GeoscientistThe Fellowship magazine of The Geological Society of London | www.geolsoc.org.uk | Volume 22 No 3 | April 2012

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IN THIS ISSUE APRIL 2012

FEATURES 14 WAR GEOLOGY Ted Rose on how the use of militarily relevant geological maps was pioneered in the British Army during WW1 REGULARS 05 WELCOME Getting slagged off in the media is a mark of PR success should be worn as a badge of pride, says Ted Nield 06 SOAPBOX Going Gaga - Nic Petford urges the Society do press ahead with new means of communicating geology 07 GEONEWS What’s new in the world of geoscientific research 20 COVER FEATURE: WATER INTO WINE 10 SOCIETY NEWS What your Society is doing at home Geoviticulture in Lebanon. Jenny Hugget and abroad, in London and the regions visits the new vineyards of the Bekaa Valley 23 LETTERS We welcome your thoughts 24 PEOPLE Geoscientists in the news and on the move 26 BOOK & ARTS Two reviews by Joe McCall and Sean Mulshaw 26 OBITUARY A distinguished Fellow remembered 27 CALENDAR Society activities this month 29 CROSSWORD Win a special publication of your choice ONLINE SPECIALS n THE BEARABLE WEIGHT OF LIABILITY Max Langer 08 14 et al. Reply to Dave Martill’s recent criticism of Brazil’s policies towards palaeontological conservation

APRIL 2012 03 0%42/,%5-'2/50 43'#/ "!$'%$#/.&%2%.#% $!93 In conjunction with: )NDUSTRIAL3TRUCTURAL Corporate Supporter: 'EOLOGY! Principles, Techniques and Integration 28 - 30 November 2012 The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London Convenors: Frank Richards Dana Petroleum

Nick Richardson Dana Petroleum

Steve Rippington CASP

Woody Wilson BP

Structural geology is a crucial element in the Petroleum and Mineral Industries. It provides the framework within which we explore, appraise and develop assets, with a critical influence on their commercial success. Industrial activity provides a wealth of structural data to advance fundamental science, which allows theories to be tested through constantly evolving techniques. Ultimately structural geology is a key pillar in supporting Conference Sponsors: the profitable generation of society’s energy and mineral requirements, requiring research funding and offering rewarding careers to future geoscientists. This conference provides an opportunity to review current best practices in structural geology as well as explore and define the relationships between industry and academic practitioners. In a commercial climate, where declining resources, the environment and safety are all fundamental issues, defining future trends and developments through better collaboration will help prepare us for the challenges that lie ahead. This three-day conference will combine presentation, discussion and workshop formats. We invite contributions covering all practical aspects of structural geology with a commercial application, including: mapping and fault validation; fault seal, trapping and compartmentalisation; regional geology, including restorations and plate-scale reconstructions; risk, uncertainty and volumetric assessment; geomechanics, fracture prediction and (HPHT) production behaviour; unconventional resources; carbon storage; application of analogues; salt tectonics; data collection, synthesis and integration.

Confirmed Keynote Speakers: John Cosgrove (Imperial College) John Underhill (University of Edinburgh) Martin Jackson (AGL, BEG, University of Texas) John Walsh (Fault Analysis Group, UCD) Steve Jolley (Shell) Nicky White (University of Cambridge) Dave Sanderson (University of Southampton) Graeme Yielding (Badleys Geoscience) Richard Swarbrick (Ikon Science/Geopressure Technology)

For further information and registration, please contact: Steve Whalley, Event Co-ordinator: +44 (0)20 7432 0980 or email: [email protected] At the forefront of petroleum geoscience www.geolsoc.org.uk/petroleum ~ EDITOR’S COMMENT GEOSCIENTIST JENNY HUGGETT AND OMAR ZUMOT EXAMINE YOUNG VINES IN THE MARSYAS VINEYARD IN THE BEKAA VALLEY, LEBANON Front cover image ~ BRICKBAT TIME ne of the mistakes that scientists Geoscientist is the F 01727 893 895 Fellowship magazine of E enquiries@centuryone frequently make whenever they turn the Geological Society publishing.ltd.uk their minds to matters of public of London W www.centuryone publishing.ltd.uk awareness, is to think that all people The Geological Society, at all times must do nothing other Burlington House, Piccadilly, CHIEF EXECUTIVE than fall on their rear ends in London W1J 0BG Nick Simpson T +44 (0)20 7434 9944 T 01727 893 894 admiration. Anything less is so often F +44 (0)20 7439 8975 E nick@centuryone Otaken as some kind of failure. E [email protected] publishing.ltd.uk (Not for Editorial) Now this would be all the more laughable if ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE available evidence did not show that scientists are Publishing House Jonathan Knight The Geological Society T 01727 739 193 already among the more highly admired and Publishing House, Unit 7, E jonathan@centuryone respected of people in society. But heavens, let us not Brassmill Enterprise Centre, publishing.ltd.uk Brassmill Lane, Bath allow facts get in the way of a good prejudice, BA1 3JN ART EDITOR especially if it allows us to whimper alone in our T 01225 445046 Heena Gudka rooms, which after all in this adolescent fantasy is the F 01225 442836 DESIGN & PRODUCTION next best thing to being invited to parade through Library Sarah Astington London on elephants. No, take it from me - the sure T +44 (0)20 7432 0999 F +44 (0)20 7439 3470 PRINTED BY way to know you’ve made it is to find yourself E [email protected] Century One Publishing Ltd. attacked for never being off the telly. I am happy to EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Copyright say that such evidence is emerging. Professor Tony Harris FGS The Geological Society of First, the Guardian’s TV critic Sam Wollaston (no London is a Registered Charity, relation, we assume), offering his view on BBC’s Super EDITOR number 210161. Dr Ted Nield NUJ FGS ISSN (print) 0961-5628 Smart Animals, wrote of its presenter Liz Bonnin on 8 E [email protected] ISSN (online) 2045-1784 February: “She could have done more to show off her (genuine) science credentials as well as her lovely EDITORIAL BOARD The Geological Society of London Dr Sue Bowler FGS accepts no responsibility for the views smile; but then it is a nice change to have a science Mr Steve Branch FGS expressed in any article in this Dr Robin Cocks FGS publication. All views expressed, programme that isn't some Scottish bloke banging on Dr Martin Degg FGS except where explicitly stated about rocks.” Ahem. I think we all know who you Dr Joe McCall FGS otherwise, represent those of the author, and not The Geological mean, Wollaston. And he’s from Glasgow, so I’d Dr Jonathan Turner FGS Society of London. All rights reserved. Dr Jan Zalasiewicz FGS No paragraph of this publication may watch it if I were you. be reproduced, copied or transmitted Anyway, hardly had we stopped reeling from this Trustees of the Geological save with written permission. Users Society of London registered with Copyright Clearance piece of cheek when another BBC series The Great Dr J P B Lovell OBE Center: the Journal is registered with British Countryside, fronted by comedian Hugh Dennis (President); Professor P A CCC, 27 Congress Street, Salem, MA 01970, USA. 0961-5628/02/$15.00. and Countryfile’s Julia Bradbury, elicited the following Allen (Secretary, Science); Every effort has been made to trace Miss S Brough; Mr M copyright holders of material in this opening sentence in a review by the Daily Telegraph’s Brown; Professor R A publication. If any rights have Butler; Mr D J Cragg; been omitted, the publishers offer Michael Deacon. Clearing his throat for a legitimate Professor J Francis; their apologies. complaint about the little Englandism that so often Professor A J Fraser; Dr S A No responsibility is assumed by the overtakes popular lanscape-related programmes, he Gibson; Mrs M P Henton Publisher for any injury and/or (Secretary, Professional damage to persons or property as a wrote: “You know Britain’s in a bad way when we’re Matters); Dr R A Hughes Dr matter of products liability, reduced to bragging about our geology. Don’t worry A Law (Treasurer); Professor negligence or otherwise, or from any R J Lisle; Professor A R Lord use or operation of any methods, about recession or cuts or unemployment – we’ve got (Secretary, Foreign & products, instructions or ideas some first-rate granite, and don’t let anyone tell you External Affairs); Mr P contained in the material herein. Although all advertising material is different.... On the soundtrack, strings soared Maliphant (Vice president); expected to conform to ethical Professor S B Marriott (Vice (medical) standards, inclusion in this majestically. It felt like the Last Night of the Proms, president); Professor S publication does not constitute a Monro OBE; Mr D T Shilston guarantee or endorsement of the but with slightly more talk of magma.” (President designate); Dr C quality or value of such product or of Well, now that they’re well sick of us on the telly, the claims made by its manufacturer. P Summerhayes (Vice Nick Petford (no stranger to the box himself), urges us president); Professor Subscriptions: All correspondence J H Tellam; Dr J P Turner relating to non-member subscriptions to spread our tedious dominion over the social (Secretary, Publications); should be addresses to the Journals networks too. Amen to that, say I. There can be no Professor D J Vaughan; Subscription Department, Geological Mr N R G Walton Society Publishing House, Unit 7 surer sign that one’s head – or any other part of the Brassmill Enterprise Centre, Brassmill Lane, Bath, BA1 3JN, UK. Tel: 01225 anatomy – has begun to poke above the parapet than Published on behalf of the 445046. Fax: 01225 442836. Email: some nonentity or other should begin taking Geological Society of [email protected]. The London by subscription price for Volume 22, pot-shots at it. It is nothing to worry about. I look Century One Publishing 2012 (11 issues) to institutions and forward eagerly to being de-friended and unfollowed Alban Row, 27–31 Verulam non-members is £108 (UK) or £124 / Road, St Albans, Herts, US$247 (Rest of World). anytime soon. AL3 4DG © 2012 The Geological Society T 01727 893 894 of London DR TED NIELD EDITOR

APRIL 2012 05 GEOSCIENTIST SOAPBOX

Going Ga Ga BY PROFESSOR NICK PETFORD Professor Nick Petford ponders the communication potential placed at our fingertips by the new technologies

