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The Association Future Lectures FESTIVAL OF GEOLOGY Nominations Required Field Trip to France part 2 October Lecture Weald Clay Field Trip Curry Fund Report Circular GA Two-Day Meeting Rockwatch News Rockwatch Young Writer Sher-rock Holmes Geology of NE Churches 1 Winners of Photographic Competition Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Volume 10 No. 4, 2011 CONTENTS Published by the Geologists’ Association. Four issues per year. ISSN 1476-7600 Production team: JOHN CROCKER, Paula Carey, John 3 The Association Cosgrove, Vanessa Harley, Jon Trevelyan, 4 Future Lectures Chris Woolston 5 FESTIVAL OF GEOLOGY Printed by City Print, Milton Keynes 6 Nominations Required 7 Field Trip to France part 2 The GEOLOGISTS’ ASSOCIATION does not accept any responsibility for views and opinions expressed by 11 October Lecture individual authors in this magazine. 12 Weald Clay Field Trip 13 Curry Fund Report The Geologists’ Association 14 Circular The Association, founded in 1858, exists to foster the progress and diffusion of the science of geology, and to encourage 20 GA Two-Day Meeting research and the development of new methods. It holds meetings 23 Rockwatch News for the reading of papers and the delivery of lectures, organises museum demonstrations, publishes Proceedings and Guides, and 25 Rockwatch Young Writer conducts field meetings. Annual Subscriptions for 2012 are £40.00, Associates £30.00, 27 Sher-rock Holmes Joint Members £58.00, Students £18.00. 28 Geology of NE Churches 1 For forms of Proposal for Membership and further information, apply to the Executive Secretary, The Geologists’ Association, 31 Kite Flying or Fossil Hunting? Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0DU. Back Cover: E-mail [email protected] Telephone 020 7434 9298 Winners of Photographic Fax 020 7287 0280 Competition Website: http://www.geologistsassociation.org.uk

President: David Bridgland Executive Secretary: Sarah Stafford

Cover picture: © The Geologists’ Association. Perito Moreno glacier in southern Argentina. All rights reserved. No part of this publication The Southern Patagonia Ice Field covers an area may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system of 13,000 Sq.Km. and feeds several large or transmitted, in any form or by any means, glaciers, such as the Perito Marino into Lago without the prior permission in writing of the Argentino and thence to the Atlantic Ocean. author and the Geologists’ Association. Photo. John Crocker LAST Copy dates for the Circular & Magazine March Issue January 14 June Issue April 22 September Issue July 22 Curry Fund Dates for 2012 December Issue October 21

Applications to Committee Items should be submitted as soon as to be received by Date possible and not targeted on these dates. We welcome contributions from Members and February 20 March 9 others. May 20 June 8 August 20 September 14 November 20 December 14

2 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 THE ASSOCIATION From the President However, to compensate we had a very full meeting in October. At this Writing as I travel southwards for the meeting we welcomed three new co- Festival of Geology, during the first optees to Council: Dr Keith Whittles weekend of November, I am (publishing expertise), Ms Leanne appreciating the autumn tints and Hughes (BGS) and Mr Neill Hadlow (to Indian Summer conditions. By the champion younger GA members). The time you read this the Festival will be main issues under discussion were the behind us once again; the programme on-going negotiations with Elsevier is an excellent one as ever, although about the PGA (reported by David I'm not sure I can vouch for Sunday's Bridgland) and the updating of the GA walk along the Thames, which I am rules to include the new awards. I leading. My fingers will be crossed for have been much occupied with the continued good weather until then. As proposed rule changes. Council always, I must extend my gratitude to approved the proposals which are now all those who work hard to organize with the Charity Commission and will the festival and ensure its success, as be put before the membership as soon well as those from groups and as possible. societies, as well as their own In the last issue of the GA Magazine enterprises, who populate the stalls and measures. At the museum I was I asked for nominations for the and make it such a fascinating event. in my element in the company of a Halstead Medal and Henry Stopes I am delighted to report on the furry friend - see photograph. Memorial Fund. As no details were considerable success of the GA In connection with my letter to the published, Council agreed to postpone Worcester meeting (9 to 10 September Minister (reported in the last the closing date for nominations to 31 2011) on 'Geoconservation for science Magazine), it is my understanding that January 2012. The Halstead Medal is and society: an agenda for the 21st a representative from DEFRA was in for outstanding merit, deemed to Century'. Responding to members' attendance at the Worcester meeting, further the objectives of the suggestions, we held this two-day although keeping a low profile. Look Association and to promote geology, event outside London and, it must be out for the special issue arising from and the Stopes Prize (awarded once said, the membership did not this meeting in the Proceedings for every three years) is for work on disappoint us in terms of participation 2012-2013. While on the subject of human prehistory in relation to - there were 120 registered Geoconservation, I am delighted to geology. I do urge you to send in your participants for the Saturday report that members’ responses to my recommendations. At the same time conference session. Local and inquiry about whether the GA should we are inviting nominations for new affiliated groups had contributed a participate in the publishing of Earth Council Members to be elected at the magnificent array of posters as well as Heritage were almost entirely positive, AGM in May 2012 when the awards will displays. A report of the meeting so we are in the process of agreeing also be presented. More details of appears on page 17 . On the Saturday this. It is likely that the GA will have these Prizes and also of research and evening we had a launch and wine an editorial role, with the opportunity meetings grants available to members reception in celebration of the to contribute news from our groups can be found on page 6. Council is publication of the first GCR issue within that are active in this field, in concerned about the future of GA the Proceedings, this being Part 4 for exchange for some financial input. As Enterprises. Susan Jacobs will resign 2011, on the Marine Devonian (edited part of the arrangement the journal as Treasurer at the end of December by Brian Leveridge). Brian was not in will be available to all members in and we are looking for a replacement attendance but a pre-print copy of the electronic form. for that task and for setting up the issue was presented to Neil Ellis, of the stall and selling at our meetings, both Joint Nature Conservation Committee, jobs that Sue has been doing. In who is the former GCR Series Editor. David Bridgland particular, we thank Sue for the work The venue for the indoor part of the she has done over the last few years. meeting, and conference The Company Secretary, Toyin Solanke accommodation, was at the University came to talk to Council about GA of Worcester, which we found to be a Report from Council Enterprises. No-one had responded to most hospitable and pleasing the advertisement in the last GA environment. However, I have to For the GA office the last three Magazine and a sub-group has been admit to finding the high-tech lighting months have been a very busy time set up to look into how GA Enterprises in my bedroom something of a with the GA Conference in Worcester in might best function in future. For legal challenge. Proper light switches have September, attendance at the South reasons no-one on Council is able to given way to a sensor system, so that Wales Local Group's Geofest in the be involved with the official running you can read in bed, provided that you National Museum of Wales in October and I do urge you all to think of ways wave an arm from time to time to and the GA Festival of Geology in you could help so that we don't lose restore the ceiling light, then when you London in early November. The this valuable service to members. For roll over to go to sleep the light will go Worcester conference on those who don't attend the monthly off. The problem was that a sudden Geoconservation for science and meetings, you can purchase items movement during slumber brought society: an agenda for the 21st through the GA website. We are back full illumination, not the recipe for century was an eye-opener to me and grateful to those who volunteered to a full night's sleep. On the Sunday a I would personally like to thank all help at the GA Festival this year when smaller group enjoyed windy but those involved who made it such an over £800 was raised. largely sunny conditions for the field interesting and successful event. trip to the Lickey Hills, Dudley Museum Council as a whole has not been so and the Wren's Nest, for discussion busy as we have no meetings in Diana Clements August, September or November. and viewing of geoconservation issues General Secretary Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 3 January Meeting

CAT scan of an active volcano: Three dimensional seismic tomography at Montserrat.

Michele Paulatto, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford

Friday January 6 2012 Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1V 0JU at 6.00 pm, tea at 5.30 pm.

In July 1995 the Soufrière Hills Volcano on the island of Montserrat started erupting after a long period of quiescence. The eruption soon escalated and forced the evacuation of two thirds of the island's population, including the capital explosions and deadly pyroclastic flows. Plymouth, which is now uninhabitable. The eruption is still Using techniques similar to those employed to image ongoing and is thought to be caused by the intrusion of hot patients’ limbs with CAT scans, we have imaged the volcano magma into the shallow crust, which has heated up and and the rocks beneath it with unprecedented detail, providing remobilized older magma. The lava erupted at the surface is an image of its plumbing system including the shallow a mixture of the old and new magma and because of its high magma chamber. The combination of these results, along crystal content it is highly viscous. This property determines with the large amount of geological data collected on the eruptive style which is characterised by the formation of a Montserrat over the years make it one of the best studied lava dome at the top of the volcanic edifice and by associated volcanoes on Earth. February Meeting Safety in Geological Fieldwork jacket (or combat jacket) and preparations that can be made, and wellington boots –whether we were precautions that can be taken, to keep Professor Eddie Bromhead amateurs, or professionals. As students, geological fieldwork as safe as it should Kingston University we were often less well-clad and a be. lunchtime pub visit was almost de In particular, the issues surrounding Friday February 3 2012 rigeur . The industrial world has now personal protective equipment (PPE) – Geological Society, moved on both far and fast, and the which includes clothing, weather, tides, Burlington House, concept of working safely is now a high route planning, communications, Piccadilly, W1V 0JU priority. However, many amateurs and discipline and behaviour, lifting and at 6.00 pm, tea at 5.30 pm. sadly, many in the academic world, are carrying, and identifying site specific not taking this matter as seriously as risks are touched on in the hope of Many of us will remember setting out they should. sparking discussion. to do fieldwork clad in jeans, a donkey This talk covers some of the March Meeting

Necks for sex? No thank you, we're explain the evolution of the long sauropod dinosaurs giraffe neck. However, a little known proposal argues that giraffe necks Darren Naish, evolved their length as a consequence University of Southampton of sexual selection. According to this 'necks for sex' hypothesis, the giraffe Friday March 2 2012 neck functions as a display of health Geological Society, and mate quality. In 2007, one Burlington House, researcher applied the 'necks for sex' Piccadilly, W1V 0JU hypothesis to sauropods. This at 6.00 pm, tea at 5.30 pm. researcher argued that the sauropod neck is unlikely to have been Sauropod dinosaurs are famous for advantageous as a foraging tool, that their long necks - the longest necks it exacted a heavy cost on its owner, that have ever evolved (some were 15 and that its form better fits the 'necks m long or more). It has generally been for sex' hypothesis than the 'increasing assumed that these necks evolved feeding range' one. Does the data within the context of the 'increased really fit the 'necks for sex' feeding range' hypothesis: that is, that hypothesis? This is what I and a group they enabled these animals to reach of colleagues aimed to find out; my further, or higher, than other talk will discuss our research and herbivores. This explanation has also conclusion . been the most popular one used to

4 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 Festival 2011

This year’s ‘Festival of Geology’ had the buzz of the old-style Reunion, using the event as an opportunity to meet up with old friends.

At least three of our Members flew in from all corners of the world, India, Iran and Thailand. Our Indoor Meetings Secretary, Mick Oates had come directly from the airport dragging his suitcase! Now that’s a keen GA member for you!

Peter Sabine also celebrated 70 years since the date he was proposed for GA Membership…not many of us will be able to celebrate that anniversary!

All the lectures were full to capacity and the field trips that followed on the Sunday were all well attended.

Sarah Stafford

Photos: Michael Oswaldeston

Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 5 PRIZES & COUNCIL NOMINATIONS

Nominations needed for: Halstead Medal

awarded for outstanding merit, deemed to further the objectives of the Association and to promote geology. Open to Members and non-Members. Henry Stopes Memorial Fund

(awarded once in every 3 years) for work on the Prehistory of Man. The recipient will be invited to deliver a lecture.

Nominations are also invited for new Members of Council to be elected at the AGM in May 2012

Nominations needed by 31st January 2012 Please email (or send by post) your nominations to the General Secretary c/o Sarah Stafford at the GA office ([email protected], or by post)

GRANTS - Applications are invited for the following GA Awards:

GA RESEARCH AWARDS , incorporating the G.W. YOUNG GEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION FUND and the WILLIAM BAKER-MURIEL ARBER FUNDS Available to all members of the Geologists' Association of at least one year's standing to foster research in any area of earth sciences. Typical claims might be to support fieldwork or museum visits (travel and subsistence costs), or purchase laboratory consumables. Grants will normally be for sums up to £600. A more limited amount of funding is available specifically for field work through the G.W. Young and Baker-Arber funds. The William Baker-Muriel Arber Fund is also open to non-members.

NEW RESEARCHERS' SCHEME incorporating THE MIDDLEMISS FUND Designed for new or younger researchers in any relevant field of earth sciences. Typical awards are to support field expeditions, geological surveys, visits to laboratories and laboratory analyses. Applicants must be registered for either an undergraduate or postgraduate degree and must have been a GA Member for at least 6 months by the time of application. A letter of support from the applicant's dissertation or PhD supervisor must accompany the application. Grants are normally for sums up to £600. A more limited amount of funding is available for non-members through the Middlemiss bequest which supports students undertaking geological fieldwork, with a particular preference to work on the Cretaceous.

THE GA MEETINGS AWARDS The GA Meetings Awards are available to all members of at least one year's standing and student members of at least six months' standing. A limited number of grants can be made each year to assist attendance at conferences and field meetings. Priority will be given to those with limited alternative sources of funding, to GA- sponsored conferences and field meetings, and to those making presentations (paper or poster) at meetings or conferences. Applications from students must be accompanied by a letter of support from their supervisor. Grants are normally for sums up to £250.

Full details and application forms for all the awards are on the GA website: www.geologistsassociation.org.uk. Deadlines are 15th February and 15th September annually.

THE GA REGIONAL MEETINGS GRANT Funds are available to all Local and Affiliated Groups of the GA to organise Regional Meetings in which a number of other groups will participate. Details should be sent to the GA office.

6 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 Field Trip: Introduction to the Geology of France 7th - 19th April 2011 - Part Two

Tuesday, 12 April 2011: A tale of two plateaux. A rather Wednesday, 13 April 2011: Le Puy-en-Velay. Another fine tortuous but coach-friendly route brought us up from the day found us in the delightful Haute-Loire capital of Le Puy- Oligocene rocks of the Grand Limagne and onto the Plateau en-Velay. A French coach had been hired for our morning of Gergovie, whose spectacular views were somewhat trip. And our first stop was at Orgues d'Espaly, on the curtailed by the thick mist and steady drizzle. The local outskirts of Le Puy-en-Velay, still down in the basin. 'Orgues' museum explained that the plateau was formed of two means organ and refers to the feature we came to see - a basanite lava flows (19Ma and 16Ma old, respectively) double set of columnar-jointed basalt pillars together with emplaced on a surface of Oligocene (Stampian) marls and entablatures set one above the other, indicating two limestones. separate volcanic events. The well-defined basalt columns By contrast, the earliest Miocene activity in this area are formed only at depth, where they cool slowly. At a involved the forceful injection of blebs of magma into the certain threshold temperature, this ceases abruptly and an Oligocene marls to form the famous pépérites - a unique amorphous mass forms above the columns - the entablature. type of rock seen beneath the older basanite lava at Puy The Orgues d'Espaly are now a promontory of higher land Mardoux. In turn, these are intruded by dykes and sills within the surrounding basin, an example of inverted relief. associated with the later basanite eruptions of the plateau Originally, they were laid down in a lava lake within a itself. Surtseyan cone of fine scoria, which erupted through A quick run south on the motorway took us through Eocene/Oligocene sediments. Later, these soft sediments and Brioude and into the area of the Devès Plateau. This area, ash were completely eroded to form the present basin with between the Loire and the Allier rivers, is the largest basaltic the now-exposed hard basalt columns and entablatures as plateau in France and reaches a height of 1,421m. Volcanism the higher ground. commenced three million years ago and fluid basaltic lavas From there, we climbed half-way up out of the basin to our flowed down steep river valleys. In some places, towards the second stop at St Jean de Nay, a roadside cutting exposure Loire, these once valley-bound lavas are now positive of basement horst of high-grade augen gneisses. Augen features in the landscape, as erosion has removed the less (eyes) refers to the way the feldspar and quartz forms eye- resistant valley sides. shaped lenses within the banding of the partly melted strata. One of the best examples outcrops is at Chilhac, within the Our third site was on the top of the hills, at Marais de valley of the Allier, where the small town is dominated by a Limagne. The quarry had been cut into the outer tuff ring of complete cross-section through a basalt flow with the a relatively recent maar-type volcano to extract pouzzolane for use in construction. The eruption had brought up from depth the horst basement material seen earlier together with mantle-derived xenoliths of olivine-rich dunites. The pyroclastics were formed from a slightly silica-poor basanitic scoria with well-shaped magma bombs and large foreign blocks and showed some signs of bomb-sag and local faulting. We returned to the coach to drive around the inside of the volcano's shallow, flat-floored crater. The characteristic lake, which had formed in the crater, has still not entirely disappeared, an indication of how recent the volcano was. After a brief lunch in Le Puy, we returned to visit the Rocher d'Aiguille and Rocher Corneille on foot. These are the two most spectacular of several astonishing residual volcanic plugs, which rise up like almost vertical towers above the town. The Rocher d'Aiguille is the tallest (80m) and is surmounted by the beautiful, eleventh century Norman chapel of St Michel.

