Proposal is to deter- areas which will be traversed by the field trip. In view of the recent earthquake mine whether it is necessary to increase The Curry Fund Committee received you may be interested to know that we annual subscriptions. With the advice seven new applications at its first meet- also have two sheets in the series and explanation of the Treasurer, Council ing of the year in March. At recent meet- 'Neotectonic map 1:500,000': no.8 Tokyo felt that there appears to be no com- ings, the Committee has observed that and no.11 Kyoto – both cities which will pelling reason to raise subscriptions applicants have been requesting bigger be visited. In Tokyo members may be immediately. grants than in the past. Unfortunately, lucky enough to experience a nice safe And finally, Council thanked the this coincides with a reduction in the little earthquake as I did on the GA trip Treasurer for his hard work throughout available money the Curry Fund has to in the late 1980's. Coverage of sheets at the year in producing the accounts. dispense, thanks to a decline in the inter- 1:200,000 is patchy though we do have Paul Olver reported that the est rates on its investments. This of some, and coverage at 1:50,000 is very Membership Team at the Gloucester course is not restricted to Curry Fund sparse. If anyone is interested in this Geoconservation Trust on 23rd February investments, but it does make competi- detail I could copy the indexes to you. represented all regions in England and tion stiffer for applicants requesting sup- Wales except the north-east. The main port from the Fund. Library Notes continued on page 9 topic was the planning for the GA spon- So, for example, Stoke on Trent sored event at the Three Counties Show GA Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 2, 2011 3 July Meeting

Searching for the cause and effect Institute, Moscow has been studying of the World’s greatest mass extinc- the nature of the event on land in the tion in the Permo-Triassic of Russia spectacular Permo-Triassic red bed sedimentary successions of the Russian Platform. Our aims are to Dr. Andrew Newell BGS unravel the catastrophic events at the Permo-Triassic boundary by Friday July 1 2011 examining the sedimentology, iso- Geological Society, tope geochemistry, and palaeontol- Burlington House, ogy of geological exposures located Piccadilly, W1V 0JU as far apart as the Russian Arctic, at 6.00 pm, tea at 5.30 pm. Moscow Basin and the southern Ural Mike Benton and Greg Price have lunch on the Sukhona River with palaeobotanists from the The Permo-Triassic mass extinction, Palaeontological Institute, Moscow. 252 million years ago, was the largest mass extinction of all time. Mountains. This talk presents some of Some 80-95% of all species were the initial results of this work and wiped out, and yet the causes are still describes some of the many and var- debated. Most evidence suggests that ied experiences of the team as they the killing was initiated by massive battle to find and interpret Permo- volcanic eruptions in Siberia which Triassic successions across the vast caused extreme global warming. A distances of European Russia. team assembled from Bristol University, University of Plymouth, For further information see British Geological Survey, Saratov Permian red beds on the Sukhona River, http://palaeo.gly.bris.ac.uk/Russia/R University and the Palaeontological northern Russia ussia.html October Meeting Galician Rias and the Impact of Man mesotidal (2-4 m range) marine inlets the population around the margins of the which are estuarine in their inner parts; rias, particularly those of the major rias Graham Evans (Ocean and Earth however, the estuarine zone can extend such as the Ria de Vigo, has increased Sciences, University of Southampton) and seawards during periods of high river dis- markedly; industrial development has Richard J. Howarth (Earth Sciences, charge. occurred with associated development of University College London) Currently, they are being infilled to vary- roads, bridges, airports, etc. In addition, ing degrees by small rivers which drain a there has been the construction of dams. Friday October 7 2011 heavily vegetated hinterland. Small deltas More importantly, there has been a great Society of Antiquaries, * have formed in the inner parts of the rias. increase in mariculture, especially the cul- Burlington House, Salt marshes, wide mudflats and sandflats tivation of mussels suspended from rafts Piccadilly, W1V 0JU cut by estuarine channels are exposed at (bateas; Figs. 2). These changes have at 6.00 pm, tea at 5.30 pm. low tide. Seawards of the bay-head affected, and are recorded in, the sedi- deltas, the floors of the rias are covered ments accumulating on the floors of the with fine-grained sediment and narrow rias. The rias of the coast of north-western sandy beach deposits fringe much of the *Note venue Spain are elongate inlets cut into other parts of the shoreline. Near the Precambrian and Palaeozoic igneous and entrance, carbonate-rich sands and grav- metamorphic rocks. The term was first els rich in calcareous introduced into the scientific literature by algae occur. the German geographer and geologist, Due to upwelling on Baron Ferdinand von Richtofen (1803- the adjacent shelf, the 1905) in 1886, for a particular type of rias are areas of high coastal inlet, as exemplified by those of productivity and their the Galician coastline (Fig. 1). They were fine-grained sedi- formed by the drowning of the lower ments contain 4-5% courses of local rivers during the post-gla- organic carbon. There cial rise of sea-level. Today they are is abundant evidence of the production of biogenic gas. It can be shown by statisti- cal mixture-modelling that although the geochemistry of the bottom sediments can be partially explained by the supply of local rivers, there is also clear evidence of anthropogenic influ- Fig. 2. Growth in numbers of industrial groups and area occupied by ence. bateas in the Ria de Vigo (left scale) and population of the City of Vigo Since the last decades urban area (dashed line; right scale). First mussel rafts were estab- Fig. 1. Looking towards the Estrecho de of the 20th Century Rande from the inner part of the Ria de Vigo. lished in the main Ria de Vigo in 1949. 4 GA Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 2, 2011 AWARDS 2011

Sarah Stafford receives the Foulerton Award from the President

Bob Markham receives the Halstead Medal which is ’... for work of outstanding merit, The Foulerton award which is for deemed to further ‘... work of merit connected with the Association’ was presented to the objectives of the Sarah Stafford, the GA Executive Association and to Secretary, in appreciation of her promote Geology’. outstanding 25 years support of the Association

Jan Zalasiewicz receives the Richardson Award on behalf of his co-authors which is for’... the best research-based paper in each annual volume of the Proceedings of the Geologist' Association’.

Hong Chin Ng receives the TUPPER AWARD, an award in memory of G. Ivor F. Tupper. The fund is designed to give financial assistance ‘ - to a deserving undergraduate in their second, third or fourth year at university, studying Geology or Earth Sciences. The award will be made by the Council of the Geologists' Association to the student they feel best demonstrates both a genuine commitment to the discipline and academic excellence’.

GA Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 2, 2011 5 Evening Lecture May 2011 - Presidential Address Dr David R Bridgland, University of Durham.