SOAPBOX The story of scientific communication is not unique to geology, but Soapbox is open to geology is unique to contributions from all Fellows. science and it is in the You can always write a letter to spirit of our founding the Editor, of course: but fathers that I promote perhaps you feel you need the cause of our science more space? above all others. The Society was If you can write it entertainingly in founded at a time of 500 words, the Editor would like exceptional to hear from you. discovery, fuelled by Email your piece, and a self- controversies, portrait, to ted.nield@geolsoc. excitement and professional skulduggery. globally. It was the cable network linking org.uk. Copy can only be At this time there were just a handful of Jakarta with Paris and London that accepted electronically. No professional geologists; but knowledge of allowed the news of a far-away volcanic diagrams, tables or other geology was relatively widespread and eruption to make the front pages of the illustrations please. ‘men of culture and wide sympathies’ morning editions across Europe. developed the science. Many were Fellows The wireless, Logie Baird’s televisual Pictures should be of print of the Royal Society and also the device, beaming the face of Iain Stewart quality – as a rule of thumb, Athenaeum, founded in 1824 – and still into every home... for the last 80 years such anything over a few hundred home to the Society Dining Club. technologies have been the dominant tools kilobytes should do. of mass communication. But today, they TAMBORA are being challenged by new and Precedence will always be given

The Geological Society had its origin at a disruptive technologies – the social to more topical contributions. dinner held at the Freemasons Tavern in network exemplified by facebook Any one contributor may not

Great Queen Street. Humphrey Davy wrote and twitter. appear more often than once per on November 13 1807 to WH Pepys “We volume (once every 12 months). are forming a little talking Geological DARWIN’S I-PHONE ~ Dinner Club, of which I hope you will be a Lady Ga Ga has 11 million twitter member. I shall propose you today”. So in followers. The Society must move to the early years, geological communication embrace these forms of communication to I SUGGEST was simple – talking, over dinner, in a stay relevant in the 21st Century. Imagine if WE, AS A SOCIETY, convivial environment. Mass Darwin had taken an iPhone on the Beagle, communication this was not. or Hutton had reporting his observations at LEAVE NO In 1815, eight years after the foundation Siccar Point live on Skype. Sedgwick once TECHNOLOGY of the Society, Tambora erupted. Today, claimed he would leave “no stone very few outside the profession have ever unturned” in his pursuit of his science. UNTURNED IN OUR heard of Tambora. But who has not heard I suggest we, as a Society, leave no PURSUIT TO of Krakatoa (famously relocated East of technology unturned in our pursuit to COMMUNICATE THE Java by the Disney Corporation), which communicate the science we love to the erupted in 1883? widest of all possible audiences. SCIENCE WE LOVE What had happened in the 68 years after TO THE WIDEST OF Tambora, an eruption many times more Professor Nick Petford was the first to embed a video ALL POSSIBLE powerful, was mass communication - a in a Geological Society-hosted blog, (from Stromboli. new and revolutionary technology, the He is Vice-Chancellor of the University of Northampton. AUDIENCES This piece was taken from his address to the Professor Nick Petford~ telegraph. It is wrong to imply that the Internet was the first to network the planet Founders’ Dinner 2011 at Le Méridien, Piccadilly

06 APRIL 2012 GEONEWS GEOSCIENTIST Forests of the polar night Antarctic forests (without the dinosaurs) may be about to make a comeback, according to new research from Royal Holloway, University of London, published this week

Read GeoNews first in Geoscientist Online [www.geolsoc.org.uk/] geoscientist

as well as 77% of species. with the fastest growth occurring at PALAEOBOTANY Several thousand Cretaceous Above: Forests of the poles. Araucaria covered A comprehensive database of forest sites have been discovered, most of the “Some of our fossil trees from fossilised Cretaceous forests has been but their data have never before vegetated parts of Antarctica had rings more than two the planet during compiled for the first time, allowing been brought together in one place. the Cretaceous millimetres wide on average” says co- scientists to create maps of 100 The research, published in the author Dr Howard Falcon-Lang. “Such million year-old forests. The maps journal Geology, is led by Royal a rate of growth is usually only seen in have provided the most accurate Holloway, University of London PhD trees growing in temperate climates. It picture yet of a world where student Emiliano Peralta-Medina, tells us that, during the age of atmospheric carbon was at levels of at who is studying Cretaceous climates dinosaurs, polar regions had a climate least 1000~ parts per million (ppm). as an analogue for future global similar to Britain today.” warming. It provides an insight into Atmospheric carbon levels are the effects of extremely high currently at 393 ppm – a long way off WE COULD SEE A concentrations of atmospheric CO2 from Cretaceous levels. But the on fauna. researchers estimate that it will only RETURN OF FORESTS TO “Our research shows that weird take us another 250 years to reach ANTARCTICA. HOWEVER, monkey puzzle forests covered most 1000 ppm, if concentrations continue IT’S UNLIKELY THAT of the planet, especially in the to rise unabated. steamy tropics” he told Geoscientist. “If that happens” says Dr Falcon- DINOSAURS WILL BE “At mid-latitudes, there were dry Lang, “we could see a return of forests MAKING A COMEBACK cypress woodlands, and near the to Antarctica. However, it’s unlikely that Dr Falcon-Lang North Pole, it was mostly pines.” dinosaurs will be making a comeback.” This changed towards the end of ~ the Period, when “flowering trees REFERENCES The Cretaceous Period, which similar to magnolias took off, bringing lasted from around 145 to 65 million colour and scent to the world for the n Peralta-Medina, E, Falcon-Lang, H J, years ago, was one of relatively warm first time”. 2012: Cretaceous forest composition temperatures and high sea levels The study also looked at the width and productivity inferred from a compared to the present day, and of tree rings from the period, global fossil wood database. culminated in the famous K/T mass revealing that Cretaceous trees grew Geology 40 (3), in press extinction, which saw off the dinosaurs at twice the rate of modern trees,

APRIL 2012 07 GEOSCIENTIST GEONEWS Fife catches the GeoBus The University of St Andrews launched a new Earth sciences outreach project for secondary schools on 18 January 2012 at Buckhaven High School in Fife, writes Dawne Riddle Photo courtesy of East Fife Mail

supporting Earth science teaching by “The aim is to engage and inspire GEOEDUCATION Above: Pupils any science teacher. Kathryn Roper, a identifying rock young would-be scientists by TV presenter Professor Iain Stewart BSc Geosciences graduate of St types as part of an introducing them to hands-on practical (University of Plymouth) ceremonially Andrews, who also has a indoor geological exercises that cover a many exercises mapping exercise. de-pressurised a bottle of “Scotland’s postgraduate teaching diploma and From left to right: will be based on current research other national drink” to wish GeoBus has taught for two years in secondary Ruth Robinson outcomes” Robinson says. on its way. The mobile Earth sciences school, is the project coordinator. (develop and “A further benefit to schools is an manager of GeoBus), resource will travel to secondary GeoBus aims to support the Buckhaven High emphasis on potential career schools throughout Scotland and curriculum with hands-on teaching School pupil, Iain pathways. The project will provide a Stewart, and Kathryn northern England, and has been packages developed by staff from Roper (coordinator bridge between industry, HEIs, designed to support secondary school Earth sciences and other physical of GeoBus) Research Councils, and schools, and teachers, particularly in Scotland sciences researchers at St Andrews. it is hoped that more young people will Below: Iain Stewart where very few schools offer Higher launches GeoBus at be encouraged to think about a career Geology. The project is funded by INNOVATIVE Buckhaven High in geology or Earth sciences as a

NERC, EPSRC, Maersk Oil, Shell, Robinson told : “All School. Present result.” Geoscientist with Iain are Centrica, the Geological Society and teaching materials and resources are members of the Any school interested in booking the Mineralogical~ Society. brought to the school, including Department of Earth GeoBus should visit the website Sciences and pupils microscopes, mineral, rock and fossil from Buckhaven (www.geobus.org.uk). The current collections, small flumes, compasses, High School funding for the project will support GEOBUS AIMS hand lenses and handheld GPS units.” visits to schools throughout school TO SUPPORT THE An innovative aspect of term time until June 2014. GeoBus is the way it CURRICULUM WITH involves early- HANDS-ON TEACHING career researchers, PACKAGES who will be ~ helping to GeoBus was developed by Dr Ruth develop the Robinson (Department of Earth teaching Sciences, St Andrews) with the aim of resources.

08 APRIL 2012 Photo courtesy of the University of St Andrews GEONEWS GEOSCIENTIST

funny old Heading here please [ WORLD ]

Lucy Lawless, best known for her boarded a contracted drilling according to Greenpeace. Monitor: Sarah Day. role as Xena: Warrior Princess, is ship and climbed the derrick. Hydrocarbon companies had All contributions gratefully taking on a new role as The ship, bound for the better hope that, with her received. Please write to environmental campaigner and Chukchi Sea off Alaska to comeback firmly on track in the Editor at Burlington she has Shell in her sights. drill three exploratory wells 2012, Miss Piggy doesn’t House, or email According to Greenpeace for Shell this summer, had its also turn environmental [email protected] (picture) Lawless was one of six departure from Taranaki activist. Then they’d really marking your submission activists who on February 23 delayed by the action, be finished. “snapper”.

