GAMag47 q8_mag41.qxd 30/08/2013 11:51 Page 1

MAGAZINE OF THE GEOLOGISTS’ ASSOCIATION Volume 12 No.3 September 2013

Future meetings Festival of Geology Walks July Lecture The Atlas Medusa Keymer Tileworks Field Trip Lyme Regis Museum Circular Geology and Churches in Pembrokeshire Part 1 What Sort of BGS does the Nation need? Obituary Geology of the Rockall Basin Amazing Amber Rockwatch Back Cover - Festival of Geology GAMag47 q8_mag41.qxd 30/08/2013 11:51 Page 2

Published by the Geologists’ Association. Magazine of the Four issues per year. ISSN 1476-7600 Geologists’ Association Production team: JOHN CROCKER, Jon Trevelyan, John Cosgrove, Roger Volume 12, No 3, 2013 Dixon, Vanessa Harley. Printed by City Print (Milton Keynes) Ltd

The GEOLOGISTS’ ASSOCIATION does not accept any responsibility for CONTENTS views and opinions expressed by individual authors in this magazine.

The Geologists’ Association 4 Future meetings Founded in 1858 The Geologists’ Association serves the interests of both 5 Festival of Geology Walks professional and amateur geologists, as well as making geology available 6 July Lecture to a wider public. It is a national organisation based in London, but is represented by local and affiliated groups around the country. 7 The Atlas Medusa The GA holds monthly lecture meetings, publishes a journal and geological 8 Keymer Tileworks Field Trip guides and organises field excursions both in the UK and abroad. 10 Lyme Regis Museum Subscriptions are renewed annually on November 1. 11 Circular You can join the GA on‐line on our website 15 Geology and Churches in www.geologistsassociation.org.uk/JoiningtheGA.html. Pembrokeshire Part 1 By phone 020 7434 9298 or by post to Sarah Stafford, Executive Secretary, 17 What Sort of BGS does the Nation The Geologists’ Association, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0DU. need?

President: Professor Rory Mortimore 18 Obituary Executive Secretary: Sarah Stafford 19 Geology of the Rockall Basin 20 Amazing Amber Useful Email contacts President: [email protected] 21 Rockwatch Executive Secretary:[email protected] Back Cover - Festival of Geology Field Meetings: [email protected] Awards: [email protected] Festival of Geology: [email protected] Conference: [email protected] Research Awards GA Magazine (articles): [email protected] Deadlines GA Guides: [email protected] 15 February and 15 September Earth Heritage: [email protected] [email protected] Curry Fund: [email protected] Rockwatch (junior club of the GA): [email protected] © The Geologists’ Association. All rights reserved. No part of this Curry Fund Dates for 2013 publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form Applications to Committee or by any means, without the prior to be received by Date permission in writing of the author and the February 20 March 8 May 20 June 14 Geologists’ Association. August 20 September 13 November 20 December 13 LAST Copy dates for the Circular & Magazine [email protected] March Issue January 14 June Issue April 22 September Issue July 22 December Issue October 21 Cover picture: Items should be submitted as soon as possible and not targeted on these dates. Detail of the Atlas Medusa - see article We welcome contributions from Members and others. on page 7. photo David Bone [email protected]

2 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 12 No.3 2013 GAMag47 q8_mag41.qxd 30/08/2013 11:51 Page 3

FROM THE PRESIDENT Report from Council At the Special General Meeting on 5th July, the proposed I hope that those GA members not able to attend our new subscription rates and revisions to the rules were evening lectures in London will have enjoyed seeing the approved by members. Full details of the new subscription lectures on-line on the GA website. Do let us know what rates can be found on the form sent out with this copy of you think of them. Some of us, including the President, the magazine. Please complete the form with your are still learning to stand in the correct place for the preference for electronic or paper receipt of the PGA by 7th filming and the sound recording! Many thanks to Gary October. Those who do not respond will automatically be Jensen and the Geological Society for supporting us in this sent a paper copy and be charged the increased way. subscription rate accordingly. The revised rules are posted on the GA website. There is no longer a requirement to The Geological Society (David Shilston President and Ed read out the list of new applicants at meetings. The names Nickless, Executive Secretary) and the Geologists’ of new members will continue to be circulated to Council Association (President and General Secretary) have regular and will be available to members on request. Young people meetings and it is also a pleasure to report the continued under the age of 26 will now qualify for reduced rate GA goodwill between the two. Some of you may have noticed subscriptions along with students. that our lectures are now advertised on the railings outside the entrance to the Geological Society. And we For the past few years the AGM has conflicted with the thank the Geological Society for its financial support this Lyme Regis Festival which a number of our Council year to Rockwatch, the junior club of the GA. members and other members attend on an official basis. Council has agreed to move the AGM in 2014 to the 2nd Thanks to our Field Meetings Secretary, Geoff Swann, Friday in May (instead of the usual 1st Friday). Please make a note that the AGM and dinner will take place on the President is being kept on his toes with an annual Friday 9th May 2014, with tea at the slightly later time of President’s field meeting. This year we had an excellent 6.00 and the proceedings beginning at 6.30. weekend in June on the Yorkshire coast at Flamborough Head and the rain stayed away until the last minute as we We welcomed Nikki Edwards who has just joined us on ran for the vehicles at the end of the meeting! the GA Council. She is involved with the Earth Science Teachers’ Association and has been keeping us abreast of In my last report I announced that Dr John Crocker was developments with the proposed new science curriculum retiring after many years as Editor of the GA Magazine and where geology has effectively been nearly squeezed out. that Paul Sargent would eventually be replacing him. She will respond on curriculum matters on behalf of the GA There have been on-going negotiations on the Magazine to as appropriate. decide who will be the printing contractor and it has been After 11 years as GA Librarian, Elaine Bimpson is now decided to leave the final decision to the October Council retiring. Many thanks to Elaine for all the work she has put Meeting. Hence there is no new format for the magazine into the library during that time. Council is now seeking a yet and John Crocker very kindly agreed to put this issue new librarian. The post is not onorous. For full details see of the magazine together. Similarly, the contract for the advertisement on page 22. Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association has been on- going and is just reaching a successful conclusion. Peter A considerable amount of Council time has been devoted Riches is thanked for driving this forward and developing to the future of the GA Magazine. Please see the the good working relationship with Elsevier. President’s Report for an update.

With the Summer break upon us we can look forward to Our archivist, Jonathan Larwood, is attempting to the annual GA conference in Durham on 21st-22nd rationalise the number of spare copies of GA publications held in the office. Council has agreed to give away any September 2013 on ‘Onshore and Offshore Geology: the spare copies to members. These date back to the first vital link’. Lesley Dunlop from the northeastern groups and edition of the PGA in 1861 but the numbers of copies for Jonny Imber at Durham University are looking forward to any given issue is variable. Please send any requests to welcoming you to Durham. I hope that many of you will Sarah at the GA office and we will look to see if they are be able to attend the excellent range of talks and follow- available. If possible we would ask that you collect from up field trips (see June magazine, page 20 and the GA the office at a convenient time. The last opportunity will be website with the booking form). at the GA Festival on Saturday 2nd November at University College, London, after which any residual copies of both The final preparations are also being made for the joint PGA and the GA Magazine (or it’s forerunner, the Circular) GA/GSL symposium on the Hertfordshire Puddingstone and will be sent for recycling. Sarsen Stones in May 2014 which has now been firmed up to include a day of lectures at Burlington House on Friday If you have not already done so, it may still be possible to sign up for the GA Festival in Durham (Onshore and 16th May 2014 followed up by a field trip to Hertfordshire th Offshore Geology, the vital link; September 21st). Contact on Saturday 17 and then to France to see Sarsens and Sarah Stafford urgently. There is a booking form on the GA Puddingstones led by our French colleagues. website.

One issue for you to ponder over the Summer is what We hope to see a number of you at the GA Festival of sort of Geological Survey you would like to see in the Geology on 2nd November and some of you at the Groups’ future. NERC is carrying out a review of its research Meeting the day before, Friday 1st November. Details of the centres including the BGS and is seeking views from the talks and walks are on page 5 and back page. If you wish geological community. We would welcome your views in to enter for the photographic competition, please find a the Magazine. On your behalf I will be replying to NERC. form on the back of the address label. See page 17. Diana Clements General Secretary Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 12 No. 3 2013 3 GAMag47 q8_mag41.qxd 30/08/2013 11:51 Page 4

September - No lecture BUT 2013 Annual Meeting “Onshore and Offshore Geology: the vital link” Durham University Saturday 21 September Annual Meeting Sunday 22 September Field Trips For more information see [email protected]

October Meeting - Henry Stopes Memorial Lecture

Phil Harding the past. After a number of years of Photo: Wessex Acrchaeology working flint I have come to realise Wessex Archaeology that in some cases I feel a rapport Friday 4 October with our ancestors. I shall endeavor to do this by using a number of in Geological Society, situ excavated flaking scatters from Burlington House, various periods in the past, most Piccadilly, W1V 0JU notably a recently excavated Late at 6.00 pm, tea at 5.30 pm Upper Palaeoltihic flint assemblage from Farndon Fields, near Newark. If I have been given the title of time allows I will also touch on the ‘Confessions of a flint knapper’ in subject of hammers, specifically the which I will attempt to provide some discovery of an antler hammer from a idea of how I feel as a flint knapper site near Amesbury, Wiltshire; without tools of the trade no crafts of any and my relationship with craftsmen of Phil knapping description, can be undertaken.

Friday November 1 - Local Groups Meeting Saturday November 2 Festival of Geology - University College London Sunday November 3 Festival Field Trips see page 5 Photographic Competition application form on back of the address label

only applied to exceptionally important December Meeting and/or problematic specimens, virtual palaeontology is now becoming Mark Sutton mainstream. A range of technical advances and innovations including CT Dibasterium durgae; Dept Earth Science & Engineering, scanning, laser scanning, and many Primitive Silurian Imperial College, London more besides, now provide a powerful horse-shoe-crab Friday 6 December toolkit for the generation of virtual from the fossils. These in turn bring many Herefordshire Geological Society, benefits in the form of convenience, Lagerstätte, UK, Burlington House, ease of dissemination, and amenability reconstructed using Piccadilly, W1V 0JU to dissection and ‘mark-up’. This talk virtual techniques. at 6.00 pm, tea at 5.30 pm will discuss why this revolution is so important for palaeontologists, provide Virtual Palaeontology some background on some of the techniques involve, and showcase ‘Virtual palaeontology’ is the study of palaeobiological case-studies where three-dimensional fossils through virtual palaeontology has provided new digital visualizations or ‘virtual fossils’. insights and scientific advances. Once a difficult and niche approach

4 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 12 No.3 2013 GAMag47 q8_mag41.qxd 30/08/2013 11:51 Page 5

GA Festival of Geology 2013 FESTIVAL WALKS

Saturday 2nd November This year, as part of the GA Festival we will be offering a free Building Stones Walk as well as free lectures. The walk will be led by Ruth Siddall of University College and will be a tour of the Campus. Meet at 12.45 pm at the GA stand. No advance booking required. Sunday 3rd November Non-GA Members and Beginners welcome but booking is essential There is a charge of £5 per person per trip

1. London Building Stones Walk, Cannon Street to London Bridge led by Diana Smith Diana Smith will be following in the footsteps of Eric Robinson in this part of the City in her own inimitable way. Buildings in the City change all the time and so she will guide the group through the buildings of the first inhabitants to the very latest in architectural expertise, looking at some of the more traditional building stones en route. Meet at 10.00 at the entrance to Cannon Street Underground Station in Dowgate Street The walk will last around 2 ½ hours.

