SCIENTIST GEO VOLUME 24 NO 10 u NOVEMBER 2014 u WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST The Fellowship Magazine of the Geological Society of London UK / Overseas where sold to individuals: £3.95

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Earth - a space oddity? David Waltham ponders our ‘Goldilocks planet’ in the light of anthropic selection

TEACHING TEACHERS WAR GRAVES SOCIETY FUNDS Chris King on the Earth Science Nina Morgan on design and Fieldwork? Research? Time Education Unit’s 15th birthday materials in WW1 memorials to apply for a Society bursary LyLyellell MMeetingeeting 22015015 MMud,ud, ggloriouslorious mmud,ud, aandnd wwhyhy iitt iiss iimportantmportant fforor tthehe ffossilossil rrecordecord

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The Geological Society, Burlington House

Mudrocks provide an unrivalled medium for the preservation of fossils. This Speakers include: exceptional preservation has, in turn, enabled significant scientific advances in the functional morphology and evolution of biota throughout life history and, a Derek Briggs high resolution record of the ways in which biota adapt and evolve during (Yale University) environmental change. Paul Pearson (University of Cardiff) It has long been observed that mudrocks yield abundant, diverse and well- David Martill preserved micro- and macro-fossils. Almost all the strata yielding fossilised soft (University of Portsmouth) parts are also from mud-grade deposits. More recent studies have discovered Hugh Torrens that the seawater chemistry at the time of deposition remains largely (Keele University) unaltered in shells preserved in mudrocks. This enables these fossils to be used as proxies for important Earth surface parameters such as water temperature, Volke Wilder (Senckenberg Naturmuseum) salinity, ice volume, rate of chemical weathering and pH. The role of mudrocks in providing an ideal medium for understanding life throughout geological time William Gosling (University of also applies to lake deposits where terrestrial palynomorphs provide us with Amsterdam) records of vegetation change in response to climatic fluctuations. The relative Nick McCave (University of stratigraphical completeness of most mudrock successions makes them ideal Cambridge) for high-resolution studies and hence for understanding the rock record on biological timescales. Convenors: Angela Coe The meeting will be of relevance to those interested in marine and terrestrial (The Open University) Earth surface processes particularly periods of extreme environmental change Alan Lord as well as those interested in the exceptional preservation of fossils. (Senckenberg Naturmuseum) Linked Public Lecture Call for Poster There will be a linked public lecture on the evening of the 10 March by Euan Abstracts: Clarkson (University of Edinburgh) entitled ‘The Cambrian Alum Shales of We welcome poster Scandinavia and their remarkable trilobites’. contributions for this meeting, particularly from students. If you would like us to consider your research for a poster please send an abstract of no Further information more than 400 words to [email protected] For further information about the conference please contact: by 9th January 2015. Naomi Newbold, Conference Office, The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG T: 0207 434 9944 E: [email protected] Web: www.geolsoc.org.uk/lyell-2015 Follow this event on Twitter: #lyell15 GEOSCIENTIST CONTENTS

06 24

10 16

FEATURES IN THIS ISSUE... 16 Teaching teachers Chris King celebrates the 15th birthday of Keele University’s Earth Science Education Unit

REGULARS

05 Welcome Ted Nield delivers the Parable of the Puddle 06 Society news What your Society is doing at home and abroad, in London and the regions 09 Soapbox Don Hallett bemoans some unlovely trends in modern scientific publishing ON THE COVER: 20 Books and arts Five new books reviewed by Daniel 10 Earth - a space oddity? LeHeron, Ted Nield, Joel Gill and Brent Wilson A pale blue dot hangs in space – just how 22 Letters We welcome your views unique is our world – and how can we know? 24 People Geoscientists in the news and on the move Dave Waltham ponders ‘anthropic selection’ 26 Obituary Frederic Gladstone Bell 1937-2014 27 Calendar Society activities this month ONLINE SPECIALS What lies beneath John Welch on a recent joint Regional Group 28 Obituary John Bernard Edgar Williams 1930-2014 photo competition 29 Crossword Win a special publication of your choice

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04 | NOVEMBER 2014 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST

GEOSCIENTIST WELCOME Geoscientist is the ADVERTISING SALES ~ Fellowship magazine of James Stead EARTH IS A ‘GOLDILOCKS PLANET’, the Geological Society T 01727 739 194 of London E james@centuryone WHERE EVERYTHING WAS, PURELY BY publishing.uk The Geological Society, GOOD FORTUNE, ‘JUST RIGHT’ Burlington House, Piccadilly, ART EDITOR Cover : Denis Tabler / Shutterstock.com London W1J 0BG Heena Gudka ~ T +44 (0)20 7434 9944 F +44 (0)20 7439 8975 DESIGN & PRODUCTION E [email protected] Sarah Astington (Not for Editorial - Please contact the Editor) PRINTED BY Century One Publishing House Publishing Ltd. The Geological Society Publishing House, Unit 7, Copyright Brassmill Enterprise Centre, The Geological Society of Brassmill Lane, Bath London is a Registered BA1 3JN Charity, number 210161. T 01225 445046 ISSN (print) 0961-5628 F 01225 442836 ISSN (online) 2045-1784

Library The Geological Society of London T +44 (0)20 7432 0999 accepts no responsibility for the FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK: F +44 (0)20 7439 3470 views expressed in any article in this publication. All views expressed, E [email protected] except where explicitly stated otherwise, represent those of the EDITOR-IN-CHIEF author, and not The Geological Professor Peter Styles Society of London. All rights reserved. No paragraph of Puddle thinking this publication may be reproduced, EDITOR copied or transmitted save with Dr Ted Nield written permission. Users registered E [email protected] with Copyright Clearance Center: the Journal is registered with CCC, 27 he late, much lamented dethroned humans as the uniquely Congress Street, Salem, MA 01970, EDITORIAL BOARD USA. 0961-5628/02/$15.00. Every Douglas Adams once ordained pinnacle of creation, with Dr Sue Bowler effort has been made to trace delivered what he called the dominion over it. Then Freud Mr Steve Branch copyright holders of material in Dr Robin Cocks this publication. If any rights have ‘Parable of the Puddle’. showed that we were not the rational been omitted, the publishers offer Prof. Tony Harris “. . . imagine a puddle beings we thought we were. Dr Howard Falcon-Lang their apologies. T Dr Jonathan Turner No responsibility is assumed by the waking up one morning and thinking, Freud’s self-aggrandisement apart, Dr Jan Zalasiewicz Publisher for any injury and/or ‘This is an interesting hole I find (he definitely thought the song was damage to persons or property as a Trustees of the matter of products liability, myself in – it fits me rather neatly, about him; Martin Rudwick, whose negligence or otherwise, or from any Geological Society use or operation of any methods, doesn’t it? In fact it fits me book I review this month (p. 20), of London products, instructions or ideas Prof David Manning contained in the material herein. staggeringly well - must have been would rather include the discovery (President); Although all advertising material is made to have me in it!’… And as the of Deep Time) there is something in Mrs Natalyn Ala (Secretary, expected to conform to ethical (medical) standards, inclusion in this sun rises in the sky… the puddle gets this. The Anthropocene is explicitly Professional Matters); publication does not constitute a Dr Mike Armitage (Vice guarantee or endorsement of the smaller and smaller, he’s still about us; and faced as we are with a president); Dr Nigel quality or value of such product or of frantically hanging on to the notion planet undergoing dramatic change, Cassidy; Prof Neil the claims made by its manufacturer. that everything’s going to be alright, it is dangerous to think, with the Chapman; Dr Angela Coe; Subscriptions: All correspondence Mr Jim Coppard; relating to non-member because this world was meant… to puddle and Dr Pangloss, that in this Mr David Cragg (Vice subscriptions should be addresses president); Mrs Jane to the Journals Subscription have him in it; so the moment he world ‘of ours’, everything must Dottridge; Mr Chris Eccles; Department, Geological Society Publishing House, Unit 7 Brassmill disappears catches him rather by always be for the best. Dr Marie Edmonds; Enterprise Centre, Brassmill Lane, surprise. I think this may be In our main feature this week Professor Alastair Fraser Bath, BA1 3JN, UK. Tel: 01225 (Secretary, Science); 445046. Fax: 01225 442836. something we need to be on the (p. 10), Dave Waltham goes further. Mr David Hopkins; Email: [email protected]. The watch-out for.” In his book Lucky Planet (reviewed, Mr David Jones (Vice subscription price for Volume 24, 2014 (11 issues) to institutions and president); Dr Adam Law non-members is £125 (UK) or £143 Assuming that ‘the song is about p. 20), he suggests that although this (Treasurer); Prof Alan Lord / US$286 (Rest of World). you’ springs easily and naturally from is the only world we really know, (Secretary Foreign & External Affairs); Dr Brian © 2014 The Geological Society our innate vanity and explains why Earth is more of a ‘space oddity’ than Marker OBE; Dr Gary of London science’s implications are frequently even some scientists acknowledge. Nichols; Prof David Geoscientist is printed on FSC mixed Norbury; Dr Colin North credit - Mixed source products are a so difficult to accept. For science, the He even doubts our ability ever to (Secretary, Publications); blend of FSC 100%, Recycled and/or best method we have to make sure we know it properly. If the Universe Mr Keith Seymour; Dr Lucy Controlled fibre. Accredited by the Slater; Mr Michael Young Forestry Stewardship Council. aren’t fooling ourselves as Richard was not designed for us, then it Feynman said, teaches us that we are follows that it was not designed to Published on behalf of the not the centre of things. Nature’s ‘be knowable’. We can only do our Geological Society of London by story isn’t ‘about’ us at all. Indeed, it best; but perhaps we only ever see Century One Publishing isn’t really ‘about’ anything. those things that happen to be Alban Row, 27–31 Verulam Road, St Albans, Herts, Sigmund Freud famously identified compatible with our existence as AL3 4DG three ‘dethronements’. Astronomers observers. Perhaps the Universe T 01727 893 894 F 01727 893 895 dethroned the Earth from the centre really is, as Haldane said, ‘queerer E enquiries@centuryone of the Solar System. Evolution than we can suppose’. publishing.uk W www.centuryone DR TED NIELD, EDITOR - [email protected] @TedNield @geoscientistmag publishing.uk

