SVOLUME CIENTIS26 NO 9 ◆ OCTOBER 2016 ◆ WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTISTT

GEThe Fellowship Magazine of theO Geological Society of London UK / Overseas where sold to individuals: £3.95 READ GEOLSOC BLOG! [GEOLSOC.WORDPRESS.COM]

Tipping point Ted Nield on Britain’s worst -related disaster, 50 years ago

ENGINEERING LEGACY QUAKES & NUKES CAMBRIAN KERFUFFLE What did we learn from the David Cox on how seismicity Nina Morgan uncovers a historical Disaster of 1966? affects major buildings – and hysterical – geo-spat New publications To add to your bookshelf

FELLOWS RECEIVE UP TO Browse the Online Bookshop for these and other titles from the Geological Society and other earth science publishers, visit: 50% www.geolsoc.org.uk/bookshop DISCOUNT ON SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS The Geological Society Publishing House, Unit 7 Brassmill Enterprise Centre, AND MEMOIRS Brassmill Lane, Bath, BA1 3JN, UK Tel +44 (0)1225 445046 Email: [email protected] GEOSCIENTIST CONTENTS

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FEATURESFEATURES IN THIS ISSUE... 18 Aberfan’s engineering legacy Paul Maliphant, Helen Reeves, Bob Leeming and Darren Bryant ask – what did we learn from Aberfan? REGULARS

05 Welcome Ted Nield thinks things have changed since the 1960s, but not in the way we assume

06 Society News What your Society is doing at home and abroad, in London and the regions

09 Soapbox How are seismic waves transmitted to buildings? David Cox investigates

21 Letters we welcome your views

22 Books and arts Six new books reviewed by Ted Nield, Kevin Privett, Catherine Kenny, Jonathan Scafidi and ON THE COVER: Gordon Neighbour

10 In Bryntaff Cemetery, 25 Calendar Society activities this month

Aberfan, arcades of Carrara marble 26 People Geoscientists in the news and on the move mark the graves of the 116 children 28 Obituary Grosvenor Rex Davis 1922-2016 who died on 21 29 Crossword Win a Special Publication of your choice

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | OCTOBER 2016 | 03 Organised By:

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Geoscientist is the ADVERTISING SALES Fellowship magazine of the Hayden McIntosh Heads roll more easily now; but not Geological Society T 01727 739 184 of London E hayden@centuryone because the guilty have discovered consciences. publishing.uk The Geological Society, They roll only because the underdogs now have Burlington House, Piccadilly, ART EDITOR London W1J 0BG Heena Gudka swords in their hands, and the will to use them T +44 (0)20 7434 9944 Front cover image: © Stephen McKay F +44 (0)20 7439 8975 DESIGN & PRODUCTION E [email protected] Jonathan Coke (Not for Editorial - Please ~ contact the Editor) PRINTED BY Publishing House Century One The Geological Society Publishing Ltd. Publishing House, Unit 7, Brassmill Enterprise Centre, Copyright Brassmill Lane, Bath The Geological Society of BA1 3JN London is a Registered Charity, T 01225 445046 number 210161. F 01225 442836 ISSN (print) 0961-5628 ISSN (online) 2045-1784 Library T +44 (0)20 7432 0999 The Geological Society of London FROM THE EDITORS DESK: F +44 (0)20 7439 3470 accepts no responsibility for the views E [email protected] expressed in any article in this publication. All views expressed, except EDITOR-IN-CHIEF where explicitly stated otherwise, represent those of the author, and not Professor Peter Styles The Geological Society of London. All An end of deference All rights reserved. No paragraph of this EDITOR publication may be reproduced, copied Dr Ted Nield or transmitted save with written E [email protected] permission. Users registered with Copyright Clearance Center: the Journal n 6 September 1952, resigned. People clung on, went EDITORIAL BOARD is registered with CCC, 27 Congress thousands watched from elsewhere, or, in the case of Lord Robens Dr Sue Bowler Street, Salem, MA 01970, USA. 0961- 5628/02/$15.00. Every effort has been a crowded hillside as a De (resisting pressure from Prime Minister Mr Steve Branch made to trace copyright holders of Dr Robin Cocks material in this publication. If any rights Havilland 110 climbed to ) remained in charge of Prof. Tony Harris have been omitted, the publishers offer Dr Howard Falcon-Lang their apologies. 40,000 feet above Farnborough the NCB and even became trustee of the Mr Edmund Nickless O No responsibility is assumed by the before going into a dive. They heard funds donated to victims by people from Mr David Shilston Publisher for any injury and/or damage Dr Jonathan Turner to persons or property as a matter of an impressive triple boom; the aircraft all over the world. He then raided those Dr Jan Zalasiewicz products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation bottomed out, at barely 50 feet, and flew funds to pay for the remediation. Trustees of the of any methods, products, instructions or past at over 700 miles per hour. Shortly The idea that, once upon a time, ideas contained in the material herein. Geological Society Although all advertising material is after climbing again, it broke up - killing people had integrity, did the decent of London expected to conform to ethical (medical) Mr Malcolm Brown (President) standards, inclusion in this publication pilot John Derry, the first Englishman to thing, fell on their swords - is a myth; Mr Rick Brassington does not constitute a guarantee or endorsement of the quality or value of fly faster than sound, and flight observer or if not, dates from well before the Dr Jason Canning such product or of the claims made by its Miss Liv Carroll (Secretary, manufacturer. Tony Richards. post-War generation. Indeed, on the Professional Matters) Spectators watched as fragments of contrary; in that deferential society, Dr Nigel Cassidy Subscriptions: All correspondence relating to non-member subscriptions wing, fuselage and tailplane drifted inured to destruction and death by Mr Chris Eccles (Vice president) should be addresses to the Journals Dr Marie Edmonds (Secretary, Subscription Department, Geological to earth like confetti. However, one years of conflict, cowed into submission Science) Society Publishing House, Unit 7 Mr Graham Goffey (Treasurer) Brassmill Enterprise Centre, Brassmill engine suddenly ploughed into crowds by military discipline, locked into Dr Sarah Gordon Lane, Bath, BA1 3JN, UK. Tel: 01225 445046. Fax: 01225 442836. Email: on ‘Observation Hill’, while the cockpit cap-twisting obedience and misplaced Mrs Tricia Henton [email protected]. The subscription Mr David Hopkins price for Volume 26, 2016 (11 issues) fell in front, injuring several more. In gratitude towards its rulers, justice for Ms Naomi Jordan to institutions and non-members will be all, 31 died. And yet, after the dead victims was not done. Dr Robert Larter £139 (UK) or £159/$319 (Rest of World). Dr Jennifer McKinley © 2016 The Geological Society and injured were ferried away in In the aftermath of Aberfan, Sir Prof David Norbury of London ambulances, the show went on – and Herbert Edmund Davies’s masterful Dr Colin North (Secretary, Publications) Geoscientist is printed on FSC® mixed even continued the following day. Not a report was itself betrayed, just as the Dr Sheila Peacock credit - Mixed source products are a blend of FSC 100%, Recycled and/or single legal case was filed by anyone. people of Aberfan were betrayed. After Prof Christine Peirce Controlled fibre. Certified by the Forest Mr Nicholas Reynolds Stewardship Council®. Lessons regarding air-show safety, the National Board’s geological Dr Katherine Royse learnt at Farnborough, are still in place; and engineering ignorance, arrogance Mr Keith Seymour (Vice president) but it is unthinkable that events would and incompetence were condemned Dr Alexander Whittaker have unfolded like that today. And and yet went unpunished, it comes as Mr Michael Young (Secretary, Foreign & External Affairs) the same can be said of the Aberfan no surprise that the Tribunal report is Published on behalf of the Disaster, subject of both this month’s now widely assumed to have been a Geological Society of London by features, and whose 50th anniversary whitewash. Century One Publishing falls on the 21st. Heads roll more easily now, not Alban Row, 27–31 Verulam Road, St Albans, Herts, Then too, nobody brought less; but not because the guilty have AL3 4DG prosecutions, and despite perhaps discovered consciences. They roll only T 01727 893 894 F 01727 893 895 the most damning official report ever because the underdogs now have swords E enquiries@centuryone written, nobody was sacked, nobody in their hands, and the will to use them. publishing.uk W www.centuryone publishing.uk DR TED NIELD, EDITOR - [email protected] @TedNield @geoscientistmag

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | OCTOBER 2016 | 05 GEOSCIENTIST SOCIETY NEWS

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

LONDON LECTURE SERIES Water on Mars Speaker: Dr Matt Balme (Open University) Call for Council nominations Date: 12th October

Would you consider standing for advance. In addition there is a two- election to Council? The application day residential meeting, usually in late Programme forms are included with this issue, September, to discuss major strategic ◆ Afternoon talk: 1430pm Tea & Coffee: writes Stephanie Jones. issues. 1500 Lecture begins: 1600 Event ends. Are you willing to contribute to the All members of Council also serve ◆ Evening talk: 1730 Tea & Coffee: work of the Society, as a member on one of the standing committees 1800 Lecture begins: 1900 Reception both of Council and one or more – External Relations, Finance & of its committees? Whatever your Planning, Professional, Publications & background and expertise in the Information and Science. Standing Further Information geosciences, membership of Council committees usually meet three or Please visit www.geolsoc.org.uk/ enables you to influence the role of the four times a year, mostly in person shelllondonlectures16. Entry to each lecture is Society in acting as a respected voice, but sometimes virtually. Council by ticket only. To obtain a ticket please contact the serving society and the profession of members are sometimes also asked Society around four weeks before the talk. Due to the geoscience. to join other committees or short- popularity of this lecture series, tickets are allocated in You will be able to play an active role term working groups. The typical a monthly ballot and cannot be guaranteed. in the formulation and delivery of the time commitment is eight to 10 days Society’s scientific and professional annually for ordinary members of strategy, and help to facilitate the Council. Contact: Sarah Woodcock, The Geological Society, communication of new scientific Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG, findings, engagement with policy Forms T: +44 (0) 20 7432 0981 E [email protected] makers, the media and the public, and Fellows have received two nomination the certification of good practice in forms with this month’s Geoscientist - education and the profession. one for candidates for Council and the other for candidates for the position FUTURE MEETINGS Trustee of President-designate. Details of the Each of Council’s 23 members is a nomination process are on the forms Dates for meetings of Council and Ordinary trustee of the Society, accountable to and also on the ‘Governance’ section General Meetings until June 2017 will be as follows: the Fellows and to other stakeholders of the website. and regulators, such as the Charity u OGMs: ➤ Nominations must be received Commission. The prime responsibility 2016: 24 November; no later than noon on of the trustees is to oversee the affairs Friday, 6 January 2017 and they 2017: 1 February; 4 April of the Society and to act prudently will NOT be valid unless they are in the management of its financial fully completed, signed and u Council: resources. accompanied by a statement 2016: 24 November; Council meets five times a year, by the nominees. Please return 2017: 1 February; usually on a Wednesday. Four of those to: Stephanie Jones, Clerk to 4 & 5 April (residential) Council, The Geological Society, meetings take place in the afternoon Burlington House, Piccadilly, beginning at 14.00 and finishing at London W1J 0BG. 17.00. Papers are circulated a week in

06 | OCTOBER 2016 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST SoBRA assessment

