GeoscientistThe Fellowship magazine of The Geological Society of London | www.geolsoc.org.uk | Volume 22 No 9 | October 2012

ETCHES CLOSER New museum for Dorset? POLYGON PUZZLE Polygons may point to wet Mars

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IN THIS ISSUE OCTOBER 2012

FEATURES 18 ETCHES CLOSER Fossil collector and preparator extraordinaire Steve Etches may be about to clinch a deal to establish a new museum in Kimmeridge REGULARS 05 WELCOME Ted Nield wonders how the HLF can possibly refuse the Kimmeridge Project’s application, which comes before them later this year 12 COVER FEATURE: WEGENER’S LONG WALK 06 SOAPBOX Haydon Bailey concludes the debate on Wolfgang Jakoby celebrates the centenary of the future of micropalaeontology the Continental Drift hypothesis 07 GEONEWS What’s new in the world of geoscientific research 10 SOCIETY NEWS What your Society is doing at home and abroad, in London and the regions 22 LETTERS We welcome your thoughts 23 BOOK & ARTS Two reviews by Joe McCall and David Nowell 24 PEOPLE Geoscientists in the news and on the move 26 OBITUARY Two distinguished Fellows remembered 27 CALENDAR Society activities this month 09 24 29 CROSSWORD Win a special publication of your choice

OCTOBER 2012 03

~ EDITOR’S COMMENT GEOSCIENTIST ALFRED WEGENER IN FIELD GEAR, GREENLAND. IT IS NOW 100 YEARS SINCE HIS VERSION OF CONTINENTAL DRIFT WAS PUBLISHED Front cover image: Alfred Wegener Institute ~ LEDGES LEGEND teve Etches - the legend of the Geoscientist is the F 01727 893 895 Fellowship magazine of E enquiries@centuryone Ledges - has been collecting, the Geological Society publishing.ltd.uk preparing and describing fossils of London W www.centuryone publishing.ltd.uk from the Kimmeridge Clay for much The Geological Society, of his life. He has now amassed a Burlington House, Piccadilly, CHIEF EXECUTIVE huge collection, which he keeps at London W1J 0BG Nick Simpson T +44 (0)20 7434 9944 T 01727 893 894 his home in Kimmeridge and which F +44 (0)20 7439 8975 E nick@centuryone Sis available by appointment to researchers and E [email protected] publishing.ltd.uk (Not for Editorial) visitors. But this arrangement is far from ideal. ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE For over 18 years Steve – possibly the most highly Publishing House Jonathan Knight The Geological Society T 01727 739 193 regarded amateur geologist in Britain today - has Publishing House, Unit 7, E jonathan@centuryone been trying to establish, in Dorset, a new home for Brassmill Enterprise Centre, publishing.ltd.uk Brassmill Lane, Bath his amazing and highly specific museum of BA1 3JN ART EDITOR Kimmeridgian life. T 01225 445046 Heena Gudka Make no mistake about it - the Etches Collection F 01225 442836 DESIGN & PRODUCTION is renowned worldwide and has global scientific Library Sarah Astington significance as the single largest collection of T +44 (0)20 7432 0999 F +44 (0)20 7439 3470 PRINTED BY macrofossils from the Kimmeridge Clay Formation E [email protected] Century One Publishing Ltd. outside the Natural History Museum (which in EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Copyright many respects it greatly outstrips). Much of the Professor Tony Harris FGS The Geological Society of material it contains is undescribed and completely London is a Registered Charity, new to science. It is a unique resource - not only to EDITOR number 210161. Dr Ted Nield NUJ FGS ISSN (print) 0961-5628 academics, but also to the County of Dorset, the E [email protected] ISSN (online) 2045-1784 Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site on which it sits, and the public. EDITORIAL BOARD The Geological Society of London Dr Sue Bowler FGS accepts no responsibility for the views Problem is, it remains a private museum in a Mr Steve Branch FGS expressed in any article in this Dr Robin Cocks FGS publication. All views expressed, converted garage - albeit one curated to the highest Dr Joe McCall FGS except where explicitly stated standards, with strict humidity control. For this Prof. Peter Styles FGS otherwise, represent those of the author, and not The Geological material to be described, it needs to reside in a Dr Jonathan Turner FGS Society of London. All rights reserved. Dr Jan Zalasiewicz FGS No paragraph of this publication may museum with Registered Museum status. For the be reproduced, copied or transmitted public to appreciate it properly, in order for schools Trustees of the Geological save with written permission. Users Society of London registered with Copyright Clearance and universities to use the collection as part of Mr D T Shilston (President); Center: the Journal is registered with their teaching, the collection has to be somewhere Mrs N K Ala; Dr M G CCC, 27 Congress Street, Salem, MA 01970, USA. 0961-5628/02/$15.00. that can accommodate them. Armitage; Miss S Brough; Every effort has been made to trace Professor R A Butler; copyright holders of material in this There have been many disappointments along Professor N A Chapman; publication. If any rights have Mr D J Cragg; Professor J been omitted, the publishers offer the way, but finally, it looks as though the Etches Francis (Secretary, Science) their apologies. Collection is at last going to get the new, Professor A J Fraser; No responsibility is assumed by the independent home it deserves. Dr S A Gibson; Mrs M P Publisher for any injury and/or Henton (Secretary, damage to persons or property as a A bid has been lodged with the Heritage Professional Matters); matter of products liability, Lottery Fund which, if successful, will set in Dr R A Hughes; Mr D A negligence or otherwise, or from any Jones; Dr A Law use or operation of any methods, train a series of events that will culminate in a (Treasurer), Professor R J products, instructions or ideas newly built custom-designed museum on a Lisle; Professor A R Lord contained in the material herein. Although all advertising material is donated greenfield site in the very village where (Secretary, Foreign & expected to conform to ethical External Affairs); Mr P (medical) standards, inclusion in this Steve has made his home. The land is secure, the Maliphant (Vice president); publication does not constitute a Dr B R Marker OBE; guarantee or endorsement of the planning is secure; and there have been no Professor S B Marriott quality or value of such product or of objections from the local community, which the claims made by its manufacturer. (Vice president); Dr G supports the project 100%. Nichols; Dr C P Subscriptions: All correspondence Summerhayes relating to non-member subscriptions We cannot conceive of a project better prepared, (Vice president); Professor should be addresses to the Journals with more powerful moral and matching financial J H Tellam; Dr J P Turner Subscription Department, Geological (Secretary, Publications) Society Publishing House, Unit 7 support, or that is more worthwhile, or more Brassmill Enterprise Centre, Brassmill Lane, Bath, BA1 3JN, UK. Tel: 01225 eagerly anticipated than this. If the HLF were to Published on behalf of the 445046. Fax: 01225 442836. Email: fail at this late stage to back Steve’s nigh-on 20-year Geological Society of [email protected]. The London by subscription price for Volume 22, fight for funding, this magazine at least would Century One Publishing 2012 (11 issues) to institutions and have to question what exactly that body thinks it is Alban Row, 27–31 Verulam non-members is £108 (UK) or £124 / Road, St Albans, Herts, US$247 (Rest of World). there to do. AL3 4DG © 2012 The Geological Society T 01727 893 894 of London DR TED NIELD EDITOR

OCTOBER 2012 05 GEOSCIENTIST SOAPBOX

Point-counter point BY HAYDON BAILEY Haydon Bailey* was co-author of May’s Soapbox article, which gave rise to some stinging criticism of micropalaeontology. Here is his response

SOAPBOX CALLING! ‘Recently the self-promotion of ways’. Well, maybe – though that is not, I micropalaeontology has figured large in think, by any means ‘all’ we are saying. Soapbox is open to Geoscientist’, wrote Cornelia Kohler in the Sometimes “old ways” are there for a contributions from all Fellows. opening line of a letter that was reason – they work, and reliably. At You can always write a letter to starkly critical of this subject and its wellsite, for example, 21st Century the Editor, of course: but practitioners. I would respond that, as no- technologies are more widely used than perhaps you feel you need one else is promoting us, we have to ever before, but they are not immune from more space? promote ourselves. breakdowns - nor are they, in the end, as Kohler continues: ‘I agree that it is a intelligent as highly skilled people. If you can write it entertainingly in disappearing core discipline and that it has ‘By ignoring its shortcomings, as it has 500 words, the Editor would like important applications’ – so far so good: done for long time, this discipline will to hear from you. ‘But no one seems to ask why it is losing its further lose importance and appeal’ Kohler significance. Unlike other disciplines, concludes. Well, if this were true I would Email your piece, and a self- which are becoming more important agree but micropalaeontology has lost portrait, to ted.nield@geolsoc. especially in the petroleum industry, neither importance nor appeal - just its org.uk. Copy can only be biostratigraphy has failed to enter the support within the broader geoscience accepted electronically. No 21st Century.’ community - hence our ‘self-promotion’. diagrams, tables or other Kohler concludes: ‘There are sadly very illustrations please. SIGNIFICANT few pioneers left and these are usually I would respond that this discipline has not heavily criticised. So, I plead to Pictures should be of print lost significance. If anything, it is as micropalaeontologists: stop patting each quality – as a rule of thumb, significant as ever - in fact, even more so. other on the back, stop thinking it is a anything over a few hundred Other disciplines need increasingly perfect discipline and start reinventing kilobytes should do. sophisticated technology to generate their yourselves – geology needs you!’ raw data and high-powered systems to Precedence will always be given manipulate them. While the latter is true BACK-PATTING to more topical contributions.