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2014 | 05 GEOSCIENTIST SOCIETY NEWS

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

Research Funds Image: Galyna Andrushko / Shutterstock.com

Applications are invited for the 2015 round of Society research funds, writes Stephanie Jones. To apply for a fund, please complete the form downloadable from the Society Awards and Research Grants page at www.geolsoc.org.uk/grants. Here you will also find information about all the funds administered by the Society. The average award has been about £1000. The Research Grants Committee meets once a year. Applications must reach the Society no later than 1 February 2015 and must be supported by two Fellows of the Society, who must each complete the supporting statement form. Only complete applications on the appropriate form will be considered. Please send to the Awards Secretary at the Geological Society.

➤ Novas Consulting Ltd is again generously providing bursaries for undergraduate field mapping and supervisors are asked to encourage their students to submit applications LONDON LECTURE SERIES

Lyell Meeting - proposals wanted! Contaminated Land: The Lyell meeting, an annual flagship event for UK what is it good for? palaeontology, is open to suggestions. Speaker: Paul Nathanail (Land Quality Management It is co-ordinated by the Joint Committee for Ltd & University of Nottingham) Palaeontology (JCP), which consists of Date: 19 November representatives from the Geological Society, Palaeontological Association, Palaeontographical Programme Society and Micropalaeontological Society. u Afternoon talk: 1430 Tea & Coffee: 1500 Lecture The co-ordination of a Lyell Meeting is open to begins: 1600 Event ends. any member of the four constituent societies. u Evening talk: 1730 Tea & Coffee: 1800 Lecture The date for the 2016 Lyell meeting is Wednesday begins: 1900 Reception. 9 March 2016 and a call for proposals is now open. Those wishing to propose a topic and convene this meeting are invited to Further Information submit developed proposals to the JCP, ([email protected]) by 28 Please visit www.geolsoc.org.uk/gsllondon February 2015. Submitted proposals will be reviewed by the JCP with the lectures14. Entry to each lecture is by ticket only. successful proposal decided by mid- March 2015. To obtain a ticket please contact the Society around The JCP welcomes submissions that are ambitious in scope and trans- four weeks before the talk. Due to the popularity of this disciplinary, and which are therefore more likely to attract a larger and lecture series, tickets are allocated in a monthly ballot potentially international audience. Proposed topics should appeal to a and cannot be guaranteed. wide cross-section of the geological and palaeontological community. Proposals should name a lead convener, and one or two co-conveners. ➤ Contact: Naomi Newbold, The Geological Society, ➤ For further information: www.geolsoc.org.uk/Events/Meeting- Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG, T: +44 Proposals/Meeting-Categories (0)20 7432 0981 E: [email protected]

‘Open House’ breaks record What to buy a geoscientist for Christmas? The Society’s Apartments at Burlington House were opened to the With the festive season almost upon us, the Geological Society public on Saturday 20 September and welcomed a record 928 Publishing House would like to remind you the last date for visitors. This was an increase of 31% on the previous year, itself a ordering in time for Christmas is 10 December, for UK and record, and probably the result of the coordinated marketing of all of upgraded overseas deliveries (when choosing DHL or Air Parcel at Burlington House as a single ‘cultural campus’. This unifying concept, checkout). Our great gift ideas start from just £7! To find out more conceived in the wake of the 2006 occupancy settlement, has lately about the latest titles and browse our collection of books from fallen into disuse: but here clearly demonstrated its usefulness. GSL and other publishers visit www.gsl.org.uk/bookshop.

06 | NOVEMBER 2014 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST FELLOWSHIP ELECTION The following are put forward for election to fellowship at the OGM on 26 November 2014:

ABERNETHY Sam Robert; ALEXANDER Andrew Charles; ALI Naima; ALLEN Timothy Over 80 young Earth scientists at Burlington John; ASHMORE Daniel; BARCLAY Stuart; House for the GfGD Conference 2014 BARRO Ali; BATCHELOR James Christopher; BEAUMONT Hazel; BICHARD Alex; BIRCH Thomas; BOLUDA Duna Caterina Roda; BONE David Alan; BOWLAN Henry; BROCK James; BROWN Christopher; BUCHANAN John; BUCHANAN Jim; BUCKMAN Solomon; BURTONSHAW Lianne; CAIN Tomas; CAPPER Thomas; CARVAJAL Luis Carlos; CASTON Vivian Nicolas Donne; CATLEY James; CHAN Ho Ming; CHARISI Maria; CHIN HO Cheung; CHUNG Man Ho; COOPER Gareth; COX Thomas Laurie; CRAWFORD Brian Ronald; CRAWFORD Robin; CREWE Victoria; DALE Gillian; DAVEY James; DAY Geoffrey William; DICKINSON Peter; DIESING Markus; DREW Gillian; ELAND Nicola; FANNIN Callum; FOOTE Lauren Charlotte; FORSTER Steph; FOX Nicholas Howard; FREEMAN Chris; FUCHEY Yannick; GAIANI Ilaria; GOLDBOURN David; GOMEZ-RIVAS Enrique; GRAINGER Sam; GROSSE Andrew; HAKE Mark Darren; HARDING Rachel; HARLEY Thomas Leigh; HAY Nathaniel; HEATH Roger; HIGGS Harry George; HILTON Liam Brad; KAY Suzanne; KING Andrew; KING Simon; LAUGHLAN Loren; LAW Chun Hei James; LEAN Daniel; LIU Vino; MARTIN Julian; MARTIN Nigel; MCCAY Alistair; MCGARRITY Gerry; MERRILL Holly Katrina; MILLER Sarah; MILLS David; MITCHINSON Alice; Policy update MONTGOMERY Luke James Michael; MOORE Gregory; MOORE James; MORGAN Kristen; NORMAN Kathleen; NORTHAM Joel Gill (Director, Geology for Global Keynote Gareth Anthony; ORD Alison; PACE Jorn; Development) reports on a successful meeting. An interactive keynote lecture, delivered by PARKIN Kate; PATERSON Samuel; PEARCE Nicholas; PIPKIN Sarah; PLESS Jennifer; In September, more than 80 young Jenni Barclay (University of East Anglia), RAYSONI Neelam; REES-BLANCHARD Tom; geoscientists gathered at Burlington House for highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary REEVE Michael; REID Iain; ROBINSON Sarah; the Geology for Global Development (GfGD) work, focusing on volcanic resilience. There ROSE Oliver; RUTTER Stuart; SANCHEZ Guillaume; SEARLE James Alois Duncan; annual conference. Coming from as far as was an opportunity to hear about GfGD’s SETCHELL Samuel; SINGER Lyndsay; Aberdeen and Falmouth, delegates were eager to University Groups, projects and future vision. SMITHSON Jonathan; SPEIGHT Russell; STAFFORD Robert; STAFFURTH Natalie; explore the role of geologists in international Finally there was an opportunity to enjoy a glass STANIFORTH Bradley Edward; STANLEY development. The event focused on the skills of wine, network and enjoy some excellent Stephanie; STAVELEY Clare; STEEL Ron; needed to contribute effectively and sustainably to poster submissions and a photo exhibition from SWAFFER Nicholas; THARIMENA Saikiran; TYRRELL William; VESELINOVIC-WILLIAMS this important work. recent work in India, Tanzania and Guatemala. Milica; WALTER Georg; WEAVER Lara Jane; We initially heard from Neva Frecheville We were greatly encouraged by the WEBB Ryan; WICKHAM Craig; WIGLEY (CAFOD) about the development sector’s work to enthusiasm of those attending, the quality of Thomas; WILKINSON James Joseph; WILLIAMS Natalie Surinder; WILTON John; build on the Millennium Development Goals post- questions, informal discussions and the WINDSOR Anthony Michael; WONG C Jung. 2015. Many challenges are underpinned by submitted feedback, with phrases such as geology (among other things), including access to ‘inspiring’ ‘engaging’ and ‘great fun’ CHARTERSHIP ELECTIONS water, agriculture, infrastructure, economic growth regularly being used. We are grateful to the and energy. We discussed the skills required to Geological Society for supporting the event, The Society and Geoscientist communicate across cultures (Arjen Naafs, and look forward to our third annual offer their congratulations to the WaterAid), strengthen the technical capacity of conference next year. following Fellows who were institutions (Joseph Mankelow, British Geological elected to CGeol and CSci status by Council on 25 September: Survey) and engage with policy-makers ➤ Read more: www.gfgd.org (Nic Bilham, The Geological Society). CGeol: BIRCHALL Roger; BLACKSTOCK Carl; CALABRESE Francis; COLLINS James; CONNOLLY Paul; DARBY Philip; DAVY Rialyn; Council Co-Options DENDLE James; DENT Vivien; DOW Louise; FORD Lucy; FRAYNE David; Edmund Nickless (Executive Secretary) Inclusion and GILLINGS Patrick; LAU Rachel Wai Yan; LEPLEY Ben; LITTLEWOOD Nathan; writes: Adam Law has indicated his wish to stand asked Tricia LIVESEY Athena; JENNINGS Keenan; down as Treasurer in June 2015. To enable a Henton, KWOK Wai Hau; MANNING Jason; MILES smooth transition, at its meeting on 25 former Gareth; PATEL Birva; PULSFORD John; ROSE Michael; ROSE Alexis; RUSHALL September Council agreed (under Regulation member of Catherine; SMALL Emma; SMITH Thomas; R/G/12) to co-opt Graham Goffey to serve as Council and SMITHSON Jonathan; SPEARMAN Daniel; Graham Goffey Tricia Henton SWAIN Luke; THOMPSON Sally; Treasurer-designate with a view to his standing Secretary, YILDIZ Bahri; YOUNG Louise. for election to Council as Treasurer in June 2015. Professional Matters, to serve as its ‘Diversity Council also agreed to sign the Science Champion’ and to co-opt her to Council in that CSci: Council Declaration on Diversity, Equality and role. She has agreed. BRIDGEWATER (née SALES) Emma; BUSH Lucas; KENDALL Helen; ROSE Alexis; SMITH Thomas. GEOSCIENTIST SOCIETY NEWS