2. Riddlesdown Chalk Quarry Led by GA President, Professor Rory Mortimore The large Riddlesdown Chalk Quarry south of Croydon in the North Downs is the best location to examine chalk in the London area. As our current President is a chalk expert it seems appropriate to take advantage of his expertise to revisit this disused quarry; it will provide a taster of his forthcoming revision of the GA Guide to the Chalk. Rory drew up conservation plans some years ago and the City of London Corporation, who own the site, have implemented them very constructively including building steps up the spoil heap to examine one of the faces in detail. The sections are described in GA Guide 68. Meet 10.30 am TQ 336 592 at the entrance to Riddlesdown Quarry beside Jewson’s Yard on the east side of the A22 (Godstone Road) between Purley and Whyteleafe, close to the gasometer. Parking in Old Barn Lane and other roads opposite. Closest railway station is Whyteleafe The visit will finish by 1.30 pm.

3. In search of the River Tyburn Led by Diana Clements

There has been a plethora of new books describing aspects of London’s ‘Lost Rivers’ over the past 2 years and sections of them are quite easy to find from the street names and topography. The central section of the Tyburn from Baker Street to Green Park winds down Mary-le-bourne Lane and is one of the most obvious of the routes.

Meet at 2.00 pm at the Baker Street entrance to Baker Street Underground Station. The excursion will finish by 4.30 pm depending on the weather.

For those who cannot decide whether to go on the Building Stones or Tyburn walk, we hope there will be sufficient time between the walks to allow you to do both.

For further details and to register for any of the above trips please contact [email protected] or telephone 020 7434 9298.

Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 12 No. 3 2013 5 GAMag47 q8_mag41.qxd 30/08/2013 11:51 Page 6

Lecture July 2013 Mapping rocks: digital mapping of UK Quaternary geology Leanne Hughes BGS

Introduction – the role of the BGS on bedrock – older, often lithified deposits beneath the superficial The speaker explained that most of the deposits - include: survey work undertaken by the British Alluvium – recent floodplain deposits, Geological Survey (BGS) is now sometimes silty and can be boulder- compiled using geographical rich, they occur typically on flat land information systems (GIS) and next to rivers; acknowledged the copyright holders – Sand and gravel – often of glacio- BGS- NERC, Ordnance Survey and fluvial origin and usually well rounded; ESRI of some of the data. The Peat – brown organic deposits covering Geological Survey’s role today differs many upland areas, they often contain from its traditional historic role in that palaeo-forests; draped over the terrain and linked to its emphasis is now on applying Diamicton or till – lodged material from cartographic GIS shape files and geological data to a variety of beneath a glacier, it was historically liveARC map outputs enabling a virtual problems such as climate change, called boulder clay and was sometimes flyover. It enables import of boreholes, water security, natural hazards, mapped as a generic superficial mine plans cross-sections and mineral security, energy resilience and deposit; geological models. Its benefits include waste storage. Talus or scree – frost-fractured being able to use it in areas that are material that has fallen downslope; difficult to access, eg for petroleum Early geological mapping was Lake sediments – layers of fine sand exploration in southern Tajikistan or for pioneered by William Smith and his and silty muds from palaeo-lakes, planetary remote sensing, eg to work was soon followed by the often containing dropstones; produce a geological map of Mars. The establishment in 1835 of the Ordnance Wind-blown sand, predominantly dunes GPS can be used almost as a quality Geological Survey. For many years, in coastal areas; assessment technique and the finished geologists have gone into the field with Moraine – poorly sorted ridges of polygons are ready for BGS outputs a base map, compass/clinometer, glacier-pushed material including DIGMap, GSI3D etc. hammer and hand lens but over time, Head – probably the most variable Polygons are identified by a letter things have been adapted and changed deposit, which has been mapped code, eg ALV-CZS, indicating alluvium to be more suitable for today’s use. differently by different people comprising mostly clay with some silt historically. and a little sand. The product goes out A recent focus has been on updating to the user via the iGeology app or superficial deposits where there has Mapping superficial deposits BGS map viewer, there is now no been variability in the quality of data, paper output. such as North-West Scotland as well as Surveying of superficial deposits areas where there is a lack of involves air photo interpretation, 3-D Where next? coverage, eg Loch Lomond, Foyers and geological modelling, remote sensing Creiff. There is a new focus on and field work with maps and sections SIGMA weighs nearly 4kg and 2 or targeted data and on 3-dimensional produced. BGS field mapping is now more batteries are needed for a day in (3-D) data. BGS are working with the done with SIGMA, a tablet computer the field so a more lightweight version National Parks looking to develop with inbuilt global positioning system would be useful. While it might be geotourism and also focus on updating and GIS. The process involves: thought that there could be useful add- regions where there is likely to be Initial remote sensing and photo ons to the hardware, such as a expansion of wind farms and road interpretation is done in the office; camera, compass/clinometer etc, what links. It is loaded with existing data onto the is really needed is simplicity. Future tablet computer; developments might include higher What are superficial deposits? Fieldwork and mapping including resolution digital elevation models, recording observation, notes, enhanced digital terrain models, mobile Superficial deposits were formerly photographs and logging sections; access, augmented reality, subsurface called drift and comprise essentially Back in the office the map data is digital elevation models and process anything that is not usually not lithified drawn up neatly and is ready for use in models. bedrock. It is important to map BGS commercial packages. superficial deposits because most built development occurs in the top few GeoVisionary is immersive visualisation metres of the grounds surface. and interpretation software by which Dr David Brook Superficial deposits, all of which rest air photos and landsat imagery is

Nominations are invited for the Halstead Medal The Halstead Medal is awarded for outstanding merit, deemed to further the objectives of the Association and to promote geology. Open to Members and non-Members. Nominations should reach the General Secretary by 1st December 2013

6 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 12 No.3 2013 GAMag47 q8_mag41.qxd 30/08/2013 11:51 Page 7

to think about winning the lottery first. In the meantime, do The Atlas Medusa drop by the shop if you are in London and see this During a recent visit to London, I stumbled across a spectacular piece of work if it is still there. The web site specialist dealer in rare fossils and minerals at ‘Dale Rogers with more details is http://www.dalerogersammonite.com/ Ammonite’ in Pimlico Road (not far from Victoria Station and Sloane Square underground station). Shops selling David Bone rocks and fossils don’t normally warrant a special mention but this one is somewhat exceptional. The quality and size of specimens is well above the average rock shop but what caught my eye was the window display. Apparently it made the popular press last year but is also worth a mention here. The Atlas Medusa, was added to their stock with an official opening in September 2012 and is currently still on display in the shop window at the time of writing – but there isn’t much room for it anywhere else! As the photograph shows, it is a large piece of ammonite-packed, late Cretaceous sea floor measuring 3.54 by 2.12 m, 0.42 m thick and weighing close to 2 tons. A history of the find is given on the web site but Steve Walker, the General Manager, was kind enough to give me more details and Fig 1 – Location general view (photo Dale Rogers) permission to reproduce the information and photographs. Discovered in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco (Essaouira province) about 6 years ago, many tons of rock had to be removed to fully expose the rock bed packed with Fig 2 – The fossil bed exposed ammonites. This amazing accumulation is due to sea floor conditions in which the marine currents were removing fine sediment but leaving the ammonite shells to accumulate on the sea bed. Eventually, 8 tons of carefully cut and labelled rock from a 70 cm layer was packed and transported by camel to the nearest dirt track where vehicle access was possible. Over the following 2 years, a team of skilled fossil preparators precisely measured the location of each specimen so that it could be removed, cleaned of unwanted rock and then exactly replaced in its original position. The assembled slab now exposes 200 perfectly preserved ammonites and nautilus, lying as they once did on the late Cretaceous sea floor. The specimens include 12 different genera of ammonites (25 different species) and 2 genera of nautilus. Many of the ammonites are rare uncoiled Fig 3 – Preparation for removal heteromorphs that evolved in the late Cretaceous, making (photo Dale Rogers) this specimen even more exceptional. Why the name? Atlas obviously from the location and Medusa after the gorgon of Greek mythology, who had snakes for hair – and the ancient belief that ammonites were snakes turned to stone. At the time of writing, the Atlas Medusa is still available for purchase – price on application – but you probably need

Fig 5 – Detail of the Atlas Medusa (photo David Bone) Fig 4 – On display in Pimlico Road (photo David Bone)

Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 12 No. 3 2013 7 GAMag47 q8_mag41.qxd 30/08/2013 11:51 Page 8