Spectacular columnar jointing in basalts at Chilhac Photo IC development of excellent columnar jointing. Our arrival at the town coincided with a regional tourism conference, where one of the speakers from the University of Perpignan was describing the benefits of geotourism. He kindly agreed to guide us around the Musée de Palaeontologie, which he was largely responsible for setting up, and show us its magnificent collection of Lower Pleistocene (Villefranchian) fauna and flora (1.9Ma). This has all been collected in the area and just predates, or is contemporaneous with, the local basaltic volcanism. Human artefacts of the same age are also found - evidence of the first communities within the Allier valley. The bones of mastodon, elephant, rhinoceros and horses together with a complete deer skeleton have given the name of 'Sables des Mastodons' to this Quaternary horizon. Moving back onto the N102, we made our way to Le Puy- en-Velay, our home for the next two nights.

Rocher d'Aiguille at Le Puy Photo IC Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 7 Friday, 15 April 2011: Limoges and the Rochechouart of this event are of three main types: astrobleme . We set off for the Musée National de Porcelaine, · Babaudus - formed by melting of the rock at showplace of the fine ceramics for which Limoges is famous. base of crater. On entry, our guide explained to us that the industry in · Chassenon - green suevite. Limoges arose because of the deposits of kaolinite clays in · Montoume - red tagamite. this area of France, the northwest rim of the Massif Central. The second and third of these are polygenetic, formed She explained that the name 'kaolin' was derived from the from particles of the local igneous and metamorphic rock Kaoling Mountains in China, where the art and chemistry of which was thrown into the air by the impact explosion. firing earths to make vessels and plates was first developed. Here, they mixed and then fell back to earth. Babaudus is Kaolin deposits in this location are the result of the deep monogenetic as it is derived from the molten rock at the weathering of a complex Variscan crystalline basement of impact site. metamorphic and plutonic igneous rocks, whose final The quarry face showing the impactites is to be preserved metamorphism is dated at around 280Ma. as it is the only in situ evidence remaining. The rest has There are four important categories of ceramics: Pottery, been eroded away as sea levels rose in the succeeding Fäence, Stoneware and Porcelain. There is also the Jurassic period. The dolerite dyke exposed in the quarry manufacture of glass. This museum has 15,000 exhibits, needs to be dated, as it may have been present before the enabling us to see and appreciate some of the best of all of impact or perhaps the impact melted some of the original these related products. The colours displayed by the rock, which then intruded as a dyke. ceramics were made from minerals and the colours change We then visited a second quarry, where we saw impact when firing takes place. 1,400 0C is the necessary high breccias similar to that found at the Ries crater, which is a temperature for many wares. Kilns were fuelled first by major impact site in Southern Germany of Miocene age. The wood, presumably with the help of bellows. Later, coal was matrix is red in colour due to the presence of glass that is used, and then gas and electricity. rich in iron oxide. We were soon back on the road heading towards Next we went to La Judie, the centre of the impact zone, where the rock consists totally of melt and is accompanied by nearby shatter cones. Glass would have formed there, as a result of the impact, and this has now devitrified largely to clay minerals. Finally, we visited the museum in Rochechouart, where we saw examples of the different breccias and a model of the crater and the ripple waves, which would have ensued as a result of the impact. Many of the medieval buildings in the town were built of the distinctive polygenetic breccias including the Château, the church and many of the houses. It is interesting that it is only used in the area around Rochechouart, which probably gave the first clue that there was something special about this district. There is now a new hypothesis, proposed by David Rowley of the University of Chicago, together with John Spray of New Brunswick University and Simon Kelley of the Open University, that there was a multiple impact event caused by the fragmentation of an asteroid at it approached the Earth. This could have given rise to craters at Rochechouart Party gathers at the National Porcelain Museum at Limoges and also in Quebec, Manitoba, North Dakota and the Photo LF Ukraine. They are believed to be of similar dates and would Rochechouart, where we were met by Dr Greg Samways, an have been aligned at the time of the impact. English geologist who lives in the area. He was to show us Saturday, 16 April 2011: The Straits of Poitou. We left the evidence for a meteorite strike believed to have Limoges in a north-westerly direction, our final destination occurred in the Triassic (206Ma). We were taken by our of the day being Nantes. Travelling through the Straits of guides, Mesdames Marie-France Yserd and Nellie Larent, to Poitou, we skirted the edge of the Massif Central, circling a quarry which provided many of the clues as to what had the Paris Basin, and taking in our final views of the Puys. happened so long ago. The owner of the quarry told us that The straits, sitting on Jurassic rocks, are a low lying gap his grandfather had started quarrying there in October between two areas of Massif rocks. Here, the Mesozoic lies 1964. He took over in 1971, removing gravel and in series of NW-SE orientated grabens. roadstone. In 1982, he found a dyke which was 30m high Pulling in at the quarry we met up with Greg Samways and 2m wide. Uncertain as to what it was, he called in Professor Carnet, who was already interested in the area, because of some unusual breccias that had been found. It was decided that the quarry had exposed a crater, which could have had a volcanic or impact origin. But in 1967, an explanation had been given by the French geologist, François Kraut, which proved that the breccias were formed as a result of the impact of a meteorite, estimated to have been about one mile in diameter and to have weighed 6,000 million tons. A crater with a diameter of about 12.5 miles and a depth of 4 miles formed in 42 seconds. The crystalline rock beneath the point of impact was shattered and partially melted, and therefore gave rise to the breccias that we see today. The shape of the crater cannot now be seen as it has long since eroded away. The evidence comes from the unusual breccias found in a relatively small area around Rochechouart. La Judie, a village 4km to the west, is thought to be the crater centre. In a radius of 300 miles, all life would have been extinguished. The breccias which were produced as a result Zonal ammonite within Toarchian type section Photo IC 8 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 again, overseen by the owner, who lives practically onsite, and moved out into baking sunshine to explore. Here middle Jurassic Bathonian limestone is crushed for gravel and lime is extracted for mortar. As we were late arriving, there was not a lot of time to look for fossils. Even so, corals, gastropods, ammonites, brachiopods, bivalves and belemnites were found. Travelling down into St Maixent, you could see the lower and middle Bathonian sequences, and some reverse faulting on the edge of the graben. The flat area in the town, the parade ground, shows clearly the bottom of the graben. Now, we were going through an area of pure limestone, sold as chalk for cement. Through some beautiful countryside, we wound our way to Thouars, south of Saumur. There is a small show quarry here, complete with interpretation boards recording its key role as the type section for the Lower Jurassic Toarcian Stage. Six zone fossils are found here, which are all ammonites. They are most often used as zone fossils as they are abundant in a wide variety of marine environments over a short time Migmatites from the Ligerian Mobile Belt, Port Navalo Photo IC range, with each zone representing about one to two million years. A large board is in place showing the succession of fossils and the geological timescale. Familiar fossils were Hildoceras bifrons and Dactylioceras commune , which are both found along our Whitby coast. Sunday, 17 April 2011: Migmatites and megaliths. Brittany can be subdivided geologically into three main zones, as seen on the accompanying Simplified Geological Map of Brittany : 1. In the north, we find the granitic and metamorphic Cadomian Terrane of Precambrian (Proterozoic) age. Because of its inherent structural integrity, this terrane is relatively less affected by the Variscan mountain-building events than other parts of Brittany. 2. To the south of this zone lie the Palaeozoic rocks of the Central Brittany Basin , as separated from the Proterozoic region by the extensive Brest-Rennes fault complex that comprises the North Armorican Shear Zone. In Anatectic aplite dyke cuts across migmatites, Port Navalo Photo IC parts of this zone, some rocks from the Brioverian sedimentary sequence are regionally metamorphosed. is a great wealth and variety of metamorphic and igneous 3. The southernmost Polyorogenic Zone is an area of activity revealed, with a proliferation of gneisses, schists high-grade regional metamorphism with its northern border, and both metatexitic and diatexitic migmatites, together in turn, defined by other disturbances along the South with several varieties of granite. Armorican Shear Zone (SASZ) and the Malestroit-Angers Our immediate goal at Port Navalo was a wave-cut Fault. This SASZ boundary is now thought to define a relic platform in the bay, together with its extension below the crustal suture, the result of inter-continental collision(s) adjacent sea cliffs. Mainly because of its polyorogenic during the Ligerian phase of the Variscan Orogeny. However, history, the detailed geology around the Golfe du Morbihan the overall polyorogenic regional history reveals an intricate is very complex, as can be seen from the sketch map of the structural legacy derived from the Late-Precambrian, Morbihan district showing just one small fraction of the Caledonian and, in particular, the Variscan orogenies. There 'Ligerian Mobile Zone' . Overall, this hosts a suite of igneous and high-grade metamorphic rocks referred to as the Southern Brittany Migmatite Belt . The rocks here comprise a suite of gneisses and migmatites intruded by several phases of granite. There is no indication of contact chilling - even when examined by pocket microscope - and, also, the manner in which the granite swelled and constricted in close succession along the foliation was quite remarkable. From relative dating of the orthogneisses (460Ma) and the most recently invading (anatectic) granite (370Ma), it is presumed to be evidence of a rising granite diapir that, in the final phase of metamorphism, has intruded and brought up its enveloping migmatites. Such a diapiric episode would neatly explain both the absence of contact chilling and the complex pattern of (metasomatic) granitisation observed at Port Navalo. Although there have been various theories in the past, the currently Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 9 accepted plate tectonic model, as applied both here at Port ages. These sedimentary sequences are intruded by Navalo and throughout the polyorogenic zone, proposes that Variscan biotite-muscovite bearing leucogranites (for the complex represents the site of a former subduction example, the Rostrenen Granite). zone. Migmatites are widespread and the blue schists that A short walk through a beautiful wooded area brought us accompany them in places such as the Ile de Groix and the to our first locality - Etang des Salles - where, at the Bois de Cené in the district of Marais Breton suggest a lakeside, we were able to examine, discuss and collect large paired metamorphic belt - the Ligerian Orogeny - of Siluro- crystals of andalusite (var. chiastolite), which is an alumino- Devonian age. Elsewhere, the occurrence of eclogites, while silicate. These crystals are embedded in Upper Ordovician more limited, is nevertheless taken as strengthening the argillites. Andalusite is an important index mineral, which is argument for a (northwards directed) subduction zone that used by geologists to estimate the temperature, depth and plunged below the pre-Ligerian crust. Whereas we were pressure at which a rock undergoes metamorphism. These confronted on Port Navalo beach with evidence of only a rocks lie within the metamorphic aureole of the Rostrenen very late stage in the regional metamorphism, recent leucogranite and are the product of a late stage, low modelling of the earlier stages of Pre-Variscan tectonic pressure/medium temperature regime. evolution has identified a crustal evolution dating back to After lunch in Rostrenen, we were able to examine at 600Ma. After a tour of the famous megaliths of Carnac, we moved onto the geology of the area whose explanation seems far more straightforward than that of the standing stones themselves. In the 1980s, you could still cycle or walk and scramble on the stones anywhere. Although the alignments are nowadays fenced off for the purpose of conservation,

Roadside staurolite collectors, Coray Photo IC

close quarters in the facing stones of the older buildings the Megalithic alignments at Carnac Photo IC large (over 45mm in length) phenocrysts of white orthoclase feldspar present in the local Rostrenen the region is otherwise fairly wooded and/or overgrown with leucogranite. scrub. However, thanks largely to human agency, this was Then, a short drive took us to our second and final locality not always so. Commencing about 6000BC at the onset of for the day at La Croix Rouge, near Coray. Here, away from the post-glacial climatic optimum , it is thought that the the contact of the Locronan Granites and within the Neolithic population - pioneer agriculturalists - would, in micaschists, the Barrovian staurolite zone is well developed. favourable places, have cleared the dense forests that In these schists, orthorhombic staurolite, another index formerly clothed the area. During this warm, wet 'Atlantic' mineral occurs as large brown-red crystals of iron-rich climatic period the weathering of the underlying Carnac alumino-silicate, which show its characteristic lozenge cross Granite, where exposed, would have accelerated and the section. We were able to collect specimens from the resultant sandy soil should have been easily worked for roadside cutting and, in the adjacent fields, but, agriculture. It is this granite that makes up all the varied unfortunately examples of the well-known, interpenetrant groupings of aligned stones at Carnac. It has probably been 'cross' twins were not found. extracted with hammerstones, wooden wedges and levers, Tuesday, 19 April 2011: Homeward bound. A very early using pre-existing cooling joints and structurally weak, start from Lorient was needed for us to make the ferry at St horizontal pressure release zones concentrated in the Malo. Fortified by a packed breakfast supplied by the hotel, uppermost layers of the pluton. In other cases, potential we made our way through Central Brittany in thick mist and menhirs would have already weathered out from the low cloud towards the north coast. A calm water trip over to underlying granite. All the stones were then transported and Portsmouth completed our tour of France's incredibly varied placed vertically in the Carnac rows. geological history. Monday, 18 April 2011: The Central Brittany Basin . We left Paul Olver Lorient on a warm sunny morning travelling northwards through the very wooded landscape. which is developed on Greg Samways the altered Silurian and Ordovician sediments of the Central Roger & Janet Brown Brittany Basin. The latter is bounded to the north by the Lorraine Fletcher Brest-Rennes Fault Complex where Precambrian granitic and metamorphic rocks dominate. This area, characterised by Gwen Moore Cadomian orogenic structures, remained relatively rigid Gerry & Iris Calderbank during the Variscan mountain building episode. To the south, the boundary is marked by the South Armorican Gordon Freeman Shear Zone and the Malestroit-Angers Fault Zone. Jackie Jonson Thus defined, the Central Brittany Basin is mainly composed of metamorphosed and unmetamorphosed Sybil Wade sediments of Brioverian (Late Precambrian) and Palaeozoic

10 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 Evening Lecture October 2011. Galician Rias and the Impact of Man. Dr Graham Evans, U. of Southampton, and Professor Richard J. Howarth, U. C. L

There has been a good deal of In the second part of the talk, discussion recently about establishing Professor Richard Howarth said he a new geological epoch, the had been brought in to the study to Anthropocene, based on the idea that help make sense of the geochemical mankind is now leaving a permanent data which had been accumulated record in the geological history of our during Graham’s sedimentological planet. It remains to be seen if this work. As had been pointed out, the idea will be formally accepted, but site was complex with natural input there can be no doubt that we are due to tidal flow from the Atlantic having some effect, not only on the Ocean and from the five rivers atmosphere but also on the sediments draining into the Ria de Vigo. This that are destined to become the rocks was coupled with the effects of human of tomorrow. The latter effect was activity from a variety of sources. well illustrated by Dr Evans and Therefore, analysis of the data had Professor Howarth in a description of been by no means straightforward their sedimentological and and it had been necessary to use geochemical work on one of the rias ridge regression (a method of in Galicia. Dr Graham Evans explaining the behaviour of one Opening the talk, Dr Evans said that variable in terms of several others at the Galician region, situated at the once, when the values of the extreme NW of Spain, is in many predictors are correlated) and mixture respects quite separate from the rest modelling to gain some understanding of the country. It had a long history of what was happening. The first of human occupation with evidence of observation was that all the borehole an early Celtic culture similar to other sections showed a very clear upward Atlantic Coast communities such as increase in the presence of heavy Brittany and Cornwall. Geologically it elements such as Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and consists of Pre-Cambrian and Zn reflecting human activity since the Palaeozoic metamorphic and igneous last few decades of the twentieth rocks with the occasional fault century. However, spatial distribution bounded Miocene basin. The western was far more complex but there were coastline is marked by a series of N-S clear indications of the effects of the faults downthrowing to the west, old industrial area at the head of the linked to extensional events Professor Richard Howarth ria, the inward tidal flow coming past associated with the opening of the mega-ripples created by the the city of Vigo and, perhaps more Atlantic Ocean, while another series of oscillating tidal flow in the ria where surprisingly, from the influence of air faults on a NE-SW trend had the tidal range is around 2 to 4 m. borne dust from a road bridge across controlled the drainage and the The sequence is high in organic the ria. formation of the rias. The term ria carbon (up to 5%) and there is good In conclusion it can be said that (related to the Spanish rio ) had been evidence from borehole cores and human activity is certainly leaving a taken from the Galician language by seismic work of the presence of record in the recent sediments in the the German geologist, Baron natural gas. Carbonates are ria but interpretation of the record is Ferdinand von Richthofen, to describe restricted to some of the small bays by no means easy due to the wide unglaciated marine inlets created by and inlets and to a very high-energy variability of human activity in terms the post-glacial rise in sea level. area off-shore where fine-grained of space, time and intensity. As a Galicia is a region of exceptionally material is constantly being winnowed result there are large changes in high rainfall, but the rivers are small out. Human activity has resulted in environmental impact over very short in relation to their valleys due to the the discharge of both domestic and periods of time – a problem that capture of their headwaters by the industrial liquid waste into the ria, future geologists studying the River Miño (or Minho), which runs to especially from an old ceramics “Anthropocene” may well find hard to the south and forms the Spanish- factory to the NE, while other sources resolve from the sedimentary Portuguese border. As a result of this of pollution has come from wind- evidence alone. and the hardness of the country rock, borne dust. There is also a major the rias receive little land-based mussel farming industry from rafts (or REFERENCE: sediment and must be seen as bateas ) moored in the ria. Galicia Evans, G. et al. 2003. Metals in the drowned valleys, with a generally produces 250 ktpa of mussels sediments of Ensenada de San Simón marine environment, rather than as representing 15% of total world (inner Ría de Vigo), Galicia, NW estuaries. production and the effect of this has Spain. Applied Geochemistry , 18, Taking the Ria de Vigo as an been to add large amounts of fine 973-996. example, Dr Evans said that the grained organic material to the The full text of this (giving details of typical sedimentary sequence of a ria system in the form of faeces from Professor Howarth’s geochemical data consists of coastal salt marshes that Mytilus galloprovincialis which has the processing) is available on-line pass seawards into very soft algal ability to extract and excrete at:http://webs.uvigo.es/mnombela/pd flats colonised by Zostera . These are relatively large amounts of heavy f/Applaid%20Geochemistry%20(18).p followed by typical mudflats and metals leaving the mussels df finally by sands supporting abundant themselves quite safe for human Arenicola . The sands show huge consumption. Dave Greenwood Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 11 Fieldtrip to the Weald Clay of Warnham - Saturday 23 July 2011