Former Warrior turns activist - over the hill maybe, but not yet over rainbow

APRIL 2012 09 GEOSCIENTIST SOCIETY NEWS SOCIETYNEWS FERMOR FUND

Sir Lewis Leigh Fermor (1880-1954), Director of the Geological Survey of India

Romain Guilbaud and Carys Bennett (right), Persident’s Award Winners 2012 President’s Day 2012 Earlier in the year, the Society announced the winners of its medals and Applications under the Fermor Fund are invited by funds 2012. Now, mark your diaries for the Society’s gala day – 13 June! 25 June this year, writes Edmund Nickless. The award winners this year are: Christopher Hawkesworth (Wollaston In 1991 the Society received a significant bequest Medal); Eric Wolff (Lyell Medal); Frank Spear (Murchison Medal); William from Lady Francies Mary Fermor, who died in Aspinall (William Smith Medal); Richard Aldridge (Coke Medal); Robin Strachan November 1990. The terms of the bequest were to (Coke Medal); Geoffrey Duller (Bigsby Medal); Cherry Lewis (Sue Tyler Friedman support “furtherance of research into those branches Medal); David Ward (R H Worth Prize); Bridget Wade (Wollaston Fund); of geology that deal with the study of the principles Jamie Pringle (William Smith Fund); Daniela Schmidt (Lyell Fund); governing ore deposition the occurrence of minerals Russell Wynn (Murchison Fund); Ian Jackson (Distinguished Service Medal); and of mineral bearing rocks and fundamental Simon Winchester OBE (Distinguished Service Medal). research into the origins of Precambrian rocks To these can now be added the recipients of two President’s Awards, namely: including extra-terrestrial occurrences.” The first Carys Bennett (Université de Lille 1 - Sciences et Technologies) and Romain award under the Fermor Fund was made in 1992. Guilbaud (School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Newcastle University). To commemorate the 20th anniversary of that Awards will be presented at President’s Day, to be held this year on 13 June. event, the Society is inviting bids against the On that day (full details in the May issue), as well as the Presidential Address, following headings: four senior medallists will deliver short research talks. Titles have yet to be n Small research grants, travel awards to support confirmed, but indications are that Chris Hawkesworth (University of St Andrews) attendance at a major conference in the UK or will speak on The generation and destruction of continental crust; Eric Wolff overseas; funds for research workshops designed (British Antarctic Survey) on Ice cores and interglacials , Frank Spear to promote networking (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) on Thirty years of metamorphic P-T-t paths: n A ‘Fermor Prize’ to be awarded to the best, what we have learned about orogenesis, and William Aspinall (University of second and third undergraduate independent Bristol) on A restless volcano and restive volcanologists: uncertain judgements projects on the basis of nomination by each and uncertain risks. student’s supervisor. All Fellows are welcome to attend the events of President’s Day, though Lunch with the Award Winners will incur a charge. Full details of this, and instructions Applications, to be received by noon Monday, 25 June as to how to register, will be published in the May Issue, which will be distributed 2012, must be submitted electronically using the relevant together with the Annual Report 2011. Edmund Nickless proforma downloadable from the website (Awards, Grants & Bursaries, in the Society section). The application must clearly state how the proposal meets the terms of the Fermor bequest. A total of £25k is available. It is unlikely GIS a donation that any award will exceed £5k in value. Judgment will be based on excellence, timeliness and achievability. Yvonne Drummond, Marketing Manager for Exploration Geosciences, writes: A bit of good news! Based on the sales of The FUTURE MEETINGS Millennium Atlas GIS version in 2011 Dates for meetings of Council and Ordinary General we have recently sent cheques for £10,395.00 to both Water Aid and Practical Meetings until June 2013 shall be as follows: Action (formerly Intermediate Technology Development Group). We have also sent n 2012: 11 April, 27 June, 26 September, a cheque to The Geological Society for £4725. 28 November n 2013: 6 February, 10 April. Further information: www.wateraid.org ; www.practicalaction.org

10 APRIL 2012 SOCIETY NEWS GEOSCIENTIST

FROM THE LIBRARY [lectures The library is open to visitors ] Monday-Friday 0930-1730. For a list of new acquisitions click Shell London the appropriate link from Lecture Series http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/gsl/info Rare map of the month

the major achievement of his later years and the first geological map of the entire Indian subcontinent. Printed on nine sheets, with a complete measurement of 3.2 x 2.7 metres, the map is very detailed, particularly in the foothills of the Himalayas. Greenough did not visit India, but rather, through written Reconciling Past and Future Worlds - correspondence with fellow geologists geology and ground engineering and military figures, he created the Speaker – Jackie Skipper map using their observations from the 18 April field, alongside information from his extensive library (much of which now forms the Society’s rare books Planning for and constructing our built environment and collection). There was a specific infrastructure for today and for the future is an necessity for the map: the East India immensely complex process - but ‘the ground’ is still Company had begun to build the first what keeps our buildings up, and is what we cut or railways in India in 1850 and good tunnel through to construct roads, train networks, fuel, geological information water and sewage pipelines. We ignore it, and its was vital. future behaviour at our peril – it can also fail, be washed The map was published by the away, slip, collapse or erode. Geological Society in 1854, one year Jackie Skipper is Senior Geologist at the before Greenough’s death, and copies Geotechnical Consulting Group and a Scientific were distributed to geological Associate at the Natural History Museum London. societies around the world. One copy After a first career in the NHS, she became a mature was kept for the Society, but tucked student and gained a first in Geology at Greenwich in away in the basement are four other 1993. Her PhD at Imperial College London was on the copies. Why do we have these? Well, stratigraphy of the complex Lambeth Group sediments because they were originally destined of SE England, from which she went on to work as a General sketch of the physical and for countries with which Britain was geological consultant in the engineering industry. geological features of British India then at war! by George Bellas Greenough. 1854 n Programme – Afternoon talk: 1430pm Tea & Coffee: Visitors to Burlington House will be 1500 Lecture begins: 1600 Event ends. familiar with George Bellas Greenough’s Historical Map Prints for Sale! - n Programme – Evening talk: 1730 Tea & Coffee: ‘1819’ (actually 1820) geological map www.geolsoc.org.uk/mapsale 1800 Lecture begins: 1900 Reception. of England and Wales, which hangs in the entrance hall next to the more If you would consider sponsoring the FURTHER INFORMATION famous 1815 map by William Smith. restoration of this map please contact Please visit www.geolsoc.org.uk/ Perhaps less familiar to them will be Paul Johnson E: shelllondonlectures12. Entry to each lecture is by Greenough’s map of India, which was [email protected] ticket only. To obtain a ticket please contact the Society around four weeks before the talk. Due to the popularity of this lecture series, tickets are allocated in a monthly ballot and cannot be guaranteed. Sponsor-a-Book update

Contact: Naomi Newbold, The Geological Society, Burlington The Library wishes to thank Mr to restore all four volumes, removing House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG, T: +44 (0) 20 7432 0981 Damon De Laszlo and The De rotten sewing while preserving the E: [email protected] Laszlo Foundation for recently original buckram cases. sponsoring the restoration of Richard Owen’s A history of British For more information on the Sponsor-a- fossil reptiles (1849 – 1884). The Book Appeal, please visit very generous donation allowed us www.geolsoc.org.uk/sponsorabook

APRIL 2012 11 GEOSCIENTIST SOCIETY NEWS

[REPORT] Micropalaeontology SOCIETYNEWS... at NHM

A wind of change is CSI, NCIS, JAG... IUGS? blowing through micropalaeontology IUGS IFG Committee Members at the IFG inaugural meeting, at the Natural History Rome, 19 September 2011 Museum, reports Dwain Eldred

The change began with the recruitment of two new members of staff, Tom Hill & Steve Stukins, in December 2011 and January 2012 in the new - and unique - role of ‘Museum Scientist’. They will focus effort on enhancing the profile of micropalaeontology by identifying ways in which the NHM’s collections can benefit the wider micropalaeontological and geological community. These activities will be underpinned with ‘stakeholder engagement’ - in other words, talking to people with a vested interest in the future direction of micropalaeontology. Hill and Stukins’s remit also includes advising on collections development needs, training and education opportunities, income- generation potential and research priorities. At this early stage the new recruits say they “want to Earth science’s world organisation opens the case on Forensic Geology make all Geoscientist readers aware that of their – reports Laurance Donnelly. presence at the NHM, and how to get in touch if they The International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) launched its Initiative have any queries or suggestions” – see below. They on Forensic Geology (IFG) was officially launched during the 62nd Executive hope to develop a ‘stakeholder engagement strategy’ Committee Meeting of the IUGS, at UNESCO headquarters, Paris, on 22 in coming months, and promise to keep Geoscientist February last year. This became named the ‘Initiative on Forensic Geology abreast of progress. (IFG)’. On 18-19 September, the IUGS-IFG and its newly formed committee members became formally established and launched at an inaugural meeting For further information: E: [email protected]; in Rome. [email protected] This was an interesting conjunction because forensic geology was well known by the ancient Romans who, according to Latin writers, were able to locate the camps of their enemies by observing the soil types adhering to the hooves of captured horses. More recently, in 1978, following the kidnap and n THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY CLUB assassination of Italian Prime Minster Aldo Moro, forensic geologists were The Geological Society Club, successor to the body that involved in analysing soil from his clothing. gave birth to the Society in 1807, meets monthly (except over the field season!) at 18.30 for 19.00 in the RENAISSANCE Athenaeum Club, Pall Mall. Once a year there is also a Throughout the early 1980s forensic geology developed in Rome; but (as in special dinner at Burlington House. New diners are many other parts of the world) forensic geology seemed to be put on hold and always welcome, especially from among younger had to await the millennium for further progress. This new Italian renaissance Fellows. Dinner costs £52 for a four-course meal, was helped by the development of a Soil Laboratory within Rome’s Servizio including coffee and port. (The Founders' Dinner, in Polizia Scientifica. In recent years sampling and analytical techniques have November, has its own price structure.) There is a cash improved and Italian geologists have taken part in numerous high-profile cases bar for the purchase of aperitifs and wine. and assisted police with a variety of criminal investigations. 2012 11 April (Burlington House); 23 May. The meeting was attended by 19 committee members from around the Any Fellow of the Society wishing to dine should contact world (picture), organised by Rosa Maria Di Maggio, (formerly of the Servizio Dr Andy Fleet, Secretary to the Geological Society Polizia Scientifica, now Geologia Forense Roma) with support from Laurance Dining Club, Department of Mineralogy, The Natural Donnelly (Chair, IUGS-IFG & Wardell Armstrong). History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD. Email: [email protected] from whom further details Further information on IUGS-IFG can be found at: may be obtained. DR http://forensicgeologyinternational.org or http://forensicgeologyinternational.com