Fieldtrip to Keymer Tileworks, Sat. 18th May, 2013

Some 50 members and guests fish (Lonchiodon striatum, Polyacrodus Association, 107, 231–239. assembled at 10 am at the ‘handmade brevicostatus, Polyacrodus parvidens, JARZEMBOWSKI, E. A., AUSTEN, P. clay tiles’ office on a cloudy but ‘Lepidotes’ mantelli, Coelodus and A., TOYE, G. and MELLISH, C. 2010. generally mild day. Regular GA Caturus sp.), a small crocodile Wealden treble bill 2010: Smokejacks, members were joined by contingents (Bernissartia), and three plants Warnham and Keymer. Magazine of the from the Dept of Earth Sciences, (Equisetites yokoyamae rhizomes and Geologists’ Association, 9 (4), 8. Natural History Museum, and Queen’s megaspores Echitriletes lanatus and JARZEMBOWSKI, E. A. and RADLEY, University, Canada. Neil Tobin (the Minerisporites sp.). J. D. 2001. The Wealden of the Weald: managing director) explained this was The section in the northern pit differs short report of 1998 field meeting. probably our last visit to the clay pit from the now degraded and flooded Proceedings of the Geologists’ (which had been operating since southern pit (described by Cook and Association, 112, 87–90. Victorian times) as the final clay Ross 1996) due to the steep (8 degree) extraction had just been completed and southerly dip, but Mike Webster found Ed Jarzembowski, Peter building works were due to commence a loose, fossiliferous, sideritic on the site later in the year. concretion from earlier digging which Austen, Adrian Rundle, Keymer Tileworks lies near the top of yielded diverse insect remains (Fig. 2), the Lower Weald Clay Formation (late including cockroaches (e.g. Elisama Claire Mellish Hauterivian, Lower Cretaceous, c. 130 molossa), beetles, a damselfly Ma) beneath BGS Bed 3a (Oakhurst (Cretarchistigma greenwoodi), a new Sandstone). After a brief introduction digger wasp (Pompilopterus sp. nov.: to the geology (EJ), the party went to Alex Rasnitsyn, pers. comm.), and a the northern pit (summarised in hindbody of a flabelliferan isopod Jarzembowski et al. 2010) where the (‘slater’) (Fig. 3), plus plants including search concentrated on the the fern Onychiopsis. A ‘nest’ of microvertebrate horizons. The white Viviparus cariniferus moulds was seen band and subjacent green clay marking c. 2m below the main microvertebrate the main microvertebrate horizon as horizon. Also, Mike Dodd found a loose reported in Jarzembowski and Radley piece of substantial dinosaur long bone (2001) and Jarzembowski et al. (2010) and Daniel Clarke a possible were well exposed, as were two less veloceraptorine tooth, although damage obvious lower horizons, and many bags to the anterior carina meant that the Fig. 2. Insect remains (brown), plants (black); of Weald Clay were collected for future denticles could not be seen, preventing legs (top, left); Elisama cockroach forewing processing (Fig. 1). The stoneworks a positive identification (Steve (bottom right). Photo: Mike Webster illustrated in Jarzembowski & Radley Sweetman, pers. comm. (Fig. 4)). Two (2001: figs 4, 5) from the main coprolites of either a predatory microvertebrate horizon are now dinosaur or large crocodile were found identified as Sphaerochara andersonii in the upper reddish-brown clay band and Triclypella calcitrapa respectively; (Joyce Austen, EJ). in addition to Cypridea clavata illustrated earlier (loc. cit.: fig. 3), six References additional species of ostracods were COOK, E. and ROSS, A. J. 1996. The also recorded (AR) from the same stratigraphy, sedimentology and horizon (C. dorsiclavata, C. valdensis, palaeontology of the Lower Weald Clay Mantelliana phillipsiana, Rhinocypris (Hauterivian) at Keymer Tileworks, jurassica, Stenestroemia cressida and West Sussex, southern England. Alicenula leguminella), as well as six Proceedings of the Geologists’

Fig. 3. Flabelliferan isopod sp. B. Photo: Terry Keenan

Fig. 1. Keymer Tileworks, northern pit, viewed from SW. Group of people with line of white bags Fig. 4. Possible veloceraptorine tooth. (top of slope, left) are working on main microvertebrate horizon. Photo: Mike Webster Photo: EJ 8 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 12 No.3 2013 GAMag47 q8_mag41.qxd 30/08/2013 11:51 Page 9

meeting until this additional such, offered an interest-free loan of CURRY FUND information has been received. The £3,000, repayable within two years. Sheffield General Cemetery Trust was Geology for Global Development REPORT offered a grant of £1,700 for hand (GfGD) was offered a grant of £740 for carving the names and origins of each production and dissemination of simple The Committee received five new rock type on its spiral walk stones (the fact sheets about geological hazards. applications at its June meeting of spiral walk was previously supported These are to be written and produced which two were awarded grants, one by a CF grant). It was suggested that by young geoscientists as part of offered an interest-free loan repayable the applicant might be able to take GfGD’s remit to support and encourage within two years and two were photographs, make a video of the work them in geoscience careers in deferred pending clarification or further in progress, run cemetery walks during international development. information so decisions can be made the project’s execution. It may be at the next meeting if the information possible to get additional funding from These applications show, once again, has been received. local grants or quarry companies to some of the very broad range of help with these suggestions in order to projects that the Curry Fund is The Sperrins Gateway Geodiversity enhance local publicity for the project. delighted to support. We look forward Project – Spurs of Rock, requested Dr Mike Tuke requested £1,150 for to receiving applications and remind £4,000 to develop a geodiversity developing a comprehensive website to applicants that the Committee meets booklet, trail and educational resources carry information and ideas for four times a year in March, June, relating to the area and its geology. teaching Geology. The Committee September and December. Applications th The Committee was minded to offer an deferred a decision on this application need to be submitted by the 20 of interest-free loan, assuming the until its September meeting so that the month preceding each meeting. booklets are to be sold. It is the additional information requested from Forms and Guidelines for Applicants Committee’s normal practice to offer the applicant could be assessed, given can be downloaded from the GA loans if the projects are deemed to be that there are already a number of website: income generating. But, if the booklets excellent of websites with similar www.geologistsassociation.org.uk are be freely distributed to schools, content. The Jurassic Coast Trust libraries and community groups, for requested £3,000 towards publication example, then the Committee may of ‘The Jurassic Coast Fossil Book’, Susan Brown reconsider its decision and offer a which is in a series with its other grant to pay for these. So a decision publications. The Committee assumed Curry Fund Secretary was deferred until the September that the book will be for sale and as

Field Guide N0 71 The Coast of the Bristol Region The Quaternary geology and geomorphology of the Bristol Region coastline has great importance as a record of, and analogue for, climate fluctuation and sea-level change. This guide covers five excursions between Oldbury Flats, c. 7 km north-east of the First Severn Road Bridge, to Lilstock, c. 12 km west of Burnham-on-Sea:

Excursion 1: Late Quaternary geology and geomorphology in the Severn Estuary, Aust-Northwick Warths and Oldbury Flats.

Excursion 2: Pleistocene glaciation and Holocene sea-level rise, the Gordano Valley.

Excursion 3: Late Quaternary geology and geomorphology of the Middle Hope headland and Sand Bay.

Excursion 4: Late Devensian geology and Holocene coastal development, Burnham-on-Sea to Brean Down. coastline following sea-level rise after the last glacial stage. Excursion 5: Holocene coastal change and geomorphology The coastline has been affected by human activities since of the Lilstock to Stert coastline. the Neolithic and it is an important element of this Guide to consider the relationship between people and the coast up The excursions cover the English side of the Severn Estuary until now, and for the future, in the light of predicted sea- where the River Severn meets the Bristol Channel and they level rise. Where appropriate, points of historical and have been selected as they provide an insight into a range geographical interest beyond the immediate themes of this of Quaternary events, landforms, landscapes and human text are drawn out, particularly where their occurrence is activities. The itineraries have been crafted to enable related to the geology or geomorphology of the region. examination of evidence for Quaternary environmental change, with a focus on the evolution of the current Susan Marriott Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 12 No. 3 2013 9 GAMag47 q8_mag41.qxd 30/08/2013 11:51 Page 10

Susan Brown (Curry computer screens can all be traced back to De La Beche’s wonderful Fund Secretary) notes: creation. But how do we capture this This article and its wonderful illustration and bring home accompanying its importance for a wider audience? Lyme Regis Museum was lucky in that photographs were it was generously funded by the Geologists’ Association to carry out an submitted by David activity with local and tourist families, Tucker, Director of the in Autumn 2010, under the guidance of Jurassic Coast artist Darrell Wakeham Lyme Regis Museum. to create a three dimensional model of the work. For three days Darrell and This fulfilled one of the his drop-in artists laboured in Lyme to Duria Antiquior workshop conditions of a Curry create vibrant, three dimensional models of the marine reptiles in the Fund grant which original painting which was then put on display. The model included the large supported the project. ichthyosaur launching its fatal attack on a plesiosaur and also included a fair As I look from the window of my amount of three dimensional reptile office, eastwards along past Golden poo on the first step of its journey to Cap, I’m aware that my perspective is becoming coprolite. not too different from that captured in The creation was a tremendous 1830 in ‘Duria Antiquior’, Henry De La success and was displayed in the Beche’s first visualisation of a lost museum for two years. It was only world. I’m also aware that I probably replaced when the museum was have the best view from any museum fortunate in acquiring its own large office! fossilised ichthyosaur skull earlier this Of course, Duria Antiquior is very year (2013). But even then, the model important to Lyme Regis. The work, found a new home. It has been inspired by Mary Anning’s discoveries, transferred to St Michael’s in Lyme was painted here and captures what Regis where Lyme’s children can De La Beche envisaged that Jurassic marvel at the creatures that sleep Dorset might have looked like. We are fossilised within our rocks as well as very lucky that with the kind support giggling at the shocking sight of Duria Antiquior of Tom Sharpe at the National Museum papier-mache poo hanging from the of Wales we have on occasions been classroom ceiling. able to display the original artwork The Museum is very grateful to the here in Lyme. Duria Antiquior has been Geologists’ Association for the funding described as the first work of palaeo- provided for this entertaining and art, but I think it is much more than engaging piece of work. that: it is the ‘Jurassic Park’ of its day and that the digitally created David Tucker prehistoric creatures who constantly Director grace our cinema, television and

Duria backdrop

Duria in situe Duria close up 10 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 12 No.3 2013 GAMag47 q8_mag41.qxd 30/08/2013 11:51 Page 11

railway station. This service cannot be guaranteed, but please ask CIRCULAR No. 996 September 2013 before booking. Please indicate on your booking form if you are able to offer a lift. PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION FOR FIELD MEETINGS PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE for field meetings is provided but personal accident cover remains the responsibility of the participant. ENQUIRIES & BOOKINGS Geoff Swann organises day and weekend Further details are available on request from the GA office. meetings in the UK. Michael Ridd is responsible for overseas and longer excursions. Sarah Stafford at the GA office is responsible for Safety is taken very seriously. Should you be unsure about either the bookings, payments and general administration risks involved or your ability to participate safely, you must seek [email protected] advice from the GA office before booking. Please make sure that you study any risk assessment or safety briefing and that you have all the You must book through the GA office to confirm attendance. Please safety equipment specified. You must declare, at the time of booking, do not contact the field meeting leader directly. Meeting times and any disabilities or medical conditions that may affect your ability to locations will be confirmed on booking. These are not normally safely attend a field meeting. You may be asked to provide further advertised in advance, as there have been problems with members information on any prescription drugs etc that you may use whilst turning up without booking or paying and maximum numbers being attending a field meeting. In order to ensure the safety of all exceeded. Field meetings are open to non‐members although participants, the GA reserves the right to limit or refuse attendance attendance by non‐members is subject to a £5 surcharge on top of at field meetings. the normal administration fee. Some meetings may have restrictions on age (especially for under 16s) or be physically demanding. If you EMERGENCY CONTACT: if you are lost or late for the start of a are uncertain, please ask. meeting, an emergency contact is available during UK field meetings by calling the GA mobile phone 07724 133290. The mobile phone will PAYMENTS for day and weekend meetings must be made before only be switched on just before and during field meetings. For routine attending any field meeting via telephone (credit card) or post. enquiries please call the GA office on the usual number. Cheques should be made out to Geologists ’Association . Please give an email and contact number and please also provide an emergency TRAVEL REGULATIONS are observed. The GA acts as a retail agent for contact name and telephone number at the time of booking. ATOL holders in respect of air flights included in field meetings. All flights are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (see GA There are separate arrangements for overseas meetings. Circular No. 942, October 2000 for further details). Field meetings of more than 24 hours duration or including accommodation are subject TRANSPORT is normally via private car unless otherwise advertised. If to the Package Travel Regulations 1992. The information provided you are a rail traveller, it may be possible for the GA office to arrange does not constitute a brochure under these Regulations. for another member to provide a lift or collect you from the nearest