This was an all-day visit in 90% of which belong to the unnamed ferruginous spring lines were seen in association with the KGG. 25 species illustrated by Anon. (2005). the lower part of SB 11 (Fig. 4), plus members and guests assembled at In the west face, a roadway had occasional valves of a fresh water 10.30 am in the car park at been cut along the top of the Paludina bivalve ( Unio ) and partings with the Langhurstwood Quarry on a mild, Limestone (SB 10) dipping 5° on a ostracod Mantelliana . No doubt the sunny but increasingly cloudy day with bearing of 340°; some dislodged water would have been used to rain later. The leaders gave an blocks of limestone on a spoil heap establish a spa in the past. Siltstones introductory talk and GT displayed a showed large mud cracks on their of SB 13 with the ostracod Cypridea partial Lepidotes palate (Fig. 1) found undersides. Careful search of the and fish remains yielded insects locally recently on the northern spoil heap. surface yielded typical fish remains at the northern end of the pit, After the now customary examination (Lepidotes , hybodonts and teleosts) especially along the old roadway (and of large calcareous siltstones dumped and also a pycnodont palate as well as were probably the source of a piece of opposite the car park (Fig. 2), one of a loose, amphipolar shark coprolite the fern Onychiopsis found on a spoil which showed the tail of a leptolepid (found by Diana Wrench). Three heap, having also yielded Weichselia fish, the party walked down into the pycnodont palates were also found leaflets). Insects found included wings pit, where the southern end had been on/around the northern spoil heap of the cockroach Elisama mollosa , an recently excavated. Following recent (Fig. 3 by Mike Smith, and also one elcanid and a male baissogryllid clay extraction, the bed with otoliths which showed part of the jaw by (extinct bush and true crickets just below the top of BGS Bed 2a Charlotte Smith) as were two respectively), creeping water bugs reported by Jarzembowski et al . unidentified jaws (Tracey and Daniel (Fig. 5), fungus gnats and a silky (2010) was no longer visible, although Clarke) and a section of pterosaur lacewing ( Valdipsychops sp .). These remnants were scattered down the bone (Mike Webster). More than 30 are all new fossil records for Warnham, slope. However 80 otoliths were found pycnodonts have been found since GA but a planthopper (Fig. 6) and an in Styles' Bed (SB) 11 by Nick Baker, visits started here in 2005 making it enigmatic scorpionfly (Fig. 7), which one of the richest sites in the Weald were also found, are new to the for these flat-bodied fish. Wealden. Further search looks The new roadway exposed a near- promising (Fig. 8) as a count of 27 vertical section of SB 11-13. Two beetle elytra during rock splitting suggested that up to 17 undescribed species were present.

References Anon. 2005. Warnham otolith. Wealden News , 6, 3. Jarzembowski, E. A., Austen, P. A., Toye, G. and Mellish, C. 2010. Wealden treble bill 2010: Smokejacks, Warnham and Keymer. Magazine of the Geologists' Fig. 1. Partial Lepidotes palate. Scale bar in cm. Photo: PA Association, 9 (4), 8 . Fig. 4. Lower of the 2 ferruginous spring lines Peter Austen, in SB 11, Diana Wrench for scale. Photo: EJ Ed Jarzembowski, Geoff Toye and Terry Keenan

Fig. 2. The GA examining large calcareous siltstones. Photo: PA

Fig. 5. Forewing of creeping water bug. Fig. 7. Forewing of scorpionfly. Length 7 mm. Photo: TK Length 30 mm. Photo: TK

Fig. 3. Pycnodont palate 'Coelodus mantelli'. Fig. 6. Forewing of planthopper. Length 10 Fig. 8. TK excavating SB 13 along old Length 6 mm. Photo: PA mm. Photo: TK roadway. Photo: EJ 12 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 printing a monograph on the Anglo Curry Fund Report Saxon Church at Brixworth. This applicant was offered an interest-free loan of £3,670 repayable within two The Committee received ten new years because the publication is to be applications at its September meeting. sold. The offer of a loan is under Of these, one was referred to Council, consideration by the Trust. two were offered interest-free loans repayable within two years, two were A request for a grant of £2,800 for refused and five were funded to some personal research analyses by Dr degree, though not necessarily in full. Langford was refused as it fell outside As has been noted on a number of the scope of the guidelines. A request occasions recently, the number of from the University of Wolverhampton applications for each meeting and the for a grant of £2,712.50 towards size of the grant requested, seem to printing and distribution costs of a be increasing. The Committee is geology book to be given to schools monitoring this as it is thought that was refused as much of the material to the increase we are seeing is a likely be included was already freely indicator of the funding difficulties that available elsewhere. Hampshire County the country's economic situation is Council Arts & Museums Service generating. requested £1,000 for a woolly mammoth interactive display. The A request from the GA Guides Editor Committee offered a grant of £434 for for £2,662 for printing the new display cases for mammoth fossils. Barcelona Guide was referred to Ravensbourne Geological Society was Council for its October meeting. awarded a grant of £150 for printing a Council declined to fund the application geotrail leaflet which is due to be of charge, but postage is payable, from the general fund and referred the launched at the GA Festival of Geology. dependent on number of copies application back to the Curry Fund for Its Green Chain Walk leaflet is required. There is also a PDF version its December meeting. Tegg's Nose produced in conjunction with the available on the web sites of the GA Country Park in Cheshire, requested London Geodiversity Partnership. and Scottish Natural Heritage £1,500 towards the cost of trail Susan Brown requested, on behalf of plaques and printing costs of a geology the Geologists' Association, a grant of We do look forward to applications trail leaflets around the park. The £745 towards the cost of printing an from you. Our schedule of meetings for Committee was minded to offer a updated version of the GA's leaflet A 2012 is as follows: March, June, grant, pending submission of further Code of Conduct for Rock Coring . This September and December. Applications information. A decision was deferred to was agreed and the leaflet will also be must be submitted by the 20th of the the December meeting. A request from launched at the Festival of Geology on month preceding each of the four GeoSuffolk for a grant of £1,500 5th November at UCL. And finally, the meetings. towards the cost of publishing its 10th recently refurbished Peterborough Anniversary Volume of Geology in Museum & Art Gallery was awarded a Susan Brown Suffolk was refused, because the grant of £2,967 for conservation of publication is to be sold. However an Pachycostasaurus dawnii which will be Curry Fund Secretary interest free loan of £1,500 was on display in the new gallery in due offered which would be repayable course. within two years. Unfortunately the group was unable to accept the offer of Copies of the GA's new leaflet A a loan. The Brixworth Archaeological Code of Conduct for Rock Coring are Trust requested a grant of £3,670 for now available from the GA office free

Curry Fund MSc prize

At the Festival of Geology the President presented the Curry MSc prize to one of the two winners, Stuart Archer, whose (Cardiff Uni) dissertation was entitled 'Stability assessment of Lower Carboniferous Limestone using field data and finite elements modelling: a case study from the Avon Gorge, Bristol'. Stuart's family were present. The other winner was Bristol student Maria Janebo, whose dissertation was on 'Quartz Resorption as a Geospeedometer in Peralkaline Rhyolite'. She was in Hawaii (appropriately enough for an igneous specialist) and so could not attend. Sarah can perhaps supply the titles of the two degree programmes, which might be worth The President David Bridgland presents the adding. Curry Fund MSc Award

Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 13 PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE for field meetings is provided CIRCULAR No. 989 December 2011 but personal accident cover remains the responsibility of the participant. Further details are available on request from the GA PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION FOR FIELD office. MEETINGS SAFETY IS TAKEN VERY SERIOUSLY. SHOULD YOU BE ENQUIRIES & BOOKINGS Geoff Swann organises day and UNSURE ABOUT EITHER THE RISKS INVOLVED OR YOUR weekend meetings in the UK. Michael Ridd is responsible for ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE, YOU MUST SEEK ADVICE FROM overseas and longer excursions. Sarah Stafford at the GA office THE GA OFFICE BEFORE BOOKING. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT is responsible for bookings, payments and general administration. YOU STUDY THE RISK ASSESSMENT PREPARED FOR ALL GA FIELD MEETINGS AND THAT YOU HAVE ALL THE SAFETY You must book through the GA office to confirm attendance. EQUIPMENT SPECIFIED. YOU MUST DECLARE, AT THE TIME Please do not contact the field meeting leader directly. Meeting OF BOOKING, ANY DISABILITIES OR MEDICAL CONDITIONS times and locations will be confirmed on booking. These are not THAT MAY AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO ATTEND A FIELD normally advertised in advance, as there have been problems with MEETING SAFELY. YOU MAY BE ASKED TO PROVIDE members turning up without booking or paying and maximum FURTHER INFORMATION ON ANY PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ETC numbers being exceeded. Field meetings are open to non- THAT YOU MAY USE WHILST ATTENDING A FIELD members although attendance by non-members is subject to a £5 MEETING. IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ALL surcharge on top of the normal administration fee.Some meetings PARTICIPANTS, THE GA RESERVES THE RIGHT TO LIMIT OR may have restrictions on age (especially for under 16s) or be REFUSE ATTENDANCE AT FIELD MEETINGS. physically demanding. If you are uncertain, please ask. EMERGENCY CONTACT: if you are lost or late for the start of PAYMENTS for day and weekend meetings must be made before a meeting, an emergency contact is available during UK field attending any field meeting. Cheques should be made out to meetings by calling the GA mobile phone (07724 133290). Geologists 'Association Field Meetings. If making multiple PLEASE NOTE THIS NEW NUMBER. The mobile phone will only bookings, please enclose a separate cheque for each meeting be switched on just before and during field meetings. For routine unless you have first confirmed that there are places available. enquiries please call the GA office on the usual number. A stamped addressed envelope is appreciated. Please give a TRAVEL REGULATIONS are observed. The GA acts as a retail contact telephone number and, if possible, an email address and agent for ATOL holders in respect of air flights included in field provide the names of any other persons that you are including in meetings. All flights are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation your booking. PLEASE ALSO PROVIDE AN EMERGENCY Authority (see GA Circular No. 942, October 2000 for further CONTACT NAME AND TELEPHONE NUMBER AT THE TIME OF details). Field meetings of more than 24 hours duration or BOOKING. including accommodation are subject to the Package Travel Regulations 1992. The information provided does not constitute a There are separate arrangements for overseas meetings. brochure under these Regulations.

TRANSPORT is normally via private car unless otherwise advertised. If you are a rail traveller, it may be possible for the GA office to arrange for another member to provide a lift or collect you from the nearest railway station. This service cannot be guaranteed, but please ask before booking.