Late Cenozoic Fluvial traces, for example estimates of the unroofing of the British Isles during the Archives: a potential revolu- last 60 Ma range from 2-3 km to as lit- tion in our understanding of tle of 700 m depending on the method continental geology. employed. Subsidence is easier to recognise using normal geological tech- niques such as field mapping or bore- From the days of William Smith, cor- hole information. The effects of climate relation on a local, regional and eventu- change have been difficult to interpret examples were shown from the basins ally world-wide scale has been at the until comparatively recently, but of the rivers Svratka (Czech Republic), heart of geology, allowing us to build up England is fortunate in having a world- South Platte (Colorado, USA), Sundays a clear picture of palaeogeographical class example of the influence of (South Africa) and Niger (Niger); the conditions over geological time. repeated glacial cycles on a river sys- latter being particularly significant Initially this work was based on tem in the form of the Thames valley. because geomorphologists had thought palaeontology coupled with the occa- This provides one of the most complete that river terraces could not form in sional resort to lithostratigraphy, but terrestrial geological and archaeological tropical environments. This appears to now, with advances in absolute dating, records for the past half million years be incorrect and it now seems that the technique has become much more after the flow of the river was diverted where rivers flow over ancient and powerful. At the same time increased from a course further to the north dur- extremely stable cratonic areas (as in data storage, the widespread availabili- ing the Anglian glacial maximum, much of Africa, India and the Amazon ty of computer power, and easy com- equivalent to Marine Oxygen Isotope Basin) terrace development, if it occurs munication over the Internet, has facil- Stage (MIS) 12. This event is marked at all, is restricted to just a few metres itated the complex process of compar- by the Boyne Hill/Orsett Heath due to the absence of uplift. ing different data sets. How this can be Formation thereby providing a calibra- Confirmation of this comes from the applied and the startling results that tion point for subsequent terraces. Ukrainian Craton where the Dnieper, can be achieved were illustrated by Dr Details of this were given by David in located entirely on the craton, shows no Bridgland in his first Presidential the Henry Stopes Memorial Lecture in terracing, the Dniester, entirely off the Address. 2004 in which he related the Thames craton has extensive terracing, and the The story begins in 1996 when David sequence to 100 ka Milankovitch cycles Don, part on, part off, shows a mixed co-founded a new research group with- (see PGA 117-3, 281-305). In particu- geomorphology. in the Quaternary Research Association lar terrace development was shown to Another local and shorter-timescale (QRA) called "FLAG" (Fluvial Archives have been initiated at the end of glacial factor is isostatic rebound following gla- Group) that brought together interna- periods with the deposition of cold cli- cial loading. This is illustrated in the tional scientists from many different mate gravels. This was followed by North of England where the Rivers disciplines. Since then FLAG has organ- interglacial deposits, generally situated Swale and Ure flow over areas that ised biennial conferences in Europe and at the feather edge of the terraces and were covered by the Devensian glacia- Turkey, the most recent being in often showing evidence of later erosion, tion (MIS 2). All evidence of previous Portugal where David was elected and finally by a return to cold condi- terrace formation has been lost but Chairman. He also acted as co-leader tions at the onset of the next glacial both show extensive recent features up of two UNESCO International Geological period. Terrace development, there- to 30m above the present floodplain Correlation Programmes (now fore, was not related to a fall in sea due to rapid uplift as the ice retreated. International Geoscience Programmes). level but was the result of uplift with This contrasts strongly with situation The first in 2000-04 was entitled the erosive period triggered by warm- outside the glaciated area, such as "Global correlation of Late Cenozoic flu- ing and increased river flow. along the Trent, where terraces date vial deposits" (IGCP 449) and the sec- International cooperation via the back to the Middle Pleistocene but the ond in 2005-07 "Fluvial sequences as IGCP and FLAG has provided many fur- last glacial gravels simply form the base evidence for landscape and climate ther examples, each with some local of the modern floodplain and show no evolution in the Late Cenozoic" (IGCP variation. Thus in France the Somme evidence of incision. 518). The results of some of this work has terraces that are older than the In conclusion, Dr Bridgland said that have been published in special issues of Thames and are covered by loess with river terrace deposits gave good evi- our Proceedings (see Vol. 115-2, 115-4 intermittent soil layers that allow for dence of climate change since the last & 121-2). The assemblage of data from relative dating. Terrace development is glacial incursion (whatever its age) in these projects has enabled the world- not universal, however, as shown by any particular area and that their for- wide comparisons that have led to the the Rhine which in its upper reaches in mation was due to erosive action trig- findings presented in this address. Germany has cut a gorge (typical of gered by climate change acting on a Absolutely key in this respect has been valleys in uplifting areas but con- river system in an area of uplift. It fol- the opportunity to compare so widely in strained by resistant bedrock) whilst lowed that they would be absent in sub- different parts of the globe, and on dif- nearer its mouth in the Netherlands has siding basins and on stable cratons, ferent crustal types. deposited a stack of sediments indicat- something that could be confirmed in Fluvial sequences are produced either ing subsidence downstream of a long- the field. In general there was little or by alternate deposition and erosion standing hinge line. It also shows how no evidence for control by plate tecton- (river terraces) or continuous deposi- terrestrial deposits on the highest old- ics (as shown by the Orontes in Syria) tion (alluvial stacks). The speaker felt est terraces pass laterally into the low- but the source of such general conti- that eustasy has been overplayed as a est members of the alluvial pile. In nental uplift was still a problem, mechanism, despite what text books other cases, such as the River Gediz in although lower crustal flow could be an say; it can be important in coastal Turkey, uplift has resulted in basin explanation, however, that was a sub- reaches but climatic forcing against a inversion. Here the terraces are cov- ject for further research. background of uplift/subsidence are the ered by lavas that can be accurately key factors everywhere. Measuring dated, the terraces showing evidence of Dave Greenwood uplift is difficult since it leaves few earlier 41 ka Milankovitch cycles. Other 6 GA Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 2, 2011 Evening Lecture April 1 His research project aimed to deter- mine the true nature of the apparent Revelations of rotting fish shed evolutionary jump at the time when new light on our earliest fossil vertebrates first emerged by studying ancestry - Dr Robert Sansom the way in which the characteristic soft-tissue features of vertebrates; Dr Sansom started by explaining (such as eyes, muscles and tail fins), that understanding the origin of ver- rot, so that it becomes possible to tebrates is fundamental to under- identify reliably the presence of these standing our own place in evolution, characters in fossils. Fossils are and virtually every account of the essentially snapshots in which decay history of life discusses vertebrate has been frozen in time, and to iden- origins and the fossils from this criti- tify the earliest vertebrates we need cal phase in evolution. In the story of a kind of photofit compiled using vertebrate origins as we presently knowledge of how important charac- understand it there is a large evolu- ters look at various stages of decay tionary gap between vertebrates and and how the same characters look in a variety of fossils. their nearest living pre-vertebrate When he applied the experimental Therefore to investigate how verte- relatives. According to many geneti- method to Cathaymyrus (Cambrian brate soft-tissue characters decay cists (and hundreds of research period of China) and Metaspriggina and disintegrate after death he papers), this gap reflects a major (Cambrian period of Canada) it high- allowed a variety of primitive fishes evolutionary jump from simple pre- lighted the difficulties: these fossils (amphioxus, hagfish, lampreys and vertebrates to complex vertebrates. cannot be placed reliably in the chor- chondrichthyans) to rot under con- This was caused by a sudden date or vertebrate stem because they trolled laboratory conditions. He then increase in genetic complexity lead- could represent the decayed remains put them in sealed containers and ing to genetic duplication, morpho- of any non-biomineralized, total- varied the decay mechanisms and logical complexity and developmental group chordate. Preliminary data conditions, for instance one sample innovations. It has recently been suggest that this decay filter also had bacteria present while another suggested that this may be the most affects other groups of organisms did not; the temperature; the salini- important genetic change to occur in and that 'stem-ward slippage' may be ty; the ontogeny and the size. As metazoan evolution. a widespread but currently unrecog- they decomposed he carefully However there is a major problem nized bias in our understanding of the recorded the relative resistance to with this picture of vertebrate evolu- early evolution of a number of phyla. decay of the key features of their tion: we actually know almost noth- He then explained how he had anatomy and how they changed in ing about the fossil record of the ear- looked at a particular fossil fish that appearance and position. To study liest vertebrates. We do know that is preserved from the Devonian of how the soft tissue characters of they were entirely soft-bodied crea- Canada. There exist a large numbers early vertebrates actually became tures with no easily fossilizable min- of such fossils in various stages of preserved he used a scanning elec- eralised tissues. Consequently their preservation. By using his research to tron microscope to conduct detailed chances of being preserved as easily identify all the characters he was able studies of rare, exceptionally well- recognizable fossils are rather limit- to say that the best preserved speci- preserved examples of unequivocal ed, and this means that what we cur- mens still only had 80 per cent of fossil vertebrates with soft-tissue rently see as a gap might be nothing their original characters. In a layer remains. more than our failure to find and rec- below the one containing these fos- He found that each of the charac- ognize the fossils that would other- sils there is another fossil fish that is ters that identify a chordate was wise fill it. Therefore resolving which regarded as a different species. more or less resistant to decay and of these two views of the gap is cor- However when he compared it to the that there was a strong relationship rect is clearly fundamental to under- later fish using his research findings between character and resistance to standing vertebrate evolution. he found that the two species were decay. The characters that decayed Dr Sansom gave as examples of the actually the same. first were the phosphate ones where- problem the fossils found in the He concluded by saying that his as the carbon based ones decayed Burgess Shale (550 ma) and experimental work had shown that it last. This he explained as a window of Chengjiang (525ma) and in particular was possible to look at fossil verte- opportunity for preservation. Haikonella. This fossil is placed on brates in a new light and that decay He found that while the various the junction between non vertebrates biases causes fossil chordates to conditions under which the fish and vertebrates although this is dis- appear more primitive than they decayed affected the time taken to puted. actually are. He suggested that this decay, the order in which characters He suggested that the processes of could be a more widespread phenom- disappeared did not alter. He found decay and preservation are at the enon but having found that different that the characters that identify an root of the problem. Therefore he has organisms decay at different rates a organism as part of a modern group used experimental decay as a way of lot of further work will be required were lost after only a little decay and identifying and inderstanding the before it can be applied elsewhere. therefore the fossil of such a decayed processes of decay. There have been Only one other study, that of annelid organism might be regarded as a other studies in the past but this is worms, has produced similar results more primitive species than it actual- the first conducted on primitive fish. so far. He has also adopted a different ly was. He was able then to draw up approach to previous researchers by a list of characteristics that he com- using the essential characters (or pared with fossils and found that he Roger LeVoir synapomorphies) that are used to could identify which features had define an organism's place within the decayed and which were never there evolutionary tree. in the first place. Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 2, 2011 7 Evening Lecture March 2011. palaeosols. This classification can be modified to take stages in the behav- iour of the organism into account in What have trace fossils ever the form of dwelling, feeding, grazing done for us? and resting; adjusting, escaping and locomotion; and sanitation, survival and death (see Bromley 1996). One Dr Andrew Taylor, Ichron Ltd. aspect of this is that the activities of one individual may leave multiple Trace fossils do not have the glam- traces that can give rise to a mislead- our of a splendid ammonite or a ing impression in terms of population. dinosaur bone, but they are still a The fact that a trace fossil is pre- very valuable source of information, served often provides evidence of the in much the same way that the indis- depositional environment. For exam- tinct remains of Anglo-Saxon post- ple burrows and worm casts general- a series of anastomosing tubes with- holes are as valid a record of human ly indicate shallow water below the in unconsolidated sediments and occupation as a fine Roman mosaic. wave base, but unlike actual fossils these are frequently filled later with In particular, trace fossils provide us such evidence does not give any indi- coarser and more porous and perme- with the earliest evidence of biologi- cation of whether conditions were able material giving rise to the per- cal activity on earth in the form of marine or non-marine. Imprints are fect reservoir rock for hydrocarbon stromatolites that date to 3.5 Ga. often found on the underside of are- accumulation. There are many They also record the development of naceous units filling depressions in examples of such rocks, which Dr multi-cellular life in the Vendian underlying argillaceous beds and Taylor illustrated with photographs of Period (650-543 Ma) in soft-bodied details of their structure may provide longitudinal sections of borehole creatures prior to the Cambrian clues to the mass of the animal whilst cores. For example the Fulmar explosion. Their economic impor- a series of footprints provides valu- Formation (Jurassic) in the North Sea tance is enormous especially in able evidence of stride length and basin, the giant Sakhalin-2 field in younger sediments where they are overall locomotion. eastern Russia (Tertiary) and the the source of hydrocarbons (burrow Turning to their economic impor- Arab-D (Jurassic) of the Ghawar oil- fills and droppings) and provide tance, Dr Taylor said that the earliest field in Saudi Arabia, which is the porous and highly permeable sedi- example was the exploitation of largest in the world and currently mentary structures (burrows and coprolites as a source of phosphate yields 2.5 million barrels/day (approx worm tubes) that act as oil and gas for the fertiliser industry around 3% of world output) with a total pro- reservoirs. Ipswich some 200 years ago, duction to date of 65 billion and The first problem palaeontologists although not all the phosphatic nod- reserves of 35 billion barrels. Dr have with trace fossils is one of clas- ules were true coprolites. Much less Taylor said he had begun to calculate sification because they are just that - obvious faecal material, however, was the overall global value of the hydro- traces. They are not moulds or casts very widespread and provided the carbons stored in such rocks but had but simply evidence preserved in rock organic carbon in the majority of lost count when the total went over of the activities of some organism in hydrocarbon source rocks, a good one trillion dollars. Looking to the the period between deposition and example being the Kimmeridge Clay, future it was clear that trace fossils lithification. As a result there is no the source for much of North Sea oil. would continue to play a major part in morphological evidence on which to There were also other surprising new developments such as shale gas base taxonomy and identical struc- examples, such as parrot fish that and tight gas and in carbon dioxide tures may be produced by entirely graze on reef dwelling organisms and capture and storage so it was clear different animals. Trace fossils, at the same time consume part of the that the answer to the question posed therefore, have to be treated as a calcium carbonate forming the reef, at the start of the lecture was "a very class on their own and are known col- which is then excreted as coral sand. great deal indeed". lectively as ichnofossils (Greek ikhnos Similarly many of the peloids present Reference: BROMLEY, R.G., 1996. = trace or track), studied by ichnolo- in a rock such as Caen Stone are Trace Fossils. Biology, Taphonomy gists such as Dr Taylor and his col- actually faecal pellets, in this case and Applications - Second edition. leagues at Ichron. Ichnofossils are from crabs - something to bear in Chapman & Hall, London. classified according to their action on mind when viewing the White Tower the surrounding rock and may be at the Tower of London. Dave Greenwood grouped conveniently under six head- But it was the burrowers and bor- ings: burrowing; boring; grazing; ers that had the greatest effect. depositing faecal material; footprints; Animals such as crustaceans, worms and roots and other features in and some bivalves, create and live in

Library Notes Continued...... luckily the shelves and maps appear to while remedial work is undertaken. I be alright. In order to investigate the regret the inconvenience this may I am sure that, like myself everyone cause two bookcases have had to be cause and ask for your patience over has been very shocked by the images emptied with their maps being put into the summer. of the effects of the earthquake and temporary store. It is possible that tsunami as seen on TV over here. this has been caused by leaking sky- Elaine Bimpson I have to report that the Map Room lights rather than leaking pipes at UCL has suffered some damage despite the proximity of the ladies loos Librarian from damp over the winter although next door! It does mean, however, this is to walls in one corner only – that some countries will be unavailable 8 GA Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 2, 2011 ANNUAL DINNER

For the first time in many years, it was decided the Annual Dinner would be held in the Lower Library of Burlington House. After David Bridgland's Presidential Address, members entered the library to find it transformed into an elegant dining room, with crisp white tablecloths, flowers, and complimentary sherry being served. The meal itself was excellent, with a choice of hot main dishes (and second helpings for those in need), desert, followed by coffee. Soft drinks and wines were available by the bottle or the glass. There was something about the library's ambience which made this Annual Dinner such a great success - and costing only half the price of the equivalent hotel dinner made the enjoyment that much greater! Let's hope the Burlington House experiment will be repeated. Meanwhile, a vote of thanks for the organizer, Sarah Stafford. Mike Ridd

Muriel Arber There can be satisfaction, even pleasure, in writing the obituary of someone you respected in life: someone who helped you in your efforts. This was very much the case, and my experience, when Muriel Abor died. There were two obituaries from two of the many societies and communities in which she shone. In both cases there were wide choices of anecdotes from her life. All of which reflected the warmth and even eccentricities in her pas- sions. As possibly the best-loved President for the last fifty years of the GA. I relied upon her judgement when we were adventuring into new directions. She always gave mild rebukes: sometimes approval with a distinct 'chuckle'. Good photographs of her, as we know her, were difficult to find at the time. This summer (2010), this wonderful shot came to me from a Devon Coast friend, Kester Webb, who shared Muriels's respect for her father Newal Arber and his work on the Devon cliffs Eric Robinson

Tori Dewhirst writes...... Yesterday I stumbled across the "iGeology" iPhone app created by the BGS. I'm sure the other GA members are probably aware but I thought I should mention it just in case you think it's news worth sharing. Read more here: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/igeology/id392258040?mt=8

GA Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 2, 2011 9 NEWS OF AFFILIATED SOCIETIES - AGS mark their 45th Anniversary.