SOCIETYNEWS...

San Francisco signing JOIN US CHARTERSHIP NEWS The Society has signed the San have Chartership Officer Bill Gaskarth hails a bumper Francisco Declaration on an month for Chartership successes. Research Assessment, writes Impact In September 32 Fellows were elected to CGeol and GSL Commissioning Editor Factor. five to CSci. Two of these gained both. Their names Angharad Hills. That is are recorded on the previous page. The Impact Factor was devised as not the A breakdown of applications for Chartership shows; a way to assist librarians with journal case – 24 Engineering Geology/Geotechnics; four purchasing choices, but it has been HEFCE was Hydrogeology; four Mineral Deposits; four widely misused as a measure of the one of the original signatories of Contaminated Land; two Environmental; two Oil and quality of individual articles submitted DORA. They will use data from the Gas; one Shallow Geophysics. Five applicants had to a journal - and even for Scopus citation database, and SPs more than 20 years’ experience. assessment of researchers. The have been included in Scopus for Twenty nine applications have been received for Society is not the only organisation some time. November, from geoscientists in the following sectors: concerned about the inappropriate However, many departmental heads 14 Engineering/Geotechnics; four Hydrogeology; four use of IF, and in 2012 a group of still insist that their staff can only Mineral Deposits; six Contaminated Land; one editors and publishers of scholarly include articles published in high IF Micropalaeontology. Three of this cohort have 20+ journals met to address this issue. journals in REF submissions. The years’ experience. The outcome was the San Francisco Society believes this to be a mistaken Declaration on Research Assessment approach – it is the quality of individual Sectors (DORA): www.ascb.org/dora- articles, and the research that The Engineering Geology/Geotechnics sector continues old/files/SFDeclarationFINAL.pdf. underlies them, that matters - and that to dominate, and ‘Oil and Gas’ and ‘Academia’ are still Society President, Prof. David is the main message of the DORA. poorly represented, despite the considerable numbers Manning, has now signed the employed there. We hope that applications from these declaration on behalf of GSL. San Francisco fan areas will grow. The increasing number of applications We now include other metrics I urge you to sign DORA, to discuss it from the mineral deposits/mining sector is encouraging, alongside IF on our website, and will with colleagues - especially those as is the continuing growth from those with 20+ years’ take further steps to address the responsible for overseeing research experience. other recommendations for assessments in your organisation - Web pages for ‘Chartership’ and ‘Professional’ publishers as resources allow. and to encourage your institution to matters have been rewritten to provide clearer guidance sign too. for applicants so that their applications are focused on Special publications the Chartership Competency criteria, and not simply on Many UK academics believe that they their competence to do their job. Also we have added ➤ More information on DORA, cannot include articles from GSL including how to sign can be found greater guidance for Sponsors and Scrutineers as we Special Publications in their REF at http://am.ascb.org/dora try to ensure that applications come from Fellows who submissions because they do not are ‘ready’ for Chartership, rather than their simply having enough experience to be eligible.

CHRISTMAS AND NEW Company schemes FUTURE MEETINGS Interest in Company Training Scheme Accreditation The dates for meetings of Council YEAR CLOSURE continues to grow. Fugro Group (Hong Kong) has had and Ordinary General Meetings until The Society (London and Bath) will their scheme accredited and an application from WSP is June 2015 will be as follows: be closed from 16.00 on Tuesday, presently being assessed. Several others have u 2014: 26 November 23 December 2014, re-opening at expressed an interest and further applications are u 2015: 4 February; 8 April 09.30 on Monday, 5 January 2015. expected. Names and logos of the companies with accredited schemes will be prominently placed on the revamped Chartership and Professional web pages. GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY CLUB u 2015: 4 February (Burlington Nautilus training courses have been endorsed for New diners are always welcome! House - buffet); 4 March (Athenaeum CPD, as has the AMEC course on Reserves and Dinner costs £57 for a four-course Club); 8 April (Venue tbc); 6 May Resources Reporting. These add to the growing meal, including coffee and port. (Athenaeum Club). For further number of high quality of courses that we now There is a cash bar for the information contact Cally Oldershaw endorse for CPD. A list of all those available to Fellows purchase of aperitifs and wine. (Hon Sec) at cally.oldershaw@btop will be placed on the new Chartership and Professional u 2014: 26 November enworld.com or T: 07796 942361. web pages.

08 | NOVEMBER 2014 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST GEOSCIENTIST SOAPBOX

Publish or perish?

Don Hallett* has been working with GeoRef and finds it a wonderful aid, but is scientific publishing as we know it really the best system we can devise for distributing scientific information?

ou just put in a few key words, of company geologists, and this has led to the specify a time interval and, hey proliferation of multiple-author papers. presto, up comes a whole suite of Whether the project is carried out by a SOAPBOX references, some from journals you university department or a company it is Y would never think of checking. It now common practice for a paper to be CALLING! comes complete with abstracts, which allows authored by five, six or seven individuals - you to decide whether the paper is likely to however small their contribution and be useful or not. But the exercise led to some apparently excluding only the tea-boy. Soapbox is open to contributions interesting reflections, which led me to Then, when promotion opportunities arise a from all Fellows. You can always question whether this is really the best way to geologist can point to the fact that he or she write a letter to the Editor, of disseminate scientific information. was joint author on 10 papers in the last course: but perhaps you feel you Publishers take comfort from the fact that five years. need more space? most papers are peer-reviewed and therefore not likely to produce embarrassing gaffes, Identikit If you can write it entertainingly in while authors have the satisfaction of seeing There is also the dubious practice of 500 words, the Editor would like their work permanently enshrined in print. publishing practically identikit papers in to hear from you. Email your Yet how often do authors miss a key paper different journals. I have discovered two piece, and a self-portrait, to because it has been published in some papers, by the same authors, published in the ted.nield@geolsoc. org.uk. obscure journal? same year, in two different journals covering Copy can only be accepted essentially the same ground - in which even electronically. No diagrams, tables Legion the titles were identical. Journals too have set or other illustrations please. And why so many journals? The number of themselves performance targets (citation), so journals has grown enormously in recent introducing an unwelcome element of Pictures should be of print years, but do we really need 10 (ten!) journals competition into scientific publishing. quality – please take photographs in sedimentology or eight for And can anyone explain why an author, or on the largest setting on your micropalaeontology? And that is not to group of authors, publishing a related series camera, with a plain background. mention journals published in languages of papers, should publish in different places? other than English, or obscure conference I have found six related papers by the same Precedence will always be given

proceedings. Truly, without GeoRef the task group published in six different journals. to more topical contributions. of bibliographic searching would be totally Why? It seems reminiscent of switching Any one contributor may not

daunting (not to say mind-numbing). energy supplier every year. appear more often than once per My search revealed My searches also came up volume (once~ every 12 months). some intriguing with a few surprises. One was a features. Geologists, it German paper on seems, like doctors and Quantity over micropalaeontology, published schoolteachers, now in 1943, printed in Gothic and I HAVE have to demonstrate quality? concluding ‘Heil Hitler’! And DISCOVERED TWO performance. very recently I came across PAPERS, BY THE SAME It is no longer another in which the enough for acknowledgements AUTHORS, PUBLISHED academic included Allah. IN THE SAME YEAR, IN geologists to Academic teach, publishing may TWO DIFFERENT supervise, have its problems; JOURNALS COVERING arrange field but, is it - like ESSENTIALLY THE trips and democracy - really conduct the best worst system SAME GROUND... research. we can devise? EVEN THE TITLES If they are to get WERE IDENTICAL * Don Hallett is a retired on, they must Don Hallett ~ publish. petroleum geologist living The same is true in Richmond, Surrey