FIELD MEETINGS IN 2012 THE GEOLOGY OF DUNDRY HILL Cost & booking : Numbers may be limited. The Leader: Simon Carpenter GA will not be arranging accommodation but we We are hoping to arrange additional fossil Saturday 28th April 2012 will suggest the best area to stay in. If there is collecting opportunities during the year. There Dundry Hill is located south of Bristol and sufficient interest we will arrange a group may not be time to advertise these in the exposes rocks of Lower and Middle Jurassic dinner on the Saturday evening. Further details Circular so if you would like details when they age. Fossils are abundant and well preserved - will be available from Sarah Stafford at the GA particularly ammonites. Simon will lead a circular become available contact Sarah Stafford at the office. Register with Sarah sending an walk (3 - 4 miles long) taking in some of the most GA office. administration fee of £5 per person to confirm interesting geological sites (some SSSI's) your place. PLEASE ALSO REFER TO OUR WEB SITE including the remains of the former building stone quarries. Simon will bring examples of (http://www.geologistsassociation.org.uk) THE GEOLOGY OF EARLY MIDDLESEX Dundry Hill fossils with him for participants to FOR ANY CHANGES TO THE PROGRAMME CHURCHES AND FOR FINALISED DATES see - but it is also hoped that there will be Leader: Prof John Potter collecting opportunities for people to find their Saturday12th May 2012 THE CHALK OF THE SEAFORD AREA own.Pub lunch or sandwiches. This a full day excursion to a range of early Leader: Geoff Toye Equipment : Please bring appropriate clothing Middlesex churches particularly for the benefit Saturday 17th March 2012 and footwear. Footpaths can be muddy and of John's regular attendees. The limited range Another opportunity to examine the chalk uneven in places. of unusual building stones available for early Cost & booking exposed in the cliffs at Seaford. Ample : Numbers will be limited to builders in stone in the London Basin will be 25. Further details will be available from Sarah opportunities for fossil collecting. examined. We are hoping to arrange a coach Stafford at the GA office. Register with Sarah The trip will involve a walk along a pebble with at least two pick up points starting in sending an administration fee of £5 per person foreshore and return over the cliffs.Attendees central London. This will avoid problems with to confirm your place. should be sure they are capable of this walk. large numbers of cars. Equipment : Bring a hard hat and stout Equipment : Bring a quality lens and binoculars. THE CHALK OF THE SUSSEX COAST footwear as the trip will involve standing Leader: Rory Mortimore Packed or pub lunch. adjacent to high cliffs and walking along stony Saturday - Sunday April 2012 (date to be Cost & booking : Numbers may be limited beaches. Bring a packed lunch. confirmed) depending on whether coach travel is possible. Cost & booking: Further details will be This will be a weekend trip. Details have yet The attendance fee is also dependent on the available from Sarah Stafford at the GA office. to be confirmed. final arrangements. Further details will be Register with Sarah sending an administration Equipment : Hard hat and hi-vis jacket. available from Sarah Stafford at the GA fee of £5 per person to confirm your place. Appropriate clothing and footwear. office. 14 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 KETTON QUARRY dependent on which pits are working at the the Friday evening. Saturday and Sunday will Leader: Andrew Swift time. be spent in the field examining the succession Saturday 19th May 2012 Equipment : You must bring a hard hat, high in the Isle of Purbeck, which ranges in age The huge quarry at Ketton is a magnificent vis jacket and suitable footwear. Packed lunch. from the Upper Jurassic, through the and very important site, exposing the best and Attendees must be capable of dealing with the Cretaceous and into the Palaeocene; many of most complete sequence of Middle Jurassic conditions to be found in working quarries. the rocks are fossiliferous. The principal strata in central England. Indeed it is arguably Cost & booking : Further details will be structure of the area is a major monoclinal the finest inland site in the UK. Rocks from the available from Sarah Stafford at the GA fold which has caused local overturning of the Northampton Sand Formation to the Upper office. Register with Sarah sending an succession. The area is also famous for Jurassic Kellaways Formation are exposed; the administration fee of £5 per person to magnificent coastal scenery and its evolution, base of the Oxford Clay Formation may be confirm your place. whilst economically Purbeck is important as the exposed at the top of the sequence. The site of the largest onshore oilfield in western quarry was opened to exploit thick deposits of THE GEOLOGY OF MID WALES- Joint Europe. The new guide should be available Lincolnshire Limestone Formation, used for meeting with the South Wales GA Group before the trip. cement production. Certain levels are very Leaders: Jerry Davies (BGS) and Dick Equipment : Hard hats are essential but fossiliferous, particularly the Rutland Waters (National Museum of Wales) there is no requirement for high visibility Saturday 4th - Sunday 5th August 2012 Formation, the Blisworth Limestone Formation jackets. Please note that the trip will be quite The aim of this meeting is to see some of and the Cornbrash Formation.Andrew Swift is strenuous physically. There are steep climbs the results of the BGS mapping that has taken a Visiting Fellow at the Geology Department at from sea-level to some 130 m (425 ft), place in Mid Wales over the last 25 years. Leicester University and has wide experience together with steep descents that are likely to The trip will focus on the early Silurian in the quarry. be muddy. Beaches are often rough and (Llandovery), deep water basinal systems of Equipment : You must bring a hard hat, high traverses will involve boulder-hopping, the area between Rhayader and Aberystwyth. vis jacket and suitable footwear.Packed lunch. seaweed covered rocks and soft shingle. Boots The succession is dramatically displayed in the Attendees must be capable of dealing with the with good ankle support are strongly spectacular exposures of the Elan valley and conditions to be found in a working quarry. recommended. Good waterproof clothing may the dramatic wilderness country to the west. Cost & booking : Numbers will be strictly well be needed as the coast is exposed to Equipment : You must bring a hard hat, high limited to 20 (regrettably no children will be Atlantic weather.We hope to be in the vicinity vis jacket and suitable footwear.Packed/pub allowed). Further details will be available from of at least one hostelry each day for lunch. lunches. Attendees must be capable of walking Sarah Stafford at the GA office. Cost & booking : Numbers will be limited to on rough tracks and dealing with the conditions 25. Car sharing may be necessary. We will be to be found in working quarries. COTSWOLD COACH TRIP based in Wareham which has a mainline railway Cost & booking : Numbers will be limited to Leader: Mike Howgate station and is well equipped with hotels, pubs Saturday 2nd June 2012 30. Car sharing will be necessary. The trip will with accommodation and B&Bs. Please note the This meeting has been arranged in response be run from Rhayader, where there is a wide GA will not be arranging accommodation. If to requests from members for coach trips range of B and Bs, pubs and hotels. Please note there is sufficient interest we will a group "like the GA used to run". Details are yet to be the GA will not be arranging accommodation. If dinner on the Saturday night. Further details confirmed but we hope to visit at least one there is sufficient interest we will arrange an will be available from Sarah Stafford at the working quarry and a Stonesfield Slate mine. introductory talk in Rhayader on the Friday GA office. Register with Sarah sending an There will be at least two pick up points , one night and a group dinner on the Saturday night. administration fee of £10 per person to in central London and one en route. Further details will be available from Sarah confirm your place. Equipment: You must bring a hard hat, high Stafford at the GA office. Register with vis jacket and suitable footwear.Packed lunch. Sarah sending an administration fee of £10 FOSSILFEST VIII Attendees must be capable of dealing with the per person to confirm your place. Leader: Neville Hollingworth conditions to be found in a working quarry and Saturday October/November 2012 (date to in underground workings. HOLBROOK BAY, HARKSTEAD, SUFFOLK be confirmed) Cost & booking :The attendance fee is Leaders: Graham Ward and Bill George Location(s) have still to be decided but dependent on the final arrangements. Further Saturday 15th September 2012 plenty of fossils can be expected. Attendees details will be available from Sarah Stafford The foreshore here is a wave-cut platform will need to be sure they can safely cope with at the GA office. in the lower part of the London Clay (Harwich the conditions to be found in working quarries. Formation) and yields sharks' teeth, teleost Equipment : You must have a hard hat, hi vis BYTHAM 3 - THE LOWER REACHES bones and the occasional Phyllodus palate. vest and suitable footwear. Leaders: Jim Rose and David Bridgland Articulated skeletons of mammoths/elephants Cost & booking: Numbers will be limited to Saturday - Sunday June 2012 (date to be have also been found in an Oxygen Isotope 25. Register with Sarah Stafford at the GA confirmed) Stage 7 interglacial channel deposit in the office sending an administration fee of £5 to This meeting follows on from our two foreshore. Palaeolithic artefacts have been confirm your place. previous visits to exposures of the sediments found on the foreshore, washed out of of the Bytham river. This time we move overlying Stour terrace gravels derived from eastwards to examine the lower reaches of the older interglacial deposits. OVERSEAS TRIPS 2012 Bytham. Details are yet to be confirmed but Equipment : Wear suitable footwear.Packed we hope to travel by minibus starting near lunch. Attendees must be capable of walking on GEOLOGY OF THE BORDELAIS Kings Lynn with an overnight stay in the rough tracks and a muddy foreshore. March 10-14 Bury/Diss area. Cost & booking : Numbers will be limited to Leaders: Jean-Pierre Tastet of the Equipment : You must bring a hard hat, high 25. Further details will be available from University of Bordeaux and Dr Graham Evans of Imperial College vis jacket and suitable footwear. Attendees Sarah Stafford at the GA office. Register This proposed trip has the full title 'Geology must be capable of dealing with the conditions with Sarah sending an administration fee of of the Bordelais: the control on the siting of to be found in working quarries. £5 per person to confirm your place. Cost & booking : Numbers and the vineyards and the character of the coastal attendance fee are dependent on the final ISLE OF PURBECK zone'. The geology of various AOC arrangements. Further details will be available Leader: Prof John C.W. Cope (National (Appelations) vineyards will be demonstrated from Sarah Stafford at the GA office. Museum of Wales) and illustrated by wine-tastings in the Friday 28th -Sunday 30th September 2012 different chateaux. Also, the evidence of the WEALDEN EXCURSION This meeting is arranged to coincide with evolution of the coastline during the last 6000 Leaders: Peter Austen et al the publication of Prof Cope's revised GA years and the impact of man will be examined Saturday July 2012(date to be confirmed) Dorset guide. It will begin with an introductory by visits to the coastal dune systems, especially Details are yet to be confirmed and will be talk, probably in Wareham Public Library, on the Dune du Pilat, the Lac de Sanguinet, the Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 15 Bassind'Arcachon and the Gironde estuary Participants will make their own way to the CANADIAN ROCKIES marshes. Visits to some local museums will hotel accommodation in Barcelona. Competitive June 14- July9 Leaders:Prof. Dick Moody with assistance provide opportunities to understand the history online air fares to El Prat airport (BCN) from local Canadian geologists . of human occupation of the area during the currently include those offered by Easyjet Across the Canadian Rockies - From Holocene. (direct flights from London, Liverpool, and Vancouver to Drumheller The excursion is planned for, and the Bristol) and are cheapest if booked early. 21/06/12. Fly to Vancouver provisional programme is: Arrival will be on the Tuesday evening, and 22/06/12. Vancouver - Vancouver Island · Arrive Bordeaux; each participant must departure can be from Friday evening onwards. 23/06/12. Vancouver Island. Geology of make their own travel arrangements to and Cost will be £380/night/person in 4-star hotel Nanaimo and Victoria area. from Bordeaux. accommodation (3 nights, sharing twin room) 24/06/12. Vancouver Island. The geology of · The Medoc AOC. Night in Pauillac. including food and accommodation from the Beaufort Range and the Pacific Rim · The Gironde marshes and the ocean coast - Tuesday evening until Friday lunch (inclusive), 25/06/12. Return Vancouver and local geology 6000 years of evolution. Soulac Museum. and local travel. This price does not include of Coastal Belt. Night in Bordeaux. airfare and transport from airport to hotel. 26/06/12. Vanvouver to Whistler - Geology of · Saint Emillion vineyards and medieval city Route 99 The number of participants will be limited to classified as a UNESCO World Heritage 27/06/12. Glaciology, mass wasting and geology 24. Please contact Sarah Stafford with Site. Night in Bordeaux. of local area. contact telephone number and email to · The coastal dunes and lakes. Sanguinet 28/06/12. Whistler to Lilooet on Route 99. register interest. Museum. Night in Bordeaux. Historical Town (Jade and Gold Mining) · The Graves and Bordeaux AOCs, famous for 29/06/12. Lilooet to Kamloops on Route 99 - VISIT ALL FIVE ACTIVE ITALIAN the sweet wines, Sauternes, Barsac and Regional Geology. VOLCANOES! Croix du Mont. Night in Bordeaux. 30/06/12. Kamloops April 11 April to April 25 01/07/12. Kamloops Transport will be by coach, and the Leaders: Dr Paul Olver and Dr Derek Rust 02/07/12. Field. Regional geology - optional approximate maximum cost will be 600 Euros, The party will be initially meeting in Naples Visit to Walcott Quarry to include 6 nights hotel accommodation (extra where the group will be staying in Sorrento as 03/07/12. Lake Louise to Canmore. Castle Mtn, for single occupancy), breakfasts, and lunches a base for a visit to Vesuvius, including the Mt Gondola, Sulphur Mtn and Front Ranges with Bordeaux wines. A geological tour of the Volcanological Observatory and various key 04/07/12. Geology of Grassy Lakes Devonian city of Bordeaux and its building stones will be exposures, and to the site of Pompeii Reef, Kananaskislakes ,Mt Allen syncline and included. The leaders are Jean-Pierre Tastet destroyed by the AD 79 eruption. The tour will Mt Kidd fold and McConnell thrust of the University of Bordeaux and Dr Graham also visit active Solfatara and the Phlegraean 05/07/12. Fracture sets at Seebe Dam, Black Evans of Imperial College London. Interested Bear Hill viewpoint, the Alberta triangle zone Fields including Cuma and the Lake Averno members should contact Sarah at the Office. and the foothills of the Cochrane and Wildcat area. Our final day in the Naples area will take Hills area,Cochrane Hill overview. us out to the beautiful volcanic island of Ischia THE URBAN GEOLOGY OF BARCELONA: 06/07/12. Galgary to National Museum at March 27-30 which last erupted in 1302. Drumheller. Local geology and a behind the Leaders: Wes Gibbons, Teresa Moreno The party will then transfer by coach to scenes visit (CSIC), Peter Burgess (RHBNC). Sicily and a hotel in picturesque Taormina. 08/07/12. Regional geology and the Dinosaur This visit to study the urban geology of From here the older lavas of the early Etna in Provincial Park. Barcelona is planned as a mid-week short Palagonia and Acicastello will be studied 09/07/12. Depart from Brooks - to Calgary and citybreak-style fieldtrip, using public transport alongside a full day's visit to Etna itself led by London. to visit localities of geological interest within staff from the University of Catania which will Estimated costs : £3200 the metropolitan area. There will be a focus on the neotectonics and recent eruptions Inclusive: Flights from London to Vancouver considerable amount of walking involved as we of this shield volcano. return from Calgary. Ferry from Vancouver (Tsawassen) to Nanaimo traverse from the Palaeozoic metamorphic and After transfer to Milazzo the party will Coach Hire igneous basement exposed in the hills behind travel by hydrofoil to the island of Lipari, our Accommodation based on two people per the city to the Cenozoic sediments cropping out base for the study of the Aeolian Islands. room. Single occupancy extra. close to the coastline. More specifically, in Outcrops on Lipari itself including early addition to providing an overview of the Optional local tours and entrance charges rhyodacites, rhyolitic domes and the famous may add to costs geotectonic setting of Barcelona and the NE Lipari Obsidian will be studied on our arrival. Mediterranean area, we shall visit (1) exposures Full day visits are then planned to both FIELD MEETING IN TURKEY of regionally metamorphosed Lower Palaeozoic Vulcano, the home of the Roman God of Fire Provisional date: September rocks converted into contact-altered and the 'original' volcano, and to Stromboli Leaders: Dr Rob Westaway (The Open hornfelsiclithologies adjacent to a Permian University) and Dr David Bridgland (Durham which uniquely shows almost continuous granodiorite and associated sill-dyke complex University) volcanic activity. We shall then return to (Day 1: Wednesday 28), (2) a sequence of Local guides: Professor Ali Seyrek and Dr Naples via Palermo and ferry boat prior to undeformed marine sediments of Serravillian Tuncer Demir (Harran University, Turkey) visiting Herculaneum and spending a final two age which have provided most of the building The field meeting will take place in central- days in Rome for some welcome relaxation stone from which Medieval Barcelona was built southern and southeastern Turkey, starting and finishing at Antakya (the ancient city of (Day 2: Thursday 29), and (3) a series of from all things volcanic! Antioch) on the NE corner of the intensely faulted sediments of Siluro-Devonian, It is hoped that the costs of all Mediterranean Sea. It is planned to be an 8- Carboniferous and Triassic ages which form the accommodation, entrance fees and transport day meeting, staying at hotels in Antakya, group of hills known as Les Turons and provide within Italy will be kept to just under £2000- Osmaniye, Gölbasi, Sanliurfa and Diyarbakir. 00 per person. Single room accommodation will abundant exposures in Gaudí's famous Park Osmaniye, The party will be limited to 24 be available and also the option of joining the Güell (Day 3: Friday 30). The visit to Montjuic members and will travel in minibuses. The field tour by train rather than by direct flight to will also include a walking tour of the old city, meeting will cover Quaternary fluvial with much of historical and cultural interest Naples. sequences, active faulting, folding and (Roman ruins, Medieval churches, museums and Interested members are asked to notify landscape development, Neogene and parks). An underlying theme of the fieldcourse Sarah at the office. For more details please Quaternary volcanism, and bedrock geology, will be how geology, archaeology and history contact Paul Olver on 01432 761693 or email: and will also provide an opportunity to visit key interlink within this intensely urbanised terrain. paulolver @ hotmail.com archaeological and historical sites. 16 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 Estimated cost per participant (subject to the Thames Valley-Dr David R. Bridgland - Cymdeithas Daeaereg Gogledd Cymru: North possible exchange rate fluctuations and April 16 A Lot of Hot Air: volcanic eruptions Wales Geology subject to specific price quotations for and their climate impacts- Dr Marie Edmonds - Contact Jonathan Wilkins 01492 583052 Email minibus hire and accommodation): £700. This Department of Earth Sciences, University of [email protected] www.ampyx.org.uk/cdgc will include transport, all meals, admission fees Cambridge Cymdeithas Y Daearegwyr Grwp De Cymru - to archaeological sites, and overnight Contact -Ken Rolfe on 01480 496973, South Wales Group accommodation for the night preceding the mobile 07777 678685. December 17 Doug Bassett Memorial Lecture: start of the trip and nights 1-8 inclusive. www.cambridgeshiregeologyclub.org.uk Adam to Douglas: a geohistorical journey through North Wales - Mike Bassett. Participants will be required to arrange their Dorset Local Group January 14 Holiday Geology - Natural Museum own return travel from the UK to Antakya and Contact Doreen Smith 01300 320811. Cardiff. to pay for their own visas (UK passport holders Email: [email protected] January 28 Cool Britannia: from Milankovich can buy these on arrival in Turkey). A return www.dorsetgeologistsassociation.com wobbles to Ice Age - Jonathan Lee. ticket from a British airport to Hatay Airport Farnham Geological Society (the airport for Antakya) via Turkish Airlines February 18 Wine, wisky and beer: the role of December 9 Geology of the London Basin - can at present be bought for less than £350 if geology - Alex Maltman. Dr Michael de Freitas. purchased well in advance. March 17 AGM and Presidential Address: January 13 AGM followed by a lecture on the Those interested in participating in this trip Where plates meet: Danger and Delight - Geology of China - Roger Lloyd - FGS should contact Sarah at the GA office. Malcolm Shaw. February 10 European Exploration of Mars - Contact Lynda Garfield at VIENNA AND THE NATURHISTORISCHES Dr Andrew Coates. [email protected] MUSEUM Field Trip Contact - Dr Graham Williams West of England 27th - 31st October 2012 tel:01483 573802 Email December 6 Seismic Faults and Sacred Leader: Dr Mathias Harzhauser, Director of [email protected] Sancturies - Prof Iain Stewart (Horstmann Geology & Palaeontology www:farnhamgeosoc.org.uk Contact - Mrs Lecture) We continue our series of 'behind the Shirley Stephens tel: 01252 680215 January 17 3 Research Students Various scenes' tours of international standard Harrow & Hillingdon Geological Society topics Bristol University geological museums arranged by Alan Lord, December 14 The Karst region of Yangshou, February 7 Compton Martin Carboniferous Roger Dixon and David & Anne Bone. This year China - Roger Lloyd. fauna helps us re-think the marine fossil we will be visiting the Naturhistorisches Email: [email protected] Field trip record - Prof Paul Wright Museum, Wien (Vienna). information Allan Wheeler 01344 455451. March 13 Medical origins of the Geological Travelling to Vienna on Saturday 27th www.hhgs.org.uk Society - Cherry Lewis October, the programme includes free time Kent Geologists Group Contact Allan Insole email: and optional guided city walk on Sunday, Contact Indoor Secretary Mrs Ann Barrett [email protected] museum tour and behind the scenes (www.nmh- Tel: 01233 623126 email: www.wega.org.uk wien.ac.at) on Monday, coach tour including [email protected] West Sussex Geological Society the nearby recommended 'geotainpark' Contact information www.kgg.org.uk December 16 Members Xmas Meeting. (www.fossilienwelt.at) on Tuesday, return home The Kirkaldy Society (Alumni of Queen Mary January 20 Zeolites and other minerals in on Wednesday 31st October. College ) Ireland - Dr Norman Moles. Cost & booking : Please make and pay for April 13 Annual Dinner in London. February 17 AGM. your own travel arrangements to Vienna. Cost October AGMand Alumni day at QMC. March 16 The Landscape of Mars - Dr Sanjeev is £206 per person (twin or double sharing) Contact Mike Howgate 0208882 2606 or Gupta. and £312 (single), excluding flights. The price email:[email protected] or March 18 The Seven Sisters - Rory Mortimore. includes 4 nights hotel bed & breakfast, [email protected]. Contact Betty Steel 01903 209140 leaders' expenses, coach hire, entrance fees Lancashire Email: [email protected] and administration. Contact Acting Secretary Jennifer Rhodes Registration closing date is 6th April 2012 AFFILIATED SOCIETIES with full payment by 1st May 2012. Further 01204 811203 Email:[email protected]. Amateur Geological Society details from David Bone at Mole Valley Geological Society December 13 Organic Matter, Meteriorites [email protected] (preferred) or by post December 8 or 15 Soiree with Members. and life in the Solar System - Dr Richard at 4 Kensington Road, Chichester, West Lecturettes and mince pies Matthewman. Sussex PO19 7XR; a non-refundable deposit of .January 12. Fracking shale gas: What on Earth January 10 AGM and New Year Party. £50 by cheque payable to the Geologists' is that all about? - Dick Selley, Imperial February 14 tbc. Association will be required to confirm your College. Contact Julia Daniels 020 8346 1056. or Dave booking. These trips are popular and numbers February 9. Members evening with micro- Greenwood [email protected] , field trips: will be limited so book early. lecturettes. [email protected] www.radix.demon.co.uk/dendron/mvgs/ Email: Bath Geological Society Chas Cowie: [email protected] GEOLOGISTS' ASSOCIATION December 1 World Heritage Volcanoes: the North Staffordshire Group LOCAL GROUPS best of the best? - Dr Chris Wood, School of Contact for details Eileen Fraser 01260 Amateur Geological Society Conservation Sciences, Bournemouth 271505 Contact Field trips: Gerard Ford December 13 Organic Matter, meteorites, and University 01630 673409. life in the Solar System - Prof. Mark Sephton. February 2 Annual General Meeting followed Oxford Geology Group January 10 AGM and New Year Party. by Testing macroevolutionary patterns in the February 14 tba. www.oxgg.org.uk.htm. or call programme fossil record - Contact Meetings: Julia Daniels 020 8346 secretary 01865 272960. Dr Matthew Wills. 1056; Dave Greenwood [email protected] Ravensbourne Geological Society March 1 In the shadows and over the heads of Field trips: [email protected] December 13 Christmas festivities and the Isle of Wight dinosaurs -Dr. Steven Cambridgeshire Geology Club competitions. Sweetman. December 12 The Acadian Orogeny: what, January 10 Finding Oil - Steven Wells. April 5 Tidal circulation in ancient where, when and why - Dr Nigel Woodcock. February 14 Building Stones of London - epicontinental seas - Dr. Peter Allison, January 9 Naming names - does the Wendy Kirk. www.bathgeolsoc.org.uk Quaternary exist? - Prof. Philip Gibbard. March 13 London Earth - David Bailey. Belfast Geologists' Society February 13 Title:TBA -Dr FaustoFerraccioli - Contact Carole McCarthy Secretary: 020 8854 December 12 Robert Bell: Titanic Geologist - British Antarctic Survey 9138 email: [email protected] or Vernon Ken James. March 12 The Pleistocene Geology and Fauna of Marks: 020 8460 2354. January 16 Seventh Harold Wilson Memorial Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 17 Lecture, The Huronian Supergroup and the [email protected] more controversial topics, from late 18th C to Great Oxygenation Event - The great .uk/ the Postwar era. To register your interest, and oxygenation event - Prof. Blaz Kamber. The Dinosaur Society thereby receive a Registration Form in February 20 Faults, Dykes and lava flows: the www. Dinosaursociety.com. Contact: Prof November, please email the Conference Palaeogene structure of Northern Ireland - Richard [email protected] Organiser, Anthony Brook, on Hugh Anderson. Dorset Natural History & Archaeology [email protected], who would March 19 Flying Reptiles during the age of Society also love to hear from anyone who has a dinosaurs Dr Gareth Dyke. Contact Jenny Cripps email:jenny@dor- potential 25 minute talk in this area of Black Country Geological Society mus.demon.co.uk research. January 23 The geology and geoarchaeology of Earth Science Teachers Association Horsham Geological Field Club Jordan -Dr. John Powell, For membership contact: Mike Contact Mrs Gill Woodhatch 01403 250371 January 28 Field Meeting: Visit to Coln [email protected]. Tel 014804 Hull Geological Society Quarry and other Cotwolds quarries for a day 57068 Contact Mike Horne 01482 346784 of fossil hunting in the Oxford Clay and ESTA website www.esta-uk.net Email:[email protected] Pleistocene deposits - Neville Hollingsworth. East Herts Geology Club http://www.hullgeolsoc.org.uk February 20 The Geological Photo Archive of December 9 Christmas do Ware Museum The Jurassic Coast the Geologists' Association - Dr. Jonathan Friday. @ 7.30pm. Informal get together. Details are available on the web site at www. Larwood, Natural England, Peterborough. Slide shows, quizzes, displays, bring food and Jurassiccoast.com. March 19 The Permafrost - Dr. Richard Waller, drink to share. Leicester Literary & Philosophical Society Keele University. January 17 AGM at Ware Museum Tuesday at (Geology) For information contact Barbara Russell 01902 7.30pm Check website for venue or contact December 14 Christmas meeting . 650168. www.bcgs.info Diana Perkins 01920 463755. January 11 How Darwinopterus from the Brighton & Hove Geological Society www.ehgc.org.uk email: [email protected] Jurassic Tiaojishan Formation of North-East Contact John Cooper 01273 292780 email: Visitors most welcome - £2 China has transformed our view of pterosaurs [email protected] East Midlands Geological Society - Dr David Unwin (Department of Museum Bristol Naturalists' Society December 10 Great stratigraphicalmyths - Studies, University of Leicester). Frank, Mrs T Contact 01373 474086 Robin " Bill" Baley. and Xiao D Email: [email protected] January 14 The Devensian glaciation of North January 25 Towards an alternative nuclear Carn Brea Mining Society - East England - Tony Cooper. future? - Professor Robert Cywinski (School of December 6 Members Medley . February 11 Australia's Mineral Wealth - Tim Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield). January 17 Tinners Way' by Paul Bonnington Colman. February 8 Bivalves versus Brachiopods - Dr February 21 ‘Cornish Mining Landscapes March 10 New Zealand's Earth Quake - Ian Joe Angseeing (Gloucester).. Worldwide' by Barry Gamble. Sutton. February 22 Members Evening, New Walk March tbc Society Annual Dinner. To be www.erms.org Museum, Leicester. arranged Essex Rock and Mineral Society March 7 A view of quarrying in the East March 20 The Great Flat Lode and Three December 13 Annual Social. Midlands Ian Brown (Lafarge Aggregates). Dimensional Model of South Crofty' January 10 The Ice Age of East Anglia - Dr March 17 Annual Saturday Seminar, University - Dr Keith Russ. Provisional subject to be Peter Allen. of Leicester. Geodetectives: solving Earth's confirmed. February 14 Oil - Ros Smith. mysteries. Contact Lincoln James 01326 311420 February 18 Annual Gem and Mineral Show at March 21 Annual General Meeting and Further details Collier Row. Chairman's Address by Mark Evans (New Walk www.carnbreaminingsociety.co.uk March 13 Fossils as Drugs: Pharmaceutical Museum, Leicester). Cheltenham Mineral and Geological Society Palaeontology. Contact Joanne Norris 0116 283 3127 For more information on lectures contact Ann April 10 Unusual Microfossils - Dr Adrian Email:[email protected]. Kent 01452 610375 Rundle. www.Charnia.org.uk For more information on Field trips contact Contact Graham Ward 01277 218473 or see Leeds Geological Association Kath Vickers 01453 827007. www.erms.org December 8 Annual General Meeting and Craven & Pendle Geological Society Friends of the Sedgwick Museum, Cambridge Conversazione. January 13 Life and death at high latitudes, Contact: Dr Peter Friend 01223-333400. January 26 Glaciers, Volcanoes and Outburst marine biodiversity, environmental change and Geological Society of Glasgow Floods : examples from Antarctica and extinction on in latest Cretaceous Antarctica - Contact Dr Iain Allison email: Greenland - Dr Jonathan Carrivick. James Witts [email protected] February 23 Presentations by students from February 10 Death in a cold climate: Permian Geological Society of Norfolk Department of Earth and Environment, Leeds extinctions in Svalbad - Professor Paul Wignall. January 19 Forensic Geology - Dr Haydon University March 9 Meteorites, Stardust and the Early Bailey. All meetings at 7:15 pm ; for detailed Solar System- Professor Jamie Gilmore February 16 Cannibalism in Palaeolithic Britain directions to the venue within the Leeds More information: http://www.cpgs.org.uk/ - Dr Silvia Bello. Contact University Campus visit www.leedsga.org.uk Cumberland Geological Society Email:[email protected] or Visitors welcome; tea and biscuits. December 7 Members evening, Keswick. Peter Hoare [email protected] Details : Judith Dawson 0113 2781060 or January 25 Relative sea-level changes and the Hastings and District Geological Society leedsga.org coastal evolution to the Solway Firth and December 11 AGM and Christmas party. Liverpool Geological Society Cumbrian Coast - Dr Jerry Lloyd. Contact email: [email protected] Contact: Joe Crossley: 0151 426 1324 or email February 22 AGM followed by Lakeland www.hastingsgeolsoc.btik.com [email protected]. Musical Stones - Keswick Hertfordshire Geological Society Manchester Geological Association For details on the activities of the www.hertsgeolsoc.ology.org.uk December 10 - To be confirmed Cumberland Geological Society Contact Linda Hamling 01279 423815. January 14 The Fossil Hunters Mary Anning www.cumberland-geol-soc.org.uk/ HOGG (History of Geology Group of the (1799-1847) and Thomas Hawkins (1810-1889): The Devonshire Association (Geology Geological Society) two very different 'monster' fossil hunters - Section) March 20 2012 Tuesday Open Meeting: at Professor Hugh Torrens, University of Keele, January 14 AGM, at The Museum, Babbacombe Burlington House, Piccadilly. James Powrie - Bob Davidson, University of Road, Torquay. Followed by a lecture "The Exciting array of presentations during the day, Aberdeen Better Kinds of Building Stone from the West including 'Old 4 Legs: Scientists, Coelancanths James Frederick Jackson (1894-1966): Boy Country", by Dr Mike Barr. and Controversies' and 'The Anthropocene: Genius and Extraordinary Geologist - Contact Jenny Bennett01647 24033 email the Current Geological Period??', and many Dr. Cindy Howells, National Museum of Wales 18 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 February 15 AGM followed by Presidential rock geohazards - and the inspiration for Alice Nudds, Manchester University Address - Dr. Tony Adams, University of in Wonderland - Dr Tony Cooper, British Contact Brian Kettle email: Manchester Geological Survey [email protected] March 7 Joint Meeting with the Geographical March 14 Mineralization in the Triassic rocks The Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club Association, 6.30 pm in the Cheshire Basin, mainly at Alderley Edge, January 14 British Armorial Bookplates of the Natural Hazards in the Caribbean: Causes and but with a little about occurrences nearer 18th and 19th centuries with some local Impacts - Dr. Servel Miller, Shrewsbury, around Clive - Geoff Warrington examples. Paul Latcham Contact email: Sue Plumb, 0161 427 5835 www.shropshiregeology.org.uk Febuary 4 The application of digital techniques email [email protected] . Sidcup Lapidary and Mineral Society and aerial photography to the study of All meetings in the Williamson Building, Meets every Monday evening at Sidcup Arts landscape history. David Lovelace University of Manchester. Centre. March 3 Thomas Leeming and the chess gents www.mangeolassoc.org.uk www.sidcuplapminsoc.org.uk of Hereford - a bi-centenary. Martin Smith Mid Wales Geology Club Contact Audrey Tampling 020 8303 9610 and Richard Tillett www.midwalesgeology.org.uk Email: [email protected]. March 24 Spring Annual Meeting: Presidential Contact Bill Bagley 01686 412679. Southampton Mineral and Fossil Society Address John C. Eisel Newbury Geological Study Group December 20 "The Recenseo of Recenseo's", Contact Sue Hay on 01432 357138 or Field Meetings season runs from October to in this our 40th year Gary Morse gives a svh.gabbros@btinternet .com July. Normally meets on the third Sunday of humorous review of the SMFS lifetime and ten Yorkshire Geological Society the month. Details www.ngsg.org.uk or years of the Recenseo. December 3 AGM and Presidential Address. Mike & Helen 01635 42190 Contact: Gary Morse, 01489 787300 Email: Contact Trevor Morse 01833 638893 Norfolk Mineral & Lapidary Society [email protected] www.yorksgeolsoc.org.uk Meetings at St Georges Church Hall, Web site: Churchfield Green, Norwich. 19.30hrs every http://members.lycos.co.uk/SMFS/smfsshow. first Tuesday of the Month except August. htm [email protected] Contact Gary Morse 01489 787300. Foundations of the Northern Pennines: North Eastern Geological Society Stamford and District Geological Society Rookhope - 50 Years on. December 16 The Lusi mud volcano disaster, December 14 Geological Wanderings in W. Joint meeting of the Natural History Indonesia: Why and what next? - Prof. Richard Egypt - Michael Alan Society of Northumbria, the Yorkshire Davies, Univ. Durham: NB: Editor's remarks, this is our Christmas Geological Society and Friends of Killhope. January 28 2-5pm Great Northern Museum January 20 Dr. Lisa Baldini, Univ. Durham: to meeting. Please bring the appropriate fare to Hancock. be announced share following the evening talk. February 17 The last glacial cycle in lowland January 11 Oxford Clay - The Clay That Burns List of Guest Speakers & Titles England - Prof. Philip Gibbard. - Cliff Nicklin March -16 Shetland; the evolution of geology, Febuary 8 Prof. Mike Petterson Leics. Prof Jon Gluyas (Durham) 'Carbon dioxide: language and people - Dr. Mike Norry, Univ. University Nuclear Disposal and Borrowdale Leicester Volcanic Group friend or foe? - Storage, sequestration and www.northeast-geolsoc.50megs.com Contact: Bill Learoyd on 01780 752915 email: utilisation'. [email protected]: 0191 [email protected], [email protected]; Dr Bryan Lovell (Cambridge) 'A pulse in the 261 1494 Ussher Society planet: hot blobs in the mantle and yo-yo www.dur.ac.uk/g.r.foulger/NEGS.html Contact Clive Nicholas 01392 271761. tectonics'. Open University Geological Society Warwickshire Geological Conservation Group Prof John McCloskey (Ulster) 'Evolution of Events - listed on http://ougs.org, or contact December 21 Christmas Social and members stress on the Sundamegathrust, West Christine Arkwright [email protected] 01772 presentations. Venue: Senior Citizens Club, Sumatra: Implications for future earthquakes 335316 Southbank Road, Kenilworth; 7.30pm and tsunamis'. Membership - contact Stuart Bull January 18 A Mathematician looks at Geology Dr Clive Oppenheimer (Cambridge) 'Mount [email protected] 01244 676865 and Landscape - Professor Ian Stewart Venue: Erebus: an exceptional volcano laboratory in Reading Geological Society Senior Citizens Club, Southbank Road, Antarctica'. Hilary Jensen, General Secretary - for more Kenilworth;7.30 pm Dr Richard Shaw (British Geological Survey) details and general informationtel: 0118 984 February 15 The Ancient Human Occupation of 'The disposal of radioactive waste - a 1600 Britain -Professor Chris Stringer. Venue: The geological perspective'. email: [email protected] Studio, Royal Spa Centre, Newbold Terrace, Dr Jan Zalasiewicz (Leicester) 'Exploring the Contact David Ward - for field trips 01344 Leamington Spa. Anthropocene'. 483563 March 21 The Mineralogy of Scotland: a personal view - Roy Starkey, Venue: Senior Royal Geological Society of Cornwall The Herdman Society is the undergraduate Citizens Club, Southbank Road, Kenilworth; February 22 Aspects of prehistoric society of the Earth and Ocean Sciences geologists- Dr Caradoc Peters. 7.30pm Department at Liverpool University; William March 21 Lode structures at Geevor mine - 18 April Coal Forests and Climate Change - Dr. Herdman was the founder and benefactor for Charles Smith. Howard Falcon-Lang Venue: to be advised. the original Department of Geology. April 18 Williams mineral collection at Tucson Contact Ian Fenwick 01926 512531 emails and Munich mineral shows - Courtenay V Smale. [email protected]. The full programme with abstracts, times, April 21 Williams mineral collection at www.wgcg.co.uk location of the Sherrington Lecture Theatre Caerhays castle - Courtenay V Smale Wessex Lapidary and Mineral Society and ticket charge will be circulated in Contact email: [email protected]. Contact Pat Maxwell 02380 891890 email: December. The charge to non-students will, 01209 860410. [email protected] The Russell Society Westmorland Geological Society subject to sponsorship, probably be ~£10, Email Frank [email protected] December 14 Members' Night and Jacob's which includes programme, buffet lunch, www.russellsoc.org Join. Note this is the second Wednesday of tea/coffee and wine reception. Persons Shropshire Geological Society December. interested in attending should contact Helen December 14 AGM and lecture on Yellowstone January 18 Latest news from the Icelandic Kokelaar, e-mail: [email protected] National Park - Mary Steer. volcano. Dr Dave McGarvie, The Open January 11 Impacts of the Volcanic Eruption in University. Iceland 2010 - Dr Andy Russell, Newcastle February 15 AGM starting at 7:45pm followed University by the Presidential Address. February 8 My House fell in a hole: soluble March 21 The Green River faunas. Dr John Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 19 The Geologists' Association Two-Day Meeting 2011 Geoconservation for Science and Society: an Agenda for the 21st Century 9-10th September 2011, Worcester