12 APRIL 2012

Image © Vaughan Sam / Shutterstock

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teve Matthews (Geoscientist had largely stabilised into a zone of 21.6, July 2011) recently trench warfare in late 1914, the BEF held described one way in which the ground approximately from Nieuport the modern British Army on the Belgian coast south to Amiens in makes operational use of France, a distance of about 130 km. geologists. Another is by the S TERRAINS compilation of specialist geotechnical maps to help guide military planning. Geologically, the BEF occupied land of Such maps for recent operations are not three terrains. The first was a coastal yet in the public domain, but the zone of contemporary sand dunes, and principles that still guide them were Quaternary sediments reclaimed (as established during the First World ‘polders’) from the sea. The second War and developed in the Second. consisted of the Flanders Plain, mostly Long clouded in secrecy, details of that underlain by a bedrock sequence of process are now being progressively alternating (mostly Lower Eocene) revealed, especially in recent mudrocks and weakly cemented publications of the Geological and sandstones (similar to the London and British Cartographic Societies. Hampshire Basins in England). The third Some military applications of geology comprised the plateaux of Picardy and have been apparent for over 200 years. Artois, underlain by bedrock of Upper Napoleon Bonaparte was the first Cretaceous Chalk (similar also to that of general to take geologists as such on a southern England). military operation (the invasion of The scale and intensity of largely static Egypt, 1798). The future British warfare on the Western Front stimulated Geological Survey was founded in 1835 many technical innovations. The and financed until 1845 under military German Army was quicker than the (Board of Ordnance) auspices, and British to make use of geological geology was taught intermittently expertise, beginning in 1914. By 1916 it during the 19th Century at all army had developed a military geological officer training institutions in the UK. organisation as such, with 29 teams of However, not until World War I were geologists, one for each section of the geologists deployed as such to serve on a ‘military mapping and survey’ service as battlefield: the Western Front. then constituted. The British Army made For most of the 1914-18 War, the slower use of geologists, as two Western Front extended from the North particular problems became evident. Sea coast south across Belgium and northern France to the frontier of WATER SUPPLY Switzerland: some 740 km. A British The BEF expanded progressively from Expeditionary Force (BEF) deployed to one to five armies. At its peak in 1916 it its northern sector from August 1914. Its comprised some 1.5 million men and front line position fluctuated with the 500,000 horses/mules (mostly to

ebb and flow of battle, but once the Front transport stores forward from railheads, ▼ OFFICERS WITH MAPS Ted Rose* on how groundwater prospect and engineering geology maps compiled for the Western Front pioneered militarily applied geology in the British Army Preserved trenches dating from World War One, Belgium GEOSCIENTIST FEATURE

▼ rather than as mounts for cavalry!). As numbers of men and animals increased, water supply became a problem. Each man/animal was calculated to require 10 gallons (45 litres) of water per day to meet all requirements. However, near the front line both surface and ground waters were vulnerable to pollution by munitions, ordure, dead bodies of men and animals, while pipelines were vulnerable to damage. Water from civilian wells was usually insufficient to support the high concentration of troops. The problem was solved by innovations that included mobile rigs, Near- contemporary bought from the USA, to drill deep geological boreholes; air lift pumps raised water sketch map of quickly and in quantity from these Belgium and northern France depths; Well Boring Sections in the Royal centred on the Engineers (one per army) were formed to British-occupied operate the new drilling equipment; and region of the Western Front in a geologist was appointed to serve as World War I: area a staff officer at BEF General of map on opposite page Headquarters to guide drilling for outlined

potable water. His name was Lieutenant C. A. M. King (from Rose & Rosenbaum 1993) Photo courtesy of his daughter, Professor (later Captain) W B R King. Born in Yorkshire in 1889, ‘Bill’ King had graduated from the University of Cambridge with 1st class honours in geology in 1912, and joined the Geological Survey of Great Britain. On the outbreak of war he was undertaking fieldwork in Wales, but volunteered for service as an infantry officer in the British reserve forces (the Territorial Army). He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in September 1914. When the Survey’s Director (Aubrey Strahan) was asked by the BEF engineers to nominate a geologist to provide ‘expert’ advice on water supply, King was thus an obvious choice: young, physically fit, enthusiastic, and of proven Lieutenant Bill geological ability. In April 1915 he was King, at appointed to the War Office in London, Versailles in France, to assist and be trained by Strahan in September 1915 war-related hydrogeological work, reference Maps 14317.(160) Image © British Library Board catalogue before joining the staff of the BEF Chief Engineer (later re-titled Engineer-in- Chief) in France. He served with the BEF from June 1915 until hostilities ended, in November 1918. His role during this time was Part of World War I water (where feasible) to supervise and direct supply map of the drilling of boreholes to supply Belgium, drinking water to British forces, and to 1:100 000 scale series showing develop specialist water supply maps to information be used by military planning staffs, or by about existing water supply engineers in the many civilian supplies derived from cases where it was impracticable for him sources to be present in person. including topographical King compiled maps that included: and geological n From 1915, a set of 14 water supply maps

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maps at 1:100 000 for the whole of Belgium and the enemy-occupied territory of northern France, plotting all the information about existing civilian water supplies that could be gleaned from a variety of sources, including geological maps published Simplified before the war. topographical n In May 1916, a map at 1:250 000 for map of the Ypres Belgium and northern France showing Salient of the Western Front the relative abundance of water in the during 1917, summer months: quality indicated by showing the colour type (blue = good, purple = position of the town of Ypres fair, red = poor), quantity by colour (now Ieper) intensity (dark = abundant, medium = relative to the high ground that moderate, light = scarce). forms the n In 1918, another map at 1:250 000 for Wytschaete- Belgium and northern France showing Passchendaele Ridge, and the the region divided into 15 areas advancement of according to the probable sources of the British front water supply and the type of line eastwards from June to engineering plant required. December 1917; n Also in 1918 and at 1:250 000, a map Wytschaete area outlined for the Somme region of France (the

MOD GSGS 2818 catalogue reference Maps © British Library Board southern region contested by the BEF, underlain mostly by Cretaceous Chalk, in which most British military boreholes were emplaced), showing contours of the surface of a marl horizon relatively impermeable to Left: Part of map water as well as topographical at 1:250 000 for contours – since to get a good yield Belgium and from boreholes in this region, it was northern France showing the calculated that the bore penetrate not region divided less than 15 m of water-bearing Chalk. into areas Potential drilling depths could be according to the probable sources calculated from the map. of water supply and the type of engineering plant King guided emplacement of at least 470 required British military boreholes during the war. Some of his maps (particularly at Far left: Part of map at 1:250 000 1:40 000) assisted development of a water for Belgium and supply infrastructure within areas northern France already occupied by the British armies. showing the relative Other maps, such as those illustrated abundance of here, assisted planning and procurement water in the summer months of equipment for advance into new areas, e.g. that by the British Third Army, when between 21 August and 11 November 1918 some 300 000 men and 100 000 horses/mules crossed a zone about 20-25 km deep with almost no surface water to sustain them. TUNNELS & DUGOUTS By 1915 the opposing forces were massively entrenched and the front line Topographical map at 1:250 000 increasingly fortified. Mining was for the Somme therefore developed by both sides on an region of France unprecedented scale as a means of overprinted with contours for the breaching fortifications. Tunnels were surface of a marl driven forward beneath enemy positions, horizon relatively impermeable charged with explosives, and detonated

to water prior to infantry attack – thus effecting ▼

APRIL 2012 17 GEOSCIENTIST FEATURE

Geological map of Wytschaete,

▼ optimum surprise. Australian Mining ‘Battalion’ he had Belgium, In the British sector, such mine and helped to raise: a white-haired original at scale of 1:10 000, countermine warfare reached a peak in grandfather 58 years of age. showing 1916. The BEF raised nine Royal Initially David served as the classification of ground Engineers tunnelling companies in 1915, geological adviser to guide BEF mining according to its expanding these to a total of 25 plus operations, but generated the new maps suitability for the three companies from Canada, three when military priorities changed. Using excavation of dug-outs: from Australia, and one from New data transcribed from Belgian geological shades of red Zealand, by the end of June 1916. The maps published before the war, which indicate BEF thus had about 25,000 British and distinguished rock units according to relatively ‘good’ (dry) strata, Commonwealth troops actively engaged their inferred geological (i.e. ‘bad’ (wet) units in military mining. This phase of the war chronostratigraphic) age, and data from are coloured in shades of culminated in the Battle of Messines: an c. 1000 British and Belgian boreholes, he blue-green attack on German troops occupying the compiled maps that classified the southern part of the Wytschaete- ground strictly according to its Passchendaele Ridge, to the SE of the suitability for dug-out construction. town of Ypres (Ieper in Flemish). Lithostratigraphical units were coloured The attack was planned for the primarily in shades of red to indicate summer of 1916 but postponed to 7 June relatively ‘good’ (dry) strata, contrasted 1917. Near simultaneous discharge of 19 with ‘bad’ (wet) units coloured in shades mines, whose tunnels in total contained of blue-green. nearly 450,000 kg of high explosive, About 180 British dug-outs were across a front of 16 km, prior to massed constructed in the Ypres region, of many infantry assault, ranks as the greatest and types but typically with some six metres most successful operation ever carried of cover to be proof against heavy out in mine warfare. howitzer or mortar fire. Geology proved Part of World Thereafter, mining activity gradually to be a significant influence on the depth War II airfield construction declined. Mining was effective only of their construction along the whole of probability map against a strongly held front line, and by the Wytschaete-Passchendaele Ridge. of NW Europe at the close of 1917 the front was held more scale of 1:1million: by artillery firepower than infantry LEGACY areas of pale manpower. As mining declined, so BEF At the end of hostilities, Edgeworth colour are tunnelling companies were increasingly David returned to Australia. He died in ‘good’, intense colour ‘bad’ diverted to the construction of dug-outs 1934 and was accorded a state funeral in to shelter troops from artillery recognition of his many bombardment. To guide excavation, accomplishments: a rare (perhaps between September 1917 and June 1918 a unique?) honour for a geologist. Bill series of twelve specialist geological King returned to employment by the maps was compiled and widely Geological Survey in the UK, before distributed to troops of the British appointment in 1920 to a teaching post Second and Fifth Armies. at the University of Cambridge, and in In total, these maps covered the whole 1931 promotion as Professor of Geology of the Wytschaete-Passchendaele Ridge at University College in the University and adjacent areas, an area of about 500 of London. km2, at a scale of 1:10 000. Printed in King rejoined the British Army at the England by the Ordnance Survey at start of World War II, in September 1939. Southampton, they were the first series After distinguished service once more in Key to airfield of relatively large-scale engineering- France, he was evacuated with the new construction environmental geology maps to be British Expeditionary Force via Dunkirk probability map published for British use, and arguably in 1940. Back in the UK, he was later to Image: Ted Rose the first published large scale generate new types of geotechnical maps engineering geology map series per se. for military use. As the Staff Officer (Geologist) at 21st Army Group EDGEWORTH DAVID headquarters, helping to plan for the The maps were primarily the work of Allied liberation of Normandy, he Major (later Lieutenant-Colonel) Tannat influenced the decision not to invade via William Edgeworth David. Born in Cotentin, but through Calvados, since Wales in 1858 and educated at the the geological conditions there were University of Oxford, David had more favourable for the rapid emigrated to Australia and achieved construction of temporary airfields considerable academic distinction. deemed necessary to provide area Professor of Geology and Geography at superiority over the bridgehead. A the University of Sydney, he arrived at simplified map compiled in mid 1943 Mine crater, the Western Front in May 1916 with the using essentially the red/blue and Belgium