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2014 | 09 A SPACE ODDITY Image: MarcelClemens / Shutterstock.com

uch a view would seem to as central to a proper understanding of Could our planet, swim against the Copernican our world as plate-tectonics. Anthropic tide of the last half-millennium selection is a form of observational bias, with its complex but, as I will argue, it is a the frequently encountered difficulty S perfectly reasonable position that what you see is not representative of biosphere, be one of to hold. Furthermore, we geologists what is actually there. cannot claim to have any real For example, hard rocks stick out the weirdest places understanding of our planet if we while softer ones erode giving a biased cannot answer this one simple question: view of the lithologies present in any in the Universe? Is Earth a fairly ‘typical’ world? field area with less than 100% exposure. Fortunately, if we look down rather In precisely the same way, a strong Dave Waltham* than up, a tentative answer can be observational bias occurs because it is found because the four-billion-year only possible for us to inhabit a habitable investigates... record of life and environmental change planet. Brandon Carter, the man who revealed by palaeontology and coined the term, put it in a beautifully geochemistry holds important clues. simple way – ‘what we observe must be Before looking at this evidence I need compatible with our existence as Above: The presence of a large Moon is just one of many rare properties that may to introduce the idea of ‘anthropic observers’. Hence, if an unusual help make our planet unusually habitable selection’ - a concept that, in my view, is combination of circumstances is needed

10 | NOVEMBER 2014 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST ~ IF AN UNUSUAL COMBINATION OF CIRCUMSTANCES IS NEEDED FOR A PLANET TO PRODUCE A COMPLEX BIOSPHERE, EARTH MUST BE ONE OF THOSE RARE AND PECULIAR WORLDS THAT ‘GOT LUCKY’~ Image: Andresr / Shutterstock.com

Anthropic selection: what you see is not representative of what is actually there Image: kai keisuke / Shutterstock.com Image: Andreas Koeberl / Shutterstock.com

World in a grain of sand – there are as many stars in the visible universe Mauna Kea Observatory – we see only those things that as sand grains are compatible with our existence as observers in a cubic mile

for a planet to produce a complex two billion grains, so you would need a immense as this, there are going to be biosphere, Earth must be one of those hundred pints to hold as many sand some pretty bizarre planets scattered rare and peculiar worlds that ‘got lucky’. grains as there are stars in our galaxy. through the Cosmos. Earth may well be To get 1022 grains, you’d need a box of one of those space oddities. Rarely done planets fine sand a mile long by a mile high by a The undeniable fact that Earth must When I say that Earth may be rare, I mile wide. have what it takes to produce intelligent really do mean rare. Planets that are, say, Moreover, if cosmologists are correct life (even if that involves fantastically rare ‘one in a trillion’ might be common with their ‘inflationary’ models of the characteristics) has quite unexpected by comparison. Universe, the actual Universe is at least a consequences. For example we cannot The number of planets in the Universe billion times bigger than the part we can deduce, from the relatively rapid is so immense that even worlds much see, since the initial, super-luminal appearance of life on Earth, that life more improbable than this will still crop expansion in these models pushes most emerges quickly and inevitably on any up many times. Thanks to NASA’s of the Universe well beyond our cosmic suitable world. On Earth it has taken life Kepler mission we are pretty certain that horizon. (In fact, even non-inflationary around four billion years to evolve most stars have exoplanets orbiting them cosmologies allow the Universe to be far intelligent observers and, as a and there are about 1022 stars in the bigger than the part we can see, but consequence of the remorselessly visible Universe. To get a feel for this inflationary models make this inevitable increasing luminosity of the Sun, our huge number, imagine a pint glass filled rather than merely possible.) Given the planet will probably only be habitable for

with fine sand. That glass will hold about huge numbers of worlds in a Universe as about one billion more years. ▼

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2014 | 11 Neproterozoic deposits at Strom Ness, Shetland. My hand spans a global temperature change that, by some estimates, went from -50 C to +50 C in just a few thousand years. If this was normal for the Earth, rather than an aberration, we wouldn’t be here to talk about it Image: Corepics VOF / Shutterstock.com

▼ Sentient beings If this is typical of the pattern on other worlds then sentient beings will not have time to appear on planets that drag their feet over life’s origin. Intelligent organisms will then always look out onto home-planets where life began quickly, even if early biogenesis is the exception rather than the rule on habitable worlds. This mere possibility that there may be an observational bias is enough to destroy our ability to say anything useful concerning whether or not life is an easy trick for a planet to pull off. Maybe it is or maybe it isn’t. An early start for life may not be the only Earth property that could turn out to be a rare but necessary precondition for our own existence. Earth’s strong magnetic field (which shields us from the solar wind) and the existence of plate-tectonics (which, among other things, helps regulate climate) both Northern lights, Landmannarlau have beneficial influences on our gar, Iceland – a biosphere and could be rare on side-effect of other worlds. our planet’s protecting To many this seems a profoundly magnetic veil odd, back-to-front and even unscientific way of looking at things. Indeed, when such ideas are phrased carelessly it almost smacks of predestination (‘our planet has plate tectonics because it was necessary for our existence’). But the fact that words need to be chosen carefully does not invalidate the idea. Tropical sea Indeed, as geologists, we are more used surface to this way of thinking than most temperature scientists, since the interpretation of fluctuations through the outcrops follows a similar logic: what Phanerozoic can I deduce, given the observed end- (after Veizer et al, 1999). state? It’s just that, in the case of What’s really anthropic selection, the key interesting is observational constraint is our own how little variation there existence. The possible paths to that is (roughly ±1%) end-state may be very peculiar ones. GEOSCIENTIST FEATURE

Climate control enhances cooling). These positive Of all the Earth's potential oddities, one feedback effects seem to be stronger than has particularly caught my attention. the negative feedback produced by What has allowed its climate to be silicate weathering and so the net continuously life-friendly for four billion feedback in our climate system is positive. years? This is not a new mystery. It may already be familiar to readers of Gaia vs Goldilocks Geoscientist as the ‘Faint Young Sun So what is the evidence that silicate Paradox’. As our Sun has aged it has weathering feedback is too feeble to become roughly 10% more luminous account for Earth's four billion years of every billion years and, given that Earth good weather? Firstly, as recently Image: Courtesy of NASA was already warm enough for liquid reviewed in Nature (see Further Reading), water four billion years ago, it should estimates of long-term climate sensitivity now have become an overheated hell- are in the range 0.3-1.9 K W-1 m2. This hole with no liquid water at all. So, as figure describes how much warmer the the Sun has warmed, there has been a Earth gets when additional heating occurs compensating fall in greenhouse gases (e.g. because of increased solar brightness, and/or a compensating increase in decreased albedo or enhanced greenhouse

Earth’s albedo. Why did this fortunate gases) and was derived from 22 studies of Above: Continuous habitability is not circumstance happen? a variety of palaeoclimatic events ranging guaranteed even for a planet, such as Mars, which starts off warm and wet The now classic answer is that silicate from the last glacial maximum through to ~ weathering provides long-term climate- the entire Phanerozoic. control. Carbon dioxide dissolved in However, the Planck response (i.e. the rainwater is mildly acidic and the value predicted if there were no OF ALL THE chemical reaction between acid-rain and feedbacks) is only 0.3 K W-1 m2 - which exposed silicate rock produces, among corresponds to the very lowest value EARTH'S POTENTIAL other things, bicarbonate and calcium consistent with these studies. The ODDITIES, ONE HAS ions disolved in the resultant runoff. existence of significant negative feedback PARTICULARLY CAUGHT These ions are, in turn, the raw material is therefore ruled out for at least the last used by marine organisms to make 65 million years, and possibly for the MY ATTENTION. WHAT HAS calcium carbonate. The net result is that entire Phanerozoic. ALLOWED ITS CLIMATE TO geological and biological processes On longer timescales it is notable that BE CONTINUOUSLY LIFE- combine to take carbon out of the temperature proxies (e.g. oxygen-isotopes atmosphere and lock it up in limestone. in shells and in chert, carbon-isotopes, ice- FRIENDLY FOR FOUR The cycle is completed, thanks to plate rafted debris, Tex86, thermophyllic BILLION YEARS? tectonics, when carbon dioxide is archaea) all suggest that the Earth has liberated from limestone either during generally cooled through time. Of course ~ subduction-driven volcanism or when it there have been times when it was even is uplifted and, ironically, dissolved by colder than now (notably during late acid rain. Climate control emerges Proterozoic ‘Snowball Earth’ episodes) because the silicate-weathering part of but significant glaciations are brief, rare this cycle is boosted when the world is events and the general temperature trend warmer and wetter, leading to simple since the Archaean is, as far as we can tell negative feedback; carbon dioxide levels from sparse and ambiguous data, one of fall when the Earth is warm, and rise gradual cooling. when it is cold. This is very odd! Even strong negative There is little doubt that this feedback feedback would only moderate solar- mechanism operates on our planet. The induced warming; it shouldn’t reverse it question is, is it enough to account for into a cooling. It’s not physically Earth's multi-billion-year habitability? impossible that the Earth’s climate has The evidence is fragmentary and behaved in this way and it’s worth noting controversial, but it all points the same that interstellar gas-clouds do have a way: silicate weathering’s negative- negative heat capacity (if you put feedback is not strong enough to energy in, they expand and overcome the positive-feedback cool) but it is, to say the least, produced by water. unlikely that the Earth has a This positive feedback occurs because climate system that has water turns into a strong greenhouse gas repeatedly and when evaporated and a highly reflective consistently become colder solid when cooled. A warmed Earth has as a response to gradually more water vapour and a stronger increasing heat from greenhouse effect (which enhances the our star. warming) while a cooled Earth has more A more likely explanation

ice and increased albedo (which for the apparent cooling is ▼ GEOSCIENTIST FEATURE