The future of geology in Britain (and, variety of indeed, the rest of the world) is an professions and the issue close to the heart of the GA. The crucial role of local geological community has long groups in many recognized that geodiversity and geoconservation geoconservation are crucial for the schemes. Colin's effective protection and management of talk was followed the natural environment, although their by a case study importance has been less urgently felt from the Chalk of by politicians and the general public. southern England This situation was summarized in the presented by Rory comprehensive review in Volume 122 of Mortimore , who the Proceedings (Prosser et al ., 2011) highlighted the and has also been highlighted in value of field publications with much broader exposures (such as readerships, such as New Scientist quarry faces) over (Ravilious, 2007) and through the more limited letters pages of the national press. borehole records. However, extraordinarily, geology and With fewer geomorphology were not mentioned (in operational chalk any context) in the recent Natural quarries and Environment White Paper (DEFRA, pressure to use Tim Badman speaking 2011). Given that this document is abandoned pits for intended as a basis for government waste disposal, the conservation value by the Quaternary Research policy over the next half-century, this is of important sites has never been Association, was provided by Jonathan a serious omission that demands careful higher. Last and Phil Harding , who introduced consideration by organizations such as the crucial linkages between geology the GA. Session 2: Geoconservation in the 21st and archaeology. In particular, they This was the backdrop for a thought- Century, challenges and opportunities explained the unique requirements of provoking two-day meeting in Chair: Prof. Danielle Schreve the Palaeolithic period when it comes to Worcester, the second what is hoped planning and conservation strategies. will become a series of annual GA Two keynote lectures were given The celebrated Lower Palaeolithic SSSI gatherings. The meeting both during this session. The first, at Cannoncourt Farm, Maidenhead, celebrated the wide-ranging sponsored by the British Society for Berkshire, was used as an example of a achievements in geoconservation to Geomorphology, was provided by Jim protected site that has been recently date and provided a forum to debate Rose , who highlighted the sensitivity of re-investigated due to concerns about how best to face an increasingly landscapes to change and the need to its future. uncertain future. understand geomorphology and The meeting, hosted by the University Quaternary and Holocene science to Session 3: Geoconservation and Society of Worcester, was split into a day of oral properly manage the present Earth Chair: Malcolm Hart and poster presentations, followed by a surface. one-day field workshop exploring local This was followed by a joint Despite the gloomy financial outlook, sites of geological interest. Many presentation by Murray Gray and John Drew Bennelick of the Heritage Lottery attendees arrived on Thursday evening Gordon who outlined the diminishing Fund provided a ray of sunshine by and gathered for an enjoyable informal profile of geology within various official outlining the current potential for meal in the town. Proceedings were government strategies and documents, attracting funding for geodiversity- officially initiated on Friday morning by a theme which was to recur throughout related projects. The HLF has allocated Professor David Green, Vice Chancellor the meeting. £4.5 billion to more than 30,000 of the University, who welcomed us The second keynote talk, sponsored projects since 1994 and has a budget of warmly to Worcester. The talks were £330 million for 2013. Hopefully his talk grouped into four themed sessions. provided inspiration to groups with new Lunch and coffee breaks took place in geoconservation projects in mind. an adjacent building where an David Bullock of the National Trust then impressive display of posters provided drew our attention to the importance of further talking points. public engagement and demonstrated the rather colourful area where geology Session 1: Geoconservation - collides with art, showing off a Achievements in the 20th Century spectacular knitted sea-urchin. Chair: Dr Paul Olver Martin Whiteley then offered a review of the origins, achievements and future The first talk was by Colin Prosser , role of the 50 or so local whose opening lecture summarized the geoconservation groups, which maintain nature of geodiversity and about 4,000 geological sites in Britain. geoconservation and their value to This talk brought into sharp focus the society. In particular, he emphasized practical aspects of maintaining sites of the importance of geology to a huge Jim Rose giving his keynote geological interest for use by the public keynote lecture and researchers, particularly the huge 20 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 interesting global perspective on what future policy. he termed 'earth heritage conservation'. Following the discussion, John Gordon Once again, the shift in purpose from and Eleanor Brown provided some purely scientific to community-led was closing remarks before the delegates an important aspect. In particular, he retired for a wine reception and final highlighted the success of the Global viewing of the poster presentations. A Geoparks initiative, which has pre-print version of the forthcoming demonstrated that geoconservation can Geological Conservation Review (GCR) be achieved on an international scale. of the marine Devonian, the first to be After a promising start, Stuart Monro's published as an issue of the talk was interrupted by the only Proceedings of the Geologists' technical problem to affect the meeting. Association, was presented to Neil Ellis The afternoon tea-break was quickly (former GCR Series Editor) in the brought forward and Stuart was able to absence of Brian Leveridge (the Guest give his talk at the start of the fourth Editor of the issue). The enjoyable session. He chose to highlight the fact conference dinner was held in the Old that the UK, the birthplace of modern Rectifying House in Worcester, where geology, is ideally placed to exploit both Eleanor Brown was presented with its richly diverse geological resource some flowers in recognition of her and long tradition of geological research superb organization of the day. to inspire the young and encourage conservation. David Bridgland speaking Session 4: 21st Century priorities for Those who attended the Field contribution of volunteers. Martin geoconservation Workshop were able to discuss further concluded that only those groups able Chair: John Powell to adapt to the rapidly changing situation would survive, particularly with Saturday 10th Having digested the large amount of ever-higher financial demands. information provided in the first three Graham Worton , curator of Dudley September: sessions, the fourth took the form of a Museum, provided a curatorial question-and-answer discussion, led by perspective against the current a panel comprising Cynthia Burek Field Workshop backdrop of increasing competition for (University of Chester), Andrew Wood declining sources of funding. It was (Natural England), David Bridgland the realities and practicalities of many surprising to learn that local authorities (University of Durham and GA of the issues raised in the conference at have no statutory duties to fund President) and Colin Prosser (Natural three sites of geological interest. museums or maintain sites of interest England), during which many of the Considering the volatility of the weather for the public and that goodwill is a themes from the earlier talks were in the days leading up to the meeting, major element of their continued chewed over in more detail. It was we were lucky to have warm, dry existence. Graham also emphasised commented on that there had been no conditions for our tour of Worcestershire the ageing population within the presentations by women, despite the and the Black Country and it was a geoconservation community and the involvement of many female geologists pleasure to spend a day looking at importance of engaging younger people in important research and some spectacular geology in the with geological projects, using the geoconservation projects. The scant company of other enthusiasts. Wren's Nest project as an example, mention of marine aspects of the Lickey Hills Country Park where crime and vandalism at this geological record was also discussed. Although the Lickey Hills are National Nature Reserve (see below) However, the main topic of debate technically within Worcestershire, they has decreased by 56%, demonstrating remained the omission of geology from have been maintained as a country park the powerful effect of full engagement the government White Paper; Andrew by Birmingham City Council since it was with local communities. As those who Wood was bullish in this regard, having gifted the land in 1888. Our first stop attended the field meeting can attest, far greater experience of the workings for discussion within the park was at the results are spectacular. Tim of government than most of us. His the Bilberry Hill viewpoint, from which Badman , director of the World Heritage comments were direct - perhaps the Birmingham was clearly visible some Programme IUCN, provided an geological community had not tried eleven miles away. Vandalism of older hard enough to information plaques at the viewpoint engage with the highlighted the need for continued work political process. with local communities. However, he Following the leafy paths further offered a ray of through the country park we next light in what might arrived at Barnt Green Road Quarry , otherwise have one of several defunct quarries that been a gloomy exploited the Ordovician Lickey conclusion to the Quartzite. The impressive exposure at conference day, Barnt Green (Figure 1) is the result of a namely that the major restoration project undertaken as White Paper is a part of the Community Earth Heritage rather vague Champions Project (funded by the document that Heritage Lottery Fund and Natural invites England through DEFRA's Aggregate interpretation; it is Levy Sustainability Fund). This work, now down to which has included extensive clearance organisations like of the site and the erection of the GA to make interpretation boards, has resulted in the case for superb views of the faulted and folded geology to be a Ordovician strata. The section is The Poster session central spruced-up at intervals thanks to the consideration for local fire brigade, who use the quarry Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 21 rippled beds. A recent collapse making it one of the most important highlighted the fragility of some of hibernaculums in Britain, the filling of our most important geological the mine was far from straightforward. strata, although laser scanning of An alternative roost had to be created the old surface has at least in a different part of the workings and preserved an image of what once the caves were filled with imported existed. oolitic limestone from Lincolnshire, A number of interpretative apparently the finest variety as far as additions to the NNR will have bats are concerned. been installed by the time this This was a memorable and thought- report is published, but were provoking meeting, thanks to the high unfortunately not quite ready in quality and heartfelt nature of the time for the GA trip. These contributions (both oral and poster), the include a 'time periscope', which inspirational geoconservation work on provides information on the display and the extremely professional stratigraphy at one of the manner in which it was organized and Fig1 - Section through the Ordovician Lickey quartzite sections, a representation of run. This was due primarily to the exposed at Barnt Green Road Quarry geological time on a series of efforts of Eleanor Brown and her team face for training purposes; in return, steps leading around the reserve (Colin Prosser and Jonathan Larwood of they spray the section with a high- and a large cast iron trilobite which will Natural England and David Bridgland, pressure hose which keeps soil from be set into the ground. All of these for the GA), supported by Sarah obscuring the strata. features have been carefully designed Stafford . Dudley Museum and Art Gallery not only to highlight points of geological A further intriguing connection interest but also to resonate with local between Worcester and Dudley is that communities. DEFRA (2011). The Natural Choice: until comparatively recently, Dudley and Finally, the group were shown the its surrounding district was an enclave impressive Seven Sisters Mine at the of Worcestershire within Staffordshire (many thanks to Richard Trounson for bringing this fact to my attention). Lunch was laid on at Dudley Museum, where Graham Worton continued to impress the group with his passion for local geology. After a brief introduction to the museum and its geological collections, complete with Led Zeppelin backing track, Graham outlined the ways in which the museum provides promotional and learning activities centred around geology, most notably the Dudley Rock and Fossil Fair, which Fig4 - Another view of the Seven Sisters, now attracts over 7000 visitors to the showing wire cages filled with limestone rubble museum over a single weekend. The group were given pin-badges of securing the value of nature. The Calymene blumenbachi , the famous Stationery Office, London. 'Dudley bug', and were given an hour or so to explore the galleries. There was Fig3 - Entrance to the now filled Seven Sisters Prosser, C.D., Bridgland, D.R., Brown, far too little time to appreciate Dudley Mine at the Wren's Nest E.J. & Larwood, J.G. (2011). Museum fully, and I recommend that Geoconservation for science and anyone passing through the West heart of the reserve (Figures 3 and 4). society: challenges and opportunities. Midlands makes the effort to stop and Sadly, due to a series of collapses, the Proceedings of the Geologists' appreciate it. mine has had to be filled and the Association, 122, 337-342. Wren's Nest NNR interior of this impressive structure can The final destination was the Wren's now only be appreciated from Ravilious, K. (2007). The fight to save Nest, the first National Nature Reserve photographs. However, since it had Earth's rocks. New Scientist , 2609, 42- to be recognized for its important solid also become a roost for ~10,000 bats, 43. geology; it was pipped at the post for the honour of being the very first Forthcoming UK National Ecosystem geological NNR by Piltdown, although Assessment (UK NEA) mentions geology some might argue that the un-masking as the basis for defining natural of the Piltdown forgery rather landscape boundaries. undermines its claim for such status (see Colin Prosser's article in the PGA - Tom White Vol 120, 79-88). The Wren's Nest (Figure 2) is one of two NNRs to lie, somewhat incongruously, within urban areas (the other being the celebrated Pleistocene site at Swanscombe, Kent). This feature of the site has proved one of the most important aspects of work with local communities. The coach was able to park in a newly-constructed car park at the northern end of the reserve. The group assembled at a viewing platform Fig2 - Members of the GA search for trilobites constructed in front of the famous at the Wren's Nest NNR