FIELD MEETINGS IN 2013 visit sites from Shouldham Thorpe in DORSET COAST WEEKEND the northeast, through Warren Hill to Leader: Prof John C.W. Cope We are hoping to arrange additional Bury St Edmunds where we will stay (National Museum of Wales) fossil collecting opportunities during the night, then through Fakenham Saturday 5th – Sunday 6th October the year. There may not be time to Magna to the Flixton area, ending at 2013 advertise these in the Circular so if Pakefield. Other sites will of course you would like details when they be examined but the ability to visit Following the success of last year’s become available contact Sarah particular sites will depend on access meeting John has agreed to lead Stafford at the GA office. and quality of exposures at the time. another trip, this time looking at the west Dorset coast (mainly Lower and FOR FINALISED DATES AND FOR ANY Travel will be by minibus and private Middle Jurassic). We will be based in CHANGES TO THE PROGRAMME transport. We will meet an early train Bridport and will try to arrange an PLEASE REFER TO OUR WEB SITE out of London at Downham Market – introductory talk on the Friday www.geologistsassociation.org.uk stay at the Travelodge at Bury St evening and a group dinner on Edmunds on the Saturday evening Saturday. We will finish at about THE BYTHAM RIVER IN EAST ANGLIA and finish in time to allow attendees 16:00 on Sunday. Leaders: Jim Rose and David to catch a sensible train back home Bridgland on the Sunday afternoon. Equipment: Participants should be Saturday 14th – Sunday 15th equipped for very rough beaches and September 2013 Equipment: You must bring a hard should have stout footwear with hat, hi vis jacket and suitable footwear ankle support. Helmets are essential The meeting will examine evidence but HI vis. jackets will not be for the Bytham River in East Anglia, Cost & booking: £10 plus cost of required. There may well be some and will give particular attention to minibus. These will be available from steep ascents (and descents) the stratigraphy, the composition of Sarah Stafford at the GA office. dependent on the weather. the Bytham River deposits, the Please register your interest with sedimentology, and associated Sarah. Cost & booking: Numbers will be archaeology and evidence of past limited to 25. Register with Sarah climate and environment. We will

Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 12 No. 3 2013 11 GAMag47 q8_mag41.qxd 30/08/2013 11:51 Page 12

Stafford at the GA office sending an Carn Brea Mining Society Celebration Dinner. administration fee of £10 to confirm September 13 Joint meeting with and December 7 Christmas Workshop and your place. arranged by the Trevithick Society, at buffet lunch. 7.30pm. Talk ‘Jonathan Crouch, Contact Doreen Smith 01300 320811 Surgeon of Polperro’ ‐Jeremy Rowett. Email: [email protected] GEOLOGISTS’ ASSOCIATION October 15 Lecture on a mining topic. www.dorsetgeologistsassociation.co LOCAL GROUPS (LG) AND AFFILIATED November 19 Underground mining m SOCIETIES techniques in Cornwall – Tony Dorset Natural History & Amateur Geological Society Brooks. Archaeological Society Contact Julia Daniels 020 8346 1056. December 3 Members Medley. Contact Jenny Cripps email: Field trips: Contact Lincoln James 01326 311420. jenny@dor‐mus.demon.co.uk [email protected] Further details Earth Science Teachers Association Bath Geological Society www.carnbreaminingsociety.co.uk For membership contact: Mike Tuke September 8 Field meeting: Geology Cheltenham Mineral and Geological [email protected]. Tel and Mining in the High Littleton – Society 014804 57068 Camerton area – Dr David Workman. For more information on lectures ESTA website www.esta‐uk.net September 6 Microbialites contact Ann Kent 01452 610375 East Herts Geology Club (stromatolites), tufa and reservoirs – For more information on Field trips September 6‐9 Field meeting: Prof. Maurice Tucker. contact Kath Vickers 01453 827007 Pembrokeshire – Rosemary Williams. www.bathgeolsoc.org.uk http://cmgs.yolasite.com/ Check website for venue or contact Belfast Geologists’ Society Cumberland Geological Society Diana Perkins 01920 463755. September 7 Field meeting: Glacial September 18 Bright Lights and www.ehgc.org.uk email: Geology of Donegal Bay – Paul Dinosaurs – Dr Phillip Manning. [email protected] Dunlop October 9 Recovery of timescales of Visitors most welcome ‐ £2 Contact Email: volcanic processes – Dr Daniel East Midlands Geological Society [email protected]; Morgan. www.emgs.org.uk www.belfastgeologists.org.uk November 13 An assessment of the Edinburgh Geological Society Black Country Geological Society process of hydraulic fracturing or Email: June 22 Field meeting: The Geology “fracking” – Prof. Peter Styles. [email protected]; of Dudley and the Black Country from For details on the activities of the Web:www.edinburghgeolsoc.org Canal Boat, ‐ Graham Worton Cumberland Geological Society (Keeper of Geology, Dudley Museum www.cumberland‐geol‐soc.org.uk/ Essex Rock and Mineral Society Cymdeithas Daeaereg Gogledd and Art Gallery). Indicate your September 10 The Magic of Cymru: North Wales Geology interest in attending before 8th June Diamonds – David Vroobel. Association( LG) 2013, to Andrew Harrison 07973 330 October 8 China, a Geologist’s Dram: Contact Jonathan Wilkins 01492 706 or email: the Karst around Yangshuo – Roger 583052 Email [email protected] [email protected] Lloyd. www.ampyx.org.uk/cdgc July 20 Field meeting: The Building November 12 AGM and Members Cymdeithas Y Daearegwyr Grwp De Stones of Worcester. Details tbc. evening. Cymru ‐South Wales Group For information contact Barbara December 10 Social, refreshments, Geologists’ Association (LG) Russell 01902 650168. www.bcgs.info raffle, quiz. Contact Lynda Garfield at Brighton & Hove Geological Society Contact Ros Smith [email protected] Contact John Cooper 01273 292780 [email protected], 01245 The Devonshire Association (Geology email: john.cooper@brighton‐ 441201 or see www.erms.org Section) hove.gov.uk Farnham Geological Society (LG) Contact Jenny Bennett 01647 24033 Bristol Naturalists’ Society September 13 Geology of Portugal – email Jenny Bennett Contact 01373 474086 Lesley Dunlop. [email protected] Email: [email protected] October 11 The Paris Basin – an www.devonassoc.org.uk www.bristolnats.org.uk/ introduction – Prof. Rory Mortimore. The Dinosaur Society Cambridgeshire Geology Club (LG) October 12‐14 Field meeting: Dieppe www. Dinosaursociety.com. Contact: September 9 ‘Geology of Upware’ – Prof. Rory Mortimore. Prof Richard Moody and viewing of specimens ‐ Dr Simon November 8 Devonian Igneous [email protected] Kelly. Intrusions in Kola Peninsula, Russia – Dorset Group of the Geologists’ Contact – Ken Rolfe on 01480 Mr Chris Fone. Association (LG) 496973, mobile 07777 678685. December 6 Devonian Fishes – Dr September 8 Field trip: Vallis Vale, www.cambridgeshiregeologyclub.org. Peter Forey. Somerset – Alan Holiday. uk Field Trip Contact – Dr Graham November 16 20 Years of the DGAG 12 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 12 No.3 2013 GAMag47 q8_mag41.qxd 30/08/2013 11:51 Page 13