▼ that it is an artefact of poor data. that “something” is probably life. hypothesis that life has continuously However, even if this is true, I am not As many have pointed out, the modified the Earth’s environment for aware of any data that indicate the continuous evolution of our biosphere its own benefit. Let me be blunt. expected significant warming over the has had major climatic impacts. Before I think Gaia is wrong and that it has billions of years of Earth’s existence. the ‘great oxygenation’, beginning about confused cause and effect. Rather than Insolation has increased by 90Wm-2 since 2.4 billion years ago, our atmosphere a complex biosphere stabilising the the Earth was young and mean global almost certainly contained large climate, a reasonably stable climate was temperatures (assuming no net-feedback) amounts of biogenic methane - a potent a precondition for the emergence of a should have risen 30°C. Indeed, if greenhouse gas. A more recent example complex biosphere. We’re back to modern climate sensitivity had held is the evolution of land plants, about 450 anthropic selection; only those planets throughout Earth’s history, temperatures million years ago, which enhanced which, by chance, have rates of would have risen by 100°C or more, and silicate weathering, accelerated rates biological and geological evolution that I doubt if anyone would argue for mean of organic burial and changed cancel out solar evolution, can remain temperatures below -85°C in the continental reflectivity. habitable long enough for intelligent Archaean. To get a temperature rise These produced changes in observers to arise. small enough for it to be hidden from us, atmospheric composition and global Earth is a ‘Goldilocks planet’, where the net climate-feedback on multi-billion- albedo which, in turn, altered global everything was, purely by good year scales would have to be strongly mean temperatures. Examples like these fortune, ‘just right’. This explains negative; but there is no obvious reason make it all but undeniable that life has naturally why the cooling seems to why silicate weathering should have influenced climate. Moreover, in the have marginally exceeded the been substantially stronger in the distant very long term, the effects have warming. The residual trend, after past than it is today. generally been beneficial to life solar-warming was roughly cancelled since they frequently produced a by Earth-cooling, could have either Life biologically mediated cooling which been a slight warming or a slight Something other than silicate weathering counteracted the warming influence of cooling. On Earth, if we provisionally is heavily influencing the multi-billion- solar evolution. accept the data, it just happens to have year climate evolution of our world; and This naturally brings me to the Gaia been a cooling. Image: ASC Photography / Shutterstock.com

Pew Tor Dartmoor. Weathering of igneous rocks, by rainwater containing Arenal, Costa Rica. CO2 , atmospheric CO2, helps stabilize temperatures on geological timescales but is sequestered in carbonate rocks, this process strong enough to explain 4 billion years of good weather? is liberated in subduction zones GEOSCIENTIST FEATURE

So what? All of this is highly contentious. After ➤ LUCKY PLANET This climate example illustrates reading this article you may well wish to The ideas presented in this feature are particularly well why I claimed earlier send a harshly worded letter to the Editor discussed at length in Dave Waltham’s that anthropic selection is as crucial as of Geoscientist decrying his poor judgement provocative new book, Lucky Planet, plate tectonics for understanding of our in allowing publication. You will probably published by Icon Books, and reviewed in world. It is right and proper that, having want to tell him that much of the data I this issue on p. 20 Editor recognised the existence of the ‘faint have used is of questionable reliability and young Sun paradox’, we should look for that other explanations for Earth’s climate stabilising mechanisms to explain continuous habitability are possible (not FURTHER READING it. However, if we fail to find such least, the Gaia hypothesis itself). Can I processes, it may be because there are suggest an alternative to such a missive? For a broader range of views on these topics, none to find. I a year’s time (11 November 2015), the recommend: On most Earth-like worlds, life does Geological Society of London will hold a u not survive long enough or develop far conference on The Puzzle of Earth’s Kasting, J, 2010. How to Find a Habitable Planet. Princeton University Press. enough to produce sentient beings. Uninterrupted Habitability convened by u Instead, it is either fried by an ever- myself and Graham Shields-Zhou. So, Lenton, T & Watson, A., 2011. Revolutions that Made the Earth. Oxford University Press. warming Sun or frozen by biological and rather than write a letter, write an abstract! u geological processes which have, all too I look forward to reading it because I PALAEOSENS Project Members, 2012. Making sense of palaeoclimate sensitivity, Nature 491, rapidly, stripped the atmosphere of life- always learn a great deal from those who 683-691. sustaining greenhouse gases. Only those disagree with me (including Graham). u worlds which, entirely by chance, get the Naturally, I will also enjoy reading Schwartzman, 1999. Life, Temperature, and the Earth. Columbia University Press, New York. balance right can go on to produce abstracts that support my views. u u observers. There is no climate control, Tyrrell, T, 2013. On Gaia. Princeton University Press, Princeton. there is only good luck; good luck which is highly improbable but, nonetheless * Dr Dave Waltham is Reader in Mathematical u Ward, P & Brownlee, 2000. Rare Earth. Copernicus Books. inevitable on many worlds in a Universe Geology at Royal Holloway, University of London, as immense as ours. and author of Lucky Planet Image: bikeriderlondon / Shutterstock.com Image: Colin D. Young / Shutterstock.com

King penguins chilling out on South Georgia. Just why is the Earth so cool, when the negative climate feedback mechanisms are not strong enough to overcome the positive? TEACHING TEACHERS Keele University’s Earth Science Education Unit (ESEU) has been going 15 years. Chris King* goes back to the future

hy is the Earth Science How does it work? Map data ©2014 GeoBasis DE/BKG (©2009), Google Education Unit (ESEU) ESEU delivers interactive practically needed? What do you do based workshops to whole school when research has shown science departments or at initial teacher W that, although Earth science training institutions. These are has been part of the science curriculum for delivered free, and can be offered in several years, it is not being taught well? half day or ‘twilight’ sessions. One response was to form the Earth An initial successful pilot in parts of Science Education Unit (ESEU) to help northern England and the Midlands teachers improve by providing them with convinced the sponsors to support a free and accessible professional national rollout. development. ESEU therefore appointed a network ESEU was formed in 1999 with funding of facilitators across England and Wales from the trade association of the offshore (and later Scotland) to provide access to oil industry, UKOOA (later Oil and Gas ESEU professional development teacher UK); infrastructure provided by Keele workshops across the country. The University and source materials from the Central Team recruits and trains Earth Science Teachers’ Association facilitators, to ensure consistent (ESTA). By supporting teachers to teach provision. They come from a range of Earth science elements in the curriculum backgrounds but all have strong with confidence, the ESEU hopes to geoscience and educational credentials. contribute to a larger goal: namely, to Once appointed, facilitators are supplied ‘…influence teachers and pupils, using Earth with a ‘kit’ of apparatus and materials science as a context, to develop critical for presenting the practical workshops. thinking in order to promote a better ESEU’s suite of workshops targets the understanding of how the Earth works and various Key Stages in England and how future generations could improve Wales and the Curriculum for Excellence its management …’. in Scotland. A crowded curriculum and Research had showed that despite the constantly changing priorities in schools National Science Curriculum containing a have made individual school delivery small but significant Earth science content, more difficult; but repeat visits mean most teachers delivering this content were that ESEU now visits more than half the Above top: ESEU facilitator network biology, chemistry or physics, specialists. secondary teacher training institutions (purple = secondary, pink = primary, blue = Scottish, Few had received any Earth science in England and Wales every year. green = Earth physics facilitators) Above lower: ‘Shaking rocks’ at Gloucester University education as undergraduates or at school. When asked, they listed as their main Is ESEU effective? Left: Finding out how many weights are needed to sources of support for their Earth science Feedback from ESEU workshops has make a party popper ‘erupt’ teaching as science textbooks produced for remained excellent throughout its 15- pupils, and their own colleagues1. year history, with the mean score for

A later survey of all in-print science ‘Effectiveness’, ‘Interest’, ‘Relevance’

textbooks being used in schools in and ‘Value’ (on a 1 – 5 Likert scale where England and Wales, showed overall poor 1 = high) being 1.62 for ESEU secondary coverage of the National Curriculum’s delivery in England and Wales; feedback ~ Earth science content with, on average, for Scotland and primary is similar. one error per page of Earth science2. Here are some comments: A survey completed before the u ‘There was a fantastic variety of new MOST TEACHERS presentation of an ESEU workshop information over the whole workshop. HAD SUCH MAJOR showed that most teachers had such major The quality resources have given me more MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT misconceptions about plate tectonics that ideas of how to incorporate learning about they were very ill-equipped to teach this Earth science in my future practice.’ PLATE TECTONICS THAT THEY potentially difficult concept3. The large u ‘Thoroughly enjoyed the session! I feel WERE VERY ILL-EQUIPPED TO majority of these teachers had never used more interested in Earth Science now TEACH THIS POTENTIALLY Earth-science-specific teaching materials and see the potential of the subject in or attended professional development in the classroom.’ DIFFICULT CONCEPT u Earth science teaching. ‘PGCE tutors at Newman University, ▼ ~ WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2014 | 17 Developing teacher confidence in practically based workshops. Leeds University