The Amateur Geological Society (AGS), under the able Chairmanship of Mike Howgate, celebrated their 45th anniversary in October 2010 with a dinner at the Aragosta restaurant in the North London suburb of Palmers Green. Unfortunately the Society's founding member, Clement Krysler, was unable to attend due to ill health and subse- quently we heard the sad news that he had passed away on Christmas Eve aged 98 just as this report was being written. He had been pleased to hear that the Society was flourishing with well-attended lecture meetings on the second Tuesday of every month in the Parlour at St Margaret's United Reformed Church in Finchley - our only concern being that, with a membership of over 100, we are sometimes reaching the capacity of our lecture room. The Society is fortunate in being able to attract high qual- AGS Chairman Mike Howgate (second from right) and other members of ity speakers covering subjects ranging from local items like the Society at their 45th Anniversary Dinner". Photo by Doug Daniels. the Hydrology of Hertfordshire to more exotic topics such as the Extension Tectonics in the Afar Triangle, with other occa- mid-week visits to working quarries. The Society also holds sional contributions from its own members. We also have an an Annual Mineral & Fossil Bazaar in Finchley on the last active field programme under our Field Officer, John Wong, Saturday in November, which provides a successful fund rais- that includes in-door visits to places in London during the ing event enabling us to keep our Annual Subscription to a winter, such as a recent behind-the-scenes visit to the modest £10.00 with reductions for students and families. Natural History Museum where we were able to see evidence For further information please contact our Secretary Julia of both recent and fossil "black-smokers". These are com- Daniels on 020 8346 1056 or email me at bined with out-door trips to sites in the southeast and occa- [email protected]. sionally further afield, for example to Leicestershire, during the rest of the year. John maintains good relations with local Dave Greenwood. Quarry Managers and members are often able to don high- visibility jackets, helmets, goggles and protective boots for

Book Review Quaternary geology (28), climatology (26), geochemistry (23) and oceanog- Encyclopedia of Paleoclimatology and raphy (21) which, together with chap- Ancient Environments. ters on a further 13 topics from anthro- Edited by Vivian Gornitz. pology to vulcanism, including mathe- Springer. Dordrecht, The matical modelling and the use of prox- ies, provide a sound factual basis for Netherlands. anyone interested in the subject. In Price £180.00 (until 31/03/2011). addition to its encyclopedic format, the 2009, xxvii, 1049 p. 585 illus., 38 in book is well indexed and extensively colour, Hardcover. ISBN: 978-1- cross-referenced. It is also very well 4020-4551-6. illustrated including the use of coloured diagrams where necessary, for example Our recent one-day conference on in showing the output from climate Warm Climates: Linking the Past and models. One small criticism is that the Present (see December 2010 issue pp book is littered with acronyms and it 6-7) highlighted the multi-disciplinary would have been useful to have a list of approach to the subject of paleoclima- these in an Appendix and oddly, for a tology and the huge volume of scientif- book dealing with climate history, there ic work that has been carried out. Now is no general agreement on the units for the first time much of this informa- used for time with examples such as tion is available in one book - the 109 year, 1 byr and 1 Ga all being used Encyclopedia of Paleoclimatology and for the same time interval, even within Ancient Environments. This is so long to come but at £180.00 it is unlikely to the same article. However, the 230 and so wide ranging (230 articles by find its way onto the shelves of all but individual chapters are well written in over 200 contributors extending from the specialist library. clear and concise language with techni- Abrupt Climate Change to the Younger cal terms explained in parenthesis with- Dryas - via Pingo and Plate tectonics & in the text and each chapter has an Dave Greenwood climate change) that it is almost impos- extensive bibliography, often running to sible to review, but five key areas that several pages. The book should provide make up the bulk of the volume may be a sound reference work for many years identified. These are stratigraphy (38),

Date for your diary - see back page

10 GA Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 2, 2011 Palaeontology In The Digital Age. Part Two: Reconstructing Carboniferous Creatures Palaeontology In The Digital Age Part One: Breathing New marine organisms, and those washed in from adjoining land Life Into Old Bones outlined a technique increasingly avail- (Figure 1); the latter are a unique insight into early terres- able to palaeontologists: the computer reconstruction of trial ecosystems. Because of the association of this excellent three-dimensionally preserved fossils. This valuable addition preservation with the coal that fuelled the industrial revolu- to the fossil-worker's toolkit allows the visualisation of tion, a great deal of work was conducted on such fossils exceptionally preserved specimens in a great amount of sites during the Victorian era; hundreds of specimens are detail, and provides key insights into past ecosystems, now sitting in museums, which could only be investigated at extinct species, and the patterns and processes of evolu- the time by splitting a nodule and inspecting the portion of tion. Now we arrive at part two, outlining the application of the fossil revealed by the resulting crack. With the aid of vir- 'virtual palaeontology' to several Carboniferous fossils. First, tual palaeontology these century-old collections can now be however, some background on this fascinating period in the restudied, revealing previously unrecovered details, often Earth's history. with important implications. Several examples are outlined in the remainder of this article. During the Carboniferous The Carboniferous the great majority of animal species were not vertebrates, The Carboniferous Period spanned sixty million years, a group that had only recently invaded this terrestrial world. from approximately 359 million years ago (Ma) to 299 Ma. Rather, most species were then - as now - animals with The Variscan Orogeny - a collision between northern land- exoskeletons, or more specifically arthropods. These creepy mass Laurussia and southern continent Gondwana, to create supercontinent Pangaea - was in full swing, and as a result mountains were starting to grow. Much of current day Europe and North America was situated near the equator surrounded by shallow seas. Deposits from these environments, and associated basins, are common. Deltas - areas where rivers run into bodies of water - were widespread, as were lush equatorial wetland forests, host to a wide variety of life. Such areas are prone to rapid episodes of sedimen- tation, for example when a delta moves, or a river alters its course. During the Carboniferous these events would often inundate the low-lying forest ecosystems, leading to their rapid burial. The deposits from this age are usually very carbon rich, giving the period its name (literally, 'carbon bearing'), and provide a large proportion of the world's coal deposits.

The fossils Such carbon rich, boggy environments - typified by the Carboniferous coal swamps - are also characterized by the intense decomposition of iron-rich silicate minerals, providing a rich source of the metal. This results in the formation of nodular siderite (FeCO3), a mineral that can start forming within days of the host sediment's deposition, close to the top of the sediment. Also associated with such conditions Figure 2: A computer reconstruction of the trigonotarbid Eophrynus are anoxia and stratification of the water column, both of prestvicii. Fossil 30mm in length. which can prevent the decay of deceased creatures. This alone is sufficient for the preservation of fossils, and often decaying organic matter provides a locus for precipitation of crawlies had ventured onto land in excess of 130 million siderite nodules. As this occurs shortly after deposition, it years before the Carboniferous, and are here reconstructed prevents the compression of the sediment surrounding a from siderite nodules. I will outline three arthropod groups nodule from affecting the fossil within. Thus, Carboniferous recently studied with the aid of CT scanning and computer fossils are often found three-dimensionally preserved, both reconstruction, and highlight some of the findings.

Trigonotarbids The trigonotarbids were a group of arachnids similar in appearance to true spiders, but without the ability to spin silk. They are extinct, surviving from their origin as some of the earliest terrestrial predators in the Silurian (~414 Ma) all the way through to the Permian period (~290 Ma). During the Carboniferous they were one of the most diverse arachnid orders, living within the equatorial swamp forests, and preying on other arthropods. Computer reconstruction has allowed us to study them in more detail than ever before; recent work has included the species Eophrynus prestvicii (Figure 2). Long limbs suggest this creature cap- tured prey by running it down, using speed and stamina - a relatively risky way of living on these forest floors. Eophrynus was also heavily armoured, probably a defensive adaptation to make it a less appealing meal for any preda- Figure 1: A siderite hosted fossil, this example being the roachoid insect tors, such as early amphibians. The species Anthracomartus Archimylacris eggintoni. Copyright Natural History Museum, London, pho- hindi (Figure 3), was a rather flat arachnid, whose front two tographer Phil Crabb. Fossil 41mm in length. pairs of walking limbs were rotated slightly, allowing them GA Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 2, 2011 11 'Cockroaches' The Carboniferous period is sometimes known as the age of the cockroaches; insects were the only creatures with the ability to fly, and even early in the history of life on land, were amongst the most abundant and diverse animals. They included early 'roachoid' insects - cockroach-like creatures that predate the split between true cockroaches (which most entomologists believe include the termites), and the praying mantises. Recent reconstruction work has revealed one species of this group - Archimylacris eggintoni - in great detail (Figure 5). This showed the insect had long limbs, at a low angle to the body indicative of modern fast-running cockroaches which, per unit weight, are the fastest creatures in the animal kingdom. In addition to being a fast run- ner, the species also had some climbing ability - scans revealed adhesive structures on the inside of the limbs to improve grip, and terminal claws. This would have allowed

Figure 3: A computer reconstruction of the trigonotarbid Anthracomartus hindi. Fossil 23mm in length. to be held in front of the creature, as shown in the life reconstruction of Figure 4. This stance is seen in modern day crab spiders, which sit on flowers and use the modified forelimbs to grab at passing insects; a form of ambush pre- dation. By analogy we can suggest that Anthracomartus was also an ambush predator; whereas Eophrynus defended itself with the use of a thick, armoured exoskeleton, this creature could spend most of its time hiding in the relative safety of leaf litter or a decaying tree trunk, only occasionally moving into the open to ambush prey.

Figure 5: A computer reconstruction of the roachoid insect Archimylacris eggintoni shown in Figure 1. Fossil 41mm in length. it to lay eggs on plants, or evade danger by climbing above ground level. Also well-resolved were mandibles (mouth- parts) which suggest that, like modern forest-dwelling cockroaches this creature fed on decaying matter on the forest floor.

Conclusion The application of virtual palaeontology to the species described above has greatly improved our knowledge of their anatomy. This, in turn, has allowed us to build a more accurate picture of their mode of life, and the palaeoecolo- gy of these Carboniferous forest ecosystems. Beyond the Figure 4: A drawing of Anthracomartus hindi in life, by Jason Dunlop advances highlighted above, the enhanced anatomical (Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin) knowledge has also allowed more informed debate regard- ing their evolutionary relationships. Virtual palaeontology Spiders can revolutionise our study of such fossils, allowing better The direct ancestors of true spiders were also to be found insights than ever before into the (palaeo)biology of long- in the coal forests of the Carboniferous, and the recent extinct creatures. reconstruction of one such fossil by Paul Selden (University of Kansas) and colleagues has helped shed light on the evolution of both the group and their biggest innovation - the Russell Garwood spinning of silk. The researchers recently described an ancestor of the spiders from the Devonian Period (~386 Ma), which possessed silk gland openings, but lacked spin- nerets (specialised appendages to control silk weaving). It did possess a long tail, however. These two traits suggest that this Devonian material was a primitive relative of the spiders rather than a true member of the group. At the same time the researchers scanned a Carboniferous fossil spider species called Palaeothele montceauensis, revealing no such tail and proving that this species is a true spider. With the discovery that the Devonian material lacks spin- nerets, this is - in fact - the oldest known true spider.

12 GA Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 2, 2011 Obituary - Paul Clasby Geological Society soon after its forma- 26 August 1931 - 21 February 2011 tion and frequently led trips to Barton, as well as being an enthusiastic and knowledgeable participant in trips led Many members will be saddened to by others. His financial skills led him to hear of the death of Paul Clasby in become national Treasurer of OUGS for February. He has been an active mem- a couple of years in the 1980s. ber of this Association since he joined He will be remembered with gratitude in 1968, and his expertise in Tertiary by the many Open University geology palaeontology as well as his unstinting students who have attended the generosity with his time has been an London branch revision days at Egham inspiration to all who knew him. over the years. Paul led the palaeontol- Paul was born in Malta where his ogy section for the day, giving his time father was serving with the Royal Navy. and sharing his expertise every year The oldest of three children, his early until 2005. childhood was spent in various places Like anyone interested in the history where his father was posted, with the of geology, Paul was familiar with the family eventually settling in life of Charles Lyell, particularly as ests led him to establish a small obser- Beckenham in south-east London. He there was a local connection with Lyell vatory at home, and to join the Wessex was an unhappy evacuee to Wales dur- who spent his childhood at Bartley Astronomical Society. Table tennis was ing the war, and was sent instead to the Lodge in the New Forest, close to a continuing enthusiasm, and Paul was Royal Hospital School, Holbrook in where Paul lived. Paul researched the instrumental in setting up the Suffolk where his aptitude for figures history of Bartley Lodge, and published Lymington U3A table tennis club for the became apparent. It was natural for a pamphlet on it. It was Lyell too who over 50s, serving as Lymington U3A him to start a career in banking on brought Paul to his position as branch chairman from 2006 until 2010. leaving school, and he remained with Honorary Associate Curator at Oxford He was made President of the group on what became the NatWest, with a brief University Museum of Natural History 1 April 2010 in recognition of his work. interruption for national service in the where Lyell's fossil collection had been Paul was also a volunteer in the Open RAF, until his retirement. languishing uncatalogued and uncurat- University Disabled Group, an organi- Paul's passion though was for the sci- ed until Paul started work on them, sation that offers educational holidays ences, and his interest in geology working there occasionally before his for people with mobility difficulties, and developed when he was sent by the retirement from the bank in 1990, and he spent a week or a fortnight every bank to Lymington in 1966. He and his regularly since then. Paul was an active year for a number of years, travelling wife Jennie, whom he married in 1953, member of the Geological Curators' with them as a helper. have lived there ever since, close to Group, travelling to many national and Whatever Paul set out to do, he did Paul's beloved Barton Beds. Over the international meetings, such as to wholeheartedly, and his enthusiasm years he amassed an extensive collec- Prague in 2004. and warmth were an inspiration to oth- tion of Barton fossils, and became one And it wasn't just geology - there was ers. He always set himself high stan- of the country's leading experts on also sailing, astronomy, table tennis dards, and encouraged others to do the them despite his initial lack of formal and voluntary work with the disabled, same. He is survived by his wife Jennie, qualifications. His collection was kept at and probably many more interests, their three children Caroline, Clive and his home, and he was always ready to such was the multiplicity of facets in Louise, and six grandchildren. He will invite groups and individuals there to the life of this highly active but private be sadly missed by all who knew him. view it. He was a founder member of man. the Tertiary Research Group. Paul sailed in the Fastnet Race over The Open University was a godsend an extremely challenging 600 miles of Barbara Cumbers to him, allowing him to pursue his fas- open water, and more frequently in the cination with the sciences at degree Round the Island Race and in cross- level. He joined the Open University Channel races. His astronomical inter-