Williams tel: 01483 573802 Email Materials – Jeremy Ingham. 3127 email:[email protected]. [email protected] December 5 From Polar Bears to www.charnia.org.uk www.farnhamgeosoc.org.uk Contact deep‐sea seeps, a palaeontologist’s Leeds Geological Association – Judith Wilson: view of Greenland – Dr Simon Kelly. October 10 Quaternary [email protected] www.hertsgeolsoc.ology.org.uk Palaenviroments in Southern Arabia: Friends of the Sedgwick Museum, Contact Lesley Exton email: the geological records in the UAE and Cambridge [email protected] its implications for human migration Contact: Dr Peter Friend 01223 Horsham Geological Field Club – Dr Andy Farrant. 333400. September 11 Up the down Escalator: November 7 Geological Geological Society of Glasgow formation and exhumation of High characterisation of groundwater Contact Dr Iain Allison email: Pressure rocks – Dr Clare Warren. aquifers for resource protections – Dr [email protected] October 9 Why should the UK care Jared West. www.geologyglasgow.org.uk about the Arctic? A climate December 5 AGM and conversazione. Geological Society of Norfolk perspective – Dr Sheldon Bacon. Visitors welcome; tea Contact Email: Dr David Waterhouse Unless otherwise stated, all the and biscuits at [email protected] evening meetings are held at Forest Details : Judith Dawson www.norfolkgeology.co.uk Community School, Comptons Lane, 0113 2781060 Hampshire Gem Fossil and Mineral Horsham, RH13 5NW. www.leedsga.org.uk Society Contact Mrs Gill Woodhatch 01403 Liverpool Geological Society Contact Pat Maxwell 02380 891890 250371 Contact: Joe Crossley 0151 426 1324 email: [email protected] www.hgfc.uwclub.net/Index.html or email [email protected]. Hampshire Gem, Fossil & Mineral Hull Geological Society www.liverpoolgeologicalsociety.org.u Society (Affiliated Society of the GA) September 14 Roadshow at Holy k/ Mr Roger Brown Trinity. Manchester Geological Association Email: September 22 Field meeting: North Contact email: Sue Plumb 0161 427 [email protected] York Moors – Chris Leach. 5835 email For Further Details please contact [email protected] Harrow & Hillingdon Geological Mike Horne, 28 Salisbury Street, Hull, All meetings in the Williamson Society (LG) HU5 3HA, tel 01482 346784, or e‐mail Building, University of Manchester [email protected] www.mangeolassoc.org.uk September 11 Mineral Fluorescence – The Jurassic Coast Mid Wales Geology Club Dr Michael Doel. Details are available on the web site www.midwalesgeology.org.uk October 9 Kebabs, Carbonates and at www. Jurassiccoast.com. Contact Bill Bagley 01686 412679 Baggy Trousers: Adventures of a Kent Geologists’ Group of the Mid Week Geology Club in Yorkshire Geologist in Kurdistan – Paul Logan. Geologists’ Association (LG) http://mwggyorkshire.webspace.virgi November 13 New materials from Contact Indoor Secretary Mrs Ann nmedia.com/; nature: finding new mineral species Barrett tel: 01233 623126 email: [email protected] and the science behind discovery – [email protected] Mole Valley Geological Society (LG) Mike Rumsey. Contact information www.kgg.org.uk September 12 Geology of the Isle of December 11 Energy for the Future – The Kirkaldy Society (Alumni of Wight ‐ Professor A Gale Dr Tony Grindrod. Queen Mary College) (LG) September 27‐29 Field trip to the Isle Email: [email protected] October AGM and Alumni Day at of Wight. Leader: Professor A Gale Field trip information Allan Wheeler Queen Mary, date to be confirmed Full details on: 01344 455451 Contact Mike Howgate 020 8882 www.radix.demon.co.uk/mvgs www.hhgs.org.uk 2606 or email Secretary: Chas Cowie Hastings and District Geological [email protected] or [email protected] Society [email protected]. Newbury Geological Study Group Contact email: [email protected] Lancashire Group of the Geologists’ Field Meetings season runs from http://hastingsgeology.btck.co.uk/ Association (LG) October to July. Normally meets on Hertfordshire Geological Society (LG) Contact Secretary Jennifer Rhodes the third Sunday of the month. September 12 The structure 01204 811203 Email: Details or Mike & Helen Weideli underlying the London Basin – Prof. [email protected]. 01635 42190. www.ngsg.org.uk John Cosgrove. www.lancashire‐geologists.co.uk Norfolk Mineral & Lapidary Society October 10 The Star‐Crossed Stone – Leicester Literary & Philosophical Meetings at St Georges Church Hall, Dr Kenneth McNamara . Society (Geology) Churchfield Green, Norwich. November 7 Confessions of a September 7 Breedon Cloud Hill 19.30hrs every first Tuesday of the Petrographer: Geology applied to the Quarry – Frank Ince. Month except August. Secretary: Investigation of Constructions Contact Joanne Norris 0116 283 Colin Lansdell Contact: Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 12 No. 3 2013 13 GAMag47 q8_mag41.qxd 30/08/2013 11:51 Page 14

[email protected] December 2 Darwin’s Lost World – Ussher Society http://norfolkminandlapsoc.homeste Prof Martin Brasier. Contact Elaine Burt ad.com/ Hilary Jensen, General Secretary – for [email protected] North Eastern Geological Society more details and general information Warwickshire Geological Details: tel: 0118 984 1600 Conservation Group [email protected]; email: [email protected] September 18 Curiosity Rover and Christine Burridge email: www.readinggeology.org.uk/ Martian – Prof. Sanjeev Gupta. [email protected] Contact David Ward ‐ for field trips October 16 AGM. www.northeast‐geolsoc.50megs.com 01344 483563 November 20 Great Midlands North Staffordshire Group of the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall Geology – Prof. Peter Worsley. On Geologists’ Association (LG) September 19 Cliff failures at Hell’s Fred Shotton and Dr Jon Clatworthy September 8 Field meeting: Bradgate mouth and Cornish coastline – on Leonard (Jack) Wills. Park, Charnwood Forest. Richard Hocking Contact Frank Wells 01926 512696 October 10 Skeioararjokull – Dr October 17 Memoirs of a email: [email protected] Richard Waller. globetrotting China Clay geologist – www.wgcg.co.uk November 14 The thirteenth Prof. Colin Bristow West of England Group of the Wolverson Cope Lecture: Where the November 21 The interplay between Geologists’ Association (LG) woolly rhinos roam: vertebrate faunal Quaternary volcanics and the Tertiary Contact Bobby Oliver Secretary and environmental change during the fossils beds of South Yemen ‐ Chris [email protected] last ice age – Prof Danielle Schreve. Bean www.wega.org.uk December 12 Christmas social. Contact email: West Sussex Geological Society (LG) Contact for details Eileen Fraser [email protected]. 01209 September 20 Pterosaurs – Dr Mark 01260 271505 860410 Witton. www.esci.keele.ac.uk/nsgga/ The Russell Society October 6 Arun Car ramble – Dr Geoff Open University Geological Society Email Frank Ince Mead. Events ‐ listed on http://ougs.org, or [email protected] October 18 The Geological uses of contact [email protected] www.russellsoc.org Nuclear Isotopes – Dr Paul Stevenson. The membership secretary is Phyllis Shropshire Geological Society November 15 The Landscape of Mars Turkington and can be contacted by www.shropshiregeology.org.uk – Dr Sanjeev Gupta. e‐mail at [email protected] or Sidcup Lapidary and Mineral Society November 17 Field trip to Steyning by phone 0289 081 7470 November 23 SLMS Annual Fair, Church – David Bone. Oxford Geology Group (LG) 10am ‐ 4pm at Emmanuel Church Contact Betty Steel 01903 209140 www.oxgg.org.uk or call Programme Hall, Email: [email protected] ; Secretary 07901 672713 Hadlow Road, Sidcup DA14 4AA www.wsgs.org.uk Ravensbourne Geological Society contact: G. Bell 020 8300 4770 Westmorland Geological Society (LG) Meets every Monday evening at Contact Brian Kettle email: September 10 Geology of Kent Sidcup Arts Centre. [email protected] Wildlife Trust Reserves – Peter www.sidcuplapminsoc.org.uk www.westmorlandgeolsoc.co.uk Golding. Contact Nicola Claxton 01322 227 The Woolhope Naturalists’ Field Club October 8 AGM and members 057 E‐mail: [email protected] September 21 Geology and evening. Southampton Mineral and Fossil landscape on the edge of the South November 12 What can meteorites Society Wales Coalfield ‐ Dr Tom Sharpe. tells us about asteroids? – Dr Hilary Contact: Gary Morse, 01489 787300 Contact Sue Hay on 01432 357138 or Downes. Email: [email protected] svh.gabbros@btinternet .com; December 10 Christmas festivities and Website: www.sotonminfoss.org.uk www.woolhopeclub.org.uk competitions. Stamford and District Geological Yorkshire Geological Society Contact Carole McCarthy Secretary: Society September 21 Field meeting: Cayton 020 8127 6104 email: Contact: Bill Learoyd on 01780 Bay and the Rotunda Museum, [email protected] or Vernon 752915 email: [email protected]; Scarborough – Prof. Peter Rawson. Marks: 020 8460 2354 [email protected] October 19 Mineralisation and Reading Geological Society www.stamfordgeolsoc.org.uk Hydrothermal Processers in South September 2 Fossils of Solnhofen Teme Valley Geological Society Pennines and Derbyshire. Limestones – Dr Chris Duffin September 23 Talk by John November 9 Carbonate Rocks . October 7 Seafloor Methane Clatworthy of the Lapworth Museum. Contact Trevor Morse 01833 638893 Hydrates: Svalbard Update – Dr Angus Email: John Nicklin www.yorksgeolsoc.org.uk Best. [email protected] www.geo‐ November 4 The Geology of Naxos- Dr village.ey Douglas Robinson 14 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 12 No.3 2013 GAMag47 q8_mag41.qxd 30/08/2013 11:51 Page 15

Field Trip Report Geology and Churches in Pembrokeshire 10th - 13th June 2013 Part 1

Fourteen members assembled at the most recent offered by the latest Llanrhian church (SM 819 315) in Geological Survey map, but in the D. north Pembrokeshire to meet Professor bifidus quarry (a ‘slate’ quarry) then John Potter on Monday 10th June for shown an isoclinal syncline absent Fig. 1. What rock is it? Geoff Downer examines what was to be the first of four long from all of the previous assessments. the inscribed stone at the foot of the NW nave and very full days of varied and often Graptolite collecting, however, took quoin at Llanrhian Church. complex geology. With the customary priority for most (Fig. 2), before we warnings about safety John issued a walked northwards along the cliff-top guide book as well as 40 plus sheets of path to view the Llanvirn volcanics. field maps and sections. John produced From the Abereiddy Bay car park we a copy of his recently published 600 drove past the farm of Llanvirn (where page geological guide to early Welsh Hicks first defined this series of rocks) churches (Potter, 2013) – we knew on the way to a sandwich lunch in St immediately we were going to be busy! David’s. But geology was to be the most Out timetable permitted us to important part of this excursion; he examine the rocks of Whitesands Bay explained that because the coastal just prior to lowest tide. We crossed sections we were to visit needed low the extensive sand beach to Ogof and preferably falling tides, the church Golchfa (SM 741 237) where the visits, as Llanrhian, were included variously dipping Lower Cambrian, while the tides were unsafe. Famous Caerfai Group basal conglomerate lies inland geological exposures, which in a complex, but unconformable, were last visited by the G.A. in 1968 relationship with the underlying (such as the Shoalshook Limestone or Precambrian Pebidian tuffs. The Fig. 2. Searching for Didymograptus species at the Gasworks Mudstones), were now polygenetic conglomerate contains the Abereiddy ‘slate’quarry largely ‘conserved’ to the extent that large sub-angular pebbles which on they were no longer worth visiting. occasions show imbricated Finally, John provided an important relationships. The contact is résumé of Pembrokeshire’s geology complicated in places, both by faults and the programme for the week. and a later thick dolerite dyke Although Llanrhian church had (possibly Lower Ordovician) which cuts principally been selected as an both series of rocks. Retracing our assembly point, its crow-stepped tower steps towards the car park the Caerfai and ten-sided font bowl were unusual conglomerate passes up into, and we were introduced to the sometimes ripple-marked, green difficulties of identifying lichen-covered sandstones of the Caerfai Group. There building stones – dolerites and Lower are additionally intervals of darker Ordovician cleaved shales in particular. mudstones with a variety of We were challenged to identify the sedimentary structures and numerous composition of the lowest stone in the faults in the succession. Absence of NW nave quoin which from its fossils and the presence of faults make Fig. 3. An erratic on Whitesands Bay beach when examined proves to be of porphyritic inscription had been suggested as 7th higher beds difficult to classify but dolerite. to 9th century in date (Fig. 1). John normally these beds are referred to the thought it might be Jurassic calcareous Middle Cambrian. With time pressing sandstone, and therefore, not quarried our examination became intermittent in Pembrokeshire. Some of the other but we did view a large block of lower stones in the same quoin were porphyritic dolerite (Fig. 3) which placed with their bedding vertical and surely must have arrived in the beach thought to have been re-used from an originally as a glacial erratic. Just early building period. south of the car park, where the cliffs Next we visited nearby Abereiddy are topped with blown sand, very thin- Bay (SM 796 314), famous for bedded mudstones (possibly of Didymograptus graptolites (and other Menevian age) exhibited evidence of fossils), where we admired great cliff bedding-plane slip and under careful scenery and interpreted structures in scrutiny debatable evidence that they Ordovician Llanvirn (and Llandeilo) had been previously tightly folded. This cleaved shales (worked in the past as is surely an indication that the rocks of slates). We were given a summary of the bay are more complex than the structure of the bay and its typically and variously described. surroundings as given by various Looking northwards along the beach Fig. 4. What remains of St Non’s Chapel authors over the last century, including the Lingula Flags completed the viewed from the north.

Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 12 No. 3 2013 15 GAMag47 q8_mag41.qxd 30/08/2013 11:51 Page 16

Cambrian succession and the hill of coffee break with excellent homemade Carn Llidi beyond these, of Ordovician scones. Llawhaden Church (SN0755 intrusive marine platform (Fig. 3). 175) on the edge of the East Cleddau We next drove to view both the River appears never to have been ruined chapel and the bay at St Non’s flooded. The church is built of local (SM 753 243). The chapel’s history has stone; both Upper Ordovician flaggy been traced back to 1335 (Fig. 4). sandstones and Silurian, Llandovery John, however, illustrated that in part conglomerates. John provided a of the west wall the style of building detailed account of how the church was probably Norman (Romanesque) achieved its complex present structure for the walls were externally faced with but most will probably remember how rubble (now cemented) between. well they rang the church bells! Below this style of building, in the SE On the way to South Broadhaven, quoin and the south wall very large where lunch was taken, members (‘cyclopean’) boulders of both dolerite stopped to view what remained of the and conglomerate are set in the first famous Lower Llandovery, Gasworks few courses in a ‘Patterned’ style (of Mudtones exposure in Gasworks Lane, Fig. 5. Admiring the straw stalactites at Llawhaden Hospice ruined chapel. what in England would be called Anglo- Haverfordwest (SM 958.155). In Saxon style). Rocks used in the chapel roadside broken rock fragments, fossils were all local, the conglomerate and were still abundant and a wide range sandstones from the Caerfai Group and of brachiopods, including Leptaena the dolerites, as scattered glacial haverfordensis, Leptostrophia reedi, erratics evident locally in the fields. Dolerorthis sowerbyiana, Resserella From the footpath at the cliff top the llandoveriana, as well as solitary various rocks which are visible in the corals, crinoid columnals, tentaculitids, bay (Pebidian volcanics, intrusive bryozoan and sponges were observed. dolerite and rocks of the Caerfai Following lunch at South Group) were distinguished by colour Broadhaven, with the tide still just changes and distinctive faults. But receding, we walked across the beach most will remember viewing the to view the magnificent cliff exposures precipitous narrow and dangerous cleft in the Coal Measures as we proceeded used by the G.A. party where they south to the Settlands (SM 857 133). descended to the foot of the cliffs in The display of folds and faults, all 1968! The beach at Caerfai Bay reflecting Armorican earth movements immediately east of St Non’s is much and forces principally from the south more simply accessed but time was such that we retraced our steps permitted only the rock types to be from south to north, to have a distinguished again from the cliff top. repeated view. We then walked across Here, in the headlands to the east and Broadhaven Bay to examine the much west of the bay the succession passed disturbed Lower Coal Measures in the up into Middle Cambrian sedimentary cliffs on the north of the bay and the rocks, that to the east terminating with traverse to Sleekstone (SM 858 144) Fig. 6. A tower within a tower at Llawhaden an intrusive dolerite. and beyond. Thrusts, recumbent folds, Church. The return drive on the A487 to a wide range of structural features, Haverfordwest enabled all to view both coal seams (often providing the the magnificent ria at Solva (again surface of décollement for the thrusts), cutting the Cambrian succession) and, siderite nodules and seams, just north of Newgale, the impressive sedimentary structures and more, fault scarp which the road descended were observed and described (Fig. 7), as it passed onto the Coal Measures. but car park meters required recharging. Day 2 was devoted mainly to Upper Possibly because we had observed so Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian) rocks. many thrusts the party elected to see These form a broad belt, once a coal- one more, provided by the major mining area, across Pembrokeshire Johnston Thrust which carries from Broadhaven to Amroth. Much of Precambrian diorites northwards over the day was devoted to the study of the Coal Measures and creates the these rocks in the cliffs of St Bride’s southern margin of St Bride’s Bay. The Bay. The day commenced, however, actual thrust plane could be viewed admiring the straw stalactites (Fig. 5) some 60 years ago in the coastal cliff in the ruined chapel of Llawhaden path just north of Talbenny. John Hospital (SN 066 173). The Hospice stated that he had checked out this was built by Bishop Bek in the late exposure when he was compiling the th 13 C and only the chapel remains: itinerary and it was no longer visible, Fig. 7. Recumbent overfold and thrust in but the walls, like some of those at St but its approximate position could be Coal Measures at Sleekstone, Broadhaven: Non’s, are erected with external facing determined and there were with Norman Binsted searching for plant and internal rubble. The building magnificent views of St Bride’s Bay. We remains material was sandstone, mainly drove south, taking the road towards Carboniferous but with fragments of Talbenny to a small cliff top car park Devonian. Next we were introduced to (SM 851 124) from where the coast John Potter an unusual church with a tower within path could be followed to conclude the a tower (Fig. 6), one at which the day. Church Wardens provided a welcome

16 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 12 No. 3 2013 GAMag47 q8_mag41.qxd 30/08/2013 11:51 Page 17

What Sort of Geological offshore. The starting point for these What would be the best model? developments is always the BGS An independent ‘Golden Share’ Agency. Survey does the nation literature and maps. That carries out the functions required Given these different messages, as by Government and for which a block need in the future? well as the current economic grant is provided (for the maintenance imperative to review and cut, it is not of the Survey Baseline function and surprising that a number of scenarios the National Geological Repository). A personal response for the future of BGS are being Given sufficient independence to seek from the President (and a considered. Each scenario is dependent and fulfil other government and on what is regarded as the essential commercial contracts on the basis of possible GA response) element of ‘National Need’. The earning a profit. following may help you consider how This would require a complete change As someone who has worked alongside to reply. of the Executive making sure that the British Geological Survey for 40 sufficiently experienced and years and benefited from their 1. A privatised BGS: an all singing all commercially alert senior management expertise, national archives, dancing geological company that is were in place. The provision of a publications and information systems entirely self-sufficient in terms of the Governance Board with representatives as part of university earth science services it can maintain. i.e. a ‘well from Government and government research and as part of undergraduate found laboratory’. An organisation that agencies, commercial/industrial training I have a particular view. The would be capable of financing itself organisations, Royal Chartered ‘British Geological Survey’ is an through commissions and contracts institutes and academe to maintain the essential part of earth sciences in both from Central and Local National capability mission of the Britain. What form the BGS takes in Governments; an International BGS organisation. the future is open to debate. servicing Foreign Governments (including Europe) and NGOs ; and What should be included within this Is the fundamental scenario that a Commercial organisations seeking ideal New BGS Governance Model? Survey owns, holds, maintains, and geological expertise. The Company 1. The whole estate currently forming distributes the baseline geological data should be inherently also able to seek part of BGS Keyworth, Edinburgh, for the nation still valid? The Survey financial backing through the normal Cardiff, Wallingford and various also has the right in law to enter land channels and perhaps even floating satellites should be ‘gifted’ to BGS as for the purposes of surveying and the itself on the stock market. Is there the fundamental part of the settlement right in law to hold and request such a model? Maybe the former (This includes the release of the geological data relating to mineral Danish Geotechnical Institute (DGI) is government supplied funding to (bulk and metalliferous), coal, water, such a model. It has become a private maintain that estate currently part of hydrocarbons, infrastructure company (GEO). Look at their website. the NERC grant) development and other environmental 2. A Geological Survey within a 2. The IPR of all materials derived investigations. This gives BGS a centralised NERC framework, from the BGS and its predecessors uniqueness and a very different essentially the status quo but should be directly owned by BGS. mission above that of a commercial maintaining the Survey’s right to seek 3. Ownership of the title British company, to provide geological external contracts. Geological Survey and the older names expertise for the national good. 3. A Geological Survey part funded such as The Geological Survey of - through NERC (BIS) directed finances Great Britain – England and Wales- In recent years the requirement to win but independent of it in terms of Scotland and –Northern Ireland (the contracts to make up shortfalls in Governance, i.e. NERC becomes a independence fall-back position). central funding has brought BGS into commissioner of National Good Science 4. The granting of the ‘independent’ competition with, and sometimes into but the Survey is free to pursue what BGSI (BGS International ) name conflict with, private industry. The it deems to be good science should be withdrawn as this potential argument has been put forward that 4. A Standalone Geological Survey funding stream would be an essential the right in law to hold and request wholly funded through central part of any viable BGS model in the geological data gives BGS an government (the ‘Science Vote model’ future. advantage over private companies or Geological Survey of Great Britain 5. For employees there would be a when bidding for contracts. BGS has model). Providing the geological needs need to retain access to the itself also been disadvantaged when of the nation entirely (both in the UK government pension scheme as bidding for some European funded and at the behest of Overseas Aid currently constituted on its research programmes because of the packages) and not seeking commercial contributory basis overheads that they must apply, set by finances or activities the Treasury. There is a further issue 5. A standalone Geological Survey (an At times of austerity perhaps we need about how we value the output from ‘Agency Model’) that has a key role as greater vision and leadership to make BGS. Maps and memoirs are a provider of independent geological our research institutes even better sometimes considered ‘old-fashioned’ advice to Government but is also able placed to capitalise on a future and yet for those who work in the to market itself as a provider of local- growing economy that they can construction industry these are to national-scale geological information increasingly contribute to. How can we, invaluable sources of information. The and expertise from which it can retain as part of the wider geological new explanations to the 1:50,000 any profit to enhance the business community, help formulate this future? sheets do not provide the same level 6. A geological survey embedded Should this very important decision of detail required. Even for those within an academic institute (or (not just for BGS but also NOC, CEH) embarking on new explorations and number of such bodies) to maintain be the subject of a Rothchilds type of developments in the offshore North the core geological data for the nation review (Royal Commission) to Sea need to revisit and reinterpret the but also to pursue ‘blue-skies’ science determine the most appropriate model onshore field sections, boreholes and (perhaps consider this the Soil for each of the above institutes’ ? geophysics in the light of discoveries Survey/Cranfield Model). Give us your ideas. Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 12 No. 3 2013 17 GAMag47 q8_mag41.qxd 30/08/2013 11:51 Page 18

Nature and thematic volumes Obituary demonstrated his ability to envisage the broader picture.