22 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 ROCKWATCH NEWS As ever for our budding geologists, manager at Ketton for permission to we've had a busy field season and also visit. Once again we had a huge group been involved with a number of public and it was good that we also had Geoff geology events. We had a superb Swan and Graham Bull to help. It was member only day at the Somerset an exceptionally hot day and with no Earth Science Centre with lovely real shade on site, we finished a little weather this time! The day is more earlier than planned, but there was no fully reported by Elizabeth Devon on shortage of fossil finds. A huge page 24. Thanks to Elizabeth and Gill nautilus was spotted by one young girl, Jurassic dioramas at Cardiff Odolphie for a most interesting day. and, with a few hefty swings of a huge And, thanks to David Bone, our young hammer, Geoff managed to extract it other groups with eye-catching Rockwatchers and their parents from its home! There were lots of displays and things to do and buy. Our became geo-detectives for a time on brachiopods, one or two echinoids and final public event of the year was the our recent visit to Mediaeval a range of bivalves found and Festival of Geology, reported fully on Chichester. David led a tour around the everyone was delighted with their other pages of the magazine. The cathedral and the city where finds. Discovery Room was a hive of activity youngsters spotted lots of fossils in the throughout the day. In addition to the building stones. The lack of good local things offered in Cardiff, Rockwatch building stone meant that supplies also had an extensive fossil handling came from far afield including recycled activity which was highly popular and a material from derelict buildings Eurypterid to make, which nicely including Roman and Mediaeval ruins. complemented the cast of the fossil The really keen-eyed spotted shark trackway of Hibberopterus from the teeth in the stones of the old walls, the Carboniferous. The making of the cast highlight of the walk, I think. After a was part funded by the Curry Fund and quick coffee and ice cream we all the replica trackway is housed in the drove to Bracklesham for a spot of Museum in St Andrew's. Also in the fossil collecting with hopes high for an Discovery Room, the Kent Geologists abundance of sharks' teeth waiting to Group ran a microfossil workshop and be found! We only found a few, but the UCL Museums and Collections had collected lots of wonderful Turitellas, lots of fossils for visitors to examine. some beautiful, but rather fragile The Rockwatch annual competition Cardita and loads of Nummulites, so it prize winners and their families had a was a very good day and we even marvellous winners' day ceremony at managed to have sunshine all day! the offices of the competition sponsor, Quite rare on our previous visits to this Large nautilus at Ketton Quarry Anglo American Foundation, in Carlton site! House Terrace in London. We had a marvellous day with Rory We've had a number of public events The day began with an excellent talk Mortimore exploring the Chalk of including the two day Rock and Fossil by Suzie Austen, an exploration Southern England around the Festival at Dudley, which coincided geologist with Anglo, on Diamonds and Eastbourne area. With essentially a full with the BGS Annual Open Day in Suzie even submitted a splendid day excursion, we walked along the Edinburgh. In Dudley we had a fossil cliff top from the west end of display where visitors could handle lots Eastbourne to Cow Gap and then along of specimens and learn about their the beach to Falling Sands, just east of formation and where they might find Beachy Head. En route we took note of similar ones. In Edinburgh, it was a landforms, cliff (in)stability and on the very busy day making dozens of fossil beach Rory explained the cliff replicas, much to the delight of sequences we could see. We had a visitors. At both events there was a picnic lunch on the beach and whilst constant stream of visitors that kept some continued to search for fossils, helpers very busy indeed. others enjoyed a wide ranging The weekend GeoFest in Cardiff in discussion with Rory. Lots of fossils late October, attracted more than a were found and everyone seemed thousand visitors over the 2 day delighted with their finds. period. The Rockwatch room, with the The final fieldtrip of the season was help of members of the South Wales to Ketton Quarry, near Stamford, led Group of the GA, provided a full range Suzie Austen’s painting to illustrate her talk by Bill Learoyd from Stamford & of activities, including trilobite racing, District Geological Society. We are very fossil replica making, Jurassic dioramas painting to illustrate how diamonds grateful to Bill and to the quarry and much more. There were lots of form. She felt that as the children had had to work hard to be there, she perhaps should as well - and we were all impressed by her artwork! There were lots of questions afterwards by our young Rockwatchers. The presentations were made by Charlotte Edgeworth, Foundation and Projects Manager at Anglo, who was superb at putting the children and their parents at ease and making all feel very welcome. We were also delighted The Rockwatch Group at Ketton Quarry that there were a number of members

Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 23 interests in geology. We now have a significant number of former members who are working as professional geologists and many of them are delighted to help our current members in a variety of ways. What super role models and mentors they make. We are well-advanced with plans for events in 2012, but if any local groups would like to do a Rockwatch event, do get in touch. The South Wales Group is running one in February in the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff which is The 2011 Prize winners with Charlotte Edgeworth on their left and Susan Brown on their right sure to be a great success as members will get to see "behind the scenes" and of the exploration team at the occasion for the winners and their have fun in organised workshops. presentations who seemed to enjoy families. talking to the children about their We are really grateful to everyone entries. Everyone enjoyed a who gives their time so willingly to marvellous lunch and we extend our help ensure the success of Rockwatch Susan Brown grateful thanks to all at Anglo who and who, along the way, encourage so Chairman helped to make this such a special many youngsters to develop their

Report Rockwatch August 'metamorphose' the sedimentary layers. Once again, the Somerset Earth Because of the smoke detectors Science Centre was the venue for the inside the Centre, we had to go outside August meeting of Rockwatch. Unlike to try the ELI 'Cracking apart'. Pieces last year, I did not have to compete of granite were heated in a portable with the ducks pecking on the window. Bunsen flame and then dunked into We started the day by travelling back in cold water. They sizzled and started to time. Using the splendid BGS 'Climate break up - - physical weathering through time' poster, four groups (heating and cooling) explained. followed the Earthlearningidea 'What Next was rock resistance (ELI 'Rock, was it like to be there' for four different rattle and roll'). We tried to predict rock types. Each group then reported which of four rocks would be most Brachiopods Moon’s Hill back to the rest of us. The stories were resistant to erosion. We had granite, varied and accurate as they described slate, chalk and a crumbly sandstone. what it was like to be there when one Most people predicted that the chalk was the least resistant but, after of the Moon's Hill volcanic bombs was shaking the rocks in a shaker for a bit, flying through the air. I should point they discovered that, in fact, it was the out to those of you don't know, the sandstone that eroded most because of Earth Science Centre is situated in its very weak cement. Moon's Hill Quarry, the site of a Silurian The group then turned sediments into volcano. We had a graphic description sedimentary rock - 'Make your own of life south of the Equator, what could rock' They soon discovered that the be seen, what could be heard, what strongest 'rocks' (pellets) were made if could be smelled, how would you feel quite a lot of 'cement' (plaster of Paris) and so on. Next, we heard about what was used. We had some very good it was like to be swimming in the sea examples and some rather squishy next to a Jurassic coral. The third ones. sample was some Triassic gypsum so Last of all we decided to try a new Trilobite pygidium Moons Hill our environment changed to deserts Earthlearningidea 'Bubblemania' (due with flash floods and ephemeral, to be published on the ELI website in evaporating lakes. The last rock type February next year). This is all about was the oldest, Lewisian gneiss. It was viscosity of lavas and we tried blowing decided that an extremely strong suit through straws into golden-coloured would be needed to survive when this water and then into syrup. The bubbles was being formed. blown into the syrup were really good ; The Rockwatchers then showed huge and gloopy with a very satisfying where their rocks were formed on a pop and splattering when they finally sketch of the dynamic rock cycle, collapsed. Of course it was much more followed by a circus of activities based fun to blow into the high viscosity liquid on the rock cycle. We tried and the syrup that splattered out of the Earthlearningidea's 'Rock cycle in wax' glass was likened to the volcanic and all went well until we had to heat bombs we later found in the quarry. Rockwatchers hard at it and squash our sedimentary layers to In the afternoon Gill Odolphie took us when these volcanoes were erupting make metamorphic rocks. There was to visit the Silurian volcanics in the some 425 million years ago. only one thing to do - put the layers of quarry. This was amazing particularly grated wax into a shoe and walk as exquisite little brachiopods, tiny Elizabeth Devon around with it for a bit - somewhat corals and one trilobite pygidium were uncomfortable but good at providing found. Marine fossils you ask - in a Earthlearningidea team the necessary heat and pressure to volcano? The sea was not far away http://www.earthlearningidea.com

24 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 Rockwatch Young Writer Competition. As well as our annual Rockstar competition we run the Young Writer at the same time. This is open to Rockwatch members aged 16 - 18 years old for a piece of original work, with the subject matter of their own choosing. This year our winner is Oscar Lozada. Oscar has been a Rockwatch member for many years and has been a category winner and Rockstar a number of times. He may be looking towards a career in geology! I hope you enjoy his entry which is published below. The Torotoro National Park and the effect of erosion on its landscape. By Oscar Lozada - Rockwriter for 2011

The Altiplano region of Bolivia is most extensive range of dinosaur one of the most geologically footprints. He explained how they interesting areas of South America. had been discovered through the During my visit to Bolivia this erosion of the top soil layer covering summer of 2011, I visited a them by the rains and the river water. fascinating site; the Torotoro National Before the footprints were known Park. This National Park is one of the about, local people had been using less well-known and less explored the slabs of flat rock from that layer regions of Bolivia. It is situated to build a road and steps down to the 140km south of the city of canyon. In fact, as we descended into Cochabamba in the North-East of the the canyon we often found dinosaur Potosí department (county). This footprints imbedded in some of the remote, semi-arid, mountainous steps. This area became a National landscape has one of the largest and Park in the 1980s which ensured the A clear therapod footprint. most spectacular arrays of dinosaur protection of the rocks from humans. The 10 centavos (Bolivian currency equivalent footprints in the world. It also holds to pence) used as scale is roughly the size of We first saw a clear set of vast canyons, stunning erosion- a 10p coin. Ankylosaurid footprints with a formed features and deep caves separate set of therapod tracks containing impressive stalagmites and around 120Ma during the Early circling the Ankylosaurid. It is likely stalactites. Erosion has played a Cretaceous period (specifically, the that the therapod was a large major part in the formation of this Aptian Age) and are likely to be Abelisaurid and was looking for a landscape but unfortunately the initially imprinted on the shores of a weak spot in the Ankylosaur armour dinosaur footprints are at great risk but unwilling to come close. of erosion due to their location next Also, clearly visible on the rock to or in rivers. were enormous Sauropod tracks where the ancient mud had been Torotoro National Park squeezed outs of the side of the tracks and solidified leaving a deep The 165km² of National Park is depression in the rock. Around the currently between 1900 and 3600m side could be seen the footprints of above sea level in the Andes but small therapod dinosaurs tracking the originally the landscape was much Sauropods behind them. It is unlikely lower than it is today. It is through that even a large group of theropods the process of Plate tectonics that the could have taken down one of these Andes rose, from the pressure of the enormous animals, instead they could Nazca plate subducting beneath the be looking for stragglers; young who South American plate causing the couldn't keep up with the herd; the crust to buckle and fold upwards. wounded, sick or old, or they could be following to a nesting site with the Dinosaur trackways Clear Ankylosaurid tracks. prospect of stealing eggs. See inset of my brother trying to walk like an We also found tracks in relief - ones The name Torotoro originates from Ankylosaur for scale. which had been raised up from the the Quechua (the language of the surface of the rock layer. Our guide indigenous Indians) term "thuru thuru shallow lagoon, sea or a similar area explained to us that these were pampa" which means "Extensive plain of wet, muddy ground. footprints of a coelurosaur and were of mud." We travelled to Torotoro for 6 long formed in stickier mud than the other The mud referred to is actually hours along a very windy and bumpy footprints. As the dinosaur pressed its fossilised mud in a large flat sheet, track to this remote town in the foot down, the mud clung to the foot imbedded within which are the Andes. Our guide, Umberto (a young and, when it raised it again, the perfectly preserved footprints of local from Torotoro village - a clinging mud was pulled up with it many species of South American theology student (!) took us to the and settled in the footprint shape in dinosaurs. The footprints date from relief. Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 25 cave in Bolivia; 4.6km have been Looking at the sides of the canyon explored yet there are estimates that the layers of sedimentary rock were there are a further 15km more. It is clearly visible. Some had been bent a Karst cave - one which is formed by and folded by the processes of Plate the dissolution of the soluble tectonics. limestone. Visitors are often guided down it Erosion - Discovery and destruction. but are only taken 1500m or so in. A descent from a narrow track finds you in the mouth of an enormous We visited Torotoro during the dry cavern, into which the Umajalanta season (July-August in Bolivia). River flows. However during the rainy season The rock of the cave is primarily (November-March), the riverbeds that limestone which can easily be eroded we explored become a torrent. It was by the river. A colony of vampire bats through this that the topsoil layer A scale picture of columns is known to roost in the mouth of the covering the footprints was eroded, (stalactites and stalagmites joined together) cave and can be seen - at night - revealing this extraordinary flittering around the cave entrance As mentioned earlier, it is likely that palaeontology. Indeed, erosion is and surrounding area. the footprints were laid down either revealing more and more of these Stalactites and stalagmites are in around a lagoon or shallow sea. The footprints to us with every passing abundance here. Upon entering the evidence for this comes from highly year, as more of the topsoil covering cave we were taken through a narrow prominent ripple marks in the same them is removed. However this passage full of stalactites and layer close by. Other evidence process will also become the fossils' stalagmites requiring us to crawl and includes fossilised water weed and manoeuvre ourselves around the and footprints' downfall - they are fossilised salt crystals on the rock - rocky protrusions. being slowly eroded away, mainly by which point more towards the Deeper into the cave we came the torrents of river water. presence of a shallow sea. across a perfectly still underground The conservationists of Torotoro are Nearby, in a another part of the pool in which were living blind catfish. appealing for UNESCO World Heritage Torotoro national park, is a area status in order to preserve the composed of 7 hectares of red, soft The Torotoro Canyon - Nearby can footprints and to protect the area. earth in which has been found also be found the Torotoro Canyon - a complete fossils of marine turtles, The National park status protects the great chasm in the land 300m deep area from erosion by humans but not from the elements. Extensive protection of this can only happen with financial support from the Western world as funds in Bolivia are extremely limited. I felt very fortunate to witness this amazing site, which will ultimately be destroyed by the same process that revealed them.

Oscar Lozada aged 16

Bibliography/References

My GCSE Geography course (on certain plate tectonics information). Various Rockwatch trips and articles The Torotoro canyon in all its glory in the magazine contributing to my own knowledge which I could apply and roughly 800m across - an dating from around the same time. here. impressive sight. The fact that they are marine turtles websites: The canyon was formed by river is, of course, overwhelming evidence http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torotoro_ erosion originally forming a V-shaped that the Torotoro national park was National_Park valley when the canyon was young, in under, or on the shores of a shallow the soft low resistance rock. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR sea during the Early Cretaceous This is an extremely atmospheric DmN9EXoKA period. place with black condors and vultures swirling overhead. On the approach Note, all pictures are my own. Also Erosion - a key element in the to the canyon, along a dried up river note that there is very little written geographical landscape of Torotoro. bed, we found another series of about this area. sauropod and coelurosaur footprints. The Umajalanta Cave - A few miles There were also ornithopod from Torotoro village is one the Map of Bolivia can be found from footprints. It was along this river bed largest, yet largely unexplored cave http://connect.in.com/politico/photo- that we found the ripples and systems in Bolivia. The Umajalanta gallery.html seaweed fossils which indicated the cave is thought to be the deepest edge of the shallow sea.

26 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 carried on through until it reached SHER-ROCK HOLMES AND the edge. Once it reached that THE GEOLOGICAL AFFAIR point it became exposed to the air The judges highly commended this entry in the 8-12 year old and a further chemical reaction category of the Rockwatch Rockstar competition took place - this time with the 2 The master detective was enjoying a leisurely breakfast with his ever carbon dioxide in the air . This led present companion, Dr Rockson. "My dear fellow" commented Holmes, to solid calcium carbonate being "I do worry for you, as you do like to indulge in far too much of your Were these caused by malicious precipitated. What happened was favourite condiment." "Nonsense" Professor Matamorphic? that as this solution dripped down responded the good doctor, "if it wasn't for it left behind the said particles of Worcestershire Sauce, then I would not be calcium carbonate which formed able to tolerate Mrs Hudson's cuisine, it's into those finger--like stalactite the only thing that makes it palatable. I growths. “As you can see”, like to make sure that I consume at least 2 continued the great detective, “"the bottles a day." Holmes was about to lumps on the ground are directly remonstrate gently with his friend, but was below these stalactites. They are interrupted by the arrival of a telegram. the mirror stalagmite. No human Rockson studied his friend closely, as the hand is responsible for the damage The Master Detective considers done." detective perused the contents of his the matter before him missive. He had been worrie d about him of late. Sher-rock had been No sooner had the Master restless and Rockson knew that he needed a new case to distract him, Detective solved the mystery before him, then he was shocked to see his otherwise there was a risk he could return to some of his less savoury friend collapse to the ground, writhing in agony. "Help" cried Rockson, habits, such as violin playing. However, “"I have been poisoned. It is that dastardly Metamorphic, he has Rockson was delighted to see Holmes finished me!" looking animated for the first time in Holmes carefully studied his companion and took note of all his weeks and realised that an adventure symptoms. He murmured to himself before finally delivering his was at hand. judgment. "Rockson" he began "may I remind you of my warning this "Come Rockson, there's no time to morning. It is true that you have been poisoned, but only by your own lose". "What is it?" responded the medic . hand. Did I not warn you about the dangers of Worcestershire Sauce? Holmes declared that they had been It is full of acetic acid which can damage the kidneys as well as garlic, black pepper (which is high in oxalate), ginger, allspice, mace, cinnamon summoned to a scene of barbarous 3 vandalism in the town centre and that it was their mission to discover and other items equally nephrotoxic. Indeed a study in the Lancet the culprit behind the devastation. detailed various cases of atypical kidney stone patients including a They made their way to the "crimescene" and were greeted by Inspector young woman of 28 whose vice it was to indulge in a bottle of said Igneous of the Yard. "Ah there you are Mr Holmes" he said. "Blistering sauce a day resulting in a stone in each kidney. Belemnites - we've got a queer one for you this time and no mistake. “What has happened to you my dear fellow is that due to your Some fellow has purposely damaged these concrete steps and left some excessive intake of that condiment kind of nasty mess behind. It's a right strange one. Do you think it together with your failure to drink could be that evil Professor Metamorphic back up to his old tricks?" enough liquid you have created the "Hmmm, let me take a look" said Mr Holmes. "I will soon be able to perfect conditions inside your urinary detect if any malign influence has been at work here. " He carefully tract for the following thing to happen. checked the area and noted that miniature 'finger' like structures had Calcium has bonded with phosphate or formed on the staircase ledge which were mirrored by a strange growth oxalate within your urine to form a directly below on the ground beneath. Holmes studied these carefully. growth. A kidney stone has formed. The Master Detective considered the matter before him. Whilst There has been a slow precipitation of Igneous and Rockson looked baffled, Holmes' face took on the calm, these minerals inside of you and they measured look of a man who was satisfied that he had got to the bottom have gradually built up into something of the mystery. "By Geode, Mr Holmes, you know how this mischief large enough to block your urinary tract was done and by whom?" exclaimed Inspector Igneous. which is very painful. Hopefully the stone Holmes knew that it was time for explanations. "My dear fellows" will pass of its own accord as long as you he began. "This is not the work of some dastardly villain. Rather, it is drink plenty of fluids. Like the stalagmites nature herself which has created this effect. What has happened is that from before you are a victim of calcium oxide in the concrete has reacted with the rainwater that has precipitation.” fallen on these steps 1 . The solution has then penetrated the stairs and This news calmed the good doctor. "Holmes ", he asked "are you telling me that both of these incidents were caused by nothing more than geological action of some kind." "Indeed" replied the master detective "It's sedimentary, my dear Rockson" THE END Jack Spruce aged 11 1 CaO+H 20 -> Ca(OH) 2 2. Ca(OH) 2 +CO 2 -> CaCO 3 + H 2O 3.Bilateral renal calculi and aminoaciduria after excessive intake of Worcestershire Sauce by K J Murphy - published in the Lancet 1967 - pages 401 - 2 The strange lump on the ground The curious “finger like” growths Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 27 Geology and Churches in North East England. 28th to 31st May 2011 - Part One

In an attempt to attract some of our revealed that it was not of Anglo- and other fossils were also collected. northern members, this year the Saxon age. Very close scrutiny of the Our second church, St Peter at 'Churches and Geology' trip went better lit, south chancel wall showed a Monkwearmouth (NZ 402 577), is 'North'. The therefore the morning of further Anglo-Saxon stylistic feature; beside the River Wear in the centre of Saturday, 28 May 2011, found 13 the Coal Measure sandstone blocks Sunderland. It was consecrated as members standing before what is were set into the wall in patterns in early as 674. Jointly with Jarrow, the probably England's most perfect Anglo- accordance with different bedding combined monastic settlements have Saxon church, at Escomb (NZ 189 orientations. become globally famous, as this site 302), in Co. Durham (Fig. 1). On the south nave wall the church was home to the Venerable Bede. preserved an ornamented Anglo-Saxon However, following the dissolution, mass (sun) dial which has been Monkwearmouth eventually became a claimed to have been constructed from dumping ground for ships' ballast and Carboniferous Limestone, that is it was not until 1855 that the west end Frosterley 'marble'. However, all there of the church was excavated and more agreed that at a distance the rock detail of the church revealed. Following looked more like a sandstone. To the Second World War and its bombing 'assist', I advised that a (twelfth to the site was finally cleared to show the fourteenth century) grave slab of full detail of the west porch and its Frosterley 'marble' existed on the floor of the chancel for all to view (Fig. 2). There are also a number of interesting displays inside the church.