Geology Today is a lively news magazine published six times a year by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the Geologists' Association and the Geological Society of London. For over 25 years, Geology Today has reported on major issues in the Earth sciences - from the Asian tsunami to the eruption of Mount Merapi - keeping its readers up-to-date with developments. Gweology Today carries at least three major feature articles per issue. Features are written by experts for the non-specialist, and represent reports of cutting-edge science. Geology Today's lively Geodigest section provides space for reporting and discussion of what's newsworthy in the Earth sciences today. Each issue has a contribution to one of our successful Explained series - from minerals and fossils to famous localities - which allow readers to keep abreast of recent developments in the science. All Geologists' Association members receive a discount of 25% on subscriptions; we look forward to welcoming you to our list of subscribers. Come and join the debate!'

GA Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 2, 2011 13 CIRCULAR No. 985 December 2010 but personal accident cover remains the responsibility of the participant. Further details are available on request from the GA PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION FOR FIELD office. MEETINGS SAFETY IS TAKEN VERY SERIOUSLY. SHOULD YOU BE ENQUIRIES & BOOKINGS Geoff Swann organises day and week- UNSURE ABOUT EITHER THE RISKS INVOLVED OR YOUR end meetings in the UK. Michael Ridd is responsible for overseas and ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE, YOU MUST SEEK ADVICE FROM longer excursions. Sarah Stafford at the GA office is responsible THE GA OFFICE BEFORE BOOKING. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT for bookings, payments and general administration. YOU STUDY THE RISK ASSESSMENT PREPARED FOR ALL GA You must book through the GA office to confirm attendance. FIELD MEETINGS AND THAT YOU HAVE ALL THE SAFETY Please do not contact the field meeting leader directly. Meeting EQUIPMENT SPECIFIED. YOU MUST DECLARE, AT THE TIME times and locations will be confirmed on booking. These are not nor- OF BOOKING, ANY DISABILITIES OR MEDICAL CONDITIONS mally advertised in advance, as there have been problems with mem- THAT MAY AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO SAFELY ATTEND A bers turning up without booking or paying and maximum numbers FIELD MEETING. YOU MAY BE ASKED TO PROVIDE FURTHER being exceeded. Field meetings are open to non-members although INFORMATION ON ANY PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ETC THAT attendance by non-members is subject to a £5 surcharge on top of YOU MAY USE WHILST ATTENDING A FIELD MEETING. IN the normal administration fee. Some meetings may have restrictions ORDER TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ALL PARTICIPANTS, THE on age (especially for under 16s) or be physically demanding. If you GA RESERVES THE RIGHT TO LIMIT OR REFUSE ATTEN- are uncertain, please ask. DANCE AT FIELD MEETINGS. PAYMENTS for day and weekend meetings must be made before EMERGENCY CONTACT: if you are lost or late for the start of attending any field meeting. Cheques should be made out to a meeting, an emergency contact is available during UK field meet- Geologists'Association. Please give a contact telephone number and ings by calling the GA mobile phone (07724 133290). PLEASE NOTE an email address and provide the names of any other persons that THIS NEW NUMBER. The mobile phone will only be switched on you are including in your booking. PLEASE ALSO PROVIDE AN just before and during field meetings. For routine enquiries please EMERGENCY CONTACT NAME AND TELEPHONE NUMBER AT call the GA office on the usual number. THE TIME OF BOOKING. TRAVEL REGULATIONS are observed. The GA acts as a retail There are separate arrangements for overseas meetings. agent for ATOL holders in respect of air flights included in field TRANSPORT is normally via private car unless otherwise adver- meetings. All flights are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation tised. If you are a rail traveller, it may be possible for the GA office Authority (see GA Circular No. 942, October 2000 for further to arrange for another member to provide a lift or collect you from details). Field meetings of more than 24 hours duration or including the nearest railway station. This service cannot be guaranteed, but accommodation are subject to the Package Travel Regulations 1992. please ask before booking. The information provided does not constitute a brochure under PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE for field meetings is provided these Regulations. FIELD MEETINGS IN 2011 Stafford at the GA office. Register with Euston); also 9.00 at the Open University car Sarah sending an administration fee of £5 per park (separate details will be available upon We are hoping to arrange additional fossil col- person to confirm your place. registration) lecting opportunities during the year. There Waverley Wood Farm Quarry may not be time to advertise these in the EXCURSION TO EXPLORE THE PRE- Lunch at the Shoulder of Mutton, Stretton on Circular so if you would like details when they ANGLIAN DRAINAGE OF THE EAST MID- Dunsmore become available contact Sarah Stafford at LANDS Leicester/Soar-Wreake confluence area (geo- the GA office. Leaders Jim Rose, David Bridgland, Tom morphology and history of research; to discuss White, Rob Westaway, Martyn Bradley and the Hathern Gravel and the change from PLEASE ALSO REFER TO OUR WEB SITE John Sinclair Bytham via Wreake to Soar-Trent drainage). (www.geologistsassociation.org.uk) FOR ANY Saturday 11th - Sunday 12th June 2011 Ancaster Gap (Rauceby and Caythorpe Heath CHANGES TO THE PROGRAMME AND FOR gravels; small-scale exposures and geomorphol- FINALISED DATES Following up on the very popular meeting in ogy) the summer of 2010, this two-day field meet- Overnight Newark. A list of suitable accom- A JURASSIC RAMBLE IN THE BRISTOL ing will look at the evidence for the Bytham modation will be supplied to attendees. Please DISTRICT River and other pr-Anglian drainage systems in book only from this list to ensure easy drop off Saturday 4th June 2011 the Midlands. It will visit quarry sites at and pick up. We will arrange a group dinner if Leader: Simon Carpenter Waverley Wood (Bytham), where Palaeolithic there is sufficient interest. artefacts are a key line of evidence, at Castle Sunday: A day exploring the Jurassic rocks of the Bytham (Bytham type locality) and Bozeat, Castle Bytham (Red Barns Quarry) Bristol District starting in Saltford a small vil- which represents the Milton Sands (attributed Lunch in Stamford (various choices) lage close to Bristol where Simon's interest in in a recent paper in the Proceedings) to a trib- Bozeat gravel pit (finish by 4.00pm) geology began. Lower Jurassic fossils collected utary of the pre-Anglian Thames). There will Drop off Milton Keynes station (don't book a by Simon will be shown at the start of the day also be visits to the Wreake-Soar confluence train before 5.00pm) and OU car park to illustrate the wealth of invertebrate and area, where the Bytham departed from the Further information: vertebrate fossils likely to be found in the modern Soar drainage line to flow eastwards We shall book one minibus with an option on local Lias. towards the Fen Basin (in the reverse direction another depending on the number of attendees. The morning will be spent examining a number to the modern Wreake) and to the Ancaster We are looking into parking from Saturday of geological exposures around Saltford. Gap. The latter, one of several gaps in the morning until Sunday evening at the Open Following a pub lunch it is hoped that during the Jurassic escarpment, is flanked by enigmatic University Campus at Milton Keynes (with afternoon other Jurassic localities will be vis- gravels that may well represent a pre-Anglian minibus pick-up and drop-off). ited several miles from Saltford. Bring ham- river system. Shallow exposures and geomor- Equipment: You will need a hard hat and hi-vis mers as some collecting will be possible. phology will be observable at these various non- jacket. Attendees will need to be sure they can Attendees will need to be sure they can safely quarry sites. safely cope with the conditions to be found in cope with the conditions to be found in working Given the nature of the localities to be visit- working quarries. quarries. ed transport will be by minibus although it may Cost and Booking: For final details please con- Equipment: You will need a hard hat and hi-vis be possible for participants to use private tact Sarah Stafford at the GA office. The jacket together with suitable footwear. transport for visits to the quarries only. administration fee is £35 per person (£50 for Cost and Booking: Numbers will be limited to Saturday: Milton Keynes Central railway sta- non-members). This reflects the cost of 20. Further details will be available from Sarah tion (pick up 9.00am, meeting the 8.20 from minibus hire. It does not include other travel