The Society of Brownfield Risk Contamination quantitative risk assessments without Assessment has developed a new SoBRA is a learned society for individuals supervision but who are likely to need some accreditation scheme, writes Adler from private, public, voluntary and academic assistance or guidance in conducting more deWind sectors. Its goals are to improve technical complex risk assessments. The Society of Brownfield Risk knowledge in risk-based decision-making The advanced entry will be the ‘Fully Assessment (SoBRA), established in 2009 related to land contamination applications and Accredited Member Grade’, for those with a to support professionals working in land to enhance the professional status and profile thorough understanding of land contamination contamination risk assessment, has launched of practitioners. risk assessment, with experience of carrying an accreditation scheme to demonstrate Risk assessment is a critical element in the out and/or reviewing more detailed and site competence as a land contamination risk evaluation of land affected by contamination, specific risk assessments. On admission to assessor. and provides the cornerstone for wider the register, individuals will be permitted to SoBRA describe this as a standalone decision-making in land management. To use the post-nominal signature designations scheme, and an opportunity for its members date, there has been no single industry-wide RSoBRA and ASoBRA. to demonstrate to a Suitably Qualified Person scheme to demonstrate competence as a (SQP, under the Land Forum’s upcoming risk assessor. The SoBRA Register of Risk ➤ If you are interested in being included National Quality Mark Scheme) that they Assessors has been developed to fill this gap. on the SoBRA register, visit are competent to support the SQP in The SoBRA Register’s two grades of www.sobra.org.uk for full details undertaking or reviewing the risk-assessment membership reflect an individual’s experience on application requirements. You can element of their project. This may be of and skills. The entry level is ‘Registered also follow SoBRA on LinkedIn, for news on technical issues, workshops interest to Fellows of the Geology Society Grade’; individuals who are capable of and updates. working in land contamination, they believe. undertaking and/or reviewing routine generic RoGEP Applications

A guide for application for RoGEP is now development needs of younger staff and on www.geolsoc.org.uk, along with a the route to Chartership. It would support downloadable RoGEP application form. mentoring aspects of those accredited company training schemes which require Mentoring mentors for all trainees. A second course on mentoring training/ John and Trudy provided their professional awareness, run by John and Trudy Arthurs, services free for both this and the earlier Chartered Geologists working in Ground was held on 1 July in Manchester with some 19 course. The Society covered their travel Engineering (broadly Engineering Geology, participants. costs. If we were to run further courses Geotechnics, Hydrogeology, Contaminated The course agenda contained the following then they would have to cover all costs, Land, Shallow Geophysics) are automatically parts; What is a Mentor? What makes a good including professional fees, venue hire and eligible for the Professional Grade on the Geologist? Basic mentoring skills; Mentoring other expenses. A take-up of at least 20 per Register of Ground Engineering Professionals principles and process, and Coaching course is likely to be needed to keep the cost (RoGEP). demonstration and practice. Around 40% was to individuals reasonable. Bill Gaskarth The procedure for application and taken up with practical exercises. acceptance on the Register has been Feedback questionnaires indicated attendees somewhat complicated in the past. found the course very beneficial and all gained ➤ I would like to hear from Fellows if Happily, we now have an agreed a simpler an understanding of what mentoring is about. they support the development of procedure. Scrutineers will in future indicate There was a strong feeling that such a course further courses, to gauge the level of that the successful applicant has fulfilled should be made more widely available - the only interest and determine a reasonable all the requirements for professional grade, criticism being that half a day was perhaps too course fee. Any thoughts, whereafter placement on the Register will be short. comments or suggestions are automatic (applications for the higher grades There appears to be a need for mentoring welcome. Please contact me at will still require a full application). training, to help companies support the E: [email protected]

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | OCTOBER 2016 | 07 GEOSCIENTIST SOCIETY NEWS

SOCIETYNEWS Geological Society Club

From the Publishing House Jenny Davey writes: Recent ‘Online Journal of First’ Publishing Highlights include Micropalaeontology the following papers. Grass pollen surface ornamentation: a review of Petroleum Geoscience morphotypes and taxonomic utility, Carbon dioxide storage in the Captain by Luke Mander and Surangi W. aquifer: determination Punyasena of in situ stresses and fault-stability http://jm.lyellcollection.org/ analysis, by John D. O. Williams, Mark content/35/2/121.abstract The Geological Society Club, successor to the W. Fellgett, and Martyn F. Quinn body that gave birth to the Society in 1807, http://pg.lyellcollection.org/ Journal of the Geological meets monthly (except over the field season!) at content/22/3/211.abstract Society 18.30 for 19.00 in the Athenaeum Club, Pall Mall, The Triassic–Jurassic boundary event or at another venue, to be confirmed nearer the Special Publications from an equatorial carbonate platform date. Once a year there is also a buffet dinner Reducing uncertainty and risk through (Ghalilah Formation, United Arab at Burlington House. New diners are always field-based studies, by M. B. J. Emirates), by Aisha H. Al-Suwaidi, welcome, especially from among younger Bowman and Helen R. Smyth Thomas Steuber, and Marina B. Suarez Fellows. Dinner costs £57 for a four-course http://sp.lyellcollection.org/content/ http://jgs.lyellcollection.org/content/ meal, including coffee and port. There is a early/2016/08/05/SP436.13.abstract early/2016/07/01/jgs2015-102.abstract cash bar for the purchase of aperitifs and wine. An overview of the Upper Burlington House dinners include wine. Palaeozoic–Mesozoic stratigraphy of the NE Atlantic region, by M. 2016 meetings: S. Stoker, M. A. Stewart, P. 12 October; 9 November M. Shannon, M. Bjerager, T. Nielsen, A. Blischke, B. O. Hjelstuen, C. Gaina, ➤ Fellows wishing to dine or K. McDermott, and J. requesting further information about Ólavsdóttir the Geological Society Club, http://sp.lyellcollection.org/ please email Caroline Seymour on content/early/2016/08/05/ [email protected] SP447.2.abstract QJEGH 50th Anniversary Photo Competition

Could one of your photos be on the cover of the 50th anniversary issue of the Quarterly Journal of Engineering and Hydrogeology? We are looking for a cover image for Volume 50 and would like to hear from you. We require a image of approx. 2-3MB in file size (170x124mm actual size @300dpi), that will appear on the front of the journal. The image should be directly relevant to the world of engineering geology and/or hydrogeology. You must have copyright permission and it must not display any unsafe working practices.

➤ Please send your photos to QJEGH Production Editor E: [email protected] by 17 October 2016. Please also include a 50-word description of the image with your entry

08 | OCTOBER 2016 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST GEOSCIENTIST SOAPBOX

Quakes, deformation & nukes

How are seismic waves transmitted to buildings? David Cox* investigates the implications of two different views

here is some uncertainty in is similar. We can predict total settlement assessing seismic motion for of a structure but it is differential settlement structural design. One school that causes deformation and damage. Post- SOAPBOX believes the ground moves as a seismic damage surveys suggest lots of T large consistent mass leaving a racking / twisting of structures that might CALLING! uniform ‘permanent ground deformation’ be due to acceleration forces, but could also (PGD), with no local ‘differential ground be due to DGD. deformation’ (DGD) . Acceleration of the Soapbox is open to contributions ground mass and transmission to the Damage from all Fellows. You can always structure is the basis for structural design. Seismic damage can be similar to mining write a letter to the Editor, of A fluid model would be a long-wavelength subsidence or clay shrink/swell damage, course: but perhaps you feel you sea-swell, and a mechanical model something with additional acceleration effects. Damage need more space? like ‘Newton’s Cradle’ (a series of pendulum often varies widely between adjacent similar balls where only the first and last move). structures, tending to suggest If you can write it entertainingly in An alternative proposition is that the the ‘choppy sea’ model of 500 words, t the Editor would like ground moves differentially intersecting waves causing to hear from you. Email your piece, both horizontally and local differential motion. and a self-portrait, to vertically (referred to as Services are often badly [email protected]. ‘DGD’ or ‘asynchronous damaged. This cannot Copy can only be accepted motion’ or ‘transient ground be due to acceleration, electronically. No diagrams, tables deformation’). The design but rather, DGD. or other illustrations please. basis is then not only the Models such as acceleration, but also shaking tables, Pictures should be of print horizontal extension and which replicate only quality – please take photographs compression, and vertical acceleration, re-create on the largest setting on your differential deflections across the structure, structural effects such as toppling camera, with a plain background. causing ‘racking’ or twisting of walls and and resonance, but not the differential floors. A fluid model would be a choppy sea motion which causes ‘racking’ and diagonal Precedence will always be given

with local peaks where waves intersect. A cracks, nor the stretching that damages to more topical contributions. Any

mechanical model would be something like a otherwise flexible services. one contributor may not appear four-legged table wobbling and deforming on more often than once per volume irregular ground. Nuclear stations (once every~ 12 months). The UK is to build six nuclear power Design stations (NPS) using designs based on the Which type of motion predominates is acceleration during the UK’s most damaging POST-SEISMIC important for design. Simplistically, a strong earthquake, in 1884 (between Bradwell rigid structure would resist acceleration, but and Colchester in Essex , coincidentally DAMAGE SURVEYS a flexible ductile structure would survive where one of the six NPS is to be sited). SUGGEST LOTS OF DGD. The extent of DGD is unresolved. The Bradwell NPS construction is to be by RACKING / TWISTING Measurement is hindered by accelerometers, Chinese companies who have a sincere which require considerable integration to interest in earthquake-proof research and OF STRUCTURES THAT determine deflection, and GPS devices with design. Many of the residual problems at MIGHT BE DUE TO digital delay, neither of which are commonly Fukushima are due to buried structures and sited in the closely spaced arrays required pipes leaking, probably because of DGD ACCELERATION FORCES, to measure DGD. CCTV records, or local rather than acceleration damage. BUT COULD ALSO BE changes in known road levels might be used, More research seems to be indicated for DUE TO DGD but accuracy is then a problem. seismic design! Surveys of damaged areas show total PGD David Cox but not peak dynamic values, or differentials * Dr David Cox MICE FGS CEng is an Independent ~ within the structural footprint. Static design Consulting Engineer E: [email protected]

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | OCTOBER 2016 | 09 TIPPING POINT

Image: © Stephen McKay

n 21 October 1966 the worst rococo festoons, from a mineral line Ted Nield * mining-related disaster in which brought the journeys of waste- British history took place in filled drams from the colliery to their describes Britain’s Aberfan, a small village in the heads. valley of the , between worst mining-related O Crane tipper and Cardiff. It took place in a community whose single mine, the These linear tips were created by a disaster 50 years (or ‘Nixon Navigation’ as crane tipper, which ran on its own short it was known before nationalisation in length of horizontal track along the ago this month, 1947) had never seen a major disaster. It tip’s contour-hugging crest. The crane from which grew was also remarkable because of the 144 would pick each dram up, invert it to people killed, 116 were children. spread its contents downslope, and a new awareness In 1966, , the then return it upright to a steel plate, ‘Pennant Sandstone’ mountain on the which then guided it back onto rails of engineering west side of the Taff Valley, supported again. Only one of these tips – Tip 7 - seven huge spoil heaps containing an was active at the time of the disaster, geology’s estimated 2.6 million cubic yards of mine and it was this tip that collapsed and waste. Highest on the horizon stood avalanched into the village, wiping out importance two conical tips, (Nos. 4 & 5), begun in everything in its path and destroying 1933 and 1945. The other tips, lower on Pant Glas Junior School, where the Above: cemetery with matching white arched headstones for each of the 116 the hillside and numbered 1,2,3, 6 and 7, children died in their classrooms on the children who died during the slide in 1966 built out in southward-pointing arcs like last day before half term.