Fig. 1 St John, Escomb, from the south.

Regrettably only one of our numbers, (Gordon Hull), was from the north. Much of the church may well have been built as early as the eighth century. The wall quoins, many window and door jambs, much of the wall fabric and the chancel arch, reveal almost without exception, the typical Fig. 4 The party assembles in front of Anglo-Saxon 'Patterned' style of stone Monkwearmouth's impressive west tower. emplacement. This was an ideal place to recap on the details of the tower (Fig. 4). Both the west tower variations in vertically bedded Fig. 2 Frosterley 'Marble' grave slab at and the west end of the nave display stonework found in the period (see his Escomb under scrutiny. Anglo-Saxon characteristics. In the magazine 2010. Vol. 9, No. 3, page 15 time available, there was only for a reminder). Escomb had become In what proved to be a very full day, opportunity to examine the features the 'type' locality for many Anglo- the party eventually departed, and visible at ground level, and in Saxon features and was particularly following my route maps, via a pre- particular the west porch. The building renowned for the term 'Escomb Style' arranged 'pub' lunch, and Durham City, is largely made of Coal Measure arch, one famous for 'long and short' stopped next for Permian Magnesian sandstone, obtained by means of the stone jambs. However, I then spoilt it Limestone geology. Wear from a short distance upstream. all by pointing out that many of the Permian fossils are uncommon in However Roman tooling marks and stones in the church fabric were in fact Britain, but near Hylton Castle, in the occasional lug holes, indicated that Roman, presumably from the fort at western suburbs of Sunderland (NZ much of the sandstone had been used Binchester ( Vinovia ) close by. Evidence 360 588), a roadside exposure displays previously on a Roman site. Much of of this was provided by Roman tooled the reef facies of the Middle Magnesian the west tower proved to have been and engraved stones and lifting lewis Limestone. The reef is constructed repaired and it was noted that at holes. The chancel arch is often principally of bryozoan such as higher levels there appeared to be portayed as an exemplar of Anglo- Fenestella sp. (Fig. 3), but bivalves increasing levels of replacement. Saxon workmanship; rather it is of Indeed, being buried by ballast Roman stone re-orientated in an possibly helped to protect some of Anglo-Saxon style. lower work. The two western nave Two different types of sandstone are quoins in the south-west corner had present in the church: Millstone Grit been completely rebuilt with a BH and Lower Coal Measures sandstone. (Bedded Horizontally) stone Their distinction became critical, orientation. Anglo-Saxon orientations especially when the two Anglo-Saxon (BVFR, Bedded Vertically Face Right; north doorways (one blocked) were and BVFL, Bedded Vertically Face Left) considered, The Millstone Grit was the still remained in the north-west quoin. earlier of the two to be used in the Much discussion revolved around the church and occurs in the nave west porch, its four doorways, and doorway. Although the porch was both its structure and its stonework. constructed partially of river boulders, Fig. 3 The mould of the underside of the The entwined sculptured herons, critical stone bedding orientations bryozoan Fenestella sp. although now heavily weathered, were

28 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 had a radial structure (Fig. 7). I reminded the party that terraced cottages, beside the Marsden Quarry had once been built for the local colliery less than 200m. away. All along this coast coal mines had existed with working coal seams extending out under the North Sea. Marsden Beach (NZ 400 648) nearby, was reached by steps (or by those who were tiring, by lift) from the car park. There, the Middle Magnesian Limestone and its white sea stacks, Fig. 5 Two of Monkwearmouth's oolitic gradually reducing in number over the columns in the porch being examined by years, were admired (Fig. 8). Margaret Buglione. Sedimentary and solution structures, were numerous, although specimens of noticeably carved on sandstones facing Fig. 9 Large collapse structure in the Marsden into the arch (BVFIA) in definitive Magnesian Limestone cliffs (photo courtesy Anglo-Saxon style. Above these the Gordon Hull). four baluster-shafts (short columns) were of exceptional interest for they collapse structures (Fig. 9) could have were turned on a lathe and been discussed further, but there was constructed of oolite (Fig. 5). I one further famous church to view. explained that I had first observed this The party arrived too late to see the lithology when planning the route for interior of the third church, St Paul, this excursion and my first thoughts Jarrow (NZ 339 653) where Bede were that this was Jurassic, and spent much of his monastic life. therefore, because of the distance of However much of the church had been transportation, that these were rebuilt in 1782 and again 1866, and inserted Victorian columns. However, the exterior of the Anglo-Saxon the Geological Survey collections had chancel provided much to observe and successfully produced samples of Fig. 6 An enormous 'cannon-ball' viewed by consider. The walls are built of local Permian Magnesian Oolitic Limestone, Gordon Hull at Marsden Quarry. Coal Measures sandstone and coarser with one, century-old specimen Millstone Grit. Wall blocks, particularly obtained from 'Rocker', surely none those that are squared, appear to be other than Sunderland's Roker Park from a Roman site. The chancel quoin (Football fans will recall). I posed one stones showed typical Anglo-Saxon further question: 'Why did the Anglo- workmanship and orientations. The Saxon masons specifically choose this south chancel wall exhibits the same oolitic rock?' To enable the party to type of Patterned wall masonry that proceed to the next geological locality, had been observed at Escomb, and I also provided the answer! Typical both Anglo-Saxon windows and doors Permian Magnesian Limestone of the (some blocked) are evident. The north-east was full of holes (vugs) and monastic ruins, which in recent years recrystalisation structures, often have been partly excavated and brecciated or concretionary, were far studied, offered the final challenges of from regular in small scale composition a long day, and the ruins above ground and probably impossible to carve or were all thought to post-date the turn. The oolitic rock must have Anglo-Saxon period of occupation. provided a rare, relatively homogenous rock, which could be worked. Noticeably, these columns and others Fig. 7 The internal radial structure of many JOHN F. POTTER excavated on the monastic site, were 'cannon-balls'. all short and of comparable length, probably indicative of the oolitic bed's the famous 'flexible sandstones', were limited thickness. difficult to obtain because of the high The next stop following the coast and deteriorating cliffs. The possible road north, was Marsden Quarry origins of the brecciated rocks and the (permission required) (NZ 406 642). This large quarry in the Permian Magnesian Limestone afforded much of interest. Crushed, the stone, a Mg rich limestone (dolostone) was transported in ship loads for agricultural purposes on the continent,and it provided a major export. Aside from its economic importance the party were interested in the 'honeycomb' and 'coralline' structures, and the 'cannon-ball limestone' (Fig. 6) all once so common at the neighbouring SSSI at Fulwell Quarry. Some of the 'cannon-balls' were noticeably concretionary in formation (Fig. 6), but many others Fig. 8 Marsden Beach and the view south.

Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 29 In search of Thomas Sopwith: Using the PGA database to locate a 19th Century Geologist

The work of Thomas Sopwith (1803-1879) first came to my attention in the late 1960s when I was involved in fluorspar mining in the Northern Pennines. Sopwith first trained and then worked as a mine surveyor in the lead mines on Alston Moor (1824-1829) before embarking on a career as a railway surveyor; developing a system of isometric projection; acting as a Forest of Dean Commissioner; and last but not least being the originator of a series of both large- and small-scale geological models. He returned to the Pennine Orefield in 1845 as Chief Agent for W. B. Lead Mines, owned and operated by the Beaumont family, and remained in this role until retirement in 1871. Sopwith's life is well documented because he kept a diary from 1822 to 1879 that has survived and was used as the basis of two published biographies. These works show that in the course of his career, Sopwith gained professional recognition from the Institution of Civil Engineers (1832), the Geological Society of London (1835) and the Royal Society (1845), making contributions to their activities as well as publishing several works in his own name. Over the years I had become familiar with all of these. However, the biographies do not contain any reference to the GA so I decided to search the PGA database. Albert Museum noted that models by Sopwith "showing Entering "Sopwith" into the "Author" field did not the relation of strata to underground structure" had produce any hits, which was not unexpected because been seen in a collection of scientific apparatus. The neither I nor any other Northern Pennine worker had third category, references, was generally historical and ever referenced any work in the PGA by Sopwith. The made passing remarks about Sopwith's other published result from the "All fields" box, however, was a works and yielded little new information. The fourth revelation and produced no fewer than 28 hits. These category, duplicates, arose because of the way in which may be conveniently grouped under five headings: a) the PGA database is indexed with the occurrence of the membership (8); b) original articles (3); c) references search term being tied to individual pages. This means (12); d) duplicates (4); and e) false positives (1). The that the search engine will produce two hits if there are membership entries show that Sopwith was elected to parts of two articles on the same page. As with any the GA on 4th November 1861, just three years after its search, false positives can be a nuisance but in this case formation, and had almost immediately (6th January there was only one in the form of a reference to 1862) joined the Committee (as it was then known) as someone using the eponymous Sopwith Staff during a Vice President acting in this role until 1867. This is surveying exercise. perhaps not surprising since Sopwith was elected when Overall, the use of the PGA database was highly he was 58 and at the height of his career so would have successful and I was able to find information within a had much to offer. He is also shown in a membership few minutes that would have taken days if not weeks of list for 1864 as living at 22 Cleveland Square, Hyde ploughing through dusty old volume. However, be Park, W. and as having "compounded for the Annual warned. The indexing is not completely accurate because Subscription" as a Life Member. of imperfections in the original printed text and I later The published articles fall into two categories. Firstly found a further reference to Sopwith that had not come there is a reference to a GA meeting on 2nd March 1863 up in the first search. Nevertheless the use of the PGA in which a report was given (similar to those carried in database is highly recommended and you might like to this magazine) of a lecture by Sopwith entitled "On the try it to search for your own particular hobbyhorse. Lead-mines of the North of England". This is an Very likely you will be surprised by the results. For important new reference because it reveals that he had information on how to access the database as a GA stressed that the Great Limestone was the most Member please see the article by Professor Richard important horizon for lead (almost 30 times as Howarth in the June 2009 issue of the Magazine (Vol 8, productive as any other horizon); how a knowledge of No 2 p 19). stratigraphy had been used to plan cross-cuts so that they were driven in softer strata within the typical Yoredale cyclothems; and that the inspiration for his Dave Greenwood teaching models had been the geology of the North Pennine dales. The other two hits in this category were accounts of visits made by the Association to view various Sopwith models including his famous one of the Forest of Dean Coalfield, which in 1863 was in the Museum of Practical Geology in Jermyn Street. A later visit in 1908 to the Western Gallery of the Victoria and

30 Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 KITE SURFING OR FOSSIL HUNTING ? Short notice of an important consultation

Bracklesham in West Sussex is a geological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is a well known foreshore locality for Palaeogene fossils, especially shells and sharks' teeth. It is a popular venue for family fossil hunting as well as group visits. Many readers will know that I regularly lead fossil hunting trips to Bracklesham and I have also published a popular guide to the area. This summer, Chichester District Council (CDC), without consultation, zoned part of the foreshore for use by kite surfing, an increasingly popular activity in this area. Whilst compliance was voluntary, the idea is to reduce conflict between different beach users and increase safety. Unfortunately, the designated kite surfing zone is right in the middle of the fossil collecting area, where material washes in from offshore erosion of submerged fossil beds. For those who know this site, the designated area is located within the stretch of beach between the car park and the outcrop of E3, the Cardita Bed reef, within sight of the collectors in this area or elsewhere in Bracklesham Bay. The Foreshore Office in the car park. consultation process was announced on 6 October, with Twice this summer, I have been requested to move fossil details to be announced 'soon' and the results will be hunting groups out of this area for our own safety, despite announced in February 2012. This leaves little time for you having decades of prior use of this beach. At the time of to respond. Please contact me for further details or search writing, CDC has not responded in any constructive fashion the CDC web site. to my concerns. I have now discovered that a formal consultation is planned, which will be underway by the time you read this. Again CDC made no effort to advise me of David Bone this consultation despite my correspondence with them. [email protected] It is important that you have your say in this matter. CDC www.westsussexgeology.co.uk is considering how it manages the beach which, in the worst case, could give kite surfers the right of access over fossil

Instructions for the Members of the Geologists' Association to access digital copies of the PGA

To activate access to this new existing ScienceDirect user profile to all user-names and passwords to Association facility, and/or to create this subscription, if you have one. ScienceDirect are case sensitive. your personal account on Please Note - If you have associated ScienceDirect, you will need to use your existing ScienceDirect User-Profile After registration you can directly your Association Membership Number. to this Association facility, you must login to the Society Site with your type into your Internet Browser, the username and password. If you have mislaid your GA Associations Site URL to access the Please Note - Do NOT use special Membership Number (or have society journal. characters, such as ö, ae when forgotten it), please can you contact entering your personal details into the Sarah Stafford at the Geologists' The contents of the Associations’ profile form. Association Office: Home-Page will not be accessible via Please go to the Society Members’ geol.assoc©btinternet.com. the ScienceDirect Home-Page Site and enter your new user name Tel: +44 (0)20 7434 9298. (www.sciencedirect.com) nor via any and password in the upper-right hand Fax: +44 (0)20 7287 0280. other Society Member Site which you corner of the Homepage: may have subscribed to. Society Sites http://www.sciencedirect.com/pgeola Please enter your Association are supported on a separate platform Membership Number in the to ScienceDirect. Please note that older browsers may Registration Box at the following: Please go to the Association not support SSL encryption, which is https://www.sciencedirect.com/pgeoia/ Members’ Site and enter your new required for secure data transmission. activate/member username and password in the upper- Also, cookies must be enabled in your right hand corner of the Homepage: browser to support the registration Please Note: "https: //" MUST be http://www.sciencedirect.com/pgeola process. entered for this URL - "http://" will not For New Users to ScienceDierct: If work. This is to ensure that your you do not have an existing profile and Please note, the Association’s access registration details are secured in the are a new user to ScienceDirect, you to this journal on ScienceDirect is Elsevier Customer Service System can continue to the registration screen available for all articles published, i.e. when you enter them into the that will allow you to create a new from Volume 1, Issue 1. to the current registration form. user profile. You will be asked to fill issue out a form and choose a password. After entering, click on "submit". For It sounds more complicated than it Existing ScienceDirect Users: The next A unique username will then be actually is! step will allow you to associate an assigned. It is important to note, that

Magazine of the Geologists’ Association Vol. 10, No. 4, 2011 31 First Prize: Dick Moody - The image of the Great Arch and Dunes was taken in the Acacus-Tardrart Mountain Range, South-West Libya. An area of Siluro-Devonian strata weathered to produce remarkable arches, caves and plinths. The area is noted for abundant rock carvings and cave paintings that record the presence of hominids and wetter climes.

Photographic Competition Winners

Third Prize: Gerald Lucy - “Suture patterns revealed in the polished surface of a Madagascan ammonite”

Second Prize: Terry Kleenan - “Pavlovia” (S.Etches Collln. K1176 Museum of Jurassic Marine Life)