14 GA magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 2, 2011 or accommodation. beaches. Bring a packed lunch. Honshu, the Inland Sea and the island of Cost & booking: Numbers will be limited to 25. Tokushima, before taking the bullet train to WEALDEN EXCURSION Further details will be available from Sarah Mount Fuji and finally Tokyo. Leaders: Pete Austen, Richard Agar, Dr Ed Stafford at the GA office. Register with Jarzembowski and Geoff Toye Sarah sending an administration fee of £5 per CANADIAN ROCKIES 23 July 2011 person to confirm your place. 2012 Mid-June to early-July 2012 This trip continues the popular annual excur- THE GEOLOGY OF EARLY MIDDLESEX sion to working pits in the Weald Clay of south- CHURCHES This field meeting will be led by Prof. Dick east England, where the GA has already partic- Leader: Prof John Potter Moody with assistance from local Canadian ipated in some superb fossil finds. The Saturday 1st October 2011 geologists. It is provisionally planned to fly to venue(s) will be confirmed later so as to take Vancouver, and the coach itinerary will include advantage of conditions at the time. Attendees Should insufficient persons be interested in Vancouver Island, Whistler, Kamloops, Golden, will need to be sure they can safely cope with the NE England excursion, John has agreed to Walcott Quarry, Lake Louise, Banff and the conditions to be found in working quarries. conduct a day excursion to a range of early Calgary. A highlight will be the dinosaurs of the Equipment: You must have suitable footwear, a Middlesex churches particularly for the bene- Drumheller Museum, as well as the geology of high visibility jacket and hard hat. fit of his regular attendees. The limited range the Drumheller area. The trip is expected to Cost & booking: Numbers may be limited. of unusual building stones available for early last 18 days, and from Calgary the party will Further details will be available from Sarah builders in stone in the London Basin will be return to London. The estimated cost will be Stafford at the GA office. Register with examined. £3200. Members interested in participating Sarah sending an administration fee of £5 per Equipment: Bring a quality lens and binoculars. should contact Sarah at the GA office. person to confirm your place. Packed or pub lunches. Cost & booking: Numbers will be limited to 20. FIELD MEETING IN TURKEY PLEISTOCENE INTERGLACIAL SEDI- Further details will be available from Sarah Provisional date: September 2012 MENTS OF STUTTON, SUFFOLK Stafford at the GA office. Register with Leaders: Dr Rob Westaway (The Open Leaders: Graham Ward and Bill George Sarah sending an administration fee of £10 per University) and Dr David Bridgland (Durham Sunday 10th July 2011 person to confirm your place. University) Local guides: Professor Ali Seyrek and Dr This meeting follows on from our visit to A CHALK WALK ON THE CABURN BLOCK, Tuncer Demir (Harran University, Sanliurfa, Wrabness and Harwich in 2010. We will exam- LEWES Turkey) ine the Pleistocene (Oxygen Isotope Stage 7) Leader: Rory Mortimore The field meeting will take place in central- interglacial sediments exposed on the fore- Saturday 15th October 2011 southern and southeastern Turkey, starting shore opposite Wrabness which have yielded a and finishing at Antakya (the ancient city of freshwater fauna including Corbiculafluminalis This walk will be to the Mount Caburn Pits, Antioch) on the NE corner of the together with elephant tusks, teeth and bones. Lewes (see GA Guide No.57 The Chalk of Mediterranean Sea. It is planned to be an 8- The London Clay is also present with excellent Sussex and Kent, Itinerary 1). We will spend day meeting, staying at hotels in Antakya, exposures of seams of altered volcanic ash. the morning in the pit and on a short walk Osmaniye, Gölbasi, Sanliurfa and Diyarbakir. There is a walk of c 3 miles to and from the around Malling Hill past New Pit. In the after- The party will be limited to 24 members and beach which is itself c 1 mile long. Participants noon we will walk to Mt Caburn via the will travel in minibuses. The field meeting will will need to be sure they are up to this amount Glyndebourne Pits. Each walk will be about 2-3 cover Quaternary fluvial sequences, active of walking. km of relatively easy downland walking but will faulting, folding and landscape development, Equipment: Boots, waterproofs and a packed require good walking boots! Neogene and Quaternary volcanism, and lunch. Equipment: Hard hat and hi vis jacket are bedrock geology, and will also provide an oppor- Cost & booking: Numbers will be limited to 20. mandatory. Wear suitable footwear. Packed tunity to visit key archaeological and historical Further details will be available from Sarah lunches. sites. Stafford at the GA office. Register with Cost & booking: Numbers will be limited to 20. Estimated cost per participant (subject to Sarah sending an administration fee of £5 per Further details will be available from Sarah possible exchange rate fluctuations and sub- person to confirm your place. Note that there Stafford at the GA office. Register with ject to specific price quotations for minibus are no buses to Stutton on Sundays so that pri- Sarah sending an administration fee of £5 per hire and accommodation): £700. This will vate transport is essential. person to confirm your place. include transport, all meals, admission fees to archaeological sites, and overnight accommo- PRE-GLACIAL AND GLACIAL DEPOSITS OF FOSSILFEST VII dation for the night preceding the start of the NORTH NORFOLK - PART 2 Leader: Nev Hollingworth trip and nights 1-8 inclusive. Participants will Leaders: Dr Jonathan Lee and Dr Emrys October (date to be confirmed) 2011 be required to arrange their own return travel Phillips (BGS) from the UK to Antakya and to pay for their Saturday 10th September 2011 Location(s) have still to be decided but plen- own visas (UK passport holders can buy these ty of fossils can be expected. Attendees will on arrival in Turkey). A return ticket from a This a follow-up to the successful 2010 Field need to be sure they can safely cope with the British airport to HatayAirport (the airport Excursion to West Runton. The trip will exam- conditions to be found in working quarries. for Antakya) via Turkish Airlines can at pres- ine: (1) Early Pleistocene shallow marine 'Crag' Equipment: You must have a hard hat, hi vis ent be bought for less than £350 if purchased deposits; (2) the highly-deformed glacial suc- vest and suitable footwear. well in advance. cession which includes evidence for several Cost & booking: Numbers will be limited to 25. Those interested in participating in this trip ice-marginal osciallations of the Middle Register with Sarah Stafford at the GA office should contact Sarah at the GA office. Pleistocene British Ice Sheet; (3) multiple sending an administration fee of £5 to confirm episodes of periglacial activity; and (4) the your place. GEOLOGISTS' ASSOCIATION geomorphology of ice-marginal retreat. LOCAL GROUPS Attendees are actively encouraged to examine OVERSEAS TRIPS 2011 Amateur Geological Society the sections and put forward their own ideas. June 14Sapphire Mining in Montana - Dr Ron The trip will involve a walk of 6 miles in total, JAPAN Bonewitz. with a traverse along a pebble foreshore and Leaders: Dr Francis Hirsch, Dr Mike Ridd, July 12 tba. return over the cliffs. Attendees should be Mrs Mikiko Ridd Contact Meetings: Julia Daniels 020 8346 sure they are capable of this walk. Plans are progressing well for this field 1056; Dave Greenwood [email protected] Equipment: Bring a hard hat and stout meeting in November 2011. It will commence in Field trips: [email protected] footwear as the trip will involve standing adja- Kyoto and make its way across the island of Cambridgeshire Geology Club cent to high cliffs and walking along stony Honshu to the JapanSea and then back across June 11 & 12 Open Farm & Vintage Weekend GA Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 2, 2011 15 June 13 Roddons of the Fens - Dinah M. Smith. Contact DavidGreenwood 0208449 6614 Amateur Geological Society July 11 Open Evening everyone welcome. email:[email protected]. June 14 Sapphire Mining in Montana - Dr Ron Contact -Ken Rolfe on 01480 496973, mobile Lancashire Bonewitz. 07777 678685. www.cambridgeshiregeology- Contact Acting Secretary Jennifer Rhodes Contact Julia Daniels 020 8346 1056.or Dave club.org.uk 01204 811203 Email:[email protected]. Greenwood [email protected] , field trips: Dorset Local Group Mole Valley Geological Society [email protected] June 18 Field trip: Geology in the building June 9 Mud Sand and fossils: The Palaeogene Bath Geological Society stones of Sherborne - Alan Holiday. geology of West Sussex - David Bone. June 3 Doctoring Geology: the Medical Origins Contact Doreen Smith 01300 320811. June 11 Field Meeting:to study the geology of of the Geological Society - Dr Cherry Lewis. Email: [email protected] West Sussex coastal plain - David Bone. July 1 Greenhouse to Icehouse: 55 million www.dorsetgeologistsassociation.com August 6 Dinosaur Hunt (& other fossils too) years of Arctic climate - Dr Ian Harding. Essex Group atWarnham brickworks - Geoff Toye. September 2 Club Evening. June 1 The Iron Ore deposits of West Cumbria September 8 The Ice Age landscape of the www.bathgeolsoc.org.uk - David Greenwood. Mole Valley Belfast Geologists' Society September 7 Geology of the Tendring District September 17 Field trip to study the June 18 Field meeting: White Out - Mike - Dr Peter Allen. periglacial landscape of the Mole Valley. Simms. Contact Dr Trevor Greensmith 01268 785404 www.radix.demon.co.uk/dendron/mvgs/ Email: July 23 Practical workshop: King Solomons Farnham Geological Society Chas Cowie: [email protected] Mines - John Arthurs. June 10 Horsham stone and Sussex marble - Dr North Staffordshire Group August 20 Field Meeting: The Crystal Maze - Roger Birch June 4-5 Field meeting: Teesdale - Eileen Peter Millar. June 5 Newhaven - Cuckmere Haven- Birling Fraser. August 30 Evening Walk: East Antrim - Mike Gap, Sussex - Martin Bates and Graham June 25 Field meeting: Rocks to Roses - Brown Simms. Williams. End Quarry. - Ian Stimpson. Black Country Geological Society June 24 A Mid-Summer Geo Walk - Graham September 25-26 Park Hall Open Weekend. June 12: Field Meeting to Apedale Colliery, Williams. Contact for details Eileen Fraser 01260 Staffordshire. July 1-4 Field meeting: Derbyshire Peak 271505 Contact Field trips: Gerard Ford September 24 & 25 Dudley Rock 'n Fossil District - David Walmsley. 01630 673409. Festival. July 8 Farnham Geosoc New Zealand earth- Oxford Geology Group For information contact Barbara Russell 01902 quake & Madeira DVD - Dr John Gahan www.oxgg.org.uk.htm. or call programme secre- 650168. www.bcgs.info September 4-10 Field Meeting: Inverness to tary 01865 272960. Brighton & Hove Geological Society Caithness - Donald Milne. Ravensbourne Geological Society Contact John Cooper 01273 292780 email: September 9 Quaternary of the SW - Dr June 14 Finding Oil - Stephen Wells. [email protected] Jenny Bennett. July 12 Pingos on Earth and Mars - Sheila Read Bristol Naturalists' Society Field Trip Contact - Dr Graham Williams August 9 Subject tbc - Greg Smy-Romsey Contact 01373 474086 tel:01483 573802 Email secretary@farnham- September 13 Natural Hazards - Neil Thomas. Email: [email protected] geosoc.org.uk Contact Carole McCarthy Secretary: 020 8854 Carn Brea Mining Society www:farnhamgeosoc.org.uk Contact - Mrs 9138 email: [email protected] or Vernon June 14 Field trip to Cligga Mine, Explosives Shirley Stephens tel: 01252 680215 Marks: 020 8460 2354. Works and possibly Perranporth Airfield. Harrow & Hillingdon Geological Society CymdeithasDaeaeregGogleddCymru: North July 16 Field trip to Rosevale Mine - Tony June 8 Hertfordshire Puddingstone - some Wales Geology Bennett. facts, some theories and some unanswered Contact Jonathan Wilkins 01492 583052 Email Contact Lincoln James 01326 311420 questions. [email protected] www.ampyx.org.uk/cdgc Cheltenham Mineral and Geological Society June 16-25 Field Meeting: Isle of Wight- Cymdeithas Y DaearegwyrGrwp De Cymru - For more information on lectures contact Ann Members. South Wales Group Kent 01452 610375 July 13 Cape Farewell - Science, art and music June 18 Field meeting: The minerals of Sully For more information on Field trips contact in the high Arctic - Dr Simon Boxall. Island - Lynda Garfield and Dave Wellings. Kath Vickers 01453 827007. July 25 Field Meeting: Mendips and Moons Hill July 23 Field meeting: Mineral riches of the Craven & Pendle Geological Society and Whatley Quarries - Quarry staff. Black Mountain - Alan Bowring. The Devonshire Association (Geology Section) August 10 Members meeting. August 20 Field meeting: PorthClais to Caerfai January 15 AGM Naturian Rocks to Dartmoor August 13 Sand/gravel pit in Northwood and Bay Pembrokeshire - Sid Howells. streams How have dragonflies evolved? Dr Northmoor local nature reserve Denham. August 21 Field meeting: Ramsey Island - Sid Robin Wootton. September 14 Impact cratering and Ejecta Howells. Contact Jenny Bennett01647 24033 email Deposits: Investigations in the Australian tek- Contact Lynda Garfield at: [email protected] tite strewn field and new insights from Darwin [email protected] The Dinosaur Society Centre - Dr Kieren Howard. West of England www. Dinosaursociety.com. Contact: Prof Email: [email protected] Field trip June 12 Field trip to Glamorgan Coast and Richard [email protected] information Allan Wheeler 01344 455451. Barry Island Dorset Natural History & Archaeology www.hhgs.org.uk Contact Allan Insole email: Society Kent Geologists Group [email protected] Contact Jenny Cripps email:jenny@dor- June 21 Some Ups and downs of sea level - Dr www.wega.org.uk mus.demon.co.uk Brian Marker. West Sussex Geological Society Earth Science Teachers Association July 19 Sediments and tectonics in Canyonlands June 5 Geological Walk from Storrington - For membership contact: Mike - Dr Anne Padfield. Geoff Toye. [email protected]. Tel 014804 August 16 Meteorites and extra terrestrial June 17 The Geology of Pigment- Ruth Sidall. 57068 impacts - Peter Jeens. June 26 Annual DownlandFieldwalk - Tony ESTA website www.esta-uk.net September 20 Mapping in South Africa - Emma Brook. East Herts Geology Club Freeman. July 17 Raised beaches and ancient rivers - June Wine and Geology. Contact Indoor Secretary Mrs Ann Barrett David Bone. July Geological Walk around Ware and picnic. Tel: 01233 623126 email: September 11 Autumn Geowalk in Ashdown Check website for venue or contact Diana [email protected] Forest - Brian Harvey. Perkins 01920 463755. Contact information www.kgg.org.uk Contact Betty Steel 01903 209140 www.ehgc.org.uk email: [email protected] The Kirkaldy Society (Alumni of Email: [email protected] Visitors most welcome - £2 QueenMaryCollege) East Midlands Geological Society October 1 AGM and Aluat QMC. AFFILIATED SOCIETIES June 14 Silicates - Dr Chris Duffin