also of biostratigraphy, it scores over other I’m unsure about this point, who these Any one contributor may not disciplines by the fact that generating its ‘pioneers’ are and who is criticising them. appear more often than once per

raw data involves using a well-trained pair But no-one has been doing any back- volume (once every 12 months). of eyes with an agile brain behind them. patting - quite the opposite. These represent a system that very rarely Micropalaeontology is probably one of the ~ breaks down, even when 21st Century most competitive disciplines within tools do. geoscience. No-one thinks it a “perfect Kohler says she strongly believes that discipline”; if anything, we are constantly MICRO- micropalaeo ‘needs to reinvent itself and re-inventing the uses, applications and free itself from the presentation of our data. PALAEONTOLOGY past’. Here, I would But on one thing I believe Claudia HAS LOST NEITHER echo comments by Kohler is, finally, correct, and on it we IMPORTANCE NOR John Athersuch can conclude in a note of agreement. about such new We are needed. APPEAL - JUST ITS techniques as SUPPORT WITHIN ‘biosteering’ and * Haydon Bailey Network Stratigraphic Consulting THE BROADER the state-of-the-art Ltd., Harvest House, Cranborne Rd., Potters Bar, software tools we Hertfordshire EN63JF. Bailey and Jones’s Soapbox GEOSCIENCE now employ to piece was accompanied by an Online Special. COMMUNITY - marshal our data. E: [email protected]. Kohler complains of Cornelia Kohler’s letter appeared in the July issue HENCE OUR ‘SELF- what she sees as of Geoscientist (22.06). This correspondence is PROMOTION’ merely ‘saving’ the ‘old now closed. Haydon Bayley ~

06 OCTOBER 2012 GEONEWS GEOSCIENTIST Polygon puzzle Martian polygons formed under similar conditions to those on Earth, say scientists from the University of Texas, and lend support to ‘wet Mars’ hypotheses. Kea Giles reports

PLANETARY GEOLOGY Image © The Geological Society of America, Inc. Debate continues over the origin of large-scale Mars polygons hundreds of metres to kilometres in diameter, after decades of detailed observations. Similarity in geometric patterns on Mars and Earth has long captured the imagination. Geologists at the University of Texas at Austin examine these large- scale polygons and compare them to similar features on Earth's seafloor, which they believe may have formed via similar processes. Understanding these may in turn support the idea of ancient oceans on Mars. Through examination of THEMIS, MOLA, Viking, and Mariner data and images, planetary scientists have found that areas on the northern plains of Mars are divided into large polygon- shaped portions. Sets of such polygons span extensive areas of the Martian surface. Writing in GSA Today, Lorena Moscardelli and her colleagues from The University of Texas at Austin present a 500m are shallowly buried by younger sediment-transport features on the

Above: Terrestrial detailed comparison of the geometric sediments. Typically the physical deep-water marine surface, areas of deformed and features of these large Martian polygons mechanism of polygon formation polygons (front, disrupted polygons can be found – and similar features found in deep-sea requires the existence of a thick, wet, color image) are again, similar to disrupted polygons potential sediments~ here on Earth. and mechanically weak sediment layer. morphological and here on Earth. Moscardelli and colleagues believe genetic analogs to On the basis of these striking large-scale Martian that the angle of the sea-floor slope polygonal features similarities, the team argues that the UNDERSTANDING plays an important role in both the (grayscale). Martian polygons were formed within a formation and preservation of Front: The terrestrial thick, wet, and weak layer of fine- THESE POLYGONS MAY deep-water polygons. Where the seafloor slope is polygons are grained sediments that were IN TURN SUPPORT THE gentle (less than half a degree), imaged using 3-D deposited in a deep-water setting, polygons have very regular shapes seismic-reflection similar to the Earth polygons. Thus, IDEA OF ANCIENT data acquired by the and sizes. In many locations where oil and gas industry these interesting geometric features OCEANS ON MARS polygons have formed on top of in offshore Norway may provide additional evidence for buried topographic features, the (Brygge Fm.). the existence of an ocean in the ~ Background: FINE-GRAINED shapes of the polygons were altered, THEMIS imagery northern portion of Mars On Earth, polygon-shaped areas, their and in some cases broken up and shows the character approximately three billion years ago. of large-scale edges formed by faults, are common in disrupted where the slopes were Martian polygons in fine-grained deep-sea sediments. steepest. Both observations are Acidalia Planitia Some of the best examples occur in the consistent with deformation of soft (Vastitas Borealis REFERENCES Formation). North Sea and the Norwegian Sea and marine sediments as they creep or 1 Deep-water polygonal fault systems have been imaged by 3D seismic flow down slope. as terrestrial analogs for large-scale surveys conducted in the search for Martian polygonal terrains Lorena offshore oil and gas deposits. These NORTHERN PLAINS Moscardelli, Tim Dooley, Dallas Dunlap, deep-water polygons tend also to be a On Mars’s northern plains where the Martin Jackson, and Lesli Wood, Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson kilometre or more across. surface is basically flat, polygons have School of Geosciences, The University Moscardelli and her colleagues very regular shapes and sizes - of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78713- conclude that the majority of these remarkably similar to those found on 8924, USA. Pages 1-9; doi: polygons form in a common Earth. In places where the topography 10.1130/GSATG147A.1, www.geosociety.org/gsatoday/ environment, when fine-grained clay on Mars is more varied, and where archive/22/8/. sediment in ocean basins deeper than there may be evidence for other

OCTOBER 2012 07 History INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE Of Geology Group October 22nd-23rd, 2012 Appreciating Physical Landscapes: Geotourism 1670–1970

The Geological Society, London

Geotourism’s burgeoning literature has tended to focus on descriptions and case studies of modern interpretative and promotional provision in protected areas and geoparks. The significant historical antecedents of modern geotourism in Britain and Europe are comparatively neglected in the literature. Whilst these antecedents can be traced back to the elite 17th century travellers who ventured into wild landscapes and visited caves and mines, early modern geotourism, with many of the features of its present-day provision, can be recognised if not so named from the opening of the 19th century. This latter period more than coincided with the emergence of modern scientific geology and the beginnings of excursion tourism; the organised publication of regional geology guide-books and geology field excursions followed from the first quarter of the nineteenth century. The conference’s timeframe opens with the early reportage of elite travellers and the publication of the first travellers’ guide-books and closes at the cusp of modern landscape and geoconservation measures, such as national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty, national nature reserves, and the emergence of environmental interpretation and modern countryside leisure as forerunners to modern geopark provision.

Summary Conference Information The conference is split between: a Paper Reading Day (22nd October) with 2 Keynote speakers, 12 paper presentations, and a poster session. Registration (including Abstracts Volume, refreshments and wine reception); costs from £45-£65 Field-Excursion (23rd October) to the Isle of Thanet (including rail fare, guide, snack luncheon, and afternoon tea); cost is £45 For further information about the conference please contact: Conference Office, The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BG T: 020 7434 9944 F: 020 7494 0579 E: [email protected] W: www.geolsoc.org.uk/geotourism12 Conference Organiser: Tom Hose, University of Bristol, UK [email protected] Follow this event on Twitter #apl12 Lithograph of Käse-grottee at Bad Bertrich from Dr. August Goldfuss’ Naturhistoricher Atlas, 1826 Joe McCall, Geoscientist’s longest- serving Editorial Board member and McCALL’S Distinguished Service Medallist 2011, reflects on geology in the news WORLD Wreck of a medusoid? Joe McCall describes an important new finding of Ediacaran fossils in peninsular India that may be the first palaeontological marker of the base of the Phanerozoic

consistent with the global distribution Tommotian. If this possibility is upheld PALAEONTOLOGY Below: A ‘medusoid’ of these rare and unique soft-bodied typical of the by future work, it would represent the Chirananda De (Palaeontology fossils. Ediacara fauna (not very first palaeontological delineation Division, Geological Survey of India) The fossils are all medusoids, from India). Not all of the Precambrian/Cambrian may be as it seems has reported important new finds of similar to those found in NW Canada however. Tateana boundary in peninsular India. Ediacara fossil assemblage and S Wales5, there being no inflata (once known associated with simple tubular trace branching Charnia-like forms, which as 'Cyclomedusa' radiata) is now REFERENCES fossils Planolites. The fossils come dominate in Newfoundland6. One thought to be an from purple biomat-bearing shales Sonia medusoid is hexagonal, a novel attachment disk of unknown organism 1 De, C and Prasad, S, 2012 and siltsones of the Sonia Formation, peculiarity. Trace fossils Cruziana and Discovery of Vendian Ediacaran fossil Jodhpur Group, Marwar Supergroup, Rusophycus are found higher up in assemblage from the Marwar of Rajasthan, Western India1. the sequence, along with Diplicnites. Supergroup, Rajasthan Indian Journal This discovery follows a similar one Trace fossils do occur in the of Geosciences, Vol 65, No 3, pp 241-242 . in the Vinhyans of Central India2,3, and Neoproterozoic5; but there are also 2 De, C much earlier discoveries in the Krol possible trilobite body impressions on 2003 Possible organisms similar to Ediacaran forms from the Bhander 4 Formation of the lesser Himalaya . the same bed, and in continuation Gp, Vindhyan Supergroup, Late Thus there are now three widely with Cruziana higher up6; so this Neoproterozoic J of Asian Earth separated Neoproterozoic fossil succession appears to offer a more or Sciences 21, 387-395. localities in peninsular India, less smooth transition into the 3 De, C 2006 Ediacara fossil assemblage in the Upper Vindhyans of central India and its significance Ibid., 27, 660-683. 4 Shanker, R et al 2004 Ediacaran biota from the Jarashi (Middle Krol) and Mahi (Lower Krol) Formations, Krol Group, Lesser Himalaya, India J Geological Soc of India, 63, 649-654. 5 McCall, G J H 2006 The Vendian (Ediacaran) in the geological record: Enigmas in geology’s prelude to the Cambrian explosion Earth Science Reviews 77, 1-229. 6 Prasad, S and De, C, 2012 Maiden palaeontological delineation of Pc-C boundary from Peninsular Proterozoic basin of Rajasthan Indian Journal of Geosciences, Vol 65, No 3, pp 243- 244.