10 | OCTOBER 2016 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST ~

THE TIPS’ CIVIL ENGINEERING DESIGN WAS NOTABLE ONLY BY ITS COMPLETE ABSENCE ~

Tipping crane and drams on site, presumably Tip 7

Image: © Merthyr Tydfil Council

Aerial photo in Aberfan low light showing disaster the bulge in landslip, from Tip 5 (top) and the opposite the failed Tip side of the 7. Traces of the Taff valley, 1944 slide from showing the Tip 4 can also rotational slip be made out in at the head of the hummocky the landslip, ground just above and the toe and left of the reaching into 1966 slide. From Moy Road, the Tribunal and Pantglas report. School

Tip No. 7 was started in 1958. By 1966, Ordnance Survey base-maps, made and of a major stream. No drainage was it contained 297,000 cubic yards of waste, remade from 1874 through 1900 and 1919, attempted, and no effort made to culvert 30,000 of which were of a fine slurry are dotted with the words ‘Rises’ and ‘Spr.’ the streams that would eventually be called ‘’ - waste products of the Despite all that was said in the aftermath engulfed. Instead, the sources were duly coal preparation plant. The other tips of the Disaster, everyone knew about them. covered and continued to bleed into the contained no such fine tailings. Tip 7 did A tip on a steep mountainside riddled base of the growing heap. On 27 October not need these tailings to make it fail; but with springs in a high rainfall area above 1944, the inevitable happened; a large their presence did affect the quality of the a village is a disaster waiting to happen. portion of Tip 4 failed and slid down material that overwhelmed the village. In fact, the tips themselves were already the mountainside for almost 600 metres, The culprit, of course, was not the tip speaking eloquently of their unsuitable stopping just a hundred metres or so material itself, but water. The siting and the inadequacy of their civil short of the disused . of Mynydd Merthyr on which these huge engineering design – which was, in fact, If one definition of insanity is doing accumulations rested are Westphalian notable only by its complete absence. the same thing over and over and in age and are riddled with impervious expecting a different result, tipping partings and minor . Spring lines Maclean tippler practices above Aberfan were truly are common, as rainwater (almost Tip 4, for example, begun in 1922 and the insane. As the Tribunal, convened after two metres of which falls every year) second highest after Tip 5, was a conical the 1966 Disaster to inquire into its percolates down through the sandstone ‘Maclean Tippler’ tip. No surveys of its causes, put it: the 1944 slide ‘provided a and forces its way up to the surface along eventual footprint were carried out, and constant and vivid reminder (if any were the partings. from the positioning of its central steel needed) that tips built on slopes can The Geological Survey sheet clearly tower it was obvious that, as it grew, and do slip, and having once started… illustrates where these crop out, while it would spread to cover the source travel long distances’. ▼

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | OCTOBER 2016 | 11 Section through the geology of Aberfan, E-W, with true vertical scale. BdS – Brithdir Sandstone (Westphalian), otherwise known on the South Crop as the ‘Pennant Sandstone’. From the Tribunal report

OS ‘six inch’ map 1919, showing Aberfan before the ▼ NCB regulations commencement Very few people ever heard about the slip of tipping West of 1944, and none at National Coal Board of the Taff, on Mynydd Merthyr. (NCB) headquarters. According to NCB The need for regulations, there had simply been no new tipping need to report it, since no person working space was at the mine had been hurt. As the made urgent by mechanisation, author of the Tribunal report, Sir Herbert which vastly Edmund Davies, acidly observed: based increased the on that criterion, the colliery would not amount of spoil brought to even have had to report the 1966 Disaster surface. From the either! Nevertheless, failure of No. 4 tip Tribunal report rendered it useless, and Tip 5 - which was to grow to be the tallest - was begun, in 1945, on the same plan, higher up the mountain, after no ground investigation or preparation of any kind. Unsurprisingly therefore, it too eventually covered a spring and its watercourse to a distance of about 300 metres. By 1951, aerial photographs clearly showed a large and ominous bulge growing on its south east flank; yet no precautions against its possible failure were taken during the five remaining years its life, which ended in 1956. It has never been clear why Tip 5 was abandoned, though the three factors probably were - incipient slippage, enormous size (706,000 cubic yards) and the fact that it was by then also partially alight. In 1956, dumping switched to Tip No. 6, a linear tip lower down the mountain, Post-disaster the only one sited north of the mineral (1966) contour line, and the only one to build out at right map of tipping at Aberfan. 1966 angles to slope, rather than along contour. slide (dotted No plans were produced, and no outline), principal precautions against slippage were taken. springs (B1, B2) Tip 6 had a short, uneventful life, brought and streams. Tips numbered to an end not by failure but by a letter 1-7. From the from a neighbouring farmer, pointing out Tribunal report that the Coal Board was tipping on land GEOSCIENTIST FEATURE

▼ that didn’t belong to it. A survey was up through the blanket of white mist. hurriedly ordered to determine what land However, when they inspected exactly the Board did own on Mynydd the active point of the tip, as they did Merthyr. As Group Planning Engineer each day before moving the crane up Mr Warwick James Strong soon found ready for work, a more disturbing sight out, farmers are rarely mistaken in such greeted them. The rails on which it matters. The colliery needed a seventh travelled had now fallen into a pit, three tip. The fate of 116 unborn children was metres deep. Not liking the look of about to be sealed. this, Brown suggested to Jones that he contact their Charge Hand at the colliery. No thought Unfortunately, colliery managers For the site of Tip 7, NCB managers had removed the gangers’ telephone, turned to land south of the mineral following a series of cable thefts; so Jones line - immediately downslope from Tip set off, leaving Brown and others to 4, which slipped in 1944. This meant retrieve the landing-plate, and move the that Tip 7’s growth trajectory would crane back from the edge. eventually take it directly across the slipped material from Tip 4, and the very Depression Above: Map showing the toe of the slide entering the village along Moy Road, Pantglas Road and same watercourse that had caused that Back at the mine, Jones found his Charge Aberfan Road. Also showing the location of the failure. But, as the Tribunal report noted: Hand, who reported the news to the farm at Hafod Tanglwys Uchaf, which was razed.

‘No one gave any thought to the ultimate Colliery Engineer. An oxy-acetylene From the Tribunal report maximum area of Tip 7’. cutter team was despatched to cut off The men responsible for siting Tip the overhanging rails; Thomas ordered 7 were Ronald Neal Lewis, Group Davies to stop tipping and told him that, ~ Manager, and Joseph Baker, Group on the Monday following, he would Mechanical Engineer. Neither had any come on site himself and find a new background or education in tip design, tipping-place. Davies, Jones and two TIP 7’S GROWTH civil engineering or geology. No survey men with cutting equipment climbed was taken, no consideration of geological back up Merthyr mountain, arriving at TRAJECTORY WOULD TAKE IT or geographical features given, and nine o’clock. While they had been away, DIRECTLY ACROSS SLIPPED no guidance as to its ultimate extent the depression had doubled in depth. MATERIAL FROM TIP 4… BUT, was ever issued to Mr Robert Vivian Davies told Brown to move the crane Thomas, the colliery engineer whose job further back; but before doing anything AS THE TRIBUNAL NOTED: it became to supervise it. One of the most they all retired to their cabin for a ‘NO-ONE GAVE ANY THOUGHT telling pieces of evidence laid before the well-deserved cup of tea. Brown alone TO THE ULTIMATE MAXIMUM Tribunal, in its unprecedented 76 days of remained. As he stared down from the hearings in Merthyr Tydfil and Cardiff, edge of the depression, he suddenly saw AREA OF TIP 7 was that when Messrs. Lewis and Baker it begin to rise back up. set off up Mynydd Merthyr on that “It started slowly at first” he told the ~ fateful day to decide the siting of Tip 7, Tribunal: “I thought I was seeing things. they took no map with them of any kind. Then it rose up after pretty fast, at a tremendous speed. Then it sort of came Disaster up out of the depression and turned The 21st of October 1966, almost 20 years itself into a wave – that is the only way to the day since the 1944 slide, dawned I can describe it – down towards the calm and windless. Mist hung low in the mountain… toward Aberfan village... valley, hiding the mountain tops from into the mist.” view as the children made their way His shouts brought Leslie Davies to school – juniors for the bell at nine and the others out of the cabin, and o’clock, seniors for half past. The slopes they all ran for their lives, a deafening of Mynydd Merthyr stood high above the roar following them. Blindly in the mist. The first of the men working Tip mist they shouted to each other, as No. 7 arrived just before half past seven, they descended tips 3, 2 and 1; “All though without their Charge Hand, Leslie I could see was waves of muck, Davies. He was at the colliery, giving his slush and water… I couldn’t see – weekly Friday report to Colliery Engineer nobody could.” Vivian Thomas. Mr Gwyn Brown, who The mountainside farmhouse operated the crane, and slinger David and cottages at Hafod Jones walked to the point of Tip 7, and Tanglwys Uchaf lay directly in saw the pit-heads and the boilerhouse the path of the slide and were chimney of Merthyr Vale Colliery poking wiped off the map, killing GEOSCIENTIST FEATURE

▼ everyone within. One hundred and the hooter at the colliery that had never money and toys poured in. forty thousand cubic yards of black slurry suffered a major disaster, broke its long In the village, many instinctively then hit the disused canal, fracturing the silence. tried to ease the pain with which they, water main that had been laid along it, however unjustly, burdened themselves, and leaping the old railway embankment. Responsibility by finding scapegoats, notably the Once in the village, the slip destroyed 18 Today, responsibility between unfortunate gangers on the tip; men houses, Pant Glas Junior and part of the forebears and descendants is called whose conduct was completely and neighbouring County Secondary School, ‘intergenerational equity’ – an explicitly exonerated at the Tribunal. before finally coming to rest on the incomprehensible term for a simple idea: There was no shortage of genuine Aberfan Road. It was now 0915. that present generations should not by culprits named in the Tribunal’s report – The last child brought alive from the their actions jeopardise future ones, though, as it also admitted, there were: filthy morass emerged at 1100. Bodies expressing the natural instinct of every ‘no villains in this harrowing story … continued to be found days later. In total, parent. What happened in Aberfan was a of bungling ineptitude, by many men, 144 lives were lost, 116 of them children mass betrayal of intergenerational equity. charged with tasks for which they were aged mostly between seven and ten. One Parents, who knew that they owed their totally unfitted; … decent men, led astray hundred and nine perished in the junior children a better chance in life, looked by foolishness or by ignorance, or by school. Of the 28 adults who died, five at what had happened, and however both in combination.’ were primary school teachers. undeservedly, felt themselves weighed in Mr George Williams, a barber in Moy the balance and found wanting. Worse, Robens Road - one of the worst affected streets - they felt complicit. Nothing makes the Sadly, no matter how vivid and well- had been on his way to open up. He was knife-blade of grief sharper than the deserved the condemnation, the people expecting a busy day - people wanting to alloy of guilt, and as television spread its of Aberfan found their pain was not look their best for the weekend. He heard images across the world everyone shared eased. Nothing, truly, could have done a roar through the fog, but saw nothing the feeling - even those whose complicity that; though it did not help that no until the windows, doors and then the amounted to no more than shaking a prosecutions followed, nor that the Coal walls of Moy Road houses burst and scuttle of coal onto a household fire. Board Chairman, Lord Robens, and many collapsed ‘like dominoes’ before his eyes. Who, indeed, could look on as another others, clung successfully to their jobs Protected by a sheet of corrugated iron, little, limp body was pulled free from the after initially denying responsibility. The he was dug out later by council workers. slurry, without feeling that they could Aberfan Disaster Fund finally reached What he remembered, he said, was the and should have done more, however £1.7m; though few who donated would hush – “like turning off the wireless…you insignificant? Many dropped everything have expected that £150,000 of the money couldn’t hear a bird or a child”. At 0920, and went. From all over the world, they intended to help the bereaved