16 GA Magazine of the Geologists’Association Vol. 10, No. 2, 2011 Graham Ward for Lectures 01277 August 26-29 Long weekend and visit: Cardiff Email: [email protected]. 218473.www.erms.org Museum and Pembroke Coast - John Nudds. Southampton Mineral and Fossil Society Essex Rock and Mineral Society Contact email: Sue Plumb, 0161 427 5835 email September 5 Hampshire Mineral & Fossil Show June 14 Silicates - Dr Chris Duffin - [email protected] . - time: 10:00 to 16:30 Venue: Lyndhurst Contact 01277 218473 or see www.erms.org All meetings in the Williamson Building, Community Centre, High St., Lyndhurst, Friends of the SedgwickMuseum, Cambridge University of Manchester. Hants.Admission: Adults £1, accompanied Contact: Dr Peter Friend 01223-333400. Mid Wales Minerals, Fossils and Geology Club children under 14 and Rockwatch members Geological Society of Glasgow Contact Bill Bagley 01686 412679. free Contact Dr Iain Allison email: Newbury Geological Study Group Contact: Gary Morse, 01489 787300 Email: [email protected] June 19 Cotswold Hills, Gloucestershire [email protected] Geological Society of Norfolk July 17 Malvern Web site: Contact Email: [email protected]. Field Meetings season runs from October to http://members.lycos.co.uk/SMFS/smf- Hastings and District Geological Society July. Normally meets on the third Sunday of sshow.htm June 26 Barbecue. the month. Details www.ngsg.org.uk or Mike & Contact Gary Morse 01489 787300. July 31 Field trip: Eastbourne - Prof. Rory Helen 01635 42190". Stamford and District Geological Society Mortimore. Norfolk Mineral & Lapidary Society June 18 Field meeting: Ketton Quarry, near August 21 Jurassic Fish - Dr Peter Forey. Meetings at St Georges Church Hall, Tinwell Lincolnshire border with September 25 Seismic Surveying - David Howe. Churchfield, Green, Norwich. 19.30hrs every Cambridgeshire. Contact email: [email protected] first Tuesday of the Month except August. July 22 Field Meeting: Middlegate Quarry, www.hastingsgeolsoc.org.uk [email protected] South Ferriby, Shropshire. Hertfordshire Geological Society North Eastern Geological Society August 6 Field Meeting: Lea Quarry, Wenlock, www.hertsgeolsoc.ology.org.uk March 18 History of geology - Prof. David M. Shropshire. Contact Linda Hamling 01279 423815. Knight September 24 Field Meeting: Must Farm, Horsham Geological Field Club www.northeast-geolsoc.50megs.com Email;E- Whittlesey, Cambs. June 8 A geological transect across the mail: [email protected]: 0191 Contact: Bill Learoyd on 01780 752915 email: Himalaya - Dr Chris Duffin. 261 1494 [email protected], [email protected]; July 13 The Geology and Fossils of Bracklesham www.dur.ac.uk/g.r.foulger/NEGS.html Ussher Society Bay - David Bone. Open University Geological Society Contact Clive Nicholas 01392 271761. September 14 The Habitat of Petroleum in the Events - listed on http://ougs.org, or contact Warwickshire Geological Conservation Group Wessex Basin - Prof Richard Selley. Christine Arkwright [email protected] 01772 June 22 Shrewley Cutting and Rowington Contact Mrs Gill Woodhatch 01403 250371 335316 Church - Martyn Bradley and John Crossling. Hull Geological Society Membership - contact Stuart Bull member- July 20 Avon Terrace , Hampton Lucy - Brian June 4 Field trip - Bolton Abbey - John Varker. [email protected] 01244 676865 Ellis. July 16 Roadshow at the Treasure House in Reading Geological Society August 17 Studley/Henley - Ian Fenwick and Beverley. Free admission. Sorry no valuations. Hilary Jensen, General Secretary - for more John Crossling. Open to the public from 11 am until 3pm. details and general information tel: 0118 984 Contact Ian Fenwick 01926 512531 emails August 27 Roadshow at Hornsea Museum. Free 1600 [email protected]. admission to Roadshow. Sorry no valuations. email: [email protected] www.wgcg.co.uk Open to the public from 11 am until 3pm. ContactDavid Ward - for field trips 01344 Wessex Lapidary and Mineral Society September 11 Field meeting at Castleton - Paul 483563 Contact Pat Maxwell 02380 891890 email: Hildreth. July 20 David Freeman's Grandfather mined in [email protected] September 17 Joint field meeting with Leeds America and discussing his planned visit to Westmorland Geological Society Geological Association - North Landing and Montana. Contact Brian Kettle email: Thornwick Bay - Mike Horne. August 17 Ryan Law, Geothermal Energy Plant [email protected] Contact Mike Horne 01482 346784 at United Downs Gwennap. The Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club Email:[email protected] Contact email: [email protected]. June 18 Field Meeting: Brownstones http://www.hullgeolsoc.org.uk 01209 860410. Formation in the Sennybridge area led by Dr The JurassicCoast The Russell Society John Davies Details are available on the web site at www. Email Frank [email protected] July 23 Field Meeting: Volcanic and plutonic Jurassiccoast.com. www.russellsoc.org associations in the Malvern Hills led by Richard Leicester Literary & Philosophical Society Shropshire Geological Society Edwards. (Geology) June 13 Precambrian and Ordovician around August 16 Evening building stones walk in March 9 From Yorkshire to Argentina: an Willstone Hill, Cardington - Peter Toghill. Hereford led by Dr Paul Olver ammonitologist's odyssey - Prof. Peter Rawson. July 2 Wrens Nest - Graham Worton. September 24Cleeve Hill led by Dave Owen March 19 Annual Saturday Seminar, University August 17 Field Meeting: Shrewsbury building Contact Sue Hay on 01432 357138 or svh.gab- of Leicester: Theme: Glaciers, Ice Ages and stone trail - David Pannett and Mary Steer. bros@btinternet .com Climate. September 7 Geology for Beginners: General Yorkshire Geological Society March 23 Annual General Meeting and Principles of Geology - Rock types, Geological September 24 Geology and Industry: New Chairman's Address (NewWalkMuseum, Time, and Plate Tectonics - speaker: Dr Peter Frontiers joint meeting with West Yorkshire Leicester): Some new plesiosaur discoveries - Toghill Geological Trust. Mark Evans. September 14 Geology for Beginners: What we June 25 Field Meeting: Geology by Contact Joanne Norris 0116 283 3127 learn from fossilised remains - Andrew Train:Glacial Landscapes and Jurassic Geology Email:[email protected]. Jenkinson of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. www.Charnia.org.uk September 21 Geology for Beginners: Rocks of July 23-24 Field Meeting: Upper Triassic Leeds Geological Association the Ercall and Wrekin - Chris Rayner Sulphate Evaporites of the Dove Valley - Noel Both lectures at 7.00 pm at Rupert Beckett September 28 Geology for Beginners: Bending Worley. Lecture Theatre, Leeds University. and Breaking: an introduction to structural August 2-21 Field Meeting: Investigating the Details : Judith Dawson 0113 2781060 or geology with the emphasis on Shropshire - Prof Askrigg Block to Craven Basin Transition in the leedsga.org Michael Rosenbaum. Pately Bridge area - Colin waters and Liverpool Geological Society www.shropshiregeology.org.uk JochemBijker. Contact: Joe Crossley: 0151 426 1324 or email Sidcup Lapidary and Mineral Society October 22 or 29 Geotourism Meeting. [email protected]. Meets every Monday evening at Sidcup Arts Contact Trevor Morse 01833 638893 Manchester Geological Association Centre. www.yorksgeolsoc.org.uk July 16 Field Meeting: Great Orme and Copper www.sidcuplapminsoc.org.uk mines - Jacqui Malpas. Contact Audrey Tampling 020 8303 9610 GA Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 2, 2011 17 new ichnospecies. It was only at the cast- "That's big!" ing stage that he was able to make a Martin Whyte writes: tracing on polythene I had been walking along a rocky and have his first shore in East Fife, scrambling over a orthogonal view of succession of sandstone ribs, when I the trackway by saw it. As my head rose above the level metaphorically of a prominent ledge I looked forward hanging from the across the pebbly beach to the over- rafters of his work- hanging base of the next sandstone bed shop, camera in and there it was - a gigantic sinuous hand (fig. 4). The trackway with a prominent central Museum of the groove (Figure 1). "That's big!" I Figure 2 Painting on the rubber (note the tide rising around our feet). University of St Charnwood Forest and Dudley (Geology Today 2011), GeoEd Ltd was asked by Geoheritage Fife if it could mould and cast Martin's trackway. After a chat with Martin, we decided a recce and trial was needed. So in September 2009 we three met in Fife to check local permis- sions, access to the beach, tides, state of the outcrop and to make a small trial mould. Funds from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) for the moulding and GA Curry Fund for a cast were confirmed in December 2009, with SNH asking for Figure 1 Martin Whyte beside the Hibbertopterus trackway showing crescentic footprints and the the moulding to be carried out the fol- median tail drag trace. lowing Spring. Therefore in April just as the Iceland volcanic ash cloud was thought. stranding people abroad, our hard Figure 4 The complete 7m long cast in the work- Initial expectations that it would be work began. shop. The longer rule is 2m. The low angle light- the track of an early amphibious tetra- During many days of outcrop clean- ing makes the footprints more visible. pod were soon proved wrong - too ing, lugging 25kg drums down to the many footprints. Some possible arthro- beach and 'painting' on of rubber (Fig. pod makers could also be eliminated - 2) a large number of visitors, from too many limbs or the wrong sort of BGS, SNH, Geoheritage Fife, University appendages. A little research soon of St Andrews and the local SMP, Iain revealed that the maker was almost Smithvame came to see what we were certainly a Hibbertopterid eurypterid. doing. In addition about 20 people from These water scorpions are a bizarre the media joined us on the beach for a group of freshwater eurypterids that SNH press call and as a result our inhabited the fluvio-deltaic environ- strange activities were reported in sev- ments in which the track-bearing eral Fife papers and on the local TV. Carboniferous sandstone was laid At that time we had no idea where down. Ironically, though the best hib- the final 'home' for the casts would be. bertopterid body fossils were found and So rather than completing the moulding first described in the 1830s, this was Figure 5 The central section of the cast in the the first record of a hibbertopterid Museum of the University St Andrews trackway. It is also the largest walking (MUSA). The GA logo is toward the bottom trackway of an invertebrate to have righthand corner of the cast, and clearly visi- been found. More controversially, ble as one climbs the stairs. because the trackway shows that the Andrews provided wall space for the animal was dragging its tail and moving central section of the cast, maximum very slowly and jerkily, this normally size 2.5 by 2m, so we cut it to size (Fig. aquatic animal appears to have been 5). The remaining parts are in store moving out of water or at least in water there awaiting a bigger wallspace. too shallow to provide any buoyancy. More details (and pictures) of the For all its uniqueness and importance moulding and casting process are in a the trackway has not been easy to PowerPoint document that we have pro- record and describe. The presence of Figure 3 Carrying the rolled 85 kg mould off the vided to the Curry Fund. an overhanging exposure on the base of beach and up the cliff. a sandstone bed created problems References because it means that it is not possible in sections it was made as one large Edwards D and D Williams 2011. Rescue to get far enough away to photograph rubber, over 7m long and weighing Palaeontology. Geology Today v. 27 No2 the trackway at right angles. As a result 85kg! We were grateful for volunteers pp65-69. I felt my work on it was still incomplete from a golf club who managed to lift the Whyte, M.A. 2005. A gigantic fossil (Whyte 2005). 'body' 30 metres up the cliff. (Fig. 3) arthropod trackway. Nature, v.438, "That'll be a bit tricky!" The moulding and casting have not p.576. only been the best way of preserving Dee Edwards & Dave Williams write: this trackway but have also provided Dee Edwards, Martin Whyte Following our work with BGS and benefits for Martin’s further work on this Dave Williams Natural England replicating outcrops in 18 GA Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 2, 2011 Festival of Geology - a view from the floor