OCTOBER 2012 09 GEOSCIENTIST SOCIETY NEWS SOCIETYNEWS JOIN COUNCIL! Geoscience Academy Edmund Nickless – out, about and on the lookout for new blood... From geophysics to palaeontology, there are many options for geology undergraduates. But what about school? Joe Mears reports At school, geology is rarely taught as a specialist subject. Students are often introduced to the subject as part of other science lessons, by teachers whose specialism lies in other fields. With the help of BP, the Geoscience Education Academy (GEA) was launched by the Geological Society in 2010, to equip teachers with specialist tools for teaching geoscience as part of their science lessons. “When I was at school, geology wasn’t taught” says BP Director of Geology Nev Jones. “I had a teacher who Would you consider standing for election to Council? Executive Secretary saw something in me and helped me study it. There Edmund Nickless issues the annual call for nominations must still be hundreds of students out there like me, who Are you willing to contribute to the work of the Society not only by becoming need to be pointed in the direction of geoscience.” a member of Council and one of its standing committees but also by serving on working groups and undertaking particular tasks between meetings? RESIDENTIAL Whatever your background and expertise in the geosciences, membership of The five-day residential course aims to provide teachers Council enables you to influence the role of the Society in acting as a respected with a variety of tools for communicating geoscience, as voice serving society and the geoscience profession. well as an understanding of the careers available. Each of the 23 members of Council is a trustee of the Society, accountable Though places are limited, the learning material is to the Fellows and to other stakeholders and regulators, such as the Charity designed to be passed on to other teachers, and support Commission. Trustees’ prime responsibility is to oversee the Society’s affairs continues long after the GEA is over thanks to the and act prudently in the management of its financial resources. Society’s Schools Affiliate Scheme, Schools Geology Council meets five times a year, usually on a Wednesday. Four take place in Competition and Earth Science Week. In this way, the the afternoon (14.00-17.00). Papers are circulated a week in advance. There is GEA has reached a staggering number of students also a two-day residential meeting (early February) beginning in the afternoon across the UK. and finishing mid-afternoon, the next day. Its purpose is to allow Council to As well as financial support, BP provides a chance for discuss issues such as strategy, business planning etc. teachers to experience first-hand what goes on behind All Council members serve on a standing committee – External Relations, the scenes at the company. At BP’s Sunbury offices, Information Management, Finance and Planning, Science, Professional or they learn the complexities of how oil is found, handle Publications Management (PMC). These usually meet quarterly; though core samples and meet geoscience graduates at the recently the PMC has developed the practice of having one virtual and three beginnings of their careers. actual meetings. Participants also visit the Natural History Museum to From time to time all standing committees may establish short-lived working see the same equipment used in a very different way, find groups which could impose a further call on the time of Council members but in out about research careers, and handle incredible agreeing to stand for Council you should think of a time commitment of 8 to 10 specimens. All this builds a picture of where their own days annually for ordinary members of Council. students can fit into the future of the geosciences. If elected to Council you will play an active role formulating and delivering the “The visits were an eye-opener to me” says James Society's scientific and professional strategy, facilitating the communication of Salmon, a biology teacher who attended GEA 2011. new scientific findings, engaging with and translating knowledge and expert “The ambience of the course was wonderful; fast-paced, advice to society, policy makers and government, and in certifying good demanding and provoking.” practice in the geoscience professions and teaching. BOOK NOW This month’s mailing contains two nomination forms - one for the election of new The next GEA is on 19 – 24 October, and forms part of Council members and the other for President-designate. Details of the process may be the Society’s continued efforts to develop and expand its found on the forms and also in the ‘Governance’ section of the website. The closing educational activities. date for nominations is 4 January 2013 and nominations will NOT be valid unless they are fully completed, signed and accompanied by a statement by the nominees. See online for a longer version of this report. The theme of this year’s Earth Science Week (15 - 19 October) is ‘Careers Please return to Professor Alan Lord, c/o Executive Secretary, The Geological Society, in Geoscience’, and will culminate with the third annual GEA. Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG. For further information: E: [email protected].

10 OCTOBER 2012 SOCIETY NEWS GEOSCIENTIST

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

Pollutants and Human Health in The Long View Reflected the Age of Man A Burlington House Lecture for art, and that of other artists including Speaker – Professor the general public James Whistler, J M W Turner, Oscar Jane Plant Chris Orr, Royal Academician, Kokoshka, Canaletto, Claude painter, printmaker and writer’s Monet, Walter Greaves, Stanley 10 October 2012 engaging and often humorous Spencer and Wencelaus Hollar Between 160,000 and 200,000 years ago a biological drawings and prints of cities whose 1647 ‘The Long View of change took place that would disrupt the natural (including New York, Nagasaki, London from Southwark’ inspired equilibrium of the Earth that had existed for the previous Dresden and London) explore the Orr’s recent work. 4.5 billion years - the evolution of Homo sapiens. From deep DNA of urban centres to n Tea/coffee from 17.30. Lecture about 70,000 years humans spread around the Earth. understand their cycles of perpetual starts at 1800, Reception 1900. At first we made little impact but from about 9000 years renewal and creative energy. ago settled agriculture saw the first anthropogenic His work about London centres on REGISTRATION changes to chemicals in the environment. That process the River Thames, with which he has Admission is free but by ticket only has continued and now, new substances, such as been familiar all his life. Recently he available from the Conference Office, engineered nano-materials, have begun to be released. has been mostly working from a Geological Society on 020 7434 9944 or Politicians are battling to deal with just one of the penthouse with a view of Bankside. email: [email protected]. chemical impacts of these changes - the accumulation In this lecture he will discuss his own W: www.burlingtonhouse.org of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. But there are many other serious chemical threats to the Earth as a planet capable of sustaining human life. Jane Plant is Anglo American Professor of Geochemistry at Imperial College London. For over 30 years she worked at the NERC British Geological Survey, where she rose to become Chief Scientist. Jane is a world expert on environmental geochemistry and has played a key role in raising public awareness of geochemistry and health, from element deficiency studies in Africa and Asia, to linkages between diet and such illnesses as osteoporosis and cancer. Her best- known book – Your life in your hands – has sold several million copies worldwide and been translated into 20 languages. The Geological Society Club n Programme – Afternoon talk: 1430 Tea & Coffee: 1500 Lecture begins: 1600 Event ends. The Geological Society Club, Fellows of the Society wishing to dine n Programme – Evening talk: 1730 Tea & Coffee: successor to the body that gave birth should send cheques, payable to 1800 Lecture begins: 1900 Reception. to the Society in 1807, meets monthly ‘Geological Society Club’, to: Cally (except over the field season!) at 18.30 Oldershaw, c/o Shashu Lalji, FURTHER INFORMATION for 19.00 in the Athenaeum Club, Pall Department of Earth Sciences, Natural Please visit www.geolsoc.org.uk/shelllondon Mall. Once a year there is also a History Museum, Cromwell Road, lectures12. Entry to each lecture is by ticket only. To special dinner at Burlington House. London SW7 5BD. E: cally.oldershaw obtain a ticket please contact the Society around four New diners are always welcome, @btopenworld.com DR weeks before the talk. Due to the popularity of this especially from among younger lecture series, tickets are allocated in a monthly ballot Fellows. Dinner costs £52 for a four- and cannot be guaranteed. course meal, including coffee and FUTURE MEETINGS port. (The Founders' Dinner, in Dates for meetings of Council Contact: Naomi Newbold, The Geological Society, November, has its own price and Ordinary General Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG, T: +44 structure.) There is a cash bar for the Meetings until June 2013 (0) 20 7432 0981 E: [email protected] purchase of aperitifs and wine. shall be as follows: n 2012: 12 September; 17 October n 2012: 28 November n 2013: 16 January; 20 February; 13 n 2013: 6 February (1500); March; 10 April (Burlington House); 10 April 15 May.

OCTOBER 2012 11 Photo: Alfred Wegener Institute

GEOSCIENTIST FEATURE

ne hundred years ago, in the seafloor then, and the concept of German city of Frankfurt, a geological time was vague and relative. young man who at Marburg Lord Kelvin’s estimate of the Earth’s University worked as a cooling time provided millions of years, physicist and meteorologist but uniformitarianism, combined with told a meeting of the recently estimates of the rates of various Ofounded Geologische Vereinigung (GV) processes, seemed to demand much how the Earth functions. He shocked the longer than that and certainly more than meeting of eminent geologists with an the paltry millennia of biblical creation. outrageous idea – that since the Late Palaeontologists envisaged ‘infinite’ Palaeozoic the continents and oceans epochs of evolution. Radioactivity had were not fixed - and that they had once been discovered, but was not yet been grouped together in one vast convincingly applied to absolute dating. supercontinent, Pangaea, and one even Earth evolution was the subject of many larger ocean. The continent had speculative ‘geotectonic hypotheses’. fragmented and the fragments drifted apart, five modern oceans forming MATCH between them. Wegener had not hitherto been involved Alfred Wegener and his ideas were not in the debate - surely an advantage - but welcomed and his ideas were rejected he was probably aware of it. This was in furiously by most geologists. However, his character; although focused on he was convinced that his unorthodox meteorology and the study of the interpretation explained a wealth of atmosphere, he was curious about the many puzzling observations better than Earth as a whole and often looked at other theories - and in a manner that globes and wondered about patterns of definitely called for further tests. In the land and sea. His fiancée, Else Köppen, same year, 1912, his ideas were published in her 1960 biography of Alfred, quotes in an important geographical journal, from a letter of January 1911: Peterman’s Geographische Mitteilungen “My roommate … got Andree’s Handatlas (PGM). Geographers seemed less hostile (Scobel, 1910) as a Christmas gift. to his ideas, which Emile Argand For hours we admired the magnificent (University of Lausanne) and an early maps. A thought occurred to me: … convert, later referred to as ‘mobilism’. Does not the east coast of South America Early in the 20th Century, Earth fit the west coast of Africa as though they science was making great strides. had been contiguous in the past? Was there a general unifying theory, such Even better is the fit seen on the as cooling and shrinking, that could bathymetric map of the Atlantic when embrace all the new discoveries? comparing … the break-off into the deep Influential geologist Eduard Suess sea. I must follow this up”. So we can suggested that contraction caused date the spark that led to Wegener’s episodic sagging of the Earth’s surface, as revolutionary mobilist ideas precisely former continents foundered. But many to Christmas 1910. thought that continents and oceans were Others had noted the match – Bacon,