▼ Birmingham had observed a noticeable provides opportunities for exploration, maintain the provision of these improvement in Earth science teaching over practice, and peer feedback.’ workshops across the UK. the last few years when visiting schools and However, changes to initial teacher that was down to ESEU.’ How wide is ESEU’s impact? training mean that subject specialists in Over its 15 years of operation, ESEU has geology are not being trained this year. Such anecdotal evidence has been provided professional development to This is at a time when geology teachers reinforced by ESEU research in (2003/04), more than 6000 secondary teachers and are retiring, A-level numbers are when every school visited that year was 16,000 trainees and more than 1000 increasing, more than 40% of applicants contacted twelve months later and asked primary teachers and 4000 trainees in to undergraduate geoscience degrees if they had changed their teaching plans England and Wales, together with more have geology A-level, and energy, (‘Schemes of Work’ - SoW) as a result. than 3000 teachers and 1000 trainees in environmental and extractive industries Fifteen of the 46 schools contacted (33% Scotland and teachers and trainees in are reporting shortages of geoscientists. response rate) responded and 14 had Northern Ireland as well. ESEU’s response was to develop an altered or were altering their SoW (93%) Since ESEU data show that the average accredited module, to be delivered indicating that the teaching of Earth secondary science teacher in England through an intensive residential science in all these schools had changed reaches 393 pupils per year, this Summer School, for qualified teachers following ESEU input4. The survey was ‘multiplier’ effect indicates that ESEU’s who have a geoscience related degree, repeated in 2007/8 with similar results. work with practising teachers must have successful completion of which would Although a review of the extensive reached millions of pupils in England equip them to teach A-level geology (or academic literature on the impact of alone, while the total number of pupils Higher Geology in Scotland). professional development on teaching impacted by the trainee teachers who Oil &Gas UK’s core funding allowed had commented: ‘There is universal have received ESEU workshops, over materials to be developed, but condemnation in the research literature their teaching lifetimes, is incalculable – additional industry bursaries covered on professional development for the one- but must reach many millions. residential accommodation costs, shot ‘INSET day’ as a method of bringing Meanwhile, a recent review concluded: fieldwork and tuition costs. The first about any real change in teaching ‘It is arguable that the ESEU is an programme ran from 19 – 25 July with practice. Perhaps the only exception to uncommon if not unique example of an 10 teachers. Their feedback was this rule is the introduction of a very industry–education partnership that has exceptional, with mean evaluation specific technical skill, such as the use of provided a national professional scores (1 – excellent, 5- poor) of 1.6 for new piece of software.’5 Lydon and King4 development programme, for teachers, the teaching sessions and 1.4 for concluded: ‘The evidence described focused on the mainstream curriculum.’ teaching skills developed and course above indicates that this exception should organisation. ‘Best CPD in 20 years of be extended to include the transmission Where next? teaching!’ commented one participant. u of practical teaching ideas for the science ESEU continues to be funded by Oil classroom, where those teaching ideas are and Gas UK, allowing ESEU to develop delivered by a well-trained provider, workshops for the new national *Chris King is Professor of Earth Science Education within a well-structured workshop which curricula as they are introduced and and Director of the ESEU, University of Keele, UK

18 | NOVEMBER 2014 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST Clockwise from left: Primary School teachers learn to identify rock types in a graveyard; Summer School 2014 – palaeontology interpretation; Session at Worcester University on the rock cycle; Summer School 2014 hanging out the ‘washing line of time’ (bottom, also)

➤ ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ESEU is most grateful to Oil and Gas UK for maintaining its core funding of ESEU activities for the past 15 years, together with Keele University and ESTA for continuing to provide facilities and support. ESEU is also most grateful to the oil industry bodies who have provided bursary funding for the Summer School to train new geology teachers.

REFERENCES

1 King, C. (2001) The response of teachers to new content in a National Science Curriculum: the case of the Earth-science component Science Education, 85, 636 – 664. 2 King, C. (2010) An Analysis of Misconceptions in Science Textbooks: Earth science in England and Wales. International Journal of Science Education, 32: 5, 565 – 601. 3 King, C. (2000) The Earth’s mantle is solid: teachers’ misconceptions about the Earth and plate tectonics. 4 Lydon, S. & King, C. (2009) Can a single, short CPD workshop cause change in the classroom? Professional Development in Education, 35.1, 63-82. 5 Adey, P. (2004) The Professional Development of Teachers: Practice and Theory (Boston, Kluwer Academic Publishers).

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2014 | 19 BOOKS & ARTS

begun a few millennia earlier (possibly Geoscientist reviews are now ‘Online First’ – see Geoscientist 4004BC, following Archbishop Ussher - Online for loads of newly received book reviews! a serious chronologist who did not deserve his post-Darwinian ridicule, Rudwick points out), and that humans had always been part of it. Rudwick’s Lucky Planet LUCKY PLANET: WHY EARTH IS EXCEPTIONAL - AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR LIFE IN account of how natural philosophers This is Waltham’s first THE UNIVERSE across Europe came to realise the excursion into popular DAVID WALTHAM, 2014. ISBN: 978-1848316560 Earth’s antiquity reveals that, far from 224pp. Published by: Icon Books science, and the topic List price: £14.99 being stifled by Judaeo-Christian could not be more www.iconbooks.com/blog/title/lucky-planet thought, they were profoundly aided by ambitious, profound or http://davidwaltham.com/lucky-planet/ adopting the methods and thought of important. What traditional, Christian, historical and circumstances conspire to antiquarian scholars. give rise to a functioning Reading nature as innately historical biosphere, a comparatively had profound consequences. For stable surface temperature (OK, there were Earth’s Deep History Darwin, species were not perfect, a few major ice house and hot-house Earth finished objects in neat taxonomic events in between), and intelligent life? Three things annoy boxes, but represented the cut ends of a What is our best guess at the number of Martin Rudwick about tangled skein of historical threads, habitable worlds in the known universe the way the history of linking all to the origin of life. This (or multiverse, if you take that view)? Earth science is view of species derived from his How has the greenhouse effect been portrayed. He hates the geologist’s instinct that all things moderated throughout much of Earth’s caricature that pits embody a historical narrative. history, and what are the relative roles of science against religion Our species’ relegation to time’s continental weathering capturing and he scorns monoglot fringes surely merits, as a scientific atmospheric CO2 versus the rise of provincialism. He also revolution, proper respect. I didn’t eukaryotes and complex life? disdains hero-worship. So I hope he need convincing. This wonderful book The prologue lays the thesis bare to see: forgives my 21 year-old self for making will leave many more in no doubt. consider Earth, a habitable haven of life, the pilgrimage to London in 1977 to hear and its ill-fated imaginary twin, Nemesis. him speak at The Geological Society, and Reviewed by Ted Nield After an auspicious start, when dinosaurs ask him to autograph my copy of Living ruled the Earth and dragons breathed fire and Fossil Brachiopods. EARTH’S DEEP HISTORY – HOW IT WAS on Nemesis, their parallel paths diverged. Then, Rudwick had only lately DISCOVERED AND WHY IT MATTERS For a number of reasons, which we learn switched from palaeontology to history of MARTIN RUDWICK, November 2014 Published by much later in the book, the death of the science, where he has forged a second, Chicago UP. ISBN 9780226203935 (cloth) 392pp. List price: £21.00 biosphere on Nemesis was predicated by even more distinguished career. As this is www.press.uchicago.edu/index.html her moon being much too large. Our moon also a favourite area of mine, I have is just right, so the book argues, and this continued to read him with an ‘goldilocks’ view lies simmering beneath enthusiasm that remains undimmed after the surface throughout almost all of its this, his latest book. chapters, emerging more fully in the last. In 2005 and 2008 Rudwick published For a number of very sober reasons, the two magisterial tomes, entitled Bursting Climate Change author distances himself from the Gaia the Limits of Time and Worlds Before Adam. Adaptation in Practice view, while remaining very respectful to all These volumes burst the limits of my who try to address the serious question of briefcase and contributed greatly to my Following the recent why we are here. Waltham points out that upper-body strength as well as my publication by the a number of key ingredients to life on understanding; but although Rudwick’s IPCC of their Earth - notably a comparatively stable elegant prose is never hard work, such assessment of climate Earth-Moon pairing- are simply out of the monumental scale is daunting. change impacts, influence of Earth-borne and Earth- It is therefore welcome that the adaptation and inhabiting life. The book is never so arguments developed in these mighty vulnerability, this is a technical as to be unintelligible to those works have now been condensed (and topical publication. who are not astrobiologists, but may be a expanded to bring us up to date) into this Based on the results little hard to grasp for those not very more portable account of the human of the project Climate Change: Impacts, conversant with the Earth sciences, appreciation of time. His premise, shared Costs and Adaptation in the Baltic Sea astronomy or physics. with Stephen Jay Gould, is that Region (BaltCICA), much of the book It’s a great read overall, and I shall never humanity’s discovery of Earth’s immense centres around case studies from this look at the incorrectly illuminated half age is an unsung ‘dethronement’, to use geographical region that includes moon in my niece’s Peppa Pig book in quite Sigmund Freud’s image of the way Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Germany, the same way again. I will leave it to the science progressively removes human Lithuania, Norway and Estonia. Fellowship to find out why. beings from the centre. The first chapter, Communicating By the 18th Century, western culture Climate Change Adaptation, briefly Reviewed by Daniel LeHeron had long accepted that the Earth had highlights the importance of