The Festival of Geology grew from provided by Thematic Trails. Planetary Sciences (past the end of the Geologists' Association Reunion Mineral stalls always provide a very the North Cloisters) and the Rock into a two-day public event in 2006. colourful array of specimens and are Room in Earth Sciences, in which a Since then, four events have been a good source for adding to one's copy of Greenough's map was dis- held at University College London own collection, or for purchase as played for the day. Three other (UCL), the venue for many Reunions Christmas presents. In the latter exhibitions were on open access too: over the years. The decision to "go context, Buffy's Beads were wel- Dust to Diamonds (North Cloister, public" was a happy one: visitor comed for the second time, and curated by Emma Passmore and numbers had been declining gradu- there was still a queue when the fes- Susannah Chan), ally over the years, but immediately tival was starting to close at 4.30. Photomicropraphia: Invisible Worlds increased to around 1500. The pro- The stall on Colour in Minerals (South Cloister; photographs by posal to add a lecture series proved proved popular again, the provision Richard Weedon, supported by Jayne to be a winner, and the venue has of a binocular microscope allowing Dunn from UCL and a Leverhulme had to change from a 48-seat lecture one young visitor to look at every grant) and Ink (North Lodge; curat- theatre to one holding almost 150. single specimen, one by one, at high ed by Simon Gould). See : The addition of field trips on the fol- magnification, while his Dad looked http://www.ucl.ac.uk/silva/muse- lowing today has also proved to be on patiently. All eighty seven of ums/whats-on/exhibitions_listings popular. them. for closing dates. The 2010 lectures, given by Bryan Local groups were represented The photographic competition itself Lovell (Challenged by Carbon: The from all over the country, showing had some excellent contributors, and Oil Industry and Climate Change), their finds and illustrating their attracted many entries. The winner Chris Carlon (Mining the Ocean - activities over the year. The GA pho- in 2010 was Malcolm Nugent for his Diamonds and Gold from the Sea tographic archive was on show as photograph of Southerdown Floor), Pete Grindrod (Exploring New usual, but can now be viewed more Pavement. Water Sources on Mars) and Charlie readily without damage. This There are inevitably things which Underwood (Whale meat again: archive was safeguarded for many don't go quite to plan, but we hope Return to the Whale-eating Sharks years by Margery Carreck, without that most things are rectified by the and Shark-eating Whales of the whom it might have seriously deteri- time this years Festival opens. In Egyptian Desert) were beautifully orated, but has now been conserved 2010 we had issues with a march illustrated, and well attended by an through the efforts of Richard starting just round the corner, and a audience of all ages. Noticeable this Weedon, supported by Jonathan potential "lock-down" of UCL; poster year were the increased numbers of Larwood (Natural England and GA) boards not being quite what was late teens/early twenties, a group and a grant from the Curry Fund. ordered; the wife of one of the we would like to attract to the GA This work has meant that the photo- speakers' producing a baby 48 hours and its activities. graphs are better protected, can be before the event, and an upgrade of It is always good to see not only handled more safely, and so are the IT system meaning that the main familiar exhibitors return each year, more accessible to researchers and system could not be used in the lec- but also to attract new ones. One other interested parties. ture theatre. Nonetheless, these such was a stand by the London The Festival aims to cater for a issues were all smoothed out in Geodiversity Partnership, one of a wide range of ages. The Discovery time, and we are now beginning to number of partnerships country- Room is a particular attraction to plan for next year. wide which brings together organisa- younger audiences, but by no means I would like to thank all the people tions and individuals to support geo- exclusive to them. One young man who supported the event on the day diversity and landscape priorities in brought a small group of friends to by coming to visit, exhibit, run an their region. Their new leaflet, celebrate his eighth birthday at the activity, give a lecture or lead a field Building London, researched by Festival. Rockwatch's racing trilo- trip; a special mention also to mem- Melanie Green, was launched at the bites are always a draw for smaller bers of the GA, and to staff and stu- Festival and provides links to geolog- visitors, and the provision of materi- dents from UCL (Earth Sciences, UCL ical walks together with information als to make dioramas a perennial Museums and Collections, Estates about museums and other geological favourite. The Kent group's micro- and Facilities) who contributed resources in London. Practical scopes are popular with budding behind the scenes. guides to geological walks were pro- palaeontologists, and UCL Museums vided by the Aldersbrook Geological and Collections provided zoological, Society through Geology and archaeological and geological han- London's Victorian Cemeteries, and dling materials. Musems open on the Wendy Kirk others further afield in the literature day comprised the Centre for

GA magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 2, 2011 19 MUSINGS OF A GA TREASURER

many useful papers that provide Bimpson. There is a large GA col- To me, a Society is a group of friends invaluable information for my field lection of UK and overseas geological helping each other enjoy a common trips. maps and field guides. I can borrow interest. In which case, the GA seems · The GA Magazine. This glossy examples to enhance my field trips. to be in good shape judging by the "newspaper" reports the activities of Elaine will purchase (at GA cost) decibels and laughter at the Festival of members of the GA and the GA particular maps at one's request. Geology (Annual Reunion) in Local Groups and Affiliated · Young people are catered for via November. Which set me thinking. Societies. It includes lecture and RockWatch; they pay a separate Treasurers tend to be materialistic in field trip programmes of the soci- (much smaller) subscription and outlook (and so they should be!) and, eties. receive their own Magazine, an ever as no exception, I began to wonder · The opportunity to attend the talks building encyclopaedia of geology, just what do I get for my £40 annual and field trips provided by the GA's field trips and a variety of local subscription? Local and Affiliated Groups up and meetings across the country. down the country. · Financial support. Past mem- · Clearly, and foremost, I have an · Blackwell publish a glossy journal bers have left financial legacies, the ever-expanding group of Friends called Geology ToDay on behalf of Curry Fund perhaps being the most who share my interest in geology. the GA and the Geological Society of famous. The money is invested, · The Annual Festival of Geology. London. There are articles about and the income is used to support This week-end event provides lec- topical geological events including geological research, field work, pub- tures, field trips and an opportunity earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, lication and conservation and to pro- to see, share and talk about the tsunamis, sea level rise, climate and vide awards for excellent contribu- work of other geological enthusiasts other natural geological processes tions to geological knowledge. They from around the country. And, you that affect our everyday lives. can also help finance local and can supplement your collection of There are overviews of a vast range regional lecture and field trip meet- minerals, fossils, maps and books of geological topics from Dinosaurs ings. Some of the legacies are from numerous outlets. to Amber to Limestone Building restricted to GA members, but oth- · A wide variety of Field Trips at Stones. This excellent publication is ers benefit both student and mature home and abroad. Shorter trips via a separate subscription where members of the geological commu- tend to be wall-to-wall geology GA members receive a 25% dis- nity across the country. All one has (which I think is a good thing). The count. to do is ask. longer trips, particularly abroad, also · Geological Field Guides. I find · There is a "shop", run by GA provide the opportunity for some these a very valuable aid: they Enterprises, which provides all sight seeing: it was on GA trips that incorporate a geological overview of things geological (hand lens to map I fulfilled lifetime ambitions to a particular region and describe par- to book to clothing) at discounted explore the Potala Palace of the Dalai ticularly interesting outcrops within prices. Lam at Lhasa in Tibet, and to explore that region. These field guides are · A new web-site has been set up. the Namib Desert of SW Africa. very popular. For example, the new Gradually, it is being populated with · Monthly Lectures, which include London Guide sold over 40% of its information concerning GA events everything from someone's latest print run within the first month. and products. research project to the GA · Cheap insurance, to protect me Presidents' annual "overview" talk on my geological perambulations. Over recent years, the GA has on their own particular area of inter- · An annual GA Conference. In improved the quality and variety of its est. 2010, the Warm Climates product, whilst trying to focus on its · The Proceedings. This respected Conference attracted a large audi- core geological membership and their science journal is particularly recog- ence and provided a fascinating interests. At the same time the sub- nised for its work on British geologi- series of lectures on the latest scription has been held down to £40, cal successions. The editor, Jim research. The 2011 Conference on in spite of the financial turmoil around Rose, has great plans to expand the Geoconservation, to be held in us. What do I get for 40 quid ? Its not journal from 4 to 8 issues per year. Worcester, promises to be equally bad, is it? I think I'll join again next · The past 150 years of the fascinating, and will be accompanied year. Proceedings have been digitised, by field trips. which means that I can access this · Access to the University College of Graham M Williams invaluable geological resource via London's Library via the GA's own the world-wide-web. There are professional librarian - Elaine Honorary Treasurer

Be prepared for Summer - get your Field Guides now. See the GA website www.geologistsassociation.org.uk. for all the Guides available

20 GA magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 2, 2011 heaps of Jurassic sediments had been had a marvellous time. We offered a Rockwatch News left. series of activities including geology in In the afternoon we visited Coleman's your shopping basket to demonstrate Quarry, now dormant, and were able to the impact of geology on daily life and show the children the classic "de la rock and fossil identification to intro- Rockwatch, the junior club of the GA, Bech" unconformity where duce specimen handling (always a great is already well into its 2011 field sea- Carboniferous limestones are overlain success) and depositional environ- son! We had a splendid visit to unconformably by Jurassic oolitic lime- ments. It was an amazingly busy day, Shorncote Quarry in the Cotswolds in stones. This was sfirst noted by Henry but the children's (and teachers') early March. It was a big group, all very de la Beche (the first Director of the enthusiasm and curiosity made it a very keen for the first trip of the New Year British Geological Survey, appointed in worthwhile visit. and members were not put off by the 1835) at nearby Vallis Vale and shows a As ever, it really is the generosity of really cold weather. Lots of fossils were time gap of some 180 million years! our sponsors and our many helpers who found including the bivalves The surface of the Jurassic limestones, make such a range of activities possible Pholadomya and Pleuromya; bra- an ancient sea floor now exposed, and to whom we are most grateful. chiopods Microthyridina and shows evidence of marine life from Obovothyris; echinoids like Nucleolites those far-off times with abundant mol- Susan Brown and Acrosalenia ; a number of gastro- lusc marks. Some splendid fragments of pod internal molds and three splendid zoned calcite were also found at this Chairman samples of the big ammonite site, much to the children's joy. Macrocephalites . Sadly, no mammoth We've had two major public events tusk or other Quaternary fossils were recently, Science Week with the British found this time. But, there was a bit of Geological Survey at Keyworth and the excitement right at the end of the trip, Lyme Regis Fossil Festival in Dorset. when a car got stuck and had to be Because of building works at Keyworth, towed out of the quarry by one of the Rockwatch and BGS colleagues visited 2 big earth movers! It was jolly lucky for local schools, one to the south and the us that some of the staff were still on other to the north of Nottingham and site otherwise…! Our thanks to Geoff local schools visited us there. We spoke Swann and Graham Bull who were our to almost 1,000 children during the co-leaders. week, from schools all over the East In early April, in balmy "summer" Midlands, covering a wide range of geo- weather, we had a marvellous day at logical activities. The week ended with a Torr Quarry in deepest Somerset with big Family Fun Day at Keyworth; three Eddie Bailey who's the geologist at the Rockwatch families came to help and Busy at Lyme Regis quarry. Once again, it was a big group, lots of our members visited during the all very keen and hopeful of finding lots day. There were loads of activities to of fossil and fine mineral specimens. enjoy, including Rockwatch Jurassic dio- Torr Quarry, the largest in southern ramas and fossil making, BGS superb England is worked for its Lower fossil displays, making earthquakes, the Carboniferous Limestone (Blackrock Space Centre, the Russell Society, talks Limestone) and because of its rail-link from BGS staff on geological time, 3D has been able to sustainably supply visualisation sessions on Mars and tours much of the stone for London Olympics of the huge new core store - enough to project, so if you get the chance to go keep visitors busy all day! to the Olympics next year, make sure Rockwatch had a very busy weekend you have a good look at the building over the early May Bank Holiday week- stones! end. We were at the sixth annual Lyme Super calcite find at Torr Quarry It was good to have the opportunity Regis Fossil Festival, and in fact we've to show the children some of the inter- run activities at all of the previous fes- esting structural geology of the area, tivals other than last year's. This year, and, thanks to the huge rock faces we had hundreds of visitors all week- exposed by quarrying, it was not too end, the royal wedding notwithstand- difficult to explain (relatively!) simply. ing! And, an article on the back page of An idea of the regional impacts of the the current Rockwatch magazine, by great Hercynian (Variscan) Orogeny on Eric Robinson about the restoration of the geology of the area could be seen in Wesminster Abbey's Great Pavement, the dip of the rocks, some 25 -30 was highly topical and attracted a great degrees southwards. Subsequent thrust deal of interest and attention from our and normal faults could also be seen, visitors! It also gave visitors an oppor- often marked in the quarry by thick cal- tunity for a conversational opening School activities Y3 cite veining and some marvelous calcite about the breadth of geological activi- crystals now grace many of the chil- ties in many and unexpected ways. One dren's collections! Eddie explained how of the really interesting things about the quarry development is greatly influ- the activities we run is that they attract enced by the geology. He pointed out family participation and they do seem that the northernmost strata are affect- to derive much pleasure from their joint ed by chert nodules and silicification activities as well as giving parents a and the dip of the beds means the chance to talk about things geological northern faces are quarried at a much to our wonderful helpers, all of whom gentler angle to other face orientations are great ambassadors for Rockwatch! to prevent major planar failures. Some Our school based visit this term was collecting was done along the back edge to Park Royal school in Macclesfield of the quarry extension where spoil where Y3 children (and their teachers) Rockwatch at BGS GA magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 2, 2011 21 Charnwood Forest gets a complete set