permanent. Little was known about the 1620; Osmond Fisher, 1889; George ▼

ALFRED WEGENER 100 YEARS OF MOBILISM Wolfgang R. Jacoby* celebrates the centenary of Alfred Wegener’s first publication on continental drift, the greatest revolution in Earth science since James Hutton Alfred Wegener on board of the ship "Godhaab", before crossing Greenland in 1912/13 ht:Afe eee ntttPhoto: Alfred Wegener Institut Photo: Alfred Wegener Institut

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▼ Darwin, 1898; William Pickering, 1907; Frank Taylor, 1910; Alexander von Humboldt, 1801. Wegener was not then aware of them, and none of them had thought of continental drift in quite the way he had. In 1910, Taylor attempted to explain Mesozoic to Recent orogeny on a global scale by suggesting large changes in planetary oblateness. Wegener remarked: “It does not appear that Taylor has realised the immense consequences of such large displacements of continents. As he did not investigate the implications despite Wegener launching a their contradiction of traditional views, meteorological his suggestion has probably been met balloon mostly with scepticism. For my work this was not the starting point … I learnt about it later.” Wegener began to look in earnest for evidence in the geological literature (not in those days the huge flood it is today!). It was then that he came across earlier allusions to the fit of coastlines, and the palaeontological literature on ‘land bridges’. He was alert to Theodor Arldt’s 1907 book: Die Entwicklung derKontinente und Alfred Wegener ihrer Lebenswelt [The evolution of 1930 Far right: continents and their living beings], an Wladimir Peter analysis of what some 20 Köppen (1846- palaeontologists had to say about trends 1940), Climatologist in the evolution of species on and Wegener’s landmasses now facing one another father-in-law across wide oceans. Between Africa and Photo: Alfred Wegener Institute Brazil, for example, he found that divergence began in late Early- Cretaceous, providing strong support for their former contiguity. On the basis of Arldt’s analysis, in 1921 he plotted the evidence for both convergence and divergence against stratigraphic time to illustrate initial contact and later separation of continents. CONNECTION Another persuasive argument was the connection of geological structures, such The Alfred as coal-bearing Carboniferous Wegener formations, across oceans like the Institute of Polar and Marine Atlantic. He clearly saw the climatic Research in argument provided by evidence of Bremerhaven, Permian glaciation on continents now Germany. Building near far distant from one another. the Old Port in By reassembling continents Wegener the city found that a wealth of geological and geophysical phenomena fell into place, which increasingly convinced him that continental drift was a reality. And so, as we mentioned above, on 6 Dragon's Back January 1912, at a meeting of the (Elkhorn Scarp) Geologische Vereinigung (GV) in in the Carrizo Plain – the trace Frankfurt, he went public for the first of the San time, with a lecture entitled Die Andreas Fault

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Herausbildung der Großformen der Erdrinde (Kontinente und Ozeane) auf geophysikalischer Grundlage [Building Earth’s main crustal structures (continents and oceans) on a geophysical basis]. This was later published in GV’s journal, Geologische Rundschau. We have noted that geological audience’s negative reaction; but a few days later, speaking on ‘Horizontal Drift of the Continents’ to the Marburg Society for the Advancement of Science, he enjoyed a more positive reception and immediately afterwards began work on the extended version ‘PGM12’, which he finished in a few months. Six months later he boarded a ship for Greenland and Iceland. COLLEAGUES Wegener’s Marburg colleagues helped greatly by searching the literature and bringing him references: “The geologists recover everything I need and bring it to me, saving nine tenths of my time. Otherwise it would have taken months…”. Young geology professor Hans Cloos remained sceptical but constructive, and Wegener updated his paper with new results and arguments. Wegener wrote: “Such a large number of Wegener’s surprising simplifications and iconic diagram of post Pangaea interrelationships become visible after continental drift only a preliminary scanning of the main Image: Royal Society geological and geophysical results, and for that reason alone I consider it justified, even necessary, to replace the old hypothesis of sunken continents by the new one, because it appears to be more successful. The old hypothesis [land bridges] has been demonstrated inadequate by its antithesis of the permanence of the oceans. In spite of its broad foundation I call the new idea a working hypothesis and I wish it to be taken as such, at least until it has been possible to prove by astronomical positioning with undoubtable accuracy that the horizontal displacements The Bullard Fit – continue to the present day.” from ‘The Fit of the Continents So what made Wegener so sure he Around the was on the right track? Else Wegener Atlantic’, quotes from a letter he wrote in 1911 to co-authored by Sir Edward her father Vladimir Köppen, who had Bullard, 1965 advised his young protégé against allowing himself to be ‘side-tracked’. Wegener responded: “I think you consider my original continent [Pangaea] more fantastic than it is, and you do not see that it is but an interpretation of observations. … We must assume a land connection, e.g., between South America and Africa,

which ended at a certain time. It may ▼

OCTOBER 2012 15 Photo: Alfred Wegener Institut

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▼ have happened in two ways: (1) by the longer be decided”. collapse of a connecting continent or (2) Four years of criticisms, support and Wladimir by the widening of a great rift. … The hard work resulted in their book Die Köppen in his first one contradicts the modern concept Klimate der geologischen Vorzeit [The obituary of Alfred Wegener of isostasy and our physical climates of the geological past] (1924). One 1931, wrote: ‘His understanding. A continent cannot sink, positive voice came from Milutin great silence, willing to make for it is lighter than that on what it floats. Milankovitch, who wrote: "I am sacrifices and Considering the second hypothesis, we impressed by your splendid concise and friendly justice find a wealth of simplifications making concentrated presentation. I am easily made him to a qualified leader more sense in the whole geological convinced by such a material of facts of expedition.’ history; should we not throw the old woven into a common idea.” Photo: Alfred Wegener Institut hypothesis overboard?” Wegener thought a lot about the In the early decades of the 20th mechanism of drift. However, his priority Century geographical research was closer in ‘PGM12’ was to describe the to geology than it is today and phenomenon. Explanations could wait. geographers were less inhibited by After discussing isostasy and plasticity at geotectonic doctrines. The editor of PGM, length and describing geosynclines in a Professor Langhans, accepted Wegener’s quite modern way (as an isostatic manuscript for publication unabridged, in response to sediment loading of three parts. The article caused great continental margins) Wegener wrote: excitement, and not all of it negative. Its “…what forces cause horizontal drift, is arguments ought to have made objective an obvious question … but premature. It geologists think; but first reactions were is first … necessary to exactly realise the inevitably rather subjective. Many reality and nature of the movements renowned geologists ridiculed the idea. before we can hope to understand their Strong opposition from geologists and causes.” He discussed polar wander, and (especially) geophysicists persisted for thought of it as a consequence, not a decades worldwide, especially in cause, of mass-changing redistribution Germany and America, even into the related to drift. He considered tidal forces One of the last, if 1960s. In contrast, several geodesists, a more likely cause. “Possibly for the time not the last picture: especially the director of the Geodetic being, it is best to consider continental Wegener with Institute Potsdam, Friedrich Robert drift the consequence of accidental Rasmus Helmert, considered drift a serious currents inside Earth. Hopefully it will be Villumsen, whose body was hypothesis. Unfortunately, in the 1930s possible in the future to separate the never found geodetic observations were too inaccurate accidental aspects from the tendency for adequate tests to be conducted. By the toward equilibrium in rotation.” time I was a student, in the late 60s, the Interestingly, at first Wegener tide was turning; but most of my teachers envisioned a phenomenon akin to were still very sceptical. ‘seafloor spreading’. In ‘PGM12’ this idea is expressed twice, most significantly on PALAEOCLIMATE page 305: “… we now seem able to After World War I, Alfred Wegener explain the different ocean depths. Since worked in Hamburg; he and Else were for large areas we will have to assume married and moved in with her parents. isostatic compensation of the seafloor, the Close cooperation developed between difference means that the seafloor we Wegener and his father-in-law. Else wrote believe to be old is also denser than that that her father first opposed the new believed to be young. Moreover, it seems ideas but as he became more involved undeniable that freshly exposed sima … Memorial became convinced that the idea provided will for a long time maintain … higher plaque, Alfred ‘paths through the labyrinth of temperatures (perhaps 100°C in the Lothar Wegener, Georg-Wilhelm- palaeoclimates’. Else wrote: “Often my uppermost 100km on average) than old, Str 20, Berlin- father waited impatiently for Alfred to largely cooled seafloor. … The depth Halensee, come home and to discuss new variation appears also to suggest that the Germany arguments”. Wegener himself wrote of Mid-Atlantic Ridge should be regarded as Photo: Claudia Pichler, Alfred Wegener Institute how he enjoyed: “...a daily exchange of the zone in which the floor of the Atlantic, ideas with Köppen, and I had the as it keeps spreading, is continuously satisfaction that he, initially cool and tearing open and making space for fresh, Alfred doubtful, increasingly warmed to drift relatively fluid and hot sima from depth.” Wegener's copy theory, and finally convinced himself that of the first WORLD WAR ONE edition of ‘Die here the ‘red thread’ through the Entstehung der labyrinth of palaeoclimatology had been Wegener was wounded early in the war, Kontinente und found. Several chapters were written in and it was while convalescing in Marburg Ozeane’, filled with his such close exchange of ideas that the that he wrote the first version of his 1915 handwritten bounds of intellectual ownership can no classic text Die Entstehung der Kontinente notes