Aberfan in 1968, from the SE. Foreground – the Merthyr Vale Conical tips 5 (top) and Colliery and marshalling yards. The remains of collapsed tip 4; The short-lived Tip 6, 7 are in the process of being cleared. Other tips still remain far right GEOSCIENTIST FEATURE

would be used to pay for clearing away FURTHER READING the remaining tips, after both the NCB and the Treasury refused to do so. Nor did it help that, despite being 1 Davies, Sir Herbert Edmund, 1967 Report a clear breach of charity law, Robens’s of the Tribunal appointed to inquire into the Disaster at Aberfan on October 21st., 1966. raid on the Fund went unchallenged HMSO. Online version at – and remained without redress until www.nuffield.ox.ac.uk/politics/aberfan/tri.htm 1997, when the Blair Government 2 George, Alan: Old Merthyr Tydfil website finally paid the money back (without www.alangeorge.co.uk. See ‘Aberfan’ and interest). The Tribunal report may have especially the subsection on ‘The Aberfan been a masterpiece of judicial writing; Disaster’. Several pictures used in this article were taken from this excellent online but it too was betrayed by events that photographic record followed – or rather, failed to follow - its 3 Nield, Ted 2013 Underlands – a journey publication in July 1967. Today, as a through Britain’s lost landscape. result, many people wrongly assume it Granta Books. W: http://grantabooks.com/ was a whitewash. The Aberfan Disaster not only ripped the heart out of one small Welsh village – it sucked life out of an entire industry. The eerie silence that followed ➤ Acknowledgements the also fell upon the phrase The author extends his thanks to ‘the heroism of mining’. This rhetorical historian Alan George, who died on chestnut had stubbornly survived its 27 October 2015, aged 70. Alan’s website ‘Old Merthyr Tydfil’ own debasement, in generations of * Ted Nield’s Great Grandfather William Bowen (1856-1922) was Overman and Undermanager at (W: www.alangeorge.co.uk/ political speeches, and still resonated old_merthyr.htm), its associated with ordinary people. It passed the Nixon Navigation (Merthyr Vale) mine. Ted (b. Facebook page, and contributions completely out of use. Even ‘the dignity 1956) is the same age as most of the children who from many local photographers like of labour’ seemed to lose meaning as a died in 1966. His parents, both schoolteachers, Tony Richards, has grown into a generation, in the extremity of its grief, are now buried in Bryntaff Cemetery, Aberfan. rich resource of photographic and cursed all their forefathers, threw down Fortunately, they had made their life in Swansea. anecdotal evidence for all those interested in industrial history. their monuments, and turned their faces See Underlands, (Granta Books) from which this to the Earth in shame. ◆ article is a modified extract

Image: © Tony Richards Image: © Tony Richards

View taken from the Old Black Bridge (Aberfan Bridge), which carried the roadway across Aberfan Road and up Mynydd Merthyr ABERFAN’S ENGINEERING LEGACY Paul Maliphant, Helen Reeves, Bob Leeming and Darren Bryant* revisit the Aberfan Disaster and ask – what did we learn?

new plaque in remembrance of Stability was improved by two drainage the former Merthyr Vale Colliery, , to draw water from the aquifer unveiled in 2015 as part of the below the tip. After re-grading, the tip redevelopment of the colliery was grassed and has for a long time been A surface for housing, reads: let for grazing under an agricultural tenancy. Merthyr Vale Colliery One of the most significant (formerly Taff Colliery) developments after the Aberfan disaster, 1869 – 1989 and a requirement highlighted in the Sunk by John Nixon from 1869 in Owain’s Finding XVII of the Davies Report1, was Riverside Meadow (Ynysowen) on the bank new legislation to remedy the absence of of the Afon Taff the first commercial coal was laws and regulations governing mine and brought to the surface in 1875. quarry waste tips and spoil heaps. This The colliery finally closed on 25th August aspect of mining had previously received 1989 following a long and proud existence scant attention and was scrutinised punctuated by one of the darkest days in the in great detail. The development of history of . legislation activated research into the The corners of our memories may be eroded factors that could cause instability in and softened by time but they live on in the colliery spoil tips. As a result, the Mines local communities first established to house the and Quarries (Tips) Act 1969 provided coal miners of the colliery and their families. guidance for the stability of tips, and the Those memories, and the lessons Mines and Quarries (Tips) Regulations learned, also live on in the collective 1971 gave detail on construction and memory of ground engineering and inspection. After the 1969 Act, the word allied professionals, and the legislative ‘tip’ was introduced into the amended legacy of the tragedy and we would Mines and Quarries Act 1954. be foolish to allow the vitality of such The immediate effect of this was that knowledge to wane with time. As such, the National Coal Board and the Welsh every opportunity should be taken to Development Agency invested over £50 remind ourselves and the next generation million2 into investigations of existing of professionals what we learnt from that tips and in improving their stability. Above top: Memorial to the Merthyr Vale Colliery darkest of days. However, the most significant outcome 2015. The memorial is located in the centre of the new was that future tips were properly roundabout at Bells Hill and incorporates a half sheave wheel from the old pithead, moved from the grounds of Legislation planned, sited and designed to ensure Ysgol Rhyd y Grug, and a life-size sculpture of a miner Numerous publications, both technical stability. As a result there have only been looking reflectively towards the river Above middle: New road bridge under construction, and non-technical have described and a handful of minor tip failures since, and 2015, the first new crossing of this reach of the Afon discussed the causes and effects of the to the knowledge of the HSE there have Taff since 1906. Reclaimed tips, community centre and location of Pant Glas School in the background disaster. The most important of these since been no reported injuries, let alone Above lower: Earlier in the year with pile foundations publications is the Report of the Tribunal fatalities, caused by unstable UK tips. under construction

1 appointed to inquire into the Disaster . This legislation stood the test of time, Left: New road bridge under construction, 2015, the first Essential causes of the disaster were the with no amendments and no exemptions, new crossing of this reach of the Afon Taff since 1906. inappropriate placement, tipping methods until both documents were replaced by Reclaimed tips,~ community centre and location of Pant Glas School in the background and ineffective management coupled with the new Mines Regulations 2014, which site conditions - all exacerbated by heavy retain the provisions relating to stability. rainfall. Tipping began above the village in Disused tips TIPING BEGAN ABOVE 1916 when more easily accessible sites The Coal Authority has decided that THE VILLAGE IN 1916 WHEN lower in the valley became exhausted, its own tips shall be inspected and creating seven distinct mounds by 1966. managed to a standard not less than that MORE EASILY ACCESSIBLE In the aftermath of the disaster most of required under legislation for closed SITES LOWER IN THE VALLEY the spoil was removed to Cnwc tip on tips by Regulations 17(1) and (2) and Mynydd Merthyr and the remaining spoil Regulation 18 of the Mines & Quarries BECAME EXHAUSTED at Aberfan reshaped to the current profile. (Tips) Regulations 1971. In practice ▼ ~ WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | OCTOBER 2016 | 17 Drone’s eye view of the former colliery site, the new road link under construction.

Government-sponsored landslide ▼ this is very much a minimum surface and subsurface drainage. standard and a significant The inspection interval is a matter research in South proportion of the Authority’s tips for engineering judgement and is are subject to a more rigorous reduced where there are concerns (after Siddle & Bentley, 2000) management regime. for matters that might affect The Coal Authority currently stability or have consequences for Date Research Author & owns and manages 40 disused environmental damage. Date colliery tip sites in , It is Coal Authority policy to 1976 Causes of the instability in the Gostelow, 1977 and Wales (see After Coal undertake a comprehensive review area of Blaina, Ebbw Fach valley by Richard Hughes, Geoscientist of each disused tip at a maximum 1977- Survey of in Rhondda Northmore et 26.03 April 2016). The Authority’s interval of 10 years. Following 1979 and north east part of the al., 1978 Public Safety and Subsidence at least one detailed inspection a coalfield Department has a management comprehensive report is prepared 1979- Survey of all landslides in the Conway et al., programme which includes commenting on all matters relevant 1980 coalfield 1980 inspections of each site on a to management and security of 1981- Investigation of shallow Conway et al., minimum six-monthly basis, the tip. Reports are of the same 1983 landslides and trial landslide 1983 with some sites inspected more technical standard and content as susceptibility maps frequently as required. The those required under Regulation 1983- Ground between East Pentwyn Halcrow, 1985 inspection programme includes 18 of the Mines & Quarries (Tips) 1985 and Bournville landslides regular walkover inspections, Regulations 1971. surveys and groundwater 1984- Development of a methodology Halcrow, 1986 1986 for landslip mapping monitoring, and is supported by Ground engineering a Code of Practice that is used by Following the disaster of October 1984- UK review of research into land- Geomorpho- other organisations as an example 1966 there was also an interest in 1987 sliding in Great Britain logical Services of best practice regarding spoil tip developing the applied geoscience Ltd., 1987 management. professions in engineering geology 1987- Effects of slow moving debris BRE, 1990 The fundamental aspect of the and hydrogeology; as skills in soil 1989 slides on buildings management system is inspection mechanics and hydrogeology were 1987- Effects of mining on hillslope Halcrow, 1989 by competent persons at a highlighted in the Finding XVII of 1988 stability maximum interval of six months. the Davies Report1. This interest Attention is paid to any change contributed to the development 1988- Monitoring trial period of using Halcrow, 1991 of situation and condition or of the first applied postgraduate 1991 landslip potential maps indication of movement and to Masters courses in engineering

1018 | OCTOBER 2016 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST Aerial view of Merthyr Vale Colliery site with new infrastructure added

Landslide occurrences, Coalfield, on simplified geological base map. British Geological Survey

Drainage driven in 1980

geology and hydrogeology, as well as and development community in Great REFERENCES the creation of the Engineering Geology Britain. Unit at the (British) Geological Survey3. 1 Davies, H E; Harding, H; & From 1976 until 1991 considerable Future Lawrence, V 1967. Report of the Tribunal appointed to inquire into advances in slope instability research In 2015, nearly 50 years after the the Disaster at Aberfan on October in South Wales was undertaken (see failure of the Merthyr Vale Colliery Tip 21st 1966. HMSO, London. 151pp. Table), as a result of a Welsh Office 7 and over 25 years since closure of the Online version at www.nuffield.ox.ac initiative, and sponsored by the mine itself, communities in Aberfan .uk/politics/aberfan/tri.htm. Department of the Environment4. and Merthyr Vale started the long 2 Taylor, L E 1985. Introduction and These studies first centred on assessing journey to a more optimistic future, background statement. In: Morgan, instability on slopes (e.g. type, with the completion of new roads, C (ed.) Proceedings of Symposium on Landslides in the . distribution, activity) in specific areas flood defences and bridges as part of 3-8. The Polytechnic of Wales of concern in South Wales for land the residential-led regeneration of the 3 Culshaw, M G; Northmore, K J; & instability (e.g. Blaina, Rhondda, East former colliery surface in the valley McCann, D M 2014. A short Pentwyn and Bournville) and then floor. House-building is expected history of engineering geology broaden out to look at wider regions to begin in 2017, and infrastructure and geophysics at the British and the national scales (e.g. Great construction has already inspired Geological Survey. In: Lollino, G, (ed.) Engineering geology for society Britain, South Wales coalfield – see the community to create a new scout and territory. Volume 7. Springer, Table). troop and an annual Community 257-260. These studies provided better Christmas Fayre. 4 Siddle, H J; & Bentley, S P 2000. A information on slope instabilities The community must be allowed to brief history of landslide research (landslides) and have aided slope move forward, supported in the hope in South Wales. In: Siddle, H J, management relevant to the needs that, in time, the name Aberfan will Bromhead, E N, & Bassett, M G (eds.). of local authority planners and no longer be synonymous with the Landslides and landslide 4 management in South Wales 9-14. developers . Further developments word ‘disaster’. However, geological National Museum of Wales, in slope instability assessments and and engineering professionals should Geological Series No.18, Cardiff. modelling, documented in Siddle always remember that some practice 5 Siddle, H J, Bromhead, E N, & et al.5, highlight the improvements is led not just by technical knowledge Bassett, M G (eds.) 2000. contributed by information technology but by social drivers, to ensure that Landslides and landslide and the application of Geographical events like those of October 1966 management in South Wales. National Museum of Wales, Information Systems to aiding the in a small, semi-rural and close- Geological Series No.18, Cardiff. communication of hazards associated knit community in the South Wales 116pp with slope instability for the planning coalfield are never repeated. ◆