MARTIN ANDREW In the early 1980s he became WHYTE interested in the relatively unexplored world of dinosaur footprints from the (1945-2013) Middle Jurassic of Yorkshire. He recognized the potential of this topic Martin Whyte, born 27th March 1945 for a modern scientific approach, and in Edinburgh, was the eldest of three was responsible, in 1996, for children of the Rev. James Whyte and introducing volunteers from Earthwatch his wife Elisabeth. He attended primary International to spend up to three school in Oban, where beach-combing weeks a year searching for dinosaur on his way home sowed the seeds of footprints along the Yorkshire coast. his enthusiasm for natural history and, These finds resulted in numerous later, palaeontology. The family publications, and put the Yorkshire returned to Edinburgh, where he dinosaur tracks on the international attended Daniel Stewart’s College stage. The success of this research before moving to St. Andrews in 1957. programme led to invited talks at both Martin attended Madras College from national and international meetings. 1957-1963 where he met Carol, his future wife. He went on to complete a Despite the efforts devoted to the B.Sc. Honours Degree (2.1) at St. dinosaur track project, Martin also Andrews (1967), before moving to pursued other geological interests. He Edinburgh where he was awarded a worked on biomineralisation in frequent visitor to the GA Meetings in Ph.D. (1973) for his thesis on barnacles and gave invited talks on the London. He also served as a Council ‘Palaeoecology of Upper Viséan Marine subject in Japan. His recognition of Member, Secretary and President of Mudstones, near Dunbar, East Lothian’. phosphatic barnacles is regarded as the Yorkshire Geological Society. Martin and Carol were married in St. being the most significant advance in Andrews in 1968. this group of organisms since the work Martin was an exemplary lecturer and of Darwin. His study of soft tissue tutor. He was never too busy to see In 1971 Martin moved to Hull preservation in bivalves led to students, was an enthusiastic lecturer, University where he was a Research collaborative work searching for exotic and was a helpful, supportive and Assistant in Geology until 1973, and phosphatisation of parasites and other patient supervisor to his numerous then a Research Fellow until 1974, organisms. In addition, research on postgraduate students. As a colleague, when he was appointed to a dinosaur egg morphology and he was always willing to answer any lectureship in the Department of preservation with Chinese colleagues query presented to him, frequently Geology, University of Sheffield. He resulted in presentations at using his meticulously organised remained in Sheffield until retiring in international meetings in France and reprint, text-book and specimen 2010, being promoted to Senior the USA. Most recently, he identified collections. Lecturer in 1997. the largest known trackway of a eurypterid from the Lower Martin died 25th June 2013 in Martin’s geological interests were Carboniferous of Scotland. Sheffield, and is survived by his wife, exceptionally wide and developed three children (Jennifer, Carolyn and considerably throughout his career. Martin was a member of eight learned Andrew) and three grandchildren. Initially it was his expertise in societies. He joined the GA in 1985 Carboniferous stratigraphy and and was elected on to Council in 1997. palaeoecology that dominated his In 1998 he was on the Circular publications, and in the 1970s to Publications Management Committee Michael Romano (with help 1980s he completed works on and later on the Publications Carboniferous stratigraphy, bivalves, Management Committee. He completed from Fergus Gibb and barnacles and crinoids. However, his three years on Council in 2000. Roger Hewitt in preparing papers on ‘Turning Points in Martin was a valued member of Phanerozoic History’ published in Council, and was a regular and the text)

Old editions of PGA and GA Magazines on offer Our archivist, Jonathan Larwood, is attempting to rationalise the number of spare copies of GA publications held in the office. Council has agreed to give away any spare copies to members. Some of these date back to the earliest edition of PGA in 1861 but the number of copies for any given issue is variable. Please send any requests to Sarah at the GA office and we will look to see if they are available. If possible we would ask that you collect from the office at a convenient time. The last opportunity will be at the GA Festival on Saturday 2nd November at University College, London, after which any residual copies of both PGA and the GA Magazine and earlier Circulars will be sent for recycling.

18 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 12 No.3 2013 GAMag47 q8_mag41.qxd 30/08/2013 11:51 Page 19

Geology of the Rockall Basin and and later Cenozoic sedimentation, they are adjacent areas by K. Hitchen, divided into two. The igneous chapter comes H.Johnson and R.D.Gatliff (editors) first as it includes limited Cretaceous events, 2013 BGS Research Report, before peaking during two main phases between around 62 to 58 Ma and 57 to 54 Ma, RR/12/03 British Geological associated with the rifting of the North Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham Atlantic and Icelandic Plume. This produced ISBN 978 0 85272 707 2 (SB), £30, voluminous volcanism and significant crustal viii + 192 pp underplating over a much wider area. A key figure clearly shows the extent of lavas mainly This publication contains a great deal of covered by younger sediments over most of interesting material, enhanced by some truly the region bar the deepest parts of the Rockall impressive illustrations, about the offshore Trough and Hebrides Shelf along with the geology to the west of the Outer Hebrides volcanic centres. Along with the three main roughly between 56° and 60° north. The area seamounts this includes St Kilda and Rockall - it encompasses extends just beyond Rockall, a which most disconcertingly is misplaced by tiny islet some 163 nautical mile west of St around 20 km to the north. This is a systematic Kilda, with the Rockall Basin in between. error repeated on many figures, which in many Though only two commercial seismic sections cases needed shallower bathymetry above are reproduced there are numerous other depths of 200 m and the addition of Sula examples and cross-sections from scientific Sgeir. Given its significance the coverage of papers and BGS archives. Many of these are the shallows around Rockall is extremely beautifully sharp and neatly enhanced with limited, and the late Cretaceous gabbro colouring to make different sequences clearly recovered by divers from Helen’s Reef some 3 visible. Large areas are shown to be unlikely km to the east of the island is not discussed, as ploughmarks which points to Rockall being an to have any serious hydrocarbon potential due isolated volcanism of this age inducing Wolf island during the last ice age. But, while to the region’s rather stretched geological Rock off Land’s End in Cornwall did occur. there is a stunning 3D multibeam image of the history during the opening of the North The Cenozoic sedimentary chapter provides bathymetry around Rosemary Bank, a similar Atlantic, and in the long run the shallower a thoroughly good overview of these events in survey of the Rockall Bank was not waters may be of more use for generating terms of Atlantic rifting and seismic commissioned. Instead, probably too late to be alternative energy via waves, offshore wind megasequences which can be picked out on included, in 2011 a much more limited area and underwater currents. Like its sister these sections. On this basis it starts with a just over 8km across has been imaged by publication covering the Faroe-Shetland Basin stunning series of schematic sections, and an Marine Scotland around Rockall and Helen’s {Proceedings of the Geologists' Association excellent summary diagram of events during Reef showing the bedrock morphology in (Vol. 123 (3), 544-546) 2012}, Palaeogene this era, including key geographic and considerable detail. Finally, the last chapter on lavas blanket much of the area, making it hard environmental changes. Furthermore, there is a geohazards brings together some interesting to image any underlying sediments and series of four wonderful maps of the wider observations for those proposing to use the structures that might provide suitable North Atlantic area showing how the ocean seabed for any activity and the low levels of reservoirs. spread apart, including changes in the seismic activity in the region. This report starts with a concise introduction circulation of deep water currents and likely Even if this report is rather shorter than the and a trio of overview maps putting the area in distribution of water depths during the Faroe-Shetland Basin, for those prepared to context with its broad bathymetry and bedrock Cenozoic. The more detailed descriptions are follow their interests and dip in and out of the geology. Though the slightly dated divided so that the Palaeogene sequence is text this is still outstanding value for money. Phanerozoic timescale is clearly noted, an outlined with reference to boreholes, including But, given that the introduction shied away appendix could have detailed such changes a stratigraphical range chart and some from outlining the full extent of the UK either in relation to the latest 2012 version or beautifully clear core photographs. The exclusive economic zone (Nowell 2009), as earlier one (Ogg et al. 2008), which as a small Neogene section includes two thickness and these limits have now been extended hardback is relatively affordable. Then the distribution maps and quite a number of westwards on geological grounds beyond the structure chapter provides a far more shallow seismic sections revealing the standard 200 nautical mile limit out to nearly substantive introduction, followed by a series sedimentary architecture. This ends with a 24° west, combined with its weakness in of neat cross-sections showing how the crust good discussion of glacial history since the coverage about the shallow waters around has been thinned across the Rockall Basin to onset of an extensive shelf-wide series of Rockall 57° 36′ N 13° 41′ W, in due course nearly half its usual thickness. glaciations at about 440 ka. But this section another memoir covering the thinned Next, the Precambrian basement gets its fails to consider the likely periglacial continental crust of the Hatton Bank and own short chapter showing how the area is environment around Rockall, which would Rockall plateau could be commissioned to divided into two terranes and that on parts of have been dry land over 20 km across, though cover these last gaps in this excellent offshore the Rockall Bank this is at or close to the the physiography and sea-bed sediments series. seabed. Then the little that is known about any chapter does map some wave-cut terraces or likely Cambrian to Carboniferous rocks is cliff lines between 140 m and around 500 m, References outlined, including a lovely couple of maps easily explained by very moderate rates of showing the evolution of the Caledonides and thermal subsidence during the Quaternary. Nowell, D.A.G. 2009, Whose oil is it closure of the Iapetus Ocean. Even the chapter After this, the economic geology chapter anyway? Dividing up North Sea Oil on the Permo-Triassic is thin, though it is able outlines its possible hydrocarbon potential, Geology Today, Vol. 25 (2), 46-49 to report on a couple of wells and provide though in deeper waters methane hydrates some conjecture about their extent. Once again might exist, and if they could be safely Ogg, J.G., Ogg, G. and Gradstein, F.M. 2008. the Jurassic chapter can only be brief, though released would yield massive volumes of The Concise Geologic Time Scale. the amount of information about the natural gas rather than being a hazard. But, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 177 Cretaceous does expand into more detail, as it even with the highest wave energies in UK pp is encountered in quite a number of deeper waters renewable energy only merits two water wells. sentences about wind. The physiography and David A. G. Nowell Given the contrast between the extensive sea-bed sediments chapter has some great Palaeogene volcanism and contemporaneous summary maps including the extent of iceberg Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 12 No. 3 2013 19 GAMag47 q8_mag41.qxd 30/08/2013 11:51 Page 20