16 OCTOBER 2012 FEATURE GEOSCIENTIST

und Ozeane [The Origin of Continents and his tent dug into ice, marking the grave Oceans], in which he replaced his earlier by his skis. Their radio did not work. ‘sea-floor spreading’ idea with a model The following spring, a search party involving continental ‘rafts’ floating found the grave. Wegener probably through viscous sima. Why did he died of heart failure. Rasmus had do this? Perhaps it was an arctic taken his diaries - but himself never explorer’s experience of ice as a reached the west station. His body was flowing, solid ‘rock’. never recovered. Three more editions followed, the So what prepared Wegener to second (1920) written mostly in become the researcher who, a century Marburg, the third (1922) in Hamburg, ago, introduced continental drift as a and the fourth in Graz (1929). The general theme in Earth history, subject of seafloor spreading was never explaining in such an engaging manner taken up again. In parts his a much wider variety of terrestrial formulations became somewhat phenomena than any previous theory defensive, but although the driving had done, and who, over the following mechanism still went unexplained, his decades, inspired others to go out and conviction remained unshaken that the test his ideas? We read of his very early ‘mobilist’ view of Earth better interest in nature, encouraged by his explained Earth history and structure parents - especially his mother. His than fixist hypotheses could. In the father was religious, but not dogmatic. fourth edition, Wegener wrote: Alfred and his brothers and sisters were “Relative continental movements have allowed great freedom. There were been determined by purely empirical arguments between son and father; but means. … So were the planetary in the end, Alfred followed his own movements of free fall. Then came interests - which broadened as he Newton and derived the laws of grew older. Skilled at seeing gravitation. … The Newton of connections, he was able to formulate continental drift has not yet appeared.” ideas that explained them lucidly. He discussed mantle convection as a On a global basis he assiduously possible driving mechanism, but wrote collected observations and, after cautiously: “If the theoretical reviewing them critically, boldly foundations prove reliable … , which is accepted their consequences. He not yet clear, convection will have to be became courageous and was unafraid of taken into account as an agent shaping debate and argument. Earth’s surface.” Summarising: “It must All these things are probably be taken for sure: the forces which significant; but in the end we must take move the continents are the same as Wegener as the true ‘Newton of those that form the great fold mountain continental drift’ – the man who made belts. Continental drift, divergence and mobilists of us all. n convergence, earthquakes, volcanism, transgressions and polar wander are * Wolfgang Jakoby is Professor Emeritus of interconnected in a grand causative Geophysics at the University of Mainz scheme. … Which is cause and which effect, the future will show.” At much the same time, Arthur ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Holmes (1928) proposed the existence I owe the opportunity to write this essay to the of mantle convection resulting from Editor of Geoscientist and his Editorial Board. radiogenic heat. In his revised edition Ted Irving contributed insights into of Principles of Physical Geology (1965), palaeoclimatology in untangling continental drift Holmes treated many aspects of the and polar wander, and the cooperation between present essay. Köppen and Wegener. I thank him for reviewing my draft, many clarifying comments and DEATH ON THE ICE corrections. Exchange with numerous Wegener did not live to see his last colleagues over the years has helped me better edition in print. He was away in understand Wegener the man, and his science. Greenland, where he died in 1930 - Finally, I am grateful to Alfred Wegener himself shortly after his 50th birthday, for the inspiration and encouragement that his returning from the central station on life and work have given me. the ice-cap to the western main station. He had intended to bring desperately FURTHER READING needed supplies and had to return on For an extensive list of references and further skis with only the one Greenlander, reading, please consult the online version of Rasmus Villumsen - who buried him in this article.

OCTOBER 2012 17 KIMMERIDGE LEGEND Ted Nield visits the private museum of a palaeontological pioneer as he nears what he hopes will be the end of a 20-year quest FEATURE GEOSCIENTIST

hose who once perused the introduction to British Mesozoic Fossils, the British Museum (Natural History)’s essential – andT once ubiquitous - fossil- hunter’s guide, may remember the following line from its introduction: “The Kimmeridge Clay is probably the least attractive to the fossil collector of all the British Jurassic formations”. Fossilist extraordinaire Steve Etches would beg to differ. He has amassed a lifetime’s collection of thousands of exquisitely preserved and prepared specimens, many completely new to science, that say otherwise. Next month, he should hear if his 20-year battle to have it displayed in a registered museum with proper access for public and researchers, is finally over. “If it is,” he told me, “I am going to have that quote carved mother’s button box for safe revealing something new to Above: Steve over the front door!” Etches shows off keeping. Fourth of five children, science, but for what they can tell Walking into Steve’s house, in his collection he accompanied his father on his us about life and death in the the almost impossibly picturesque to Professor work as a commercial and Kimmeridgian. It is this Chris Wilson Dorset village of Kimmeridge, industrial photographer, and if enthusiasm for the fossils as once neatly demonstrated the two sides Left (clockwise they finished work early they living objects, and their post- from top): Steve of his life. On the drive were Etches: “It’s the would go together to remote mortem history, that makes parked two vans marked “Webber collection that’s beaches, collecting anything of Steve a truly inspiring guide to & Etches Ltd., plumbing and important – and interest. his material. it’s important that heating engineers”. Inside, after it should be held in “I spent most of my early The first thing I noticed was a being ushered through kitchen a Recognised childhood searching for things” huge sauropod humerus centre and lounge, I found myself in a Museum.” says Steve: “birds’ nests, badger stage, but as Steve flitted from windowless outbuilding where, as A Plaster cast of a holes, dropped coins, spent gun specimen to specimen, hardly the lights flickered on, I saw was very rare fish in cartridges – anything. I was not knowing where to begin, I began the Kimmeridgian lined with exquisite fossils - called really interested in most subjects to see the exquisite lagerstätte-like Steve’s over-riding passion – Asthenocormus taught at school. I saw no point preservation - of cartilaginous together with the framed sp. Generally in sport and hated team games. material in the fossil sharks, the thought to be a accolades he has garnered from filter feeder I was always a loner and liked world-beating quantity and the world of geology. The nothing better than to go off on quality of his pterosaur specimens, Palaeontological Association’s One of the most my own. At the seaside I didn’t the insects – dragonfly wings complete Award to Amateur Lepidotes from the sunbathe – I found it very dull – (‘delicate filmed as new spun Palaeontologists came first, in Kimmeridge Clay, and so went and investigated the silk’ as Hardy might have said); 1993; followed by the R H Worth fin perfect rocks.” Steve’s enthusiasm for the teuthids with soft parts Prize of the Geological Society Still in preparation his collection is, and by his preserved, the lobsters, barnacles, (1994), the Mary Anning Award of and not completed own account always was, and the first ammonite egg-cases a complete new the Palaeontological Association species of infectious – his first convert ever discovered. (2005) and most recently, the Ichthyosaur from being his own father. Geologists’ Association’s Halstead the Upper It is easy to understand why. RESOURCE Kimmeridge Clay Medal (2006). That Steve has had Steve is not a collector of any and Steve has always seen his to sacrifice the wall space needed all spectacular fossils. His collection as a learning resource to put them on display, suggests cabinet of curiosities consists for public and researchers; but how much they mean to him. solely of “anything that lived in, making it happen has been a long on, or swam or flew above the and arduous job. Almost 20 years FIRST FOSSIL Kimmeridgian sea”, and his ago there was a project to build a Steve was five when he collected interest in his specimens lies not new museum in Swanage - which his first fossil - an echinoid flint just in their beauty as objects, or was strangled by red tape. Others

cast, which he put into his even in the thrill of finding and offered attractive venues, but at ▼