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | OCTOBER 2016 | 19 Corporate Corporate Supporters: Registration Now Open Supporters: Call for Abstracts – Deadline: 22 October 2016 Operations Geology Subsurface sand remobilization and injection: implications for Conference oil and gas exploration and

Convenors: ‘Bridging the Gaps’ development Tim Herrett Independent – Chairman Louise Young 2-3 November 2016 22-23 March 2017 BP – Secretary Hozefa Godhrawala The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London Centrica Chris Hayes Convenors: RPS Peter Mears Andrew Hurst Total University of Aberdeen Nick Pierpoint Simone Silcock Shell Statoil Jim Raggatt Independent Hugh Dennis Chris Samson Origo Exploration Independent Evidence of sand fluidization and injection as significant shallow crustal processes is increasingly Mads Huuse Richard Smout The 2016 Operations Geology Conference will aim to move the professional and technical discussion to a wider University of Manchester common in outcrop and subsurface studies. Regionally-developed giant sand injection complexes Independent audience with a direct call to our industry colleagues from associated disciplines. In addition to our core opera- develop in areas of 100’s to 1000’s km2 and locally reservoir commercial volumes of hydrocarbons, tions geologists we seek active participation from personnel in subsurface, drilling and engineering to significantly Pat Spicer Cliff Lovelock act as fluid migration routes, compromise seals and record major periods of focused fluid flow. Independent broaden the four main conference themes outlined below. As key oil industry professionals we need to ask our- Shell selves serious questions during this time of constrained conditions. We should challenge ourselves to work better The non-stratiform character of sandstone intrusions requires original solutions for the successful together by fully integrating with associated disciplines, optimising our processes and enhancing communications. John Wild quantitative modelling, drilling and completion of wells and accentuates the need for a better The ultimate aim is to become more cost effective and to deliver better results while enhancing safety performance. Sponsored by: ExxonMobil understanding of these often enigmatic features. Sand injection and fluidization occurs on many • State of the Discipline – Who are we? Demographics, diversity, update on our profession and where we are go- ing in in a lower oil price environment. What are our key challenges going forward? scales both within giant complexes and as small, discrete features. We invite presentations on the • Focus on the Wellsite – Wellsite geology, focus on re-invigorating/updating/more fully exploiting fundamental characterization and interpretation of sandstone intrusions and associated facies, from grain to techniques, use of real-time data, daily work flows and innovative processes. basin scale. Presentations on process and reservoir modelling and other practical applications are • Integrating Teams – Working better together with wellsite geology, geomechanics, well engineering, biostratigra- also encouraged as we consolidate knowledge from improved subsurface imaging, exploration and phy, geochemistry, wireline, petrophysicists, mudlogging and LWD. Improving communications. development drilling and outcrop-based research and identify areas for future investigation. • Working Smarter – What tools and techniques do we need to ‘work smarter’, more cost effectively and safely? Call for Abstracts: Conference Dinner: Please send Abstracts contributions to [email protected] and copy to Simone Silcock, Registration is now open for the Conference Dinner to be held on Wednesday 2nd November 2016 at the Cavendish [email protected] by 22 October 2016. Hotel, Jermyn Street. For further information and registration please contact: For further information please contact: Sarah Woodcock, The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG. Sarah Woodcock, The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG. T: +44 (0)20 7434 9944 or email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)20 7434 9944, [email protected] or visit the conference webpage: www.geolsoc.org.uk/PG-Operations-Geology-Conference

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WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | OCTOBER 2016 | 21 GEOSCIENTIST LETTERS 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 Limited by Victorian mapping

Sir, Though the British Geological Survey report on 3D geological model of the superficial deposits of the Holderness area in East Yorkshire, upon which the feature about Models and Flooding (Geoscientist 26.06, July 2016) was based is highly impressive, it is Fellows’ Room constrained by geological mapping Sir, I read your Editorial (Geoscientist 26.07 August 2016) relating to the temporary loss of the dating back to the 1880s. Thus, Fellows’ Room to the very people to whom it ‘belongs’. The removal of this important facility one of the report’s key conclusions represents a significant deprivation to the Geological Society’s Fellowship. For those of us is the need for more detailed who live and work a long way from London, the importance of things like a fully functioning borehole information (to gain fuller Website and the knowledge that we can if we wish, make use of a room in Burlington House understanding of the till sequence are not to be underestimated. and glacial stratigraphy) without This lack of availability only serves to further increase the distance between the geographically acknowledging the need for fresh more remote fraction of the Society’s Fellowship and those who provide its administration. geological mapping enhanced MARK GODDEN by NEXTMap radar topographic imaging. Backed up by geophysical surveys, this could be highly effective in delineating sands and Rise of the machines gravels, rather than relying on the random accumulation of borehole Sir, The recent article by Martin Geach very different – the one from Houston clearly records to plot their apparent extent. (Geoscientist 26.05 June 2016) and the letter envisioned listric faulting; the Louisiana office The composite geological from Chris Garland on computer mapping seemed to show salt domes; the Stavanger map in the report (Fig. 8) shows reminded me of some work I was involved office, tilted fault blocks. In other words, hitherto unmapped superficial in in the mid-1970s as computers became hand contouring reflected the inbuilt bias of deposits. This includes nearly a powerful enough to create reasonable maps. the interpreters. They then proceeded to square kilometre of glaciofluvial I was assisting a team at Phillips in average the maps in some way, and were gravel in Beverly adjacent to an Oklahoma who were working (with other oil surprised to discover that the final map area of exposed Chalk rather than companies) with the University of Kansas looked very like the computer-generated till still shown on the bowdlerized on the potential & the problems. Almost all map they had from the same data set. online geology of Britain viewer, the issues identified then (some discussed Their conclusion was that computer which promptly contracts itself by Chris) still occur today. At one meeting generated maps are comparatively unbiased when you pick though the borehole a ‘Super Major’ detailed some in-house and (importantly) easy to duplicate by records. However this does not research. They generated a posted base anyone using the same input parameters. replace the need for integrated map (2D data) and sent it to around 40 of The problem is that the interpreters’ bias (or 10k geological mapping, so that their experienced geophysicists in various knowledge) may make all the difference in even the Environment Agency, who offices around the world to hand-contour. correctly mapping geological phenomena. commissioned this report, has been When the maps came back they were all ROB WALLACE sold short. Without this, it is impossible to publish new 50k sheets, so that people including local authority Luddite? How very dare you! officers and councillors can have Sir, Your edited version of my letter published in the July Geoscientist included my unbiased information about their humour but omitted a serious point that I was attempting to make regarding the Society’s ground conditions. Almost the support for fieldwork. My comments were not born out of Luddism, but out of concern entire area is covered by oil and to stop the of professional standards and make clear exactly what makes a gas exploration licences, so it is geologist. vital that sensible objections to the P M Carruthers was moved to write ‘Fieldwork’s importance overstated’ (Geoscientist siting of fracking pads and lorry Vol 27.4). I doubt that any geologist worth their evaporite could fail to see the importance routes damaging side-roads can be of fieldwork. We simply cannot afford to give even the slightest excuse for the financially heard, rather than the whole debate motivated to abrade the time, money or curriculum set aside for fieldwork. becoming toxic and increasingly Those who are completely seduced by all things computer all too often seem to lack ill-informed. common sense and be oblivious to the idea of working from basic first principles. It is for DAVID NOWELL this reason alone I have grave reservations about such technophiles. RICHARD ARTHUR See online for references. Editor.

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Nautilus – is that divided! Grulke, as a sought-after von Guérard was a strong believer in business consultant in his other life, has painting geologically informed , beautiful survivor some interesting insights to impart into which he did in Europe and Australia. what ‘scarcity’ really means, and how it Other case histories encompass Wolfgang Grulke, an relates to market price. Norwegian and central European author and collector Accessible, quirky, and above all mountains, Alpine river gorges, Danube based in Dorset (see a labour of love, written with the valley loess in Serbia and the first known Cabinet of curiosities, cooperation of a vast array of scientific scientific descriptions of travels in Geoscientist 24.9 experts, Nautilus – beautiful survivor is a Southwest England. Three papers consider October 2014) has superb achievement and represents truly the roles of: natural science societies in already delighted us astounding value at £38.00. the Welsh borders; early photography with his beautiful on Geologists’ Association expeditions; book Heteromorph: Reviewed by: Ted Nield and mapping in the depiction and The rarest fossil ammonites – Nature at its understanding of the landscape of the Peak most bizarre, which appeared with the NAUTILUS: BEAUTIFUL SURVIVOR. District. Society’s imprimatur and received a 500 MILLION YEARS OF EVOLUTION A benefit of historical, informed accounts glowing review in these pages from by WOLFGANG GRULKE. (as cited by several authors) is to provide WOLFGANG GRULKE 24pp, hbk. Professor Chris Wilson in 2015. He has List Price: £38.00 www.geolsoc.org.uk/mpbnu data for modern studies. For example, now repeated the trick with this, no less climate change effects on glacial volume and stunning coffee-table-format book on length; information on now-flooded gorges Nautilus and the nautiloids. from times before reliable maps; or the Also bearing the endorsement of the Appreciating Physical removal of speleothems from caves. This Society and with an introduction by information may reside in other countries. Professor Peter Ward (University of Landscapes The mining methods at the Carclaze tin Washington, Seattle), this loving tribute to mine in Cornwall are published in , Nautilus and its long family tree (whose This is a history book, but not England, having been obtained on complexities are helpfully set out in a not a geological tourist behalf of the French Government by ‘spies’ fold-out diagram for easy reference while guide. ‘Geotourism’ is posing as geotourists in 1765. reading) is the ideal Christmas gift for the the study of travel to Unfortunately, the book is let down by the fossilist in your life. enjoy and, importantly, poor reproduction of historic and modern Well spaced between ravishing colour to understand scenery. photographs. They comprise a series of photographs, Grulke’s easy-going text With its origins in muddy mid-tones and it would have been takes the reader through the taxonomy the C17th Grand Tour, so easy to stretch the contrast and provide of the cephalopods, the history of geotourism was improved visibility for the reader. scientific awareness and investigation expanded by antiquarian’s observations in of the famous ‘living fossil’, to a survey the C18th and further developed in the C19th Reviewed by: Kevin Privett of today’s extant genera and species - as the interest in geology blossomed. The their cultural and artistic importance Romantic Movement saw wild landscapes APPRECIATING PHYSICAL LANDSCAPES: worldwide, as well as some fascinating used by the increasing urban population as THREE HUNDRED YEARS OF GEOTOURISM ‘freak’ pathological specimens. Grulke a source of recreation. Modern geodiversity by HOSE TA (Ed): 2016 Geological Society Special Publication #417. 248pp hbk. List Price: £100.00 then guides us expertly through half tourism is the legacy. Fellows Price: £50.00 www.geolsoc.org.uk/SP417 a billion years of the group’s evolution Based on an international conference and fossilization, via a series of ‘visual of the History of Geology Group, an galleries’ showing typical examples from introductory paper sets the scene and the stratigraphic record. defines this special interest form of travel Volcano Discoveries - As a collector, Grulke is not at all with examples from around the world; disdainful of the importance of the including definitions of ‘casual’ and A Photographic Journey Nautilus to art and design, and he devotes ‘dedicated’ recreational geologists. The around the World an entire chapter to the different ways in remaining papers are case history studies. which these beguiling shells have become In C18th Scotland Geology, tourism and incorporated or converted into beautiful landscape aesthetics all developed together, Since 1995 works of art. obtaining wider appeal with Cook’s tours volcanologist The author’s passion for Nautilus, both to the classic locations from Scott’s novels Dr Tom Pfeiffer as living thing and as object, comes out and culminating in the modern Geopark. has been a most clearly in the final two chapters, Waterfalls have a long history of aesthetic photographer and with a series of anecdotes detailing his appreciation, but conflicts with navigation tour guide, visiting own personal involvement with Nautilus improvements or extraction of energy can some of the as a diver, collector and as author of this diminish their cultural value. The Haarlem world’s most spectacular active volcanoes, book; while he concludes by asking the school of geomorphologically accurate defined as those having erupted within question – is Nautilus thriving, or on the landscape painters owes its origins to the the past 10,000 years. This book, compiled brink of extinction? Opinion, it seems, coastal dune system of Holland. Similarly, by volcanologist Dr Ingrid Smet, presents