20 | NOVEMBER 2014 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST Would you like to receive a free book and write a review? Available titles are listed online, of which a small selection is shown below. Contact the editor for further information [email protected] communication between scientists and Foraminifera and their approached retirement, but redoubled his other stakeholders; however most of the efforts to make micropalaeontology chapter is devoted to introducing the Applications accessible to the interested. Both handy book and making some general and practical, this book will for many comments about the BaltCICA project. There is a periodic need years prove a vital resource for graduate Given the broad range of stakeholders for fields as mature and students, interested amateurs, and that may utilise this book, the discussion vibrant as foraminiferal academic and professional of communication could have been micropalaeontology to micropalaeontologists, and should be read extended and a glossary of acronyms take stock of their also by anybody else who uses the results and key words included at this stage. progress. This job from foraminiferal studies. This would have aided the cross- usually falls to one disciplinary communication emphasised dedicated person with Reviewed by Brent Wilson as being important. the enthusiasm and The bulk of the book (seventeen out funds to scour the recent literature and FORAMINIFERA AND THEIR APPLICATIONS of the remaining twenty one chapters) is synthesise their findings succinctly. In ROBERT WYNN JONES, Published by Cambridge devoted to the Baltic case studies. These this instance, that individual is Bob Wynn University Press, 2013 ISBN: 9781107036406 401pp chapters cover a diverse range of topics Jones, who spent three decades working Hardback List price: £45.00 www.cambridge.org including participatory approaches, sea in the oil industry until retiring from BG level change, coastal protection, urban Group PLC. Throughout his career, Bob planning, flood adaptation, maintained an active interest in academic groundwater resources, mussel farming research, writing over a hundred and tourism. A range of social and publications. In Foraminifera and their Atlas of Benthic physical science tools are also used Applications he has drawn on his within these chapters. The diversity of experience to review developments in Foraminifera topics and tools means that this book has foraminiferal micropalaeontology since J Taxonomy is the the potential to be of interest to a much R Haynes’ (1981) Foraminifera. basis of all wider audience than those working in The scope of Bob’s latest book is wide micropalaeon- the Baltic. Many of the case studies are and invigorating. He commences with a tological work. written in such a way that it is feasible chapter on past research, including an Illustrations are for scientists, planners and policy interesting sidebar on the far-sighted fundamental to this makers already working in this field to Henry Bowman Brady (1835–1891), – especially for those extract key lessons and apply them in author of the Report on the Foraminifera unable to visit type other locations. Dredged by the HMS Challenger and the collections. At the end of the book, there are four first to suggest an abyssal For many years most foraminiferologists chapters devoted to locations beyond palaeoenvironment for the Oligocene could only identify their specimens using Northern Europe, looking at case studies Oceanic Formation of Barbados. A short, previous workers’ drawings or frequently in Spain, Indonesia, Bangladesh and the useful chapter on sample acquisition and low quality photomicrographs. Asia-Pacific region. These are a welcome processing is followed by 60 pages on Some early drawings were excellent – addition to the text, bringing a range of foraminiferal biology and taxonomy. see, for example, the plates in H. B. insights from cultures and levels of This is replete with drawings of selected Brady’s Challenger Report. Others were economic development that are very genera that indicate the wide variety of not, however, being by workers with, like different to those in the previous case foraminiferal morphologies. me, limited artistic skills. This may have studies. The overall balance and utility Ecology and palaeoecology are covered led to a proliferation of named species, of the book would have been improved in two chapters (51 pages), while workers being unwilling to use a name on by including more of these, together biostratigraphy and sequence the basis of a poor illustration. It was with a strong concluding chapter stratigraphy are covered separately. once thought that the introduction of the contrasting the approaches being taken. There follows an extensive chapter on scanning electron microscope had This text is accessible and interesting, applications in petroleum geology and overcome the problem of illustration, with a suite of well-constructed full short but useful chapters on applications the SEM producing clear, colour diagrams. Available as a in mineral geology, engineering geology, objective illustrations. hardback and an e-book, this book is environmental science and archaeology. This spurred, for example, van best suited to those who are already The book is rounded out by eighty pages Morkhoven et al.’s (1986) compendium of working in or studying climate change of references, most from the 21st Century Cenozoic deep-water benthic foraminifera. adaptation in a developed context. and some as recent as 2012. Each chapter However, the SEM is not without has a useful list of recommended papers challenges. It cannot illustrate the Reviewed by Joel C Gill that is subdivided into sections covering specimens’ internal details, which limits specific topics. its usefulness for illustrating, for example, This book shows that foraminiferal species of Cibicidoides and Amphistegina. CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN PRACTICE: micropalaeontology, although not taught Perhaps it was this that encouraged van FROM STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT TO IMPLEMENTATION as widely as it once was, remains a Morkhoven et al. to include the type Edited by PHILIPP SCHMIDT-THOMÉ and JOHANNES relevant and developing field in both illustrations – usually drawings – in their KLEIN, Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 2013 academia and industry. Summarising a compendium. Furthermore, the SEM ISBN 978-0-470-97700-2 (Hbk), 327pp List price: £80.00 http://eu.wiley.com/ lifetime of devotion to the field, it shows photograph does not replicate what is seen

that the author did not slow down as he under an optical microscope. ▼

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2014 | 21 have no Internet access? CALL THE [Library Bookshop 0207 432 0999 for] BOOKS & ARTS... advice and to purchase publications

▼ The development of digital microscopes Perhaps stating the ages in terms of Available for review and stacking software for digital planktonic foraminiferal zones would BOOKS micrographs has opened up a new avenue have been useful. Bulimina, Cibicidoides Please contact [email protected] if you would for illustrating specimens that replicates and Uvigerina are particularly well like to supply a review. You will be invited to keep the what is seen under the optical microscope. illustrated, although I was surprised that review copy. See a full up-to-date list at The Atlas if Benthic Foraminifera uses this U. peregrina was excluded. The Atlas www.geolsoc.org.uk/reviews technology and the result is magnificent. claims to illustrate deep-sea species, so the u Tectonic Evolution of the Oman Mountains It contains clear, crisp digital photographs inclusion of intertidal Trochammina inflata (SP392) by Rollinson et al., 2014 Geological Society of 300 common benthic foraminiferal was also a surprise. of London 471pp hbk species, occasionally augmented with SEM I would highly recommend this u Upstream petroleum – Fiscal and Valuation images. Although the specimens reasonably-priced, painstakingly Modelling in Excel by Ken Kasriel and David Wood. photographed are not holotypes, details of assembled book to all foraminiferal Wiley Finance 2013 253pp hbk the type specimen, type level and type micropalaeontologists. It is sure to be a u Sediment Provenance Studies in Hydrocarbon locality are given. Type illustrations are standard reference for decades to come. Exploration & Production by Scott et al., 2014, not reproduced; however, type Geological Society of London SP 386420pp, hbk illustrations of some of the species were Reviewed by Brent Wilson u Geology off the Beaten Track - exploring South illustrated by van Morkhoven et al., so I Africa's hidden treasures by Norman, N 2014 have found it useful to use both books ATLAS OF BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA DeBeers/Struik Nature 256pp sbk together. ANN HOLBOURN, ANDREW S. HENDERSON AND u Global Optimization Methods in Geophysical Biogeographic and palaeobathymetric NORMAN MACLEOD. Published by Wiley-Blackwell, Inversion (2nd Ed) by Mrinal K Sen and Paul L 2013. ISBN: 978-1-118-38980-5 654 pp Stoffa. Cambridge University Press 2013 289pp hbk details are provided. Ages are given also, List price: £149.95 www.wiley.com although these are a little generalised.

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 Howel Edward Francis - obituary addendum

Sir, We feel that the recently published Obituary have been daunting, but Howel made immediate impact in the (Geoscientist 24.08, September 2014, p.28) of our lecture room and in the field (notably leading the first year Easter late friend and colleague, the distinguished past field class to Fife), drawing on his broad experience in classical President of the Society Howel Francis, did not reflect geology and on his gifts to engage and enthuse students and the final academic stage of his career at Leeds professionals alike. Equally empathic, Cynthia would often University. We would therefore like to set the record straight. accompany these trips and would find herself in an unofficial In 1977, Howel began a second career, making the unusual move pastoral role to students. Howel was highly supportive of young in his mid-50s of leaving the Geological Survey and entering researchers on the staff, seeing them and his students as academia as Professor of Geology in the Department of Earth professional geologists in the making, and expecting them to Sciences at the University of Leeds. His appointment was develop accordingly through their time. testament to the quality of his research; while in the Survey he was a In 1989 Howel was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of pioneer in the application of modern ideas from volcanology to the University College, Swansea (now Swansea University) upon his Palaeozoic igneous rocks of the UK, and equally expert in coal retirement from Leeds University. Cynthia died in 1997 after a geology. Much of this research was carried out in his own time. marriage lasting 45 years. In over 12 years at Leeds University (as well as being President of Howel was a charismatic lecturer, speech-maker and raconteur; The Geological Society from 1980 to 1982) Howel was Head of he was an adept cricketer in his younger days and continued to pay Department for more than half that time, steering it successfully golf regularly well into his 80s. In retirement he also became a keen through the UGC (University Grants Committee) Review of the Earth birdwatcher. He will be remembered by those who knew him as a Sciences in the late 1980s and subsequent restructuring of the fair but firm academic leader, for his warm personality and sense of national Earth Science provision in UK universities. humour, and, above all, as an honest man. Howel quickly transformed himself into an academic leader and JIM BRIDEN, MARJORIE WILSON, BRUCE YARDLEY, BOB CLIFF, ALASTAIR enthusiastic lecturer. Supported by his late wife Cynthia he LUMSDEN, GRAHAM STUART & ROB KNIPE immersed himself in academic life to the full, sharing in the problems Editor writes: This addendum has been included with the online obituary by and successes of students and staff alike. Tony Harris, which like the print version was an incomplete text submitted in Delivering his first undergraduate course at the age of 53 must error. This has now itself been replaced online by the complete original.