18 APRIL 2012 FEATURE GEOSCIENTIST

colour intensity contrasts pioneered in pool of geologist reservist officers to water supply and dug-out suitability maintain geological expertise for the maps of World War I, made the British Army. He died in 1963, but the distinction clear. recent work of Steve Matthews in King was released from the Army (as Afghanistan reveals that successors of his a Lieutenant-Colonel) in October 1943 to ‘pool’ still exist, in the Territorial Army. become Woodwardian Professor of King’s World War I experience Geology at Cambridge. By then he had generated an enduring legacy. He guided foundation of the Geological recognised that as a geologist advising Section of the Inter-Service non-geologists tasked with decisions Topographical Department: an involving the best use of ground, his ‘intelligence’ unit that was to generate advice had to be clearly relevant to the numerous geotechnical maps and reports specific problem in hand (e.g. sites for during the rest of the war. Also, he had boreholes to abstract potable groomed one of his pre-war groundwater, excavations for dug-outs, undergraduate students at Cambridge, or rapid construction of temporary Fred Shotton, to be his successor at 21st airfields); that it made more impact to Army Group HQ. There Shotton communicate initially with simplified compiled a wide range of specialist maps illustrations (e.g. maps) than technical (notably for beach trafficability, words; and that in the military context at suitability for rapid construction of least, non-geologists seeking advice were airfields, and groundwater prospects). interested fundamentally in just two Even after release to Cambridge, King concepts: ‘go’ and ‘no-go’. It might be helped to compile a series of necessary to introduce a third groundwater prospect maps that assisted (intermediate) category of ‘slow-go’, but the Allied campaign eastwards across anything more complex was likely to lose northern France and the Low Countries impact. These principles still apply. n to victory in Germany. Postwar, he became the geological adviser to the UK War Department (later Ministry of * Ted Rose Honorary Research Fellow in Earth Defence), and helped to create a small Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London Peter Davies (from Rose & Rosenbaum 1993) Image from University of Sydney Archives, courtesy of REFERENCES

1 Robins, N.S., Rose, E.P.F. & Clatworthy, J.C. Europe and the Far East during World War II: (2007): Water supply maps for northern France ‘secret’ British reports and specialist maps created by British military geologists during generated by the Geological Section, Inter- World War II: precursors of modern Service Topographical Department. Quarterly groundwater development potential maps. Journal of Engineering Geology and Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 41, 237-256. Hydrogeology, 40, 47-65. 7 Rose, E.P.F. & Mather, J.D. (eds) (2012): 2 Rose, E.P.F. (2009a): Water supply maps for Military aspects of hydrogeology. Geological the Western Front (Belgium and northern Society, London, Special Publications, 362, in Major Edgeworth France) developed by British, German and press. David, American military geologists during World War I: photographed 8 Rose, E.P.F. &Rosenbaum, M.S. (1993): pioneering studies in hydrogeology from trench British military geologists: the formative prior to his warfare. The Cartographic Journal, 46, 76-103. arrival at the years to the end of the First World War. Western Front in 3 Rose, E.P.F. (2009b): Military men: Napoleonic Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association, May 1916 warfare and early members of the Geological 104, 41-49. Society. In: Lewis, C.L.E. & Knell, S.J. (eds) 9 Rose, E.P.F. & Rosenbaum, M.S. (2011): The making of the Geological Society of British geological maps that guided excavation London. Geological Society, London, Special of military dug-outs in Belgium during World Publications, 317, 219-241. War I. Quarterly Journal of Engineering 4 Rose, E.P.F. & Clatworthy, J.C. (2007): Geology and Hydrogeology, 44, 293-306. Specialist maps of the Geological Section, 10Rose, E.P.F., Clatworthy, J.C. & Nathanail, Inter-Service Topographical Department: aids to C.P. (2006): Specialist maps prepared by British British military planning during World War II. military geologists for the D-Day landings and The Cartographic Journal, 44, 13-43. operations in Normandy, 1944. The 5 Rose, E.P.F. & Clatworthy, J.C. (2008a): Fred Cartographic Journal, 43, 117-143. Shotton: a ‘hero’ of military applications of 11Rose, E.P.F., Clatworthy, J.C. & Robins, N.S. geology during World War II. Quarterly Journal (2010): Water supply maps for North-west of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 41, Europe developed by British military geologists 171-188. during World War II: innovative mapping for 6 Rose, E.P.F. & Clatworthy, J.C. (2008b): mobile warfare. The Cartographic Journal, Terrain evaluation for Allied military operations in 47, 55-91.

APRIL 2012 19 WINE ON THE ROCKS

Jenny Huggett* admires some rocks - and the odd beaded bubble – among the developing wine-growing industry of the Eastern Mediterranean. FEATURE GEOSCIENTIST

xactly where wine was Left (clockwise first made is lost in the from top): Marsyas vineyard in the mists of time, but Bekaa Valley. This archaeological research vineyard is ideally has confirmed that the sited on an outlier of Cenomanian blushful Hippocrene has limestone on the Ebeen made in the Eastern alluvium-rich Mediterranean since around 3200 plateau. The soil here is rocky and BCE. Although the spread of Islam low in humus, from the 6th Century CE onwards producing well structured elegant diminished demand, the Christian white and red communities of the region have wines. In the kept wine culture alive. An exciting distance the Mount Lebanon range can new project to create a wine be seen on the far museum of the Levant in Lebanon’s side of the Bekaa Valley will include a Yammouneh Fault. substantial section on the St Georges vineyard, geoviticulture of the region; and it Mafraq in Jordan. Rich clay-rich soil was this that led me out there. on basalt, with The climate of the upland regions limestone rock of Lebanon is particularly well fragments derived from the nearby suited to winemaking, with almost hills of Cretaceous continuous sunshine in the summer, limestone and heavy rainfall from late autumn Cretaceous through early spring to recharge the limestones exposed aquifers. Most vineyards are in the in nearby hills Bekaa Valley, where temperatures Solution hollows in are typically ten degrees cooler than karstic at sea-level; though in summer they Cenomanian- Turonian limestone still hover around a scorching 35°C. at Bargylus vineyard, Syria TERROIR Right: Geological Factors linked to geology that Map of Lebanon influence wine quality are water availability, nourishment and topography. The much-abused term ‘terroir’ approximates to the sum of these factors, together with aspect Tertiary, folding uplifted the limestone areas. This largely and climate. Mesozoic rocks as Arabian and comprises the limestones’ insoluble Lebanon is divided into three African plates collided. The sea residue, with a highly variable main geological and topographic retreated from the Bekaa proportion of loess (sand blown units: the Mount Lebanon range, depression, and Miocene-Pliocene from North Africa and Arabia) and which rises from the sea to 3083m, conglomerates and lacustrine rock fragments. Almost mystical the Bekaa Valley, which despite the limestones were deposited. In the properties are attributed to the name lies at 800-1200m, and in the Pleistocene, the Bekaa was perceived richness of this soil, here east, the Anti Lebanon range, with sporadically submerged beneath a and in other parts of the world, its highest peak at 2814m. The large lake. In the last 10,000 years such as the Coonawarra of South country’s geological structure as the climate has warmed up, the Australia. There is no clear reason consists of two large NNE-SSW lake has receded leaving rich fertile why terra rossa should yield better trending anticlines (the two soils that have been farmed since wines that other soils; perhaps the mountain ranges) separated by a the dawn of agriculture. significance is that terra rossa is large syncline (the Bekaa). The The limestones of the Mount only associated with the Yammouneh Fault, the northern Lebanon range extend north into Mediterranean climate. continuation of the Dead Sea western Syria and south into Israel Most soils contain all the transform fault, is responsible for and western Jordan. Extensive chemical nutrients that vines dramatic slopes on the western basaltic plateaux (of probable require for healthy growth in margin of the Bekaa Valley. Miocene age) spread across much abundance. However on soils rich Most of Lebanon comprises of central Syria, and to the south in organic matter, vines grow fast lower to middle Cretaceous into Jordan. and the fruit lacks intensity of sandstones and limestones, though flavour. This is why quality wines early Jurassic limestones occur in TERRA ROSSA are grown on what are described as the cores of the anticlines, and the Throughout the region the soil on ‘poor’ soils, though they are only southern up-thrust of the limestone is terra rossa, the classic deficient in organic matter, and not

Yammouneh Fault. In the Early Mediterranean climate soil of the elements derived from rock. ▼