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a personal record of Tom’s travels these images are still magical. see and experience in fragments’. And over the years. There are something presumably, only then if you are intrepid like 220 pages packed with stunning Reviewed by: Kevin Privett enough to risk it. photographs, most of which were taken ‘Cave’ is written by two academics by Tom. VOLCANO DISCOVERIES - A PHOTOGRAPHIC whose speciality is in English, and in A narrative accompanies each volcano, JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD particular the intersection of literature by TOM PFEIFFER & INGRID SMET 2015. comprising a description of the history Published by: Reed New Holland Publishers Pty Ltd. and geography, and it therefore naturally and setting and the various features 240pp (hbk) ISBN: 9781921517358 List Price: focuses on literature and language aspects witnessed, together with relevant brief £16.99 http://uk.newhollandpublishers.com/ in the history of cave sciences, caving, cave volcano-discoveries-1350.html notes on the local mythologies. Personal art, and cave terminology. It describes anecdotes strike just the right balance; specially adapted cave creatures and giving a human touch to the stories and provides a comprehensive discussion of allowing the reader to share in some Cave - all the caves ever mentioned in literature, small way in Tom’s travels, but without from Jules Verne to Enid Blyton. being a travelogue or diary. Nature and Culture The book presents much food for The book is aimed at all people with thought, and left me pondering the subject a fascination for volcanoes and opens As an engineering for several days. Surely, the mark of a with a non-technical description of geologist, I am ‘Good Read’. volcanoes. A glossary of terms and an often asked about index of locations are included. The caves: Why is this Reviewed by: Catherine Kenny authors’ stated aim is not to produce an cave here? What is encyclopaedia of the world’s volcanoes, it made of? Where CAVE: NATURE AND CULTURE but to explore selected volcano ‘portraits’ have my drilling rods by Ralph Crane and Lisa Fletcher, 2015. Published by: Reaktion Books Ltd 224pp and in this the book succeeds. gone? Aside from ISBN: 978-1-78023-431-1 All the volcanoes are accessible, consideration as a List Price: £14.95 www.reaktionbooks.co.uk through some more readily than others, geohazard, caves are surely the ultimate and for those considering a volcano- rock outcrop, and the lure of observing watching vacation there is plenty of pristine in situ structure, mineralisation inspiration. The main section of the book and amusingly shaped speleothems is Moons - a very short starts with Europe; Iceland (3 volcanoes), usually enough for me to temporarily Italy (4) and Greece (3). This is followed overcome my fear of not being able to introduction by four from the African Rift Valley see the sky for a substantial period of and three oceanic hotpots (two in the time. For whatever reason, there is an This small, densely Canaries and one in Hawaii). There are overpowering urge, upon encountering a packed paperback is a 12 examples of explosive volcanism from cave, to have a look in it. fantastic starting point the Pacific ‘Rim of Fire’ (six in Central Cave exploration has provided us with for those interested in America, three in New Zealand, two in many discoveries, described in this book, learning more about Vanuatu and one in ). The final most notably about our own ancient the 190 or so moons section ‘Living with Volcanoes’ looks at ancestors. In fact, as the book points out, found within our solar eight in densely populated Indonesia. the very definition of a cave: “a natural system. Not merely Roman and Greek mythology abounds void…large enough to admit humans”, a book of tables and with stories of gods and defeated giants is related to its human interactions. The facts about these celestial bodies, Moons buried beneath volcanoes around adventures of cavers who have pushed covers the rich history of exploration and the Mediterranean. However, it is the boundaries of cave study make discovery along with the ideas that were interesting to read that the 1st Century fascinating reading. shaped and moulded by astronomers philosopher Apollonius of Tyana The book depicts expeditions into across the ages. observed: “there are many other mountains massive caves, described as ‘Mount From the discovery of Jupiter’s moons all over the earth that are on fire - we should Everest in reverse’, taking a week to get to by Galileo to the moons of smaller never be done with it if we assigned to them the site of exploration, 7-10 days to explore bodies being discovered today, the text is giants and gods like Hephaestus” [the and then a week to get back out again. interspersed with some excellent figures Greek equivalent of Vulcanus, god of These are driven by the human need for and simple tables that help to demonstrate blacksmiths, who forged the bindings adventure: ‘There’s not many places on the points being made, to illustrate some that held Prometheus to his rock under the planet you could say you were the of the more complex ideas such as tides, Zeus’s punishment for stealing fire from first person to actually go’. and of course to allow us to see these alien the Gods and giving it to Man]. The poetic language of the book worlds. The images in this book demonstrate conjures this dark and mysterious There is a large amount of information why ancient, and even some modern subterranean world for the reader’s on the Earth’s Moon which is to be people, have invoked supernatural consideration; a bizarre world like no expected as it is the most intensely explanations. Even though Apollonius’s other, for ‘every map or model we have studied and our closest neighbour. Of doubts have been confirmed by modern of a cave is a pictorial reconstruction particular interest are the structure and concepts of plate tectonics and the like, of a place that one can only actually composition of The Moon, craters, and

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | OCTOBER 2016 | 23 have no Internet access? CALL THE Library Bookshop 0207 432 0999 for [advice and to purchase publications] Can’t find your meeting? Visit BOOKS & ARTS www.geolsoc.org.uk/listings Full, Accurate, Up-To-Date its origins; a topic that is still being hotly There is a brief introduction to the PLANET EARTH - IN DEEP TIME (PALAEOZOIC SERIES - DEVONIAN & ) debated amongst scientists today. rationale behind the project and a by T J Suttner, E Kido, P Königshof, J A Waters, The most wonderful aspect of this book systematic review of the fossil groups, L Davis, and F Messner (Eds). ISBN: 978-3- 510-65335-5 Publisher: Schweizerbart Science is how Rothery has pre-empted almost followed by an introduction to the key Publishers RRP: €49.90 www.schweizerbart.com every question that you could possibly areas of Mid-Palaeozoic sedimentary think of (and answered them), giving the occurrences worldwide. The project text a really natural flow from point to entailed a large-scale taxonomic, BOOKS FOR REVIEW point. He is quick to dispel myths such as stratigraphic and palaeoecological study ‘Super Moons’ and the Moon’s effect on of mid-Palaeozoic floras and faunas. This Please contact [email protected] if you human behaviour; but discusses in depth has been marvellously condensed into would like to supply a review. You will be invited to keep the review copy. See a full up-to-date list at the effects it has on tides and marine life. 86 contributions detailing the scope of www.geolsoc.org.uk/reviews Aside from our Moon, the regular the project in the individual countries. satellites of the giant planets are given These contributions detail representative ◆ NEW! Digital Terrain Analysis in Soil Science a very thorough discussion from the geological sections or regions and the and Geology by Igor Florinsky. 2016 Academic tantalising prospect of life on worlds such variety of locations covered can only be Press 486pp hbk as Europa to unexpected active volcanoes described as breath-taking! ◆ NEW! Sensing & Monitoring Technologies for on Io. Covering the various missions I was initially unsure how the book Mines and Hazardous Areas by Chaulya & by space probes to visit these worlds, would work, having as it does translations Prasad. 2016 Elsevier 403pp, sbk. Rothery gives an excellent overview of of the IGCP project 596 project summary ◆ NEW! Ecological Climatology - concepts & these mysterious places and the physical interspersed among the descriptions of Applications by Gordon Bonan (3rd Edn) 2016 CUP 692pp Hbk processes that govern them. He also the localities, in a number of different ◆ NEW! Detecting, modelling and Responding sprinkles plenty of tantalising hypotheses languages. This does not however affect to Effusive Eruptions, by Harris A J L et al. about potential life as well as future the readability of the text. Indeed I find Geological Society of London 2016 SP #426. missions of interest such as ‘chipsats’ on part of this book’s appeal is that it has been 683pp, hbk Europa and submersibles on Titan. developed for a wide ranging audience, ◆ NEW! Sustainable Use of Traditional The other running theme in this book is with descriptions of localities and regions Geomaterials in Construction Practice, by Prikryl, R et al., Geological Society of London the attention to detail given with respect in both the native language and English. Special publication SP #416 2016 311pp, hbk. to nomenclature of moons, asteroids and The book oozes quality from every page. ◆ Arthur Smith Woodward - his life and other bodies. This is something I have It is a book that can be read at leisure and influence on modern vertebrate palaeontology rarely seen done in other books and it is that will leave the reader wanting to find by Johanson Z. et al. (Eds) Geological Society of done well here. out more about the localities detailed. I London 2016 Spec Pub #430 362pp (hbk) Finally the book has an excellent suspect that one of the most difficult jobs ◆ Stochastic Analysts of Scaling Time Series - further reading list, as well as an online for the editors was coming up with a from turbulence theory to applications by Schmitt FG and Huang Y. Cambridge UP 2016 resources section which contains shortlist of localities – they are all of such 204pp hbk animations, online courses and video high quality. ◆ Volcanic Geology of Sao Miguel Island (Azores lectures for you to explore. The authors ‘intend to enhance the Archipelago) by Gaspar et al (Eds) Geological visibility and the perception of research Society Memoir #44, 2015 hbk 309pp Reviewed by: Jonathan Scafidi on mid-Palaeozoic deposits beyond the ◆ Applied Thermodynamics for Meteorologists, Earth Science community’ – and they have by Sam Miller. 2015. Cambridge University managed to do this with aplomb. The book Press 285pp, hbk ◆ Energy, the subtle concept – the discovery MOONS: A VERY SHORT INTRODUCTION is accessible to the interested layperson and of Feynman’s blocks from Leibniz to Einstein by DAVID A ROTHERY, 2015. Published by: is very much a book that could be picked Oxford University Press 176pp (pbk) ISBN: by Jennifer Coopersmith (revised) 2015 Oxford 9780198735274 up and understood by someone with a University press 422pp, sbk. List Price: £7.99 www.oup.com basic level of geological understanding. ◆ Precession, Nutation and Wobble of the Earth The quality of the images of the by Dehant and Mathews 2015. Cambridge locations is superb and the addition of a University Press, 536pp, hbk. ◆ From Somerset to the Pyrenees - in the steps palaeogeographic map for each location/ Planet Earth in Deep of William Arthur Jones, Geologist and region helps the reader to build a picture Time Antiquary by David Rabson. Somerset of the mid-Palaeozoic world. Even more Archaeological and Natural History Society appealing are the artistic reconstructions, 2015109pp, sbk. This book is characterising the biosphere of the ◆ Geodynamic Processes in the Andes of a result of a Devonian and Carboniferous – these are Central Chile and Argentina by Sepulveda et al. UNESCO/ quite simply stunning and I would venture Geological Society Special Publication #399 ◆ Fundamental Controls on Fluid Flow in IUGS project to say are worth the purchase price of the Carbonates by Agar et al., Geological Society on climate book alone. Special Publication #406 change and Quite simply this is an amazing book, ◆ The Use of Palaeomagnetism and Rock biodiversity suitable for anyone with an interest in Magnetism to Understand Volcanic Processes in the mid-Palaeozoic (IGCP Project 596). the development of our planet – I cannot by Ort et al. Geological Society of London Special The first thing that strikes you about the recommend it highly enough. Publication #396 book is the high quality to which it has been reproduced. Reviewed by: Gordon Neighbour