The recent publication of the reveal this buried landscape. Only a sequence showing the basic structure Coalville 1:50,000 England and Wales thin veneer of glacial deposits and of the area was introduced with the sheet 155 and ther accompanying material associated with the much words "dip and strike". However, British Geological Survey sheet expla- more recent Quaternary ice ages and these are minor details in a film that nation completes BGS’ updated cover- intervening warm intervals, including show how it is possible to make such age of Charnwood Forest, the present day, masks much of the an interesting subject-matter under- Leicestershire, with some of the current andscape. However, quarrying standable to the wider public. Midland's most significant geological over the centuries has revealed exten- The well structured 52-page sites, including ancient volcanic rocks sive exposures, in addition to the nat- Earthwise booklet provides a brief easily accessible on the M1 motorway ural outcrops found on the original introduction to the geology of from London. Apart from the two heathland which covered the higher Charnwood Forest followed by a series other sheets, Leicester 156 and ground underpinned by the ancient of well illustrated and grid referenced Loughborough 141, and their fully volcanic rocks. walks displayed on a series of enlarged illustrated colour booklets sold togeth- Given such a diverse series of rock inserts around the margins of the er with the folded and cased maps for types and associated structures, the accompanying simplified 1:25,000 £18 each in a clear plastic wallet, the 84-minute-long DVD should be of map. This also has a column of eight BGS have produced an Earthwise interest to those who want to know photographs tied to lettered points of booklet and a simplified 1:25,000 map more about the geology of Charnwood interest indicated with a quirky camera for £12. And best of all there is an Forest, and compares well with geolog- symbol on the map showing the direc- informative DVD for only £5 aimed at ical programmes seen on television. tion from which they were taken, A-level students and anyone else inter- Some contemporary broadcasts even (rather than noting this in the caption). ested in this area's long and at times omit naming the basic units being dis- However compared to the pair of maps complex geological history. These cussed at key locations out of a mis- at the same scale produced with the popular publications are marketed guided fear of upsetting the more guides to the Eastern and Western under the Earthwise brand and, along superficial end of the viewing spec- Mendip, the cartography is oversimpli- with the film, were paid for by the trum, who would mostly let such extra fied. This is especially so as the natu- Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund details wash over them, as long as the rally more tightly drawn 1:50,000 with an additional grant from the content was interesting enough to series shows much more complexity, Department for Communities and keep the overall narrative flowing. without resorting to any one of ten Local Government. Furthermore, if friends happen to expensive 1:10,000 sheets containing Over an area of about 16 by 12 km watch and then ask questions, it the full results of the latest resurvey- predominantly late Precambrian vol- makes discussing more detailed points ing and revisions in as much detail as canic rocks poke through a much rather frustrating without this informa- possible. This is compounded by the younger cover of Triassic sediments. tion providing a handy shortcut for more detailed alternative involving These relatively ancient rocks are getting up to speed on a topic. This is juggling between three maps, even if associated with island arc eruptions similar to some of the more complex the linework is in sync-unlike the similar to those on the modern island sporting jargon used by commentators chasm which often exists along the of Montserrat in the Caribbean. In which does not detract from enjoying edges of many sheets between differ- other locations finer more ancient intelligent coverage, as that is how you ent generations of published maps deposits have preserved quite remark- can learn about technicalities in a wide even once they were metricated. able early soft-bodied fossils from the range of fields from the Tour de France Like its two neighbours, the new Ediacaran period (542 to about 630 to cricket. Coalville 1:50,000 sheet is a consider- Ma). This was just before the Thankfully, in this modest production able advance on the last edition, bal- Cambrian explosion during which more pairs of geologists are allowed to talk ancing intricate detail with overall clar- easily preserved life forms rapidly about what is in front of them, in a ity, even if much of the district is evolved, even though the local series of different locations from the masked by glacial till and other super- deposits of this age, which fringe the guide, to provide a coherent overview ficial deposits. To simplify the core of older rocks, only contain trace of the area's geology. The film also Charnwood Forest part of the map, fossils. Later in Ordovician times, the includes a number of clear diagrams areas covered with head deposits gen- Mountsorrel granodiorite was intruded and some rather good footage of erup- erated by intense freeze-thaw weath- on the eastern margin of Charnwood tions on Montserrat, as a modern ana- ering processes during the Quaternary Forest. Then during the Silurian and logue along with desert environments are shown by thin red diagonal lines so Devonian periods the Acadian Orogeny to illustrate local Triassic conditions. I the underlying bedrock colours can be folded and faulted the older rocks, think there could have been a bit more clearly shown. In addition, its mar- when the Iapetus Ocean finally closed on-screen annotation of key outcrops gins have more fine cross-sections forming a chain of mountains as two and words and more attention should showing the underlying structures and continents collided. Later, have been paid to avoiding faces being nature of the Triassic unconformity Carboniferous limestone was deposited in shadow on a number of occasions, extending across a wider area. The in a warm shallow sea along its north- and at least one locality needed light- accompanying sheet explanations con- ern edge, which was still land at this ing. Also, black sunglasses don't look tain fairly detailed and well written time. After a period of intense erosion good on screen, as eye contact is a accounts with key units clearly high- associated with the Variscan Orogeny, vital element (along with slightly bet- lighted in bold and, given their rela- rivers deposited sandstones in places ter clothes in some scenes). That tively short length, generously illus- before the Mercia Mudstone finally said, the presentation is done without trated with maps, diagrams, tables and buried the area during the Triassic the usual hype, and key concepts are photographs. This is an acceptable when desert conditions took hold. As clearly explained, such as how trade-off given that their production is a result, a marked unconformity with increased silica content results in more considerably cheaper than producing the older rocks can be seen in many explosive eruptions. The one omis- traditional memoirs, which often used places, as the younger Mesozoic sion was in the section on dip, which to appear many years after the rele- deposits which once covered the area failed to explain how to find the strike vant sheet, but, at the same time they have been removed by later erosion to direction, before the very next still provide basic references to the sci-

22 GA magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 2, 2011 entific literature. Such references in sion and often complete remapping devices are rapidly evolving, a well the text should not be considered off- with more rapid enhanced contempo- folded and designed paper map is still putting to casual readers, as I simply rary methods. While computers are a delight in its own right, and like a skipped over them in my youth before offering an increasing number of possi- book does not require any power picking up that these bracketed names bilities, including allowing users to source or maintenance to read. and dates were linked to this extra navigate three-dimensional topogra- Furthermore, publication in itself helps information. phy and even generate complex block produce a more coherent overview of As a result of all this work diagrams, there is still a place for the available geological data at the Charnwood Forest has much better printed material as a vital future-proof time, rather than risking piecemeal coverage than many districts which, back-up, given that paper can survive revisions on an ad hoc basis without even after basic 1:50,000 coverage of for centuries while digital databases gaining any wider and deeper under- Britain is soon completed, will still be in can be corrupted and degrade within standing. pressing need of core funding for revi- decades. Even as handheld viewing David A. G. Nowell

remove greasy impurities from sheep's BOOK REVIEW wool in the preparation of cloth, but his What on Earth is under Sussex? A interpretations of their significance series of Essays Exploring the History of were set firmly in the context of the Geology in Sussex [Journal of West Biblical tradition of Creation and Sussex History No. 77 (2008-09)]. Deluge. Although Gideon Mantell Organised, edited and designed by (1790-1852) was the subject of a biog- Anthony Brook of the West Sussex raphy by Dennis Dean in 1999, two Geological Society. Originally published papers focus on aspects of his life: for the West Sussex Archives Society by Gideon Mantell and the Brighton Press Guildbourne Publishing, Worthing, 1834-1838 (pp. 33-46), by John A. November 2009. New Edition, with cor- Cooper, describes his four year stay in rections and an index, published in April Brighton and the unhappy history of the 2010. 96 pp. short-lived would-be scientific societies This special issue of the Journal of West which formed around him, and his Sussex History is intended to be the Museum of geological specimens, as first of two devoted to articles on the reflected in the local press coverage; history of geology in Sussex. It is the and in Gideon Mantell and the Art of April 2010 version which is reviewed Seeing Pebbles (pp. 47-56), Melanie 1933-1938, David Bone describes the here. Keene discusses the origins of, and atti- fine work carried out by Venables The papers are intended for a broad tudes to, the observation of nature (1901-1990), and a small group of readership and are generally successful underlying his hugely successful book helpers, to decipher the biostratigraphy in avoiding too specialist language (for Thoughts on a Pebble, or a First Lesson of the London Clay, amassing a collec- example, the date ranges of geological in Geology, first published in 1836, tion of over 14,000 specimens, which Periods are also given). Collectively which aimed at interesting children in included fossil sharks, seeds, fruits, they make an interesting, and informa- geology. Until at least the 1930s, beetles and microfauna. tive, read and should appeal to GA 'Witchstones' (flints with a hole through The journal is printed at A4 page size, members as, in some cases, they illus- them) and 'Shepherds' Crowns' (casts and the articles are laid out in such a trate the important contributions which of Cretaceous echinoids) were widely way that the illustrations are grouped the non-professional geologist can believed by many country folk to have together on pages which alternate with make to the knowledge about a region. magical properties, being capable of those containing the text. Restrictions Following a brief Introduction by the bringing good luck to the owner (the on total space in the issue have meant Editor, the articles are as follows: form of which could range from, disease that while many of the illustrations are Taking the waters at Brighton 1750- prevention to increasing a catch of lob- clear, some are printed at a very 1850 (pp. 8-20), by John D. Mather, sters, or even ensuring safe driving in reduced size (which can make text discusses the connection between early motor cars), or warding-off the within them challenging to read) and hydrotherapy and Brighton, first popu- effects of evil spirits from both man and some give the impression of crowding larised by physician Dr. Richard Russell animals. Christopher J. Duffin's paper, together. The same applies to the notes (1687-1759), who advocated the cura- Herbert Toms and the Geological and bibliographic references at the end tive properties of both drinking, and Folklore of Sussex (pp. 57-64) of each article. All the illustrations are in bathing in, seawater. While the former describes the meticulous work of local black-and-white, except for a coloured did not last much beyond the end to the historian, Toms (1874-1940), in docu- geological map on the inside of the front 18th Century, the latter continued into menting such beliefs through interviews cover, and a colour portrait of Mantell the 20th. Following Russell's death, and the collection of many examples of and illustrations from his 'Thoughts on a these practices were augmented by the both kinds of talisman. In Edward Alfred Pebble' on the inside and back of the drinking of water from a nearby chaly- Martin and 'The Glaciation of the Sussex rear cover. The Editor, himself a mem- beate spring, rich in iron and man- Downs' (pp. 65-78), David G. Bate, ber of the West Sussex Geological ganese salts and, from 1825, a variety describes Martin's (1864-1943) ideas Society, and contributors are to be com- of Continental mineral waters were also on the origin of the topography of the mended on putting this collection of made available. In The Reverend South Downs arising from his study of papers together, but is a great pity that Charles Wilton and his Pre-Emigration their topology and the 'Head' deposits the eight remaining contributions could Geological Investigations in West exposed in cliff sections near Brighton. also not be included and it is to be Sussex (pp. 21-32), Wolf Mayer dis- This is set in the context of the devel- hoped that it will not be too long before cusses the geological investigations opment of theories generally, leading to the companion volume appears. made by Wilton (b. 1795, d. 1859) in the modern view of their formation by This issue of the journal available the years between 1820 and 1831 solifluction, mass-wasting, in the from: Guildbourne Publications, BN11 (when he emigrated permanently to periglacial zone, the frost-dominated 4BQ, £11.20p Australia). He collected both minerals region which exists on the periphery of and 'organic remains' and was particu- ice sheets. Finally, in Martin Venables Richard J. Howarth larly interested in the Fuller's Earth, so- and the Natural Science and called because it was used by 'fullers' to Archaeology Society, Littlehampton, GA magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 2, 2011 23