APRIL 2012 21 ▼ What is apparent from the Above left: excessive abstraction here and wines demonstrate otherwise. Bekaa Valley is that the best wines Chateau Marsyas elsewhere in the region has He has planted two areas - one on are made on shallow, stony terra vines, Bekaa resulted in the water table being basalt on the northern border with Valley, Lebanon rossa soils poor in organic matter. lowered by as much as 100m. In Syria, the other on Cenomanian Soils that fit this pattern occur Inset: Some of the the mountains of western Syria, limestone close to Madaba, where product awaiting close to the western margin of the the bottle (Cenomanian-Turonian limestone wine was made in Biblical times. plain, and on outliers of limestone and dolomite) the water table The basalt landscape is desert, and conglomerate in the valley. Above right: now lies at 250m, while in the with around 75mm rain/year, and Terra rossa soils Higher up the slopes there is may be poor in Bekaa Valley it is at 150m depth. a water table at 300m, from which almost no soil at all, while in the organic matter but The wholly organic vineyards water is pumped to irrigate the deep, also rubified, alluvium of the not in rock- owned by the Saadé family - vines (vines cannot survive here derived minerals central part of the valley there is so Bargylus in western Syria and without irrigation). The soil much humus that it is better suited Marsyas in the Bekaa - are both however is 5-7m deep, stony (due to growing potatoes than vines. on karstified limestone with a to inclusion of limestone from the The ideal scenario for stony terra rossa soil 30-100cm surrounding Cretaceous hills) and viticulture is a high porosity low thick. In these vineyards the rich in inorganic nutrients derived permeability rock overlain by a young vines are encouraged to from the basalt. This soil is much well drained soil. This is root deeply by planting, between more clay-rich than the terra rossa, particularly true where rainfall is the rows, crops that tend to open a fact that is undoubtedly highly seasonal, as in Lebanon and up fractures in the deeply advantageous in this climate as the western Syria. Vines hate to have weathered rock immediately clay can absorb what little rain their roots water-logged; they need beneath the soil. This has may fall, and hold it in for longer. good drainage, which is easily successfully avoided the need to Typically for basalt soils, the clay achieved by a balance of sand, clay irrigate vines over two years old - is smectite. This is further good and rock fragments in a soil a practice that will become more news for the vines as smectite overlying porous rock. A rock of common as water becomes ever gives up its interlayer cations to fairly low permeability has the scarcer. Excellent wines are also nutrient seeking plants more advantage that the water table made on the geographically readily than do other clays. n does not become excessively lowest portion, of the east-facing lowered during the summer slopes of Kimmeridgian * Dr J M Huggett, Petroclays, The Oast months. Although the Mesozoic limestone in the Bekaa Valley. House, Sandy Cross Lane, Heathfield, limestones of Lebanon, Syria Here the soils are very stony and Sussex TN21 8QP United Kingdom. and Jordan are fairly well produce well structured wines E: [email protected] indurated, deep karstic weathering that are less full-bodied than and faulting allow water to those grown where the soil is FURTHER READING – percolate deeply. deeper. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT In Jordan the St Georges For further information on the geology of WATER vineyard has been planted fairly Lebanon see the excellent documents by In the past it could be said that recently by Omar Zumot. He Chris Walley readily available on the Lebanon’s greatest natural freely admits that many thought Internet. He is thanked for permission to resource was water. However he was crazy to do so, but his use the map featured here.

22 APRIL 2012 Geoscientist welcomes readers’ letters. These are published as promptly as possible in Geoscientist Online and a selection READERS’ printed each month. Please submit your letter (300 words or fewer, by email only please) to [email protected]. LETTERS Letters will be edited. For references cited in these letters, please see the full versions at www.geolsoc.org.uk/letters INSENSITIVE – AND UNWISE (CONCLUDED) KNOW YOUR LIMITS! Sir, In his Soapbox piece (Geoscientist 21.11, p11) Martin Lack pointed out that we live in a finite world and commented on the limitations of exponential growth and suggests that we should act accordingly to control the growth rate in order ensure that we do not exceed certain limits in the future. I have recently written a lengthy paper on the inevitability of continuing environmental degradation strongly endorse this view. According to my calculations the Sir, I was saddened to see this picture Upper Triassic Branscombe Mudstone world population will increase from (Geoscientist 21.11, p07) depicting a person Formation with its green-grey reduction 6272 in 2000 to 8400 in 2100 based crouching adjacent to the vertical sidewall at interbeds. In geotechnical terms, these on an average increase in world the base of an unsupported trench of at least lithologies might reasonably be described as population of 0.92% pa. Per capita four metres’ depth. At best, what is shown is moderately competent. But a journal with the GDP will increase from $19,532 dollars plainly bad practice; at worst your journal is professional standing and responsibilities of to $105,432 at a rate of increase of apparently condoning a potentially life- Geoscientist should take much more care to 2.83% pa. threatening situation. ensure that such images – editorially of interest World GDP will increase from The law on such issues reflects common for scientific reasons – do not depict examples $164,885 to $627,067 at a rate of sense, that any such work must be risk- of operational bad practice. increase of 3.12% pa and total wealth assessed by a competent person, to ensure a Procedures should be in place to ensure created will increase from $5877 trillion safe system of work to control the risk of that every such image in every issue is vetted to $22,972 trillion in 2100. In addition, trench collapse. As an absolute minimum, for by a person with competence in practical atmospheric CO2 will increase from the protection of themselves and others, health and safety. I look forward to safer issues 367 ppm in 2000 to 513 ppm in 2100. geoscience companies and individual of ‘Geoscientist’ in the future. These potential increases in human geoscientists should be familiar with the Martin Isles consumption and atmospheric CO2 basic legislation: Director, H&S, MPA President, contents look formidable. It would n Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, The Institute of Quarrying appear to me that, if these increases Editor writes: The Editorial Board is pleased to Sections 2 & 7 take place on the scale suggested, n Management of Health and Safety at Work welcome its latest recruit, engineering geologist Mr Steve Branch CGeol, who in future will have the they will greatly undermine the Regulations 1999, Reg.3 special responsibility of advising the Editor on any attractiveness of planet Earth as a n Construction (Design and Management) photograph depicting people at work and specifically place to live. Perhaps we should do Regulations 2007, Reg.31 whether it contravenes, or might appear to something about it! The offending image shows the reddish-brown contravene, any current H&S codes. Geoff Glasby Reference: Glasby, G P 2010. The inevitability of continuing environmental WATERY MARS ATTACKS IRONS degradation. Advances in Energy Research, v1, Ch5. Nova Science Publishers, Inc., pp 183-201. Sir, After I completed the second on-line note, Hesperian is that it involves taking the fall back published in February 2012, a major new many millions - even billions - of years. From A CYCLEPATH WRITES... article on the subject appeared in Meteoritics my considerable experience of iron meteorites, Sir, Re. Cycle pathology (Geoscientist and Planetary Science (Fairén and 18 co- the reduced iron would decompose rapidly in 22.01 p07, February 2012). Who was authors 46(12), 1832, 2011). This article such an aqueous environment, and the it said: ‘All sedimentation is cyclic, claims that the existence of six iron meteorites meteorite could not possibly survive in its some is more cyclic than others’? found by Opportunity could be explained by present state through the Amazonian and still Dick Selley impact into a soft, wet Mars surface, be found littering the Martian surface. Indeed sometime during the Noachian or Hesperian this seems to be the conclusion of Schröder et epochs; that they may have been buried, as I al. (Journal of Geophysical Research 113 have previously suggested (McCall, PTEO6S22, 2008) who say that reduced iron Geoscientist 15.7,p 14, 2005), and later will oxidise in the presence of water on Mars, exposed by differential erosion. They exhibit even if no additional oxygen I available. signs of some chemical weathering in the form I am not arguing against aqueous conditions of cavernous features. During the Amazonian on Mars in the early epochs, but I think that to epoch, surface water almost completely take the time of fall of these irons back to the disappeared and there was induration of the Hesperian or Noachian is self-defeating, sediments, differential erosion and deflation. because in no way could the iron meteorites In my view, the problem in taking back the survive the millions or billions of years involved aqueous erosion of the meteorites (which if exposed so early on. surely is only incipient) to the Noachian or Joe McCall

APRIL 2012 23 GEOSCIENTIST PEOPLE

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

All fellows of the Society are entitled to entires in this Poster boy column. Please email ted.nield @geolsoc.org.uk, quoting your Central Scotland Group and the Scottish Geotechnical Group Fellowship number. (ICE) hosted the annual poster competition at Strathclyde University on 13 December 2011 n ANDY BARNICOAT Andy Barnicoat has recently been appointed as Chief of the Minerals and Natural Hazards division at Geoscience Australia. The division was created as part of an agency restructure in late 2011. Andy has been in several other roles at Geoscience Australia since moving to the organisation in 2003.

n MALCOLM HART Lasham Poster Piece Malcolm Hart has been elected Caroline Lasham writes: Daniele Bertalot (University of The poster competition is Chair of the Despite very stormy Dundee) on Seismic aimed at giving International weather a full audience and Liquefaction and Richard Allan environmental geologists Sub-Commission six posters were entered, on (URS) with Pipeline Expansion and engineering geologists on Cretaceous a diverse range of topics. in Azerbaijan. under the age of 30 the Stratigraphy (ISCS), which is Each candidate first However, the overall chance to present a project affiliated to the International presented a poster to a panel winner was Richard Blackwell or research topic. So if you Committee on Stratigraphy of judges. Four finalists (University of Glasgow, feel inspired, we look (ICS) and the International were then selected to give pictured) who scored forward to seeing your Union of the Geological oral presentations, consistently highly with his poster submission next year! Sciences (IUGS). He takes over including: Stephanie Zimms undergraduate project on 'The from the current Chair (University of Strathclyde) Prediction of Foundation Contact E: caroline.lasham@ (Professor Isabella Premoli Silva on Thermal Remediation, Movements on Unsaturated Soil'. woodmac.com of Milan University). n JULIAN HATHERALL n GRANT RICHARDSON Julian Hatherall Grant Richardson Unwanted Journals has recently has moved to moved to Earth Patrick Parsons Andrew Hobson would like to These are of various dates Systems who (Newcastle, hear from anyone able to relieve starting in about 1953 ending in have opened an Chester and him of QJGS - Nos. 430, March the 1970s. The collection is office in Bristol, Huddersfield) as 1953 to 504, March 1971. in Fulham. UK. As an experienced Director with responsibility for Numbers 496, 501and 502 are hydrogeologist Julian will be developing its new Environment sadly missing. He also has Contact E: agfhobson@ working with the team to & Energy Division. Grant holds a issues of JGS complete from btinternet.com augment their water PhD in Hydrogeochemistry from 1971 to 1976, volumes 127-132. capabilities and help build a Newcastle University and has He also has some other team of environment and worked for over 15 years in documents, only partly sorted, water specialists serving the environmental and including Society circulars, UK, Europe and beyond. geoenvironmental consultancy. proceedings and newsletters.