OCTOBER 2012 19 GEOSCIENTIST FEATURE

▼ unsustainable rents. A quarry Project’ has met with universal Below: A fore fin of pushover; he wants things the way owner once offered a free local approval (surely itself a first Opthalmosaurus he wants them, and that’s that. from the Lower building, only for the Council to in rural planning history) and Kimmeridge Clay, “What’s the point otherwise?” he refuse planning permission. A garnered pledges of funding from Small Mouth says. He also has very definite projected museum cum tea room a green energy firm, the landfill Sands, Weymouth ideas about museums, and how the seemed poised to draw down tax credit scheme and a US material should be presented. He then-available rural development hospital trust. no more wants ‘dumbing down’ grants for the restoration of At the suggestion of the than screeds of minute, learned disused rural buildings - but Heritage Lottery Fund Steve text. Nor does he want people foundered when it was discovered showed his collection to John goggling ignorantly at things they that the disused barn in question Woodward, former Director of don’t understand, too afraid to was listed. Cooperation with Bovington Tank Museum, for question, or unable to find Lulworth Heritage Centre – where whose recent revamp he raised someone to ask. He wants all Steve currently has an exhibition £25m, much from the HLF. guided, ideally in-person, tours – based on the striking evidence of Woodward took one look and pre-recorded, failing that - so that predation between species in the immediately offered his services as people actually do learn about Kimmeridgian - has been valuable a project manager - advising that what they are seeing. experience; but the location is only the HLF could really do the obscure and the Centre has to project justice. Next month, they RECOGNISED MUSEUM charge entry. will hear whether the resulting bid That glint of inner steel shines off Things began to look up, has been successful - that they are Steve’s absolute (and entirely however, when local landlord Dr finally on track to the £2m that the justified) confidence in the worth Philip Mansel proposed making a Project needs. of his collection. “We have the greenfield site in Kimmeridge Steve’s mood is upbeat, but he world’s finest ichthyosaur material village available for a combined has known too much from the Kimmeridge. The NHM Museum of Jurassic Marine Life disappointment to count chickens may have the best fish collection, and village hall. This proposal, yet. There’s a glint of steel; just as but for the Kimmeridge, ours is far now going under the general he would never sell his collection, superior. For pterosaurs, there’s heading of ‘The Kimmeridge he won’t ‘sell out’, either. He’s no no-one to beat us. I know what I’ve got. I know it can’t be replicated anywhere else...” though lest this sound like personal grandstanding, he quickly adds: “But it’s the collection that’s important – and that it should be held in a Recognised Museum.” Steve has been overwhelmed by pledges of support for the Kimmeridge Project from university and museum academics, and expert individuals in the UK and abroad. He quotes Professor Desmond Donovan, who recently sighed, with a shake of the head: “I’ve worked on these things all my life, and yet you are showing me stuff I have never seen before.” If all goes well, we shall soon all be able to see stuff we’ve never seen before – and could never see anywhere else. n

FURTHER INFORMATION To find out more about the Kimmeridge Project: www.kimmeridgeproject.org

FURTHER READING You can obtain a copy of Steve’s book (written with Jane Clark), Life in Jurassic Seas – the autobiography of a fossil collector, by emailing Steve directly at [email protected]. The book is privately printed, has no ISBN and is not available retail or online.

20 OCTOBER 2012 Steve Etches and (left) some of his unique collection of fossil teuthids

Far right: Parked vans in Kimmeridge provide a clue to Steve’s other life

Ammonite egg cases... the first ever discovered

Far right: Upper specimens in the image are Pectinatites sp. Lower specimens of Gravesia sp

Steve’s R H Worth Prize from the Society

Far right: The green field site earmarked for the Kimmeridge Project building, if funding is forthcoming Inset: Plan of the proposed museum cum new village hall for Kimmeridge Geoscientist welcomes readers’ letters. These are published as promptly as possible in Geoscientist Online and a selection READERS’ printed each month. Please submit your letter (300 words or fewer, by email only please) to [email protected]. LETTERS Letters will be edited. For references cited in these letters, please see the full versions at www.geolsoc.org.uk/letters WAGER AND EVEREST

Sir, Geoff Glasby (Geoscientist July 2012) years earlier when the two disappeared speculates that Jack Longland may have on the upper part of the mountain. been mistaken when he stated (in Everest Two days later Frank Smythe turned - the best writing and pictures of seventy back at much the same height, climbing years of human endeavour : Ed Peter alone after Eric Shipton had been unable Gilman) that three climbers reached to continue. Notably, of all these, only 8565m on Everest in 1933. Dr Glasby Mallory and Irvine were using bases this on the fact that Lawrence supplemental oxygen. Wager, subsequently Professor of Longland’s own heroism occurred on Geology at Durham, then Oxford and 29 May when he led eight sherpas from doyen of Skaergaard intrusion studies) Camp Six to Camp Four through a reached this height alone. Not so. severe blizzard, at a time when ‘sahibs’ As with most early expeditions, there were expected to guide sherpas, rather were two summit attempts, each than the reverse. He went on to become consisting of a pair of climbers. a visionary Chief Education Officer for Lawrence Wager climbing with Percy Derbyshire, established White Hall, the Wyn Harris on 30 May reached this Britain’s first specialist outdoor education altitude, equalling that achieved by centre, and is justifiably viewed as the Edward Norton in 1924. They turned father of outdoor education in the UK. back due to dangerous conditions and Wager shares with Noel Odell, a great the lateness of the hour. It was during tradition of geologists on the early this attempt that Wyn Harris found Everest expeditions. ‘Mallory’s ice axe’ (it may equally have Lawrence Wager been Irvine’s) after it had been lost nine Andrew Heald

22 OCTOBER 2012 BOOKS & ARTS GEOSCIENTIST

and none will be like matches of ours?1 English-speaking geologist. That said, the This is an excellent introduction, but not text provides an invaluable insight into the faultless: Figure 10 (Mars) shows an complexities of synthesising such varied ‘impact crater’ (Rothery’s term) with a geology into one coherent overview. surround of a flow of some sort (now lava The map itself is divided into over one or slurry?) which must be genetically hundred units, including superficial related to the crater and a similar, older deposits covering extensive areas, most feature, behind. These are not ice sheets. notably the Po Valley, which clearly I think a volcanic explanation is more displays a number of underlying thrusts in likely. But this just shows what a wealth of red. Such faults riddle much of the material still awaits specialist geological detail and yet somehow avoid Planets: A Very Short interpretation in these fascinating images. becoming overwhelming. Given that this map was compiled at 1:500,000 it can only Introduction Reviewed by Joe McCall be hoped that it could be used as the basis This belongs to a series of ‘very short for a regional series. It will be a long time introductions’. The first chapter - Solar Reference: available online before many areas receive more detailed Systems – is very condensed writing, full of coverage, as 1:10,000 surveying was halted facts: then come chapters on Rocky PLANETS: A VERY SHORT INTRODUCTION a decade ago. DAVID ROTHERY, Published by Oxford University Press Planets; Giant Planets; Giant planets’ 2010 ISBN: 978-0-19-957350-9 135 (pbk) Many of those areas which have been satellites and rings, and Asteroids. List Price £7.99 RRP $11.95 USA completed have yet to be printed at 1:50,000 I found the last named particularly and can only be previewed online at interesting, because we are now really www.isprambiente.gov.it/ establishing known facts about their Media/carg/index.html. From here, click nature, on account of actual sampling and on a region to see an index map, where red close imagery, backing up the earlier sheets have been published and orange in reliance on spectrography. press awaiting publication can be selected Chapter Six covers Trans-Neptune for interactive viewing, with a ‘zoom’ and objects: here we are by contrast groping ‘explore’ system. This includes satellite our way towards a reasonable imagery, location of boreholes and understanding of these assorted plutoids, sinkholes, 1:50,000 sheet lines, and both which can be Plutinos, Kuiper belt objects Bouguer gravity contours and shading. or Scattered Disk Objects, and of course A discussion of the wider implications of also satellites such as Charon. There seems ceasing classical 1:10,000 mapping - both in to be a rash of classification at a very early Italy and now in Britain - can be found stage of knowledge (dare one say that Geological Map of Italy online in a longer version of this review. NASA is rather too keen on classification?). This most welcome geological map of Italy More will be known about these objects at one to a million is extremely well Reviewed by David Nowell when the ‘New Horizons’ mission drafted so that it packs in an incredible reaches Pluto (now a Plutino or dwarf amount of information. The excellent base planet) in 2015. map is clear to read, including offshore 1:1,000,000 CARTA GEOLOGICA D’ITALIA 5TH EDN. Chapter Seven is equally fascinating, bathymetry highlighting the submerged B COMPAGNONI AND F GALLUZZO ET AL, Published by: Servizio Geologico d’Italia (Geological Survey of Italy) covering Exoplanets, of which some 500 or morphology of the waters surrounding the Publication date: 2011 so are now known from our galaxy, despite Apennine peninsula, along with Sicily, List Price unstated, c. €10 (cf. national gravity map), the fact that the Kepler telescopic mission is Sardinia and Corsica, which is part of the folded only. http:// sgi.isprambiente.it/geoportal/ catalog/main/home.page covering only a small wedge of it. Rothery varying overlap with neighbouring estimates that there are 10,000,000,000 countries. exoplanets in our galaxy, of which 100 Even if the geological presentation is REVIEWS: COPIES AVAILABLE million may be habitable; but it is anyone’s slightly overwhelming, this comprehensive We have received the following books. guess. The mind boggles at the potential coverage is beautifully executed, rendering Please contact [email protected] population of planets in further galaxies. it possible to assimilate fine detail within a if you would like to supply a review. Exoplanet discovery dates from only 1995, unified stratigraphic framework. You will be invited to keep the review and relies on variations in starlight, transits The captions for both keys are in both copy. See Geoscientist Online for a full up-to-date version of this list. and even direct observation. A warning Italian & English, and the insert, with the here: NASA scientists have defined the tectonostratigraphic units, are defined in n ‘habitable zone’ in multiplanet exoplanet terms of the crust they were derived NEW! The Million Death Quake - the science of predicting Earth's deadliest systems in which life could exist (based on from during the Hercynian and then natural disaster Roger Musson. October physical conditions), but so far there has Alpine orogenies. 2012 Palgrave Macmillan 250pp ISBN 978-0- been little consideration of the nature and While it is easy for those of us lucky 230-11941-3 pre-pub softback. history of evolution, which is partly enough to have grown up speaking the n NEW! Natural Hazards of Jamaica controlled by external factors such as international language of science to Parris Lyew-Ayee Jr & Rafi Ahmad (University planetary development through time, become complacent, it is a pity that this of West Indes Press, Mona Geoinformatics nature of ‘suns’ and configuration of translation - including the useful bilingual Institute). ISBN: 9789766402594. 150pp planets. Each planet surely will have its pamphlet explaining the authors’ approach Large format, colour. own evolutionary development, sui generis, to their work - was not read over by an