24 | OCTOBER 2016 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST have no Internet access? CALL THE Library Bookshop 0207 432 0999 for advice and to purchase publications Can’t find your meeting? Visit www.geolsoc.org.uk/listings [Full, Accurate, Up-To-Date]

ENDORSED TRAINING/CPD

COURSE DATE VENUE AND DETAILS

Lapworth’s Logs n/a ‘Lapworth’s Logs’ is a series of e-courses involving practical exercises of increasing complexity. Contact: info@lapworthslogs. com. Lapworth’s Logs is produced by Michael de Freitas and Andrew Thompson.

DIARY OF MEETINGS OCTOBER 2016

COURSE DATE VENUE AND DETAILS

175 Years of Dinosauria 6 October Venue: Plymouth University PL4 8A. Time: 1830 for 1900. South West Regional Speaker: Prof. Mike Benton (University of Bristol). Contact E: [email protected]

Earth Science Week 2016: Sidmouth 7-16 October Venue: Sidmouth, Devon. For details see website. Science Festival Contact E: [email protected]. Please note – there Earth Science Week are many other ESW events happening nationwide – please check the Sidmouth Science Festival website for these.

‘Year of Water’ Yorkshire Regional; 8 October Venue: York, St Johns. Contact Mark Lee E: yorkshireregionalgroup@ Yorkshire Geological Society gmail.com

Thames Tideway 11 October Venue: Mottt MacDonald, Croydon CR0 2EE. Time: 1800 for 18.30 South East Regional ICE start. Contact Sarah Cook E: [email protected]

Solution Features in Chalk 12 October Venue: TBA. Time: Evening. Speaker: Dr Clive Edmonds, Peter Brett Thames Valley regional Associates. Contact E: [email protected]

Water on Mars 12 October A Society London Lecture. For details, see p. 06 Geological Society

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | OCTOBER 2016 | 25 GEOSCIENTIST FEATURE PEOPLE NEWS CAROUSEL

All Fellows of the Society are RGISTRTION entitled to entries in this Commemorative Meeting column. Please email [email protected], to Celebrate the Life and Work quoting your Fellowsip number. of Robert F Symes O ◆ Sarah Fray A conference to be held on Thursday 8 December, who joined 2016 at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, UK. the Society as Convenors This one-day meeting has been convened under the auspices of Geological Society and Executive Secretary History of Geology Group (HOGG) in association with the Geologists’ Association, The ichard Moody, ingston University. Ussher Society, The Russell Society and The Harrow and Hillingdon Geological Society. in October oy Starkey,The ussell Society. The contributions listed below reflect Bob’s contribution to mineralogical research, 2015, has left museum activities, earth science education, public outreach and the mineralogy of the Andrew leet, HM London. Mendip Hills, the minerals and geology of Cornwall and Devon and the North of the Society’s employ after 11 enny Bennett, Ussher Society. England.

months in post. An engineer, The speakers are: she had formerly worked for the Dick Moody – Bob and the Geologists’ Association Institution of Structural Engineers Brian Young – Minerals of Northern England as Director of Engineering and Roger Le Voir – 10 Years at Sidmouth Museum Ron Cleevely – The use of archive material to enhance our knowledge of mineral Technical Services. Staff and collecting in the past Fellows were informed by email Alan Hart – 35 Years’ Influence from the President, Malcolm Rick Turner – Beyond Symesite – Mendip Experiences with Bob Symes Roy Starkey – Bob Symes and Sir Arthur Russell Brown, on Monday 5 September Richard Scrivener – Devonshire Shining Ore: micaceous hematite from NE Dartmoor 2016, following a meeting John Mather – Sidmouth geology and geologists between the President and staff Frank Ince – Vanadium Chemistry, Vanadium Geochemistry and UK Vanadates in London and (by electronic link) Alec Livingstone – Museums, collections and mineralogy; an overview Bath. The search for a successor Accepted abstracts will be printed in the Conference Abstracts Book which will be made available to authors and delegates on the day of the conference. Specific papers may be considered for inclusion in a special publication. was already underway, the Contact addresses. President said. Dick Moody (e-mail: [email protected]: mobile telephone: +44 (0) 7973273623): Roy Starkey (e-mail: [email protected]: home telephone: +44 (0) 1527 874101): Jenny Benett (jenny.bennet- ◆ [email protected]): Andrew Fleet (e.mail: [email protected]). David Manning There will be a registration fee of £10.00 to cover teas and coffee, and £12 (optional) for an evening reception. To Immediate Past register please fill in the details below and send a cheque made out to HOGG to: David Earle (HOGG treasurer), President, has 61 Straight Road, Old Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 2RT. become Head Name:...... Email:...... of the School of Address:...... Civil Engineering Telephone: ...... and Geosciences at Newcastle THE RUSSELL SOCIETY University. The School has a long Registration Fee: ...... Reception: (optional) ...... history of achievement across a spectrum that includes petroleum geochemistry, environmental geochemistry, engineering IN MEMORIAM WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/OBITUARIES geology, hydrogeology and THE SOCIETY NOTES WITH SADNESS THE PASSING OF: . Absalom, Sydney Stuart * Davis, Robert Vincent * Ramsden, Robert * ◆ Brian Windley Ayers-Morgan, Christopher * D’Cruz, Norman John * Van der Merwe, Roelef * Armitage, John * Flood, Raymond Edward * Wright, Ernest * (University of Bishopp, David * Morgan, Daniel * Leicester, UK) has Colley, H * Piffaretti, Joseph* been awarded In the interests of recording its Fellows’ work for posterity, the Society publishes obituaries online, and in the Leopold von Geoscientist. The most recent additions to the list are shown in bold. Fellows for whom no obituarist has yet been Buch Medal commissioned are marked with an asterisk (*). The symbol § indicates that biographical material has been lodged 2016 by Deutsche Geologische with the Society. Gesellschaft-Geologische If you would like to contribute an obituary, please email [email protected] to be commissioned. You can read Vereinigung (the Geological the guidance for authors at Society of ). He www.geolsoc.org.uk/obituaries. To save yourself unnecessary work, please do not write anything until you have accepted the award at Innsbrück received a commissioning letter.

in September. The award was Deceased Fellows for whom no obituary is forthcoming have their names and dates recorded in a Roll of Honour at created in 1946 by the DGG www.geolsoc.org.uk/obituaries. and is awarded for outstanding lifetime achievement in all areas of the geosciences.

26 | OCTOBER 2016 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST GEOSCIENTIST PEOPLE NEWS

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

DISTANT THUNDER Cambrian confrontation

Geologist and science writer Nina Morgan* relishes a stratigraphic struggle

Gladiator fights must have seemed like Sunday school picnics compared to some of the debates over papers read at the Geological Society during the 19th Century. One paper that really raised hackles among the geological great and good was Archibald Geikie’s 62- page study: ‘On the supposed Precambrian rocks of St David’s,’ which was read in two parts on 21 March and 11 April 1883. Hicks and stones In the paper, Geikie [1835 – 1924], then Director General of the Geological Survey, refuted a suggestion put forward by Henry Conflicting Interests: Hicks (right) remarks on the apparent lack of enthusiasm Henry Hicks (1837-1899) Hicks [1837 – 1899], that a base of a Sedgwick Club member for the geological task in hand of the Cambrian System could be defined in a coastal section at St David’s on the west coast visit to Hicks’s so-called Dimetian outraged the great Hicks...’. Welsh geology! Or, possibly, of Wales. Hicks, a respected ridge, Geikie, accompanied by Cyntaf arall i ddaeareg Gymreig. independent geologist who later Benjamin Peach [1841 – 1926], recorded their progress in the Alas, such idioms rarely served as 46th President of was amazed to find not ‘the ‘Book of St David’s, which is translate well. the Geological Society, argued slightest trace of any shale, now preserved in the present- that the Cambrian sediments schist, quartzite or other stratified day Sedgwick Club’s archives. at St David’s lay unconformably rock’. Instead, the pair identified As well as anecdotes and poems *Nina Morgan is a geologist and fairly ordinary granite. On his delighting in the prospect of science writer based near Oxford. above an exposed complex Her latest book, The Geology of of sedimentary and meta- second trip, accompanied this defeating ‘Geikie, Topley, Peach Oxford Gravestones, is available via sedimentary Precambrian rocks. time by William Topley [1841 – and Co.’, the Book also includes www.gravestonegeology.uk Hicks dubbed these complexes 1894], Geikie confirmed his belief field notes, some illustrated by ‘Pebidian’ and ‘Dimetian’. that Hicks had got it all wrong. cartoons. One, titled Conflicting Geikie, on the other hand, After this opinion was expressed Interests, suggests that not all ➤ Acknowledgement argued that the Pebidian was during the reading of the first of the Sedgwick Club ‘warriors’ This vignette was inspired part of the Cambrian series, and part of Geikie’s paper, Hicks kept their minds wholly on the by the paper Defining the determined to fight back. He geological task at hand. base of the Cambrian: that the Dimetian was a post- The Hicks-Geikie returned to the key outcrops Cambrian granite intrusion. Confrontation of April 1883 to gather further evidence to Winner? Although the debate centred by Paul N Pearson and back his case, accompanied For the students, it all must have on Welsh stratigraphy, the Christopher J. Nicholas, implications were more far- by members of the Cambridge seemed like jolly lark. But for Earth Sciences History, reaching, taking in everything undergraduate geological Geikie and Hicks, the debate vol 11, no 2, pp 70-80. from the age of the Earth to the society, the Sedgwick Club. was deadly serious. The winner? Further information was reputation of the Geological Club members, who described Both, it turns out, were right – to drawn from the Survey. With so much at stake, themselves as: some extent. As Geikie argued, references it contains. the gloves were off. the Dimetian is now considered Thanks also to Paul ‘...the expeditionary force to be a post-Cambrian granite Pearson for his help in summoned to St David’s to intrusion. But the existence of summarising the issues Marshalling forces involved in this To defend his views, Geikie defend the ancient Dimetian the Precambrian at St David’s is complicated conflict, territory from the intrusive now also universally accepted – took to the field twice, each and for providing the time taking along one of his star attacks of the Geikie Clan, a and Hicks’s Pebidian is thought cartoon illustration that Survey mappers. On his first hostile tribe who had grossly to be part of it. Another ‘first’ for accompanies this piece.