24 APRIL 2012 PEOPLE GEOSCIENTIST

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

Seismograph appeal IN MEMORIAM WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/OBITUARIES

Scott Upton, Vice-Principal at “For the town of West THE SOCIETY NOTES WITH SADNESS THE PASSING OF: Sandwell College (West Bromwich we have chosen to Allen, Anthony William* Fuller, John Price, Ivor C* Midlands) writes: “In March celebrate the life and works of J Cockett, Alan Stanley* Hepworth, Barrie* Radhakrishna, B P Coope, G R * Hepworth, John Robson, J Gordon * 2012 we are moving to a new J Shaw, co-inventor of the Milne- Edwards, Wilfrid Hey, Richard * Uko, Suzuki* £80 million campus in the centre Shaw seismograph. I would like Thomas* Humphreys, Adrian * Young, Roger Andrew* of West Bromwich. We intend to to appeal to Fellows for the loan Egerton, Robert* Oates, Francis * Friedman, Gerald M*§ Orme, G R* exhibit items of a Milne-Shaw seismograph (in celebrating the whatever condition or state of In the interests of recording its Fellows' work for posterity, the Society publishes obituaries online, and in Geoscientist. The most recent additions to the list are history of the repair!) to form part of this shown in bold. Fellows for whom no obituarist has yet been commissioned are six towns of exhibition. We would of marked with an asterisk (*). The symbol § indicates that biographical material has Sandwell, course take all been lodged with the Society. because the appropriate If you would like to contribute an obituary, please email [email protected] college can environmental and to be commissioned. You can read the guidance for authors at www.geolsoc.org.uk/obituaries. To save yourself unnecessary work, please do trace its security measures.” not write anything until you have received a commissioning letter. history back Deceased Fellows for whom no obituary is forthcoming have their names and to the mid- Contact E: scott.upton@ dates recorded in a Roll of Honour at www.geolsoc.org.uk/obituaries. 1840s. sandwell.ac.uk DISTANT THUNDER Help your obituarist Geologist and Science writer Nina Morgan provides some tips on how not to be forgotten

Each month a notice appears in his spare hours to the task of many years of his life had never your achievements, your Geoscientist encouraging Fellows reading over his early journals, destroyed any piece of writing obituary in Geoscientist will to deposit their biographical and superintending addressed to him, - notes of never run to more than material with the Society in order their transcription.’ invitation to dinner, and 500 words! to help their obituarists ‘ensure Not only that, but once Geikie acceptances of invitations given that the Fellow’s lives are accepted the job of biographer, by himself, being abundant ACKNOWLEDGEMENT accorded appropriate and he found that ‘there existed a among the papers.’ Combine The source for this vignette is accurate commemoration’. vast mass of miscellaneous that with Murchison’s Life of Sir Roderick I Murchison Although a similar notice was not letters and papers going back correspondence generously based on his journals and included in an equivalent even into the last century. It furnished by the original letters by Archibald Geikie, In members’ magazine in the early appeared that Sir Roderick for recipients, including geologists two volumes, John Murray, days of the Geological Society, Charles Lyell and John Phillips, London, 1875. this exhortation seems to have and you have a truly voluminous been one that Roderick amount of information. It must Murchison took very seriously. have taken Geikie considerable If the past is the key to your According to Murchison’s time to read through it all, let present interests, why not join biographer, Archibald Geikie, alone, digest and organise it. the History of Geology Group ‘For many years he [Murchison] But it was certainly time well (HOGG)? For more information was in the habit of keeping a spent. The resulting obit and to read the latest HOGG record of the events which he ran to two volumes and newsletter, visit: witnessed, or in which he more than 400 pages. www.geolsoc.org.uk/hogg, took part. In the belief that the Before you too feel where the programme and story of his life might have tempted to swamp your abstracts from the Conference on some interest and usefulness future obituarist with Geological Collectors and for those who should succeed materials documenting Collecting are available as a pdf him, he used now and then every aspect of your file free to download. during his later years to devote professional life, bear in mind that no matter how illustrious * Nina Morgan is a geologist and Sir Roderick Murchison, by Stephen Pearce your career or how monumental science writer based near Oxford.

APRIL 2012 25 GEOSCIENTIST BOOKS & ARTS

Bay. By the end of the second season they lava and grit - all are dealt with in established that the island was largely Turnbull’s knowledgeable and sometimes composed of Mesozoic (Cretaceous) humorous prose, drawing on his own turbidites (greywackes); though there are walking experiences throughout the UK also granitic rocks, gabbros, lavas and two and around the world. sets of dykes cutting everything else in the Along the way the geologically south east. Trendall’s geological map uneducated will learn why Cuillin gabbro contributed to the decision of the British is such a pleasure to clamber over, what Antarctic Survey to begin a detailed befell the landscape when the volcanoes of geological study of South Georgia in 1969. Borrowdale and Glencoe were spewing out The third expedition is described at their molten innards, and which continents Putting South Georgia second hand: the party completed the collided to crumple the metamorphic strata topographic survey of the island with no of the Southern Highlands. But rather than on the Map acrimony. Appendices cover ‘The men of providing a step by step geological account, The line “South Georgia rising out of the the South Georgia Surveys’; sources; Turnbull gives us a broad sweep of the ocean, like a misplaced section of the glossary; Shackleton’s route. This is a lithological brush, province by province, Alps” epitomises this book, which it was splendid, superbly illustrated, book and and colours his account with references intended should be written by Duncan should be widely read. to the mountains he has climbed – and Carse, who organised and led three there have been many – and the routes he private expeditions to South Georgia in Reviewed by Joe McCall has taken. the 1950s. On his death the task devolved As a purist, I was a little disappointed on Alec Trendall. This is an important PUTTING SOUTH GEORGIA ON THE MAP that the telling is so geologically general; ALEC TRENDALL (WALTER ROOTS), Published by the record, which otherwise might have been author, 2011. ISBN: 978-9870614-0-9 (hbk) 978- I wanted more detail and I suspect that lost, of the island named by Cook, visited 9870614-1-6 (pbk). 216 pp much of the GSL readership will feel the by Bellingshausen, and made famous by List price: Hbk A$50 in Australia (A$60 elsewhere). same. After all, the underlying theme of Shackleton’s epic boat journey and Pbk A$40 (A$50 elsewhere). Signed copies: A$80 in the meeting of continents to bring Australia (A$90 elsewhere). www.alectrendall.com.au overland traverse. England/Wales together with Scotland, The book commences with a historical and that new land’s subsequent geologic introduction, leading on to a summary of evolution is not new to most members. Duncan Carse’s early life as an apprentice However, to the lay-person, and especially on Archibald Russell, Discovery II, RNVR the lay-walker, for whom this guide was service (WW2) and his ‘master plan’ to be written, it is something new to add to the a polar explorer and lead a trans-Antarctic countless conventional guides and maps Expedition. It covers the 1949 attempt to now gathering dust; something to inspire organise a small South Georgia expedition a new perception of Britain’s high and its fruition (with RGS and SPRI ground perhaps. support), leading to the 1951-52, 1953-54 and 1955-56 expeditions, with a primary Reviewed by Sean Mulshaw object to map the entire island. The next section is written by Walter GRANITE AND GRIT – A WALKER’S GUIDE TO THE Roots (pp38-66) and covers the 1951-52 Granite and Grit GEOLOGY OF BRITISH MOUNTAINS RONALD TURNBULL, Published by: Frances Lincoln expedition. It is emphasised that in such a The large format of Granite and Grit and Limited, 2009 (pbk 2011). ISBN: 978-0-7112-3180-1. little-known area, geological survey work the quality of its colour illustrations make 208 pp. had to be kept simple: recording this book deserving of a place on anyone’s List price: £16.99, www.franceslincoln.com information of rock composition and coffee table. Equally, the objective of structure, in as much detail from as many giving the lay-walker a taste of the REVIEWS: NEW CHAPTER localities as possible. The basic tools were geology that he or she might encounter as hand-lens, compass, clinometer, notebook, they are striding out across Britain’s Dr Martin Degg, who has served as Geoscientist’s camera, geological hammer. Collecting mountain wilderness is an admirable one. book reviews editor since the first part of volume 5 samples for laboratory study was However, that commendable aim is only (January/February 1995) has decided to take a well- important, especially fossils for dating. At partially satisfied as the book ultimately is earned rest and will be stepping down from the role the time, rock-dating meant superposition neither a walking guide nor a geological this year. For this reason there is no current list of titles available for review. Reviewers are encouraged and biostratigraphy: radiometric methods field guide. But it does say a lot about the to visit the online version of the Books & Arts section, were not yet available. foundation that provides such terra firma where past months’ lists are still displayed and The second expedition (pp71-90) was beneath the battalions of walking boots where new instructions for reviewing books will bedevilled by Duncan Carse’s that cross hillsides and scramble over appear shortly. deterioration, due to the failure of his such famous rocky icons as the Great Slab The Editor-in-Chief and the whole Editorial Board would like to take this opportunity to thank Martin for marriage and worries about the Trans- of Langdale and even the Etive Slabs. his 17 years’ service in this demanding role – perhaps Antarctic Expedition, as well as his quarrel Therein lies the real substance of this the most demanding of any on the Board. In future, with Gordon Smillie. Keith Warbuton was work, for Turnbull pays homage to the book reviews will be run from Burlington House. ill and never contributed. But Alec, umpteen types of rock that serious Publishers are invited to address volumes for review though still lame, performed much walkers will encounter during their in future to Dr Ted Nield, Editor, Geoscientist, The Geological Society, Burlington House, LONDON valuable geological observation - especially upland explorations. From granite to W1J 0BG. E: [email protected]. in the complicated developments at Wirik gneiss, sandstone and shale, limestone,

26 APRIL 2012 CALENDAR GEOSCIENTIST Can’t find your meeting? VISIT www.geolsoc.org.uk/listings] [full, accurate, up-to-date

ENDORSED TRAINING/CPD

Course Date Venue and details

Introduction to Micromine 10-11 April Burlington House, 0930 – 1730. Includes Introduction to Micromine (Day 1) and Introduction to Exploration (Day 2). Fee: £100 pp. See website for course details and application form

Lapworth’s Logs n/a ‘Lapworth’s Logs’ are a series of e-courses involving practical exercises of increasing complexity. ‘Lapworth’s Logs’ provide training in applied geology for civil engineers, engineering geologists, environmental engineers, hydrogeologists, and anyone interested in ground modelling. Contact: [email protected]. Lapworth’s Lgs is produced by Michael de Freitas and Andrew Thompson. Price dependent on number of users/duration of licence.