OCTOBER 2012 23 GEOSCIENTIST PEOPLE

Geoscientists in the news and on the move in the UK, PEOPLE Europe and worldwide CAROUSEL Dr Karen Darke Paralympian All fellows of the Society are entitled to entires in this Dawne Riddle writes: Fellows column. Please email ted.nield who watched the Paralympics @geolsoc.org.uk, quoting your may well be interested to know Fellowship number. more about geologist Dr Karen Darke (www.karendarke.com), n PETER COOK who first entered the Paracycling World Cup in 2009. Peter Cook CBE, She formed part of the British former BGS Cycling team in the road race Director, has been on a hand-cycle. Darke has honoured with the been paralysed from the waist launch of the down since a climbing accident Peter Cook 20 years ago, when she was Centre for Carbon Capture and 21. By then she had already Storage Research by the Hon. climbed Mont Blanc and the Michael O’Brien, Victorian Matterhorn, but has since Minister for Resources and climbed El Capitan (Yosemite), Energy. The Cooperative kayaked the Alaska coastline Research Centre for and skied across Greenland. Greenhouse Gas Technologies Next year she will attempt to (CO2CRC) will direct research reach the South pole. She has at the new Centre, which has written two books about her been sponsored by Rio Tinto life, the second of which is out with $3 million in funding over shortly and is called Boundless. three years. A further $3 million in Rio Tinto funding over three years will support the CO2CRC Otway Project, Australia’s first Earth Heritage magazine demonstration of geological carbon dioxide storage, as a Colin MacFadyen (SNH) writes: Published online twice a year, field site for carbon storage Earth Heritage is the UK the magazine is an eclectic mix of research. E: pjcook@ geological and landscape articles on geodiversity co2crc.com.au; conservation magazine, conservation initiatives and W: www.co2crc.com.au produced by the nature interpretation, often with conservation agencies – international input. n EDMUND NICKLESS Natural England (NE), Scottish Edmund Nickless, Natural Heritage (SNH) and the To download current and Executive Countryside Council for Wales previous issues, and to Secretary of the (CCW), in partnership with the subscribe free, visit Society, has Geologists’ Association. www.earthheritage.org.uk. been elected a Fellow of the Geological Society of America. IN MEMORIAM WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/OBITUARIES His citation highlights the THE SOCIETY NOTES WITH SADNESS THE PASSING OF: many ways in which Mr Nickless has advanced the Bowler, Christopher Michael Lance * Chapman, W T * King, Bruce * MacLean, Ronald G * Chappell, Bruce * Hooper, Peter Ralph Middleton, John * Williams, Colin L * geological sciences - as a researcher, Assistant Director of In the interests of recording its Fellows' work for posterity, the You can read the guidance for authors at BGS, and as Executive Society publishes obituaries online, and in Geoscientist. www.geolsoc.org.uk/obituaries. To save yourself The most recent additions to the list are shown in bold. Secretary – and praises his unnecessary work, please do not write anything until you Fellows for whom no obituarist has yet been commissioned have received a commissioning letter. fostering of international are marked with an asterisk (*). The symbol § indicates that Deceased Fellows for whom no obituary is forthcoming have links with societies in the biographical material has been lodged with the Society. If you would like to contribute an obituary, please email their names and dates recorded in a Roll of Honour at United States and across [email protected] to be commissioned. www.geolsoc.org.uk/obituaries. the world.

24 OCTOBER 2012 PEOPLE GEOSCIENTIST

HELP YOUR OBITUARIST The Society operates a scheme for Fellows to deposit biographical material. The object is to assist obituarists by providing contacts, dates and other information, and thus ensure that Fellows’ lives are accorded appropriate and accurate commemoration. Please send your CV and a photograph to Ted Nield at the Society. DISTANT THUNDER Climate Change Nina Morgan speculates on the role of uniformitarianism in international relations

Charles Lyell’s Principles of Geology was arguably one of the most influential geology books ever written. First published in three volumes between 1830- 1833, it ran to 12 editions, the last published posthumously. In his autobiography Charles Darwin described Lyell’s book as ‘of the highest service to me in many ways’ and the first volume served as Darwin’s ‘Desert Island’ book on the Beagle. But Lyell’s observational powers and keen sense of reasoning extended well beyond the realms of rocks and Earth processes. He also appeared to delight in amateur anthropology. SPURRED In A second visit to the United States of North America, Lyell recalls how, spurred on by a remark by a Boston resident that ‘We ought to be happier than the English, although we do not look so’ [Lyell’s italics], he was moved Charles Lyell – from the to speculate on the origins of Society’s portrait collection national characteristics. “I suspect,” Lyell wrote, “that the principal cause of the continued snows of winter, and the two countries.” 1849; and the chapter covering different aspect of the Anglo- to the intense heat of the But, since the Anglo-Saxon the voyage of the Beagle in Saxon race in England and summer’s sun. An Englishman is ‘invasions’ of America and Charles Darwin’s Autobiography. America is the climate. During usually recognised at once in a Australia are, relatively speaking, both our tours through the party, by a more robust look, and comparatively recent, perhaps If the past is the key to your United States, my wife and I a greater clearness and uniformitarianism had not yet present interests, why not join enjoyed excellent health. But, he ruddiness of complexion; and it is progressed as far in these the History of Geology Group notes, “we were told that, if we surprising how distinguishable he regions. If that is the case, one (HOGG)? For more information stayed a second year, we should is even from persons born of wonders what Lyell might have and to read the latest HOGG feel less vigorous...” English parents in the United written had he lived long enough newsletter, visit: The reason, he conjectures is States. It is also a curious fact, to publish a 13th edition of his www.geolsoc.org.uk/hogg, the weather. “English travellers which seems generally admitted, most famous work. where the programme and often ascribe the more delicate that the native Anglo-Australians abstracts from the Conference health of the inhabitants here [in bear a considerable resemblance ACKNOWLEDGEMENT on Geological Collectors and the United States] to their in-door to the Anglo-Americans in look Sources for this vignette include: Collecting are available as a pdf habits and want of exercise. But and manner of speaking, A second visit to the United file free to download. it is natural that they should which is a mystery, for there is States of North America, by shrink from exposing themselves certainly in that case no Charles Lyell, published in two * Nina Morgan is a geologist and to the severe frosts and long- analogy between the climates of volumes by John Murray in science writer based near Oxford

OCTOBER 2012 25 GEOSCIENTIST OBITUARY

OBITUARY‘

STEPHEN JOHN MILLS 1942-2012 Oil geologist with encyclopaedic knowledge of the world’s basins and a pioneer in applying plate tectonic theory

tephen John Mills in general exploration concepts to his basin He was a perfectionist and died peacefully on geology, including fieldwork analysis of the NW Shelf of brought this trait into all Saturday 7 in the Santa Elena Peninsula Australia, and the North Sea. recommendations and January, 2012 in and later in the Oriente Basin. At BNOC he became much decisions in which he S Calgary, Canada In 1972 Steve was admired for his skill in being participated. Steve was a after a long and courageous transferred to Burmah’s Perth able to condense a play - its good manager, always battle against Parkinson’s office (W. Australia). plate tectonic setting and supportive of his staff. Disease. Steve was well Burmah’s giant Northwest prospectivity attributes - into Despite an affable manner known to many people Shelf gas/condensate a single diagram. his standards were internationally in the E&P discoveries made these In 1979 he moved to extremely high and he industry. During his time in exciting times. He was later Hudbay Oil International demanded the same from London he was a regular appointed District Geologist (Calgary) as Manager of his team. attendee at courses and in the Bonaparte Gulf Basin Geology worldwide. He In late 1990 CanadianOxy symposia organised by the and his work resulted in the developed an attractive and offered him the position of Society as well as a regular multi-TCF gas/condensate well-balanced portfolio of International Exploration visitor to the Library. discoveries at Sunrise, assets at Hudbay, adding to Vice President in Calgary, Steve was born on 20 Troubadour and Kelp. He already existing assets there which he accepted. At that November 1942 in Gosforth, was later involved in and acquiring new ones time the company was England and educated at St fieldwork in Indonesia and throughout Southeast Asia, expanding and the Bees School, Cumbria (1956- Portuguese Timor. Following Europe, Latin America and international new venture 61). He graduated from Burmah’s sale of Australian Africa. Steve was well liked group was an exciting place Durham University with a assets Steve was transferred and highly regarded by the to work. Steve inspired all BSc (Hons) in Geology to London, where he became management and board of with his quiet competence (1964) and later an MSc in responsible for exploration in the parent company. and extraordinary global micropalaeontology from Burmah’s Central North Sea knowledge. In 1996 he left London University (1965). assets. He later moved to AMAZING DETAIL CanadianOxy to pursue a BNOC (Glasgow). In 1981 Hudson’s Bay Oil consultancy career. By 2000 BURMAH OIL While in Ecuador and and Gas was acquired by Steve decided to His first job was with Australia Steve became Dome Petroleum, which discontinue this and Burmah Oil Company excited by global plate then sold its international redirected his energy (Ecuador, 1965). He worked tectonics and applied these assets to Lasmo. Steve thus towards military history. moved back to London Steve will be (early 1983), assuming the remembered as a position of International gentleman, an excellent Geology Manager geologist, a military worldwide at Lasmo. historian and above all as a Throughout his seven years loyal and trusted friend. He with Lasmo he filled various was erudite, broadly read, a senior exploration linguist and a wonderful management and raconteur. His great spirit international new venture and firm determination roles, impressing all with his were amply demonstrated ability to talk during his long illness. knowledgeably yet modestly about any sedimentary basin By Robert W Duke and in the world. His J Bruce Blanche, with phenomenal memory could contributions from Phil Wright, recall conversations, Dave Boote, Brian Hodgson, discussions, meetings and Dave Powell, John Hogan, reports in amazing detail. Don Poynton and Jenny Miles

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

ENDORSED TRAINING/CPD

Course Date Venue and details

Field Observation & 1-5 October University of Sussex, Brighton. This week-long field course provides professional training in Geomorphological Mapping field observation, geomorphological mapping and dGPS surveying skills. Fees, - discount for Fellows – apply. See website.