Amazing Amber enthusiast, especially when combined with Andrew’s republished, enlarged Andrew Ross and Alison and redesigned second edition of Sheridan 2013 Amber - The Natural Time Capsule (NHM 2009) which contains detailed Published by NMS Enterprises Ltd., identification keys. The design of National Museums Scotland, 2013 Amazing Amber matches the clean Paperback, 63 pages, 150 lines of the show – wide margins, cut illustrations in colour out photographs of most amber pieces £7.99 set against a white background and ISBN 978 1 905267 79 8 text of startling simplicity within its 63 pages. Indeed the only issue I have is Amazing Amber is first and foremost that the commendable desire to an exhibition at the National Museums produce plain and understandable text of Scotland, Edinburgh and although has rather robbed such an intrinsically this book of the same name is a stand beautiful subject area of alone publication, I want first of all to commensurate writing. (That sentence say something about the exhibition would have utterly failed the Fog Index itself. test but I hope you will still understand Amber presents designers with quite me!) But I don’t blame the authors – I a challenge, generally being so small, have been troubled for many years despite its inherent attractiveness. But with the incomprehensible text often with a combination of really good produced by my fellow curators and graphics and excellent design, let alone would much rather that misjudgement wonderfully rich collections to draw on, of reading levels fell on the plain Andrew Ross and his colleagues at writing side rather than the pseudo- When I give talks to local societies NMS have really delivered the goods babble side. What is clear however on the subject of amber I am usually with this show. Members of the from this writing style is that the besieged afterwards by the owners of geological community will probably audience is seen as the layman and jewellery asking the question of their have come across Andrew before amateur rather than the dedicated precious heirlooms “Is it real?” So I through his previous position at the specialist. especially welcome the detailed section NHM together with his media After a consideration of the on amber fakery. From heat appearances concerning amber geological and biological origins of treatments to reconstitution, from (remember the Piltdown fly?) and now, amber, both the exhibition and the glass to Bakelite, people have found as Principal Curator of Palaeobiology, book admirably reflect Scottish aspects numerous ways of ‘improving’ amber conceived this exhibition 3 years ago in of the collection. Precious little amber to downright criminal fraud. The Edinburgh and has triumphed. I cannot originates in Scotland – a few exhibition showed much more on this recall any previous UK exhibition of microscopic grains from the area than the book possibly could so I this size or on this scale on this Carboniferous have been recorded am grateful for seeing the show and subject. There are some 320 objects from the coal fields of Ayrshire – and a feel better equipped to deal with my on display – I am told that 75% have couple of pieces of Baltic amber have future audiences. never been exhibited before - and washed up on Scottish shores. But In this book, Ross and Sheridan have impressively, 21,500 people visited the there is a rich archaeological context produced a brilliant addition to the exhibition in its first two months alone. for amber throughout Europe, from amber literature of interest to both Amazing Amber the book is very perhaps as early as the Mesolithic, and layman and specialist. As for the much a reflection of the show, in Scotland Baltic amber has been exhibition, you only have until capturing all its major components, used as personal adornment for at September 8 to see it so do not using the same graphics and much of least the last 5500 years. Finds from hesitate. the same text. It cannot of course Orkney sites feature amber in gold match the quantity of objects in the jewellery, whilst later finds from the exhibition – though it manages to use early Medieval again combine gold This book is available at bookshops half of them - nor all its images but inlaid with amber in quite exquisite and through www.nms.ac.uk/books does an excellent job of summarising pins and brooches. In Scottish folklore the exhibition and comprehensively beliefs similar to many European introducing the subject. Moreover, it peoples were held, especially John A Cooper does actually contain a lot of images of concerning the cure of eye diseases inclusions which would help the and the protection of babies against evil.

Durham meeting Have you booked for the 2013 Annual Meeting at the University of Durham, Saturday 21st September, Conference, Sunday 22nd September field excursions? If not contact the GA office

20 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 12 No.3 2013 GAMag47 q8_mag41.qxd 30/08/2013 11:51 Page 21

Cove, discussing the depositional were typical reef forming creatures, lots Rockwatch News environment and collecting fossils – the of small brachiopods including Atrypa highlight of the day for many of the reticularis, abundant corals including Our field trip season has been in full children! The sediments here are Favosites, halysites, heliolites , swing over the past few months. We’ve Middle Jurassic, about 162 million gastropods, bits of crinoids and seen new faces as well as long-time years old and many fossils were found, undoubtedly more that I did not see members, all of whom are really keen including Gryphaea, shark teeth, before the children squirreled their finds to see as many rocks and fossils in their ammonites - mainly Quenstedtoceras away! And, I am sure that there are natural environment as they possibly lamberti, belemnites and some superb tracts of the fossiliferous Silurain sea can. Rockwatch is grateful that so many pentacrinoid specimens. floor gracing many a young geologists are willing give up their time An old favourite for Rockwatch, Rockwatcher’s bedroom now! to help lead our field trips and share Shorncote Quarry in the Cotswolds, their expertise and enthusiasm with our proved an excellent hunting ground yet These are just a few of the field trips young members and with their parents again for our visit in early June. The we’ve run this summer, more will be Thanks to improved weather since the sediments in the quarry are middle highlighted in the next issue. March snows, the rescheduled trip to Jurassic, usually yielding excellent Tegg’s Nose Country Park in fossils. We were lucky with the Susan Brown Macclesfield finally took place on a weather; it was a nice sunny day and Rockwatch Chair beautiful, sunny, June day. What a we found some splendid fossils relief! The field trip was run jointly by including a few of the lovely Rockwatch, Cheshire East County ammonites Clydoniceras discus and Council, the Country Park Ranger Macrocephalites macrocephalus, lots of Service and the GA Curry Fund to bivalves such as Pholadomya and launch the Tegg’s Nose Geological Pluromya, the echinoid Nucleolites and Emily’s various brachiopods. Lavernock Trail Leaflet, partly funded by the GA Ammonite Curry Fund (our parent organization). The weather was not good on our The official launch was performed by annual Welsh weekend; howling gales, Councillor David Topping, and Martin little rain and no sunshine! In spite of James, Ranger at Tegg’s Nose, led the that it was a very successful trip trip using the new leaflet. The group studying the Carboniferous, Triassic included Rockwatch members, local and Jurassic sediments in the Vale of residents and visitors from further afield Glamorgan. Thanks to Steve Howe, we who had seen the Council’s publicity were treated to an exploration of for the trip. Whilst many Rockwatch ancient deserts and wadis, tropical seas members took the geology in their and islands through to lakeshores, stride, other visitors were amazed to flooded deserts and rising sea levels, learn the story of the rocks (contact with a few dinosaur footprints and lots [email protected] for leaflet of fossils to collect en route. Our lucky details). Some had been to Tegg’s Nose Rockwatch Time Travelers had a many times without realizing its wonderful weekend and their highly geological history, but as the visual active imaginations brilliantly over- clues of the rocks were pointed out, ruled the inclement weather as they things began to fall into place for them. explored the geology of Ogmore-by-Sea and Lavernock Point, collecting fossils I hope they return to enjoy and follow Martin James, Susan Brown and David up on what they’ve already discovered. (including a rare trilobite pygidium and Topping at Tegg’s Nosett We had a splendid trip to the Fleet an unidentified crinoid) and minerals to near Weymouth with Alan Holiday in add to their collections! May. We began at Tidmoor Point and A first for Rockwatch this year was a walked along the foreshore to Tidmoor visit to Lea Quarry in Shropshire with Eddie Bailey on a brilliantly hot, sunny, day. The sediments here are the Silurain My 1st field trip Much Wenlock fossil find, Lea Quarry, formation, highly trilobite fossiliferous and pygidium no one went home empty Setting off for Lavernock Point handed! The fossils found

Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 12 No. 3 2013 21 GAMag47 q8_mag41.qxd 30/08/2013 11:51 Page 22

Post of Librarian The GA is looking for a new librarian, preferably someone who can get to our library in University College, London (Gower Street). The job is not onerous. Full details from the GA office

22 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 12 No. 3 2013 GAMag47 q8_mag41.qxd 30/08/2013 11:51 Page 23

September Crossword Puzzle by ‘Longshanks’

Across 3. Maggie thought he was a drip (3). 5. Tiny mouths in your tummy (5). 6. Very, very anything (7). 1. Submarine lava? Let’s sleep on it! (6). 7. Feminine digits with one’s curry (4). 4. Sounds as if Katie witnessed a terrific bang from one (8). 8. A role in this act of leaving (9). 9. In France they say il est (3). 10. Gullible guy rises once a year (3). 11. External harvest helps the geological map-maker (7). 13. GA bookish types go there (3). 12. Push against the aircraft in an orogenic belt (6-5). 14. Sounds like an object of worship in this watery flow (5). 16. Plenty at the auction in a French department (3). 15. Chinatown in France? (7). 17. Good medical intentions led to a disaster (11). 16. Seaweed say the Welsh, but much hotter (4). 20. From calcic to sodic, the solution is solid in an abundant way 17. The likes of the Dudley locust didn’t eat grass (9). (11). 18. A high preposition (4). 22. One of honour in the drinking bowl (3). 19. Doctor, possess it! But a nasty way to go (5). 23. Just a collector’s miscellanea (4, 3, 4). 20. Non-amateur is lengthened (7). 29. Hard rock with a fiery root (7). 21. Tell me falsely, one stratum will be on another (3). 30. Amusing if you’re a youngster (3). 24. Store data but painful if they slip (5). 32. Well, a chunk of wood to praise (8). 25. Nautically backward (3). 33. Get up and go came mainly from the sun (6). 26. Levantine orange-dealer by the sound of him, but absolutely the bottom (5). Down 27. Alexander is arenaceous (5). 28. Personality disorder normally at the rear (4). 1. Kingdom in the garden (5). 31. Mostly metalliferous, but it sounds as if there’s an alternative 2. Early for stratigraphers (5). (3).

Solutions to June Crossword:

CLUES ACROSS 1. DIP, 3. MONUMENTAL, 8. UPPER LIP, 9. MOSAIC, 11. CALCIFEROUS, 13. ICE, 14. NEW-AGE, 15. DOZENS 17. ORCHIS, 20. SUN-DRY, 21. MAY, 22. LUNCH-BASKET, 24. TETHYS, 26. OLD SARUM, 28. OLD WEBSITE 29. NEW

CLUES DOWN 2. PUPIL, 3. MAR, 4. UPPER CRETACEOUS, 5. NEO, 6. APATITE, 7. ACCESS SYSTEM, 8. UNCONFORMITY, 9. MOULD, 11. COACH, 12. FEE, 16. ZONES, 18. CRYSTAL, 19. SOULS, 20. SOB, 23. KAREN, 25. YEW 27. SAE

Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 12 No. 3 2013 23 GAMag47 q8_mag41.qxd 30/08/2013 11:51 Page 24