DIARY OF MEETINGS APRIL 2012

Meeting Date Venue and details

Skittles Evening 3 April The Halfway, Cathedral Road, Cardiff, 1800. Entry £5 for indivs., £30 per team. South Wales Regional Contact: Karl Llewelyn E: [email protected]

In the Footsteps of Sir Archibald Geikie 13 April Haslemere Educational Museum, Surrey. See website for details and registration. HOGG Contact: Dick Moody E: [email protected]

Engineering Geology & Railways 17 April Gatwick Manor Hotel, Lowfield Heath, London Road, Crawley, West Sussex SE Regional, ICE RH10 9ST. Time: 1800 for 1830. Speaker: Graham Birch, Network Rail Contact: Roger Smith E: [email protected]

Cairn Energy Talk 17 April Venue: Post Grad Centre, Herriot Watt University. Speaker: Murray Flemming. Central Scotland Regional See website for details. Time: 1845. Contact: Caroline Lasham E: [email protected]

A Grounding in Forensics 18 April Venue: Room 1.25, School of Earth & Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University. The life and times of a expert engaged for civil Time: Refreshments 1730 for 1800. Speaker: Robin Sanders (Capita Symonds) and criminal litigation Southern Wales Regional

Gold Panning near Totnes April – Date Venue: University of Portsmouth. Speaker: Dr Andrew Haggart (University of Solent Regional TBA Greenwich) Time: 1800 for 1830. See website for details. Contact: Karen Allso (Secretary) E: [email protected]

Reconciling Past and Future Worlds - geology 18 April A Shell London Lecture. For details see p.11 and ground engineering Geological Society, Shell UK

Geohazards in the UK 19 April Venue: University of Manchester. Speaker: Prof. Martin Culshaw. Time: 1830. North West Regional See website for details. Contact: Chris Berryman T: 01925 291111 E: [email protected]

Lime Stabilisation of Soil – New Mineral 19 April Venue: Loughborough University. Time: TBC (Evening meeting). Nucleation, Growth and Stability, Speaker: Paul Beetham. See website for details. Contact: Andrew Brown East Midlands Regional, East Midlands E: [email protected] Geotechnical Society

Geomicrobiology and its Significance for 19-20 April Venue: University of Manchester Interdisciplinary Biocentre. A two-day meeting, Biosphere Processes, Mineralogical Society aimed at supporting a UK-Geomicrobiology. See website for details. Environmental Mineralogy Group, Society for Contact: Mineralogical Society T: +44 (0)208 891 6600 E: [email protected] General Microbiology, Geological Society , British Mycological Society

The Olympics and Paralympics 2012 26 April Venue: Eton College Rowing Centre, Windsor. To highlight geological studies and Thames Valley Regional, Engineering Group, ground engineering undertaken at UK Olympic venues. See website for details. BGA, ICE Contacts: Alison Barmas E: [email protected]; Alex Carbray E: [email protected]

APRIL 2012 27 GEOSCIENTIST OBITUARY

OBITUARY‘

MICHAEL COLLIE 1929-2011 Polymath who spanned the arts and sciences and turned to the history of geology late in life

riter, College, Cambridge and his ability to pose on Four Wheels: the professor, University, where he earned a challenging research Continental Travels of bibliographer BA (1952) and later an questions~ was legendary. Roderick Murchison and historian MA (Cantab). (1840-45) (Academica W of science, Press, 2010). Michael Collie, was born 8 EDUCATOR WRITER, Many of those books August 1929, in Eastbourne, Michael’s career as an included annotated Sussex. His early years were educator of English began in PROFESSOR, editions of previously spent in Edinburgh and 1953 at Selwyn College and BIBLIOGRAPHER unpublished Nottingham, and from 1939- Trinity Hall, Cambridge, and AND HISTORIAN correspondence and 47 he boarded at the Ashby- included posts at journals of eminent de-la-Zouch Grammar Cambridgeshire Technical OF SCIENCE scientists which provided School where he received a College (1955-57), the ~ context for his analysis of thorough education and University of Manitoba (1957- Michael’s wide-ranging the development of science captained the cross-country 61), University of Exeter and extensive publishing during the 19th Century. It and cricket teams. Summers (1961-62), Mount Allison career began in 1956 and it was his work in the history were spent working on the University (1962-65), before steadily grew to include 23 of geology that led him to Watson family farm in settling at York University, books and more than 60 become a Fellow of the Granby, Leicestershire, Toronto (1965-1990), where he articles, addresses and Geological Society in 1992. where he learned, among attained the rank of Professor dictionary entries. In He also was elected a other skills, how to drive a and also served as chair of the addition to books of poetry, Fellow of the Royal Society team of plough horses. He Department of English (1967- Michael wrote critical theory of Canada in 1987. Michael served two years in 69) and Dean of the essays, bibliographies and continued to work on the British Army Faculty of biographies on subjects several bibliographic and Intelligence Corps Graduate Studies ranging from George history of geology projects (1947-49) and (1969-73). While Meredith, George Gissing up to the time of his death. was based in at York and Jules Laforgue to George Egypt and University, Borrow. Beginning in the INDEFATIGABLE Greece. In 1949, Michael mid-1980s Michael became Michael Collie was an Michael supervised interested in the history of indefatigable matriculated at numerous PhD science and wrote several correspondent, keen St. Catharine’s candidates books in that field including: investigator, generous Henry Maudsley: Victorian collaborator, hospitable Psychiatrist (St. Paul’s host, avid fell walker, and Bibliographies, 1988); Huxley devoted family man. He is at Work (Macmillan Press, survived by his wife 1991); Murchison in Moray: Joanne L’Heureux Collie, a Geologist on Home five children, Peter of Ground (American Sydney, Kate of Edmonton, Philosophical Society, Jeremy of Narragansett, 1995); George Gordon: Ursula of Scorton, Nick of an Annotated southern Spain, and five Catalogue of his grandchildren. Michael Correspondence died peacefully in the (Scolar Press, 1996); company of Joanne, Murchison’s Ursula and Nick at Wanderings in Nottingham City Hospital Russia (British on 21 July 2011. Geological Survey, By John A Diemer 2004); and Science

28 APRIL 2012 CROSSWORD GEOSCIENTIST

CROSSWORD NO. 156 SET BY ZIRCON WIN A SPECIAL PUBLICATION

The winner of the February Crossword puzzle prize draw was Christine Brown of Redondo Beach, California, USA.

All correct solutions will be placed in the draw, and the winner’s name printed in the June issue. The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Closing date - 15 May.

The competition is open to all Fellows, Candidate Fellows and Friends of the Geological Society who are not current Society employees, officers or trustees. This exclusion does not apply to officers of joint associations, specialist or regional groups.

Please return your completed crossword to Burlington House, marking your envelope “Crossword”. Do not enclose any other matter with your solution. Overseas Fellows are encouraged to scan the signed form and email it as a PDF to [email protected]

Name ...... ACROSS DOWN Membership number ...... Address for correspondence ...... 6 Steely engineer (8) 1 Sign gas (4) ...... 8 Right skilful (6) 2 Bronowski's, rather than Darwin's view ...... 10 Destress, or of 'Man' (6) recombine DNA (6) 3 Sometimes fibrous magnesium mineral ...... (7) 11 Hard enveloping shell, ...... as in tortoise (8) 4 Miner's friend (6) 12 An aid to the shot-firer 5 Hot or cold, it's not riveting but ...... (9) galvanizing (4) ...... 13 Beach, generally Italian 7 Pigment of hair, skin and eyes (7) ...... (4) 9 Bears small, more or less parallel 15 Line touching a curve ridges (7) ...... (7) 12 Severe Athenian legislator (5) Postcode ...... 17 Thera, for example (7) 14 Austen's Mr hydrogeologist? (5) 20 Carbon ore? (4) 16 Space shot to Jupiter (7) SOLUTIONS FEBRUARY 21 Study of freshwater 18 Plant espousing asexual reproduction bodies (9) (7) ACROSS: 23 Typically calcareous 6 Phengite 8 UNESCO 10 Gneiss 11 Sericite 19 Magma and Aluminium alloyed? (7) grassland soil (8) 12 Wrenching 13 Eddy 15 Fluvial 17 Erratic 21 Zambian city (6) 20 Afar 21 Biologist 23 Antimony 25 Isomer 25 Spiky water (6) 27 Daphne 28 Ohmmeter 22 Futile and superfluous (6) 27 Algonquian lunchpack (6) 24 Coin younger than 12d, six to the DOWN: drachma (4) 1 Thin 2 Incise 3 Seismic 4 Tuareg 5 Scut 28 Pressurised acquifer 7 Insecta 9 Excreta 12 Wulff 14 Drift 16 Varnish (8) 26 Rover's favourite metal? (4) 18 Rhodium 19 Polygon 21 Boomer 22 Ironed 24 Noah 26 Eden

APRIL 2012 29 RECRUITMENT

30 APRIL 2012

Thames Tunnel Creating a cleaner, healthier River Thames

Speaker: Phil Stride Date: Tuesday, 15 May 2012 Head of London Tideway Tunnels, Tea: 17:30 Thames Water Lecture: 18:00 Reception: 19:00 Venue: The Geological Society Lecture Theatre, Burlington House

Admission is free but by ticket only available from the Conference Office, Geological Society on 020 7434 9944 or email: [email protected] Burlington House