Structural Modelling and Analysis 2-4 October The 3-day course in our Glasgow office is an ideal hands-on introduction to the Move software Using MOVE suite and also covers the geological theory behind Move. Fees apply. See website.

2, 3 or 5 Day Introductory & 8-12 October Rougemont Hotel, Exeter, Devon. Introductory Geochemistry course aimed at people in the Advanced Geochemistry Courses petroleum industry. See website. Fees apply.

Introduction to Micromine 9-10 October Burlington House. This course is being held over 2 days and includes Introduction to Micromine (Day 1) and Introduction to Exploration (Day 2). Fees Apply. See website.

3-Day Basin Modelling Course 10-12 October IGI Ltd, Hallsannery, Bideford, Devon. Aimed at petroleum geoscientists who wish to begin using basin modelling software in their work. Fees Apply. See website.

Cone Penetration Testing 19 October Nottingham. FUGRO. Free. Introductory course and technology update on Cone Penetration Testing theory and application. See website for other dates. Will also run on 14 December (Wallingford), and 23 November (Exeter). E: [email protected] W: www.fes.co.uk

Terrain Analysis & Digital Mapping 22-26 October University of Sussex, Brighton. Visualisation, interpretation and synthesis of spatial datasets is an essential requirement of geological and geomorphological assessment. Fees Apply. See website.

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

DIARY OF MEETINGS OCTOBER 2012

Meeting Date Venue and details

Deep-Water Continental Margins: Final 1-2 October Burlington House. Bringing together geologists, geophysicists, mathematical and physical modellers Exploration Frontier? Geological Society seeking to understand the evolution of continental margins and their economic importance. See Website for details and registration. Office contact: Steve Whalley T: 020 7434 9944 F:020 7494 0579 E: [email protected]

Brofiscin Quarry - Securing Remediation 3 October Room 1.25, Earth Sciences, Main Building, Cardiff University. Through Part IIa, Southern Wales Speakers: Trystan James (EA) Peter Stanley (EA) Ewan Thomas (Geotechnology). 1730 for 1800.

Hot Deserts 4 October Burlington House. See Website for details and flyer. Fees apply. Office contact: Steve Whalley Engineering Group T: 020 7434 9944 F:020 7494 0579 E: [email protected]

Operations Geology Workshop 5 October Kings College Conference Centre, University of Aberdeen. Fees apply. See website to register. Petroleum Group Office contact: Laura Hayward T: 020 7432 0983 F: 020 7494 0579 E: [email protected]

Pollutants and Human Health in the Age of 10 October Burlington House. A Shell London Lecture - see p.11 Man, Geological Society, Shell

The Long View Reflected 16 October Geological Society, Burlington House. See p.11 Burlington House Lecture

Military Applications of Geology for the Cross- 17 October University of Portsmouth. Speaker: Ted Rose. Evening meeting. Contact: Karen Allso (Secretary) Channel Invasion, Solent E: [email protected]

Appreciating Physical Landscapes: 22-23 Burlington House. The significant historical antecedents of modern geotourism in Britain and Geotourism 1670 – 1970 October Europe. Fees apply - see website for details and registration. Office contact: Naomi Newbold History of Geology Group T: 020 7434 9944 F: 020 7494 0579 E: [email protected]

East Africa – Petroleum Province of the 21st 24-26 Burlington House. Fees apply – see website for details and registration. Office contact: Steve Whalley Century? Petroleum Group October T: 020 7434 9944 F: 020 7494 0579 E: [email protected]

OCTOBER 2012 27 GEOSCIENTIST OBITUARY

OBITUARY‘

GEORGE RICHARD ORME 1931 - 2012 Carbonate sedimentologist who transferred his interest from Waulsortian mounds to modern, living reefs

ichard Orme was and petrology of the normal and Newell and John Imbrie he a student of the reef facies of the Avonian studied the reefs of Bimini Sheffield limestone, Derbyshire in the late Island in the Bahamas. University 1950s under Prof Leslie A short return to Sheffield R Geology Moore, then Head of Geology followed when in 1962 Department, graduating at Sheffield. For this research Richard was offered a NATO with Honours in 1955. Richard received his PhD in scholarship to work in the Richard was quiet and 1960. Sheffield’s local Sheffield Department. The studious, with a good sense Carboniferous geology offer of an Assistant of humour (the Goon Show supported an active research Lectureship (1963) provided was a particular favourite) centre at the University, and the security for Richard and coupled with a natural the excellent outcrops and Awen to marry, and they organizational flair that he large commercial quarries of remained in Sheffield until put to good use as President the Peak District provided January 1967 when Richard expedition to reefs off of the student geological Richard with his training. took up an appointment as Eastern New Guinea and society. His attention to His research on limestones Senior Lecturer in the took part in a Japanese detail also showed when he was further developed Department of Geology and submarine dive off the won the Fearnsides prize for through a year’s assignment Mineralogy in the University Great Barrier Reef. His his undergraduate field to the Geology Department of of Brisbane, Queensland, main interests, however, project. Born in Worksop, Aberystwyth under Prof Australia. Here he rose to were with the Northern Nottinghamshire on 19 May Wood, where he met his become Associate Professor Great Barrier Reef Province 1931, Richard passed away future wife Awen. and Head of Department, (North of Corktown, Lloyd peacefully on 16 January and remained until his Bay area). 2012 in Brisbane, Australia FOSSIL REEFS retirement in 1996. Richard once invited me leaving his widow, Awen. Having studied fossil reefs, Through his knowledge of over to Brisbane to sample the move to recent ones was a reefs, Richard became a his cellar of French wines; AVONIAN logical step, facilitated member of the Great Barrier sadly I was never able to Richard Orme’s career in through a scholarship to Reef Committee concerned take up his offer. carbonate sedimentology Columbia University, New with the running of Heron followed his doctorate York (1960-62) where, under Island. He also joined Compiled by Ray Bate with research On the stratigraphy the tutorage of Norman Rhodes Fairbridge on an much help from Awen Orme

28 OCTOBER 2012 CROSSWORD GEOSCIENTIST

CROSSWORD NO. 162 SET BY PLATYPUS WIN A SPECIAL PUBLICATION

The winner of the August Crossword puzzle prize draw was Nicola Watson of Chester-le-Street.

All correct solutions will be placed in the draw, and the winner’s name printed in the November issue. The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Closing date - October 24.

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

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

Name ...... ACROSS DOWN Membership number ...... 1 Subvertical discordant sheet 1 Long-term wearing away of Earth's surface Address for correspondence ...... intrusions (5) and reduction of relief (10) 4 Weathering along surface- 2 London university institution discovers ...... parallel planes creating onion- potassium chloride (3) ...... skin effect (9) 3 Extreme diet (6) 9 Southern Australian desert, ...... 4 Enclosing an object within a solid substrate famous among meteorite (9) hunters (9) ...... 5 Iron-containing mineralogical chemical prefix 10 Mountain kingdom of the (5) ...... Himalaya (5) 6 Ground failure (8) ...... 11 Palaeontological object eroded from one formation and 7 North American caledonide mountains (11) ...... deposited in another (7, 6) 8 Slippery swimmers, rendered more so in Postcode 14 Lunar-induced oscillation (4) London by 4-downing in jelly (4) ...... 15 Chronometers (10) 12 Arguing in a way common in science, by which one object or concept is explained in 18 Cancer expert (10) terms of another at a lower level. (11) SOLUTIONS AUGUST 19 Jetty (4) 13 Non-scientific interpreter of the heavens 21 Involving many sovereign (10) ACROSS: states (13) 6 Gypcrete 8 Inlier 10 Temper 11 Lava Tube 16 Milton, pursuing melancholy, asks a 'pealing 24 London lecture sponsor (5) organ' to dissolve him into these (9) 12 Alsatians13 Inca 15 Hogback 17 Arsenic 20 Elmo 21 Decompose 23 Efferent 25 Nelson 25 Liable to nab an electron (9) 17 Blood-clotting factors in mammals (8) 27 Anomie 28 Treatise 27 Rameses, Amenhotep, 20 Most common continental oxide (6) Hatshepsut, Nefertiti and co. 22 Northern Spanish wine province (5) DOWN: (9) 1 Gyre 2 Scopes 3 Aeolian 4 Sieves 5 Verb 23 Man, Wight, Scilly, Portland etc (4) 28 French love, usually observed 7 Erratic 9 Lattice 12 Atoll 14 Chine16 Bioherm cleanly in England (5) 26 Same, Greekly (3) 18 Remanie 19 Acetate 21 Diesel 22 Oolith 24 Fens 26 Ouse

OCTOBER 2012 29 RECRUITMENT

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Our well-established technical courses in Cone Penetration TestingTTeesting and geophysics araree now linked to a new 1 day course ‘‘‘An‘An IntrIntroductionoduction into the Challenges of Acquisition and InterpretationInterpretation of Geological, Geotechnical *endorsed*endorsed byby TheThe GeologicalGeological SocietySociety and Geospatial Data forr the OfOffshorefffshore Renewable Industry’Industry’’.’.

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30 OCTOBER 2012

Careersers DayDay 20122012 The Geological Society T h e

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Photograph: P. Bucktrout (British Antarctic Survey)