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | OCTOBER 2016 | 27 GEOSCIENTIST OBITUARY

OBITUARY Grosvenor Rex Davis 1922-2016

Mining geologist who recognised the importance ex Davis was born of sedimentary processes and became Head of The Rector, with a low opinion in Walmer, Cape Department at RSM of geology, saw no need to fill Province, South the vacant post. Rex tendered Africa. He studied his resignation – and fortunately, R at Rhodes University, the Rector blinked first. A Grahamstown, graduating new professor was appointed with a BSc in Geology in 1942, and the Department became Honours in 1948 and a PhD in a global leader in petroleum 1951. Between 1942 and 1966 geoscience. Rex left in 1982 aged he was involved in mineral 60, and established himself as an exploration and production international consultant, based in Northern and Southern in Dorking in the summers, and Rhodesia (Zambia & Zimbabwe) South Africa in the UK winter. and Uganda. He was President, Honorary Member and Gold Medallist Placers of the Institute of Mining and In 1966 Rex was appointed Metallurgy and elected FREng Professor of Mining Geology in 1983. He was a Freeman at the Royal School of Mines, of the City of London and of Imperial College and came with the Worshipful Company of

two big ideas. One was his Engineers. He was Geological appreciation that sedimentary Society of London member of

processes had as much to the Camborne School of Mines contribute to mineral exploration Board of Trustees. He was an as hydrothermal ones. He ~ enthusiastic member of the Mole required mining geology Valley Geological Society, his students to take a new course in local group of the Geologists’ sedimentary environments. Association. Rex was still writing UNFORTUNATELY, Sutton peer-reviewed articles at 73, Contracts Rex took over from Professor continuing to give ad hoc lectures, Rex’s second idea was to use THE RECTOR OF John Sutton as Head of and playing bowls regularly until the expertise of RSM to win THE DAY THOUGHT Department in 1974, just as his death. research contracts with outside REX’S IDEA WAS the money supply declined. In 2009 Rex and his wife bodies to train postgraduates, Within his first term, a 10% Elizabeth moved to St George’s maintain industry links and ‘LIKE TAKING IN DIRTY cut was imposed across the Park, Ditchling. Elizabeth died generate income. Unfortunately WASHING’ College. This was not a happy in 2014. Rex died on their 60th the Rector of the day thought time for him, the Department, wedding anniversary shortly that Rex’s idea was ‘like taking ~ or academe generally. Sutton before his 94th birthday. He in dirty washing’. successful conference ‘Forum was the last of the Baronial leaves a son and a daughter, One morning while on Oil & Ore in Sediments’ department heads, and Rex’s five grandchildren and many commuting to college Rex was the catalyst for Rex’s experience in the hierarchical admirers worldwide. chanced upon an IC alumnus application to the Kingdom mining industry made it hard Grosvenor Rex Davis: born 16 who was then working in North of Saudi Arabia for a research for him to adjust to ‘consensual’ September 1922, died 9 July 2016. Sea petroleum exploration. contract to survey its mineral university governance. They discussed the common resources. The application Rex crossed swords with the ➤ By Dick Selley, with help from Dennis Buchanan, association of mineral deposits was successful and the ‘Cover Rector again when the Professor Paul Garrard, Andy Rankin and petroleum. Next year, Rock Project’, as it was called, of Petroleum Geology retired in & Rex’s family. A longer the alumnus joined the staff ran in the late 1970s and early 1977. By then the North Sea was version of this obituary is available online. of the IC petroleum group. A 1980s. a major petroleum province.

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.

28 | OCTOBER 2016 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST GEOSCIENTIST CROSSWORD

Crossword no.207 set by platypus WIN A SPECIAL PUBLICATION!

The winner of the August Crossword puzzle prize draw was David Jeremy Prosser of Perth, Australia..

All correct solutions will be placed in the draw, and the winner’s name printed in the December/January issue. The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Closing date - November 4.

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] ACROSS DOWN Name ...... 7 Specimen, chosen subsequently, on 1 Six-legged arthropod (7) ...... which the full description of a species is 2 What we used to call ethene Membership number ...... newly based (7) before IUPAC (8) 8 One of the four Greater Sunda Islands, 3 Poriferan (6) Address for correspondence ...... now known as Sulawesi (7) 4 Sedimentary or other ...... 10 Deep ravine between escarpments accumulations (8) or cliffs (6) 5 Molecular component consisting of ...... 11 Arrow-slit in the wall of law? (8) one carbon bonded to three ...... 12 Deposit of metalliferous ore (4) hydrogen atoms (6) ...... 13 The study of extraterrestrial life (10) 6 What we’re all about (7) 14 Branch of philosophy concerned 9 Mineral property of changing colour ...... with explaining the nature of being (11) in thin section during rotation in Postcode ...... 19 Rich in calcium carbonate (10) plane polarised light (11) 22 Suess’s acronym for the silicon/ 15 Colloid of fine particles or droplets magnesium mineral-dominated in air or other gas (8) SOLUTIONS AUGUST rock under the continental crust (4) 16 Cambrian-Permian sessile five- 23 Makes estimate (8) armed pelmatozoan echinoderms (8) Across: 7 Isoclinic 8 Epoch 10 Pediment 11 Hoodoo 24 Middle portion of a trilobite 17 Loose or partially consolidated 12 Etui 13 Mass Flow 15 Abalone (or any 1 Down), sediments containing bitumen (3,4) 17 Colloid 20 Binnacle 22 Espy 25 Buffon to which the legs attach. (6) 18 They created Chicxulub, Siljan and 26 Nacreous 27 Stash 28 Angstroms 25 Trusts restricting sale or inheritance Barringer, for example (7) of estates and causing them to pass 20 From the same time (6) Down: automatically to a specific heir (7) 21 Join between two plates, 1 Esker 2 Schist 3 Givetian 4 Diatoms 26 Dryness (7) in the crust or on a trilobite (6) 5 Spoonful 6 Acropolis 9 Ohms 14 Obliquity 16 Lungfish 18 Opencast 19 Pennant 21 Cone 23 Pleura 24 Dummy

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | OCTOBER 2016 | 29 Lyell poster 2017 v3_Lyell leaflet 05/09/2016 16:02 Page 1 e r s r t n a t P e n v E

Lyell Meeting 2017 Sticking Together: microbes and their role in forming sediments

7 March 2017 The Geological Society, Burlington House

Sedimentology and geomorphology have traditionally been seen as fields in which physical, and sometimes chemical, processes dominate completely. Even in settings where biological processes have long been recognised, for example in marine carbonates, focus has been almost entirely on metazoans. This is curious, because microbial communities since the Pre-Cambrian, have suffused all sedimentary environments on Earth, and at least half global biomass is prokaryotic. Are all these microbes simply bystanders? Recent research has hinted that they are key agents in controlling an impressive range of processes and products in sedimentology, bringing the fields of microbe palaeontology and bio- sedimentology into intimate alignment. The implications are Convenors: fundamental, and pose the question“are large-scale sedimentological Daniel Parsons (University of Hull) features actually microbial trace fossils?”. Mike Rogerson (University of Hull) Concha Arenas Abad (University of This meeting will put the majority of life on earth back into its proper Zaragoza, Spain) place within the sedimentary geosciences. It will shed new light on the Gernot Arp (University of Göttingen, Germany) important roles that microbial life plays in controlling how sediments Jaco Baas (University of Bangor, UK) erode, transport, precipitate, deposit and cement. We will explore whether microbial processes can leave signatures in sedimentary Confirmed Keynote Speaker: deposits that prove life was there, despite the fact that the majority of Christophe Dupraz (University of global biomass has nearly zero preservation potential. Ultimately, we Stockholm, ) – Biofilms and Sediment: a ‘Geobiological Tango’ will lift the lid on the exciting field of sedimentary geobiology as we collectively work towards a new paradigm of microbial sedimentology. Further information: For further information about the conference please contact: Naomi Newbold, Conference Office, Call for Abstracts: The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG There is a call for abstracts and oral and poster contributions T: 0207 434 9944 are invited. Abstracts should be sent in a Word document to E: naomi.newbold@ geolsoc.org.uk [email protected] by 12 January 2017. The Web: www.geolsoc.org.uk/lyell17 abstract should be approximately 500 words and include a Follow this event on Twitter: title and acknowledgement of authors and their affiliations @geolsoc #lyell17 where possible.

30 | OCTOBER 2016 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST Geothermal Symposium poster v3 17-5-16_Lyell leaflet 17/05/2016 10:41 Page 1

The 5th London Geothermal Symposium

25 October 2016 . The Geological Society, Burlington House, London

Development of the UK’s deep geothermal resource offers the potential to both generate secure and low carbon electricity and heat with the potential to significantly offset gas consumption currently associated with heat production. Geothermal development aligns with current government support for heat networks and has been made more feasible following the recent legislation on underground access and with the opportunity for several projects in a range of geothermal settings to apply for EU funds. With new projects developing single well geothermal technology, interest in exploiting ultra low grade heat from abandoned mines plus several feasibility studies for the assessment of additional geothermal resources in Scotland, this event will highlight both current opportunities and future potential. There will be presentations on geothermal heat only and power generation schemes delivered by representatives from industry, government and academia. There will also be time for networking during the break and at the post conference drinks reception.

Convenors Charlotte Adams (Durham University) Guy Macpherson-Grant (EGS Energy) David Townsend (Town Rock Energy)

Contact Information For further information about this event please contact: Georgina Worrall, Conference Office, The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG T: 020 7434 9944 E: [email protected] W: http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/geothermal16 Potential UK Geothermal Targets Background image: Ásgeir Eggertsson, Krafla geothermal power plant in Iceland, colour edited version (Creative Commons). (Creative edited version colour Iceland, in plant power geothermal Krafla Eggertsson, Ásgeir image: Background PETEX is the largest subsurface-focused E&P conference and exhibition in the UK, attracting thousands of delegates from across the world and across a spectrum of industry sectors, from supermajors to consultancies. The conference is also attended by a large contingent of geoscience Masters and PhD students.

Conveniently based at ExCeL, London, PETEX is a biennial event featuring a technical programme highlighting the latest developments in exploration, Registration development, production and subsurface technology. NOW OPEN at www.petex.info Exhibit with us...

Special features include: Exhibition as a Marketing Tool

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Conference to include: The Right Kind of Show 6 Enabling Technologies stream 6 All delegate and exhibitor feedback rates PETEX as the best 6 Exploration stream place for socialising, networking, maintaining contacts and 6 North Sea stream 6 PETEX Forum building new relationships 6 Petroleum Geoscience 6 Very friendly atmosphere Collaboration Showcase 6 Compared to many other trade shows, we are one of the most cost-effective Keynote Speakers: 6 Enables smaller firms the opportunity to exhibitright Luca Bertelli alongside larger companies. No separate rooms! Chief Exploration Officer, Eni

Andrew Latham The Right Audience VP Global Exploration Research, Wood Mackenzie 6 First-class Technical Conference with high profile keynotes, attracting the right audience Jean Georges Malcor Chief Executive Officer, CGG 6 Extremely receptive to new ideas, knowledgeable and innovative Gunther Newcombe 6 Broad, quality international group and includes a large Director, Exploration and section of Exploration Managers from EMEA marketplaces Production, Oil & Gas Authority

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6 Exploration Workshop [email protected] or visit petex.info 6 Asset Stewardship Workshop 6 Poster Session 6 OGA booth www.petex.info

PETEX bw a4.indd 6 08/06/2016 11:36:37