22 | NOVEMBER 2014 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST

PEOPLE NEWS CAROUSEL IN MEMORIAM WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/OBITUARIES All Fellows of the Society are entitled to entries in this column. Please email [email protected], THE SOCIETY NOTES WITH SADNESS THE PASSING OF: quoting your Fellowship number. Cochrane, Simon Toby King, Roy Crook, John P * Kosler, Jan * Foster, Michael * Scott, Barry* u Anna Grayson Fothergill, T * Waite, G J * Anna Grayson, a former science Hull, John Hewitt* Williams, John B E* journalist specializing in Earth science, has launched a successful In the interests of recording its Fellows' work for posterity, the Society publishes new career as a visual artist. This obituaries online, and in Geoscientist. The most recent additions to the list are shown example of her work was hung at in bold. Fellows for whom no obituarist has yet been commissioned are marked with an asterisk (*). The symbol § indicates that biographical material has been lodged with the Royal Academy this summer, the Society. and in this picture bears 34 of the 38 dots it eventually accumulated for If you would like to contribute an obituary, please email ted.nield@geolsoc. the sale of limited edition prints (and one big red dot for org.uk to be commissioned. You can read the guidance for authors at www.geolsoc.org.uk/obituaries. To save yourself unnecessary work, please do not the early sale of the framed picture). Anna told write anything until you have received a commissioning letter. Geoscientist: “It was gob-smacking enough just being hung at the RA, but the success of the picture has been Deceased Fellows for whom no obituary is forthcoming have their names and dates quite amazing.” Anna recently had three pieces in the recorded in a Roll of Honour at www.geolsoc.org.uk/obituaries. SouthWest Academy Exhibition (St Stephen's Church, Exeter 23-27 Sept), and from the eighth of this month she appears in a big exhibition in the Gloss Gallery, also u Ian Jackson in Exeter. Her work is now hung round the world from Ian Jackson, formerly BGS Chief of Operations and the States to South Korea. Director of Information, has been awarded the Outstanding Contributions in Geoinformatics Award of the Geological u Bob Holdsworth Society of America. The award may be made annually Bob Holdsworth has cycled from to ‘an individual who has contributed in an outstanding manner Land's End to John O'Groats in 10 to geology through the application of the principles days in aid of Marie Curie Cancer of Geoinformatics’. Care. “We rode 978 miles and I rode And finally... up every hill (I didn't walk anything)” Bob tells us. “We were in the saddle u Charles Hepworth Holland over 100 hours in total and climbed Congratulations to Professor Charles Hepworth Holland Hectonichus via Wikimedia Hectonichus via Wikimedia over 65,000 feet overall. (Trinity College, Dublin), who at 90 has published what he In general we rode >100 miles per day, with the biggest describes as his “last palaeontological paper” (‘Biostratigraphy ride being 113 miles. The weather was good except of British Silurian nautiloid cephalopods’) in the Bollettino della on the first day (wind behind us - good) and last day Società Paleontologica Italiana 53(1) 2014, pp19-26. (strong wind against us - very bad!).” At the time of E: [email protected]. Pictured left: Kionoceras doricum from writing Bob had raised £11,355. Czech Republic at the National Museum (Prague). This W: justgiving.com/Robert-Holdsworth1 specimen is Ordovician, but species ranges from Ordovician to Lower Permian.

24 | NOVEMBER 2014 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST GEOSCIENTIST PEOPLE NEWS

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

DISTANT THUNDER Design-by-committee got it right!

Churchyards often contain A private war grave, in the war graves of the standard form of a white Carrara marble design, as well as private war cross on a triple plinth graves chosen by relatives and put up at their own expense. In the churchyard of Saints Mary and John, Cowley Road Oxford, a standard Portland war grave headstone

Geologist and science biblical and classical scholar, Sir from the Portland Base Bed – bear testimony to the fact that writer Nina Morgan* Frederic Kenyon (1863-1952), readily available, affordable and sometimes, a committee really director of the British Museum, durable – fitted the bill. And CAN get things right! commemorates the stone was drafted in early on to head a because it is composed largely that marks remembrance Commission to coordinate the of small, dense ooliths that ➤ Acknowledgement The many events marking the various artistic ideas. continually wear off to expose centenary of the outbreak of the In the year that marks a century The Commission's report, new ones beneath, it tends to First World War provided the since the outbreak of the First published in February 1918, retain its pale colour as it inspiration for this vignette. World War many are moved by suggested that the bigger weathers, so is easy to maintain. Sources included e-mail the peaceful and dignified cemeteries should also include During the Second World War, correspondence with Barry settings of the war cemeteries. large memorials. Two designs the Commission considered Hunt, Director, IBIS Limited, and These were the brainchild of Sir were chosen: Blomfield's Cross using granite for headstones in his article about Portland Fabian Ware (1869-1949), the of Sacrifice, for use in Scotland, but thwarted by a ring Limestone in Natural Stone driving force behind the cemeteries containing over 40 operated by quarry owners, it Specialist, May 2014, pp. 34- establishment of the Imperial graves; and Lutyens' iconic found granite too expensive – so 38; The Unending Vigil: The history of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in Stone of Remembrance – again, Portland won the day. War Graves Commission, by 1917, now known as the consisting of a 12 foot-long And thus, the dignified narrow Philip Longworth, ISBN Commonwealth War Graves block of Upper Jurassic Portland white Portland headstones with 978184884423; the Commission. Base Bed, inscribed with the slightly curved tops, bearing only Commonwealth War Graves text ‘Their name liveth for a national emblem or regimental Commission website Advisers evermore’ and lying on three badge, and the rank, name, unit, www.cwcg.org; the Ware's idea quickly caught on. steps - for cemeteries with over date of death and age of each Commonwealth War Graves Although in the popular 1000 graves. casualty inscribed above an Commission media centre; the imagination the architect most appropriate religious symbol and article Anstrude and Portland. closely associated with the Headstones a more personal dedication Similar or not, by Tim Palmer, Natural Stone Specialist, March design of war graves is Sir But when it came to chosen by relatives, came to be 2001, pp. 31-32; and work I Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944), headstones, the design and the standard. am carrying out with Philip creator of the Cenotaph in choice of materials was The war cemeteries, with their Powell of the University London, in fact, a host of other determined by a committee serried ranks of gleaming white Museum of Natural History in artistic advisers – including two working for the Commission. Portland headstones, along with Oxford for a book about the other architects, Sir Herbert ‘Equality’ was the guiding the distinctive individual white Geology of Gravestones. Baker and Sir Reginald Blomfield principle behind the design; a Portland headstones of the war- – also played key roles. As a stone that was easy to care for dead found scattered among *Nina Morgan geologist and result, ideas for the design of the and which could hold a carved gravestones of different stones writer based in Oxford. She is cemeteries flowed in thick and inscription well was the key and designs in cemeteries and currently working on a book about fast. The palaeographer and requirement. In short, stone churchyards throughout the UK, the Geology of Gravestones

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2014 | 25 GEOSCIENTIST OBITUARY

OBITUARY FRED BELL 1937-2014

Distinguished Engineering Geologist and prolific rederick Gladstone Soils & rocks Bell died at home author of academic papers and textbooks One of his main in Blyth, contributions was to our Nottinghamshire on understanding of how F 3 May 2014 aged 76. geotechnical properties of He was born on 12 July 1937 soils and rocks can be in Ashington where he is now related both to specific buried. He graduated from geological formations and Durham University in 1959 to the processes that formed with a degree in geology, and acted upon them - became Assistant Lecturer in research summarised in his Geology at Newcastle College Engineering Properties of of Further Education, moving Soils and Rocks, which ran to Ealing Technical College in to four editions. London to~ lecture in Geology. Fred also carried out extensive consultancy work in the UK and South Africa. HE WAS However, he was probably most proud of the students PROBABLY MOST he educated, trained and PROUD OF THE inspired, and whom he sent STUDENTS HE out to work in the civil and mining engineering EDUCATED, TRAINED industries. He was AND INSPIRED responsible for initiating and developing the careers ~ of many geologists and was In September 1965 he renowned for his advice, became Lecturer in friendship and guidance. Engineering Geology at Fred’s loyalty was Sheffield College of Teesside Geological Survey. demonstrated by the Technology, (now Sheffield In 1977 he became a Principal Fred was awarded the contacts that he continued Hallam University). He Lecturer in Geotechnical Society’s Coke Medal, the with many of his former received a Master's degree in Engineering and Holdredge Award of the students once they Sedimentary Petrology subsequently (1981) Deputy Association of graduated and entered (Durham University, 1968) Head of the Department of Environmental and work in industry and and began research for his Civil and Structural Engineering Geologists (USA academia. doctorate (part-time) at the Engineering at Teesside – twice!), the E B Burwell Jr Fred was a shy and University of Sheffield that Polytechnic. In 1989 he was Award (Geological Society of private person. Few knew year. On receiving this, he became Professor and Head America) and the University the 'whole' man. He was a was promoted to Senior of Department in the of Natal Book Prize (three 'workaholic' but retained his Lecturer in the Department of Department of Geology and times!). He was also Fellow interests in football, classical Civil Engineering, Sheffield Applied Geology, University of the Royal Society of South music, military history, malt Hallam. There began Fred's of Natal, South Africa - where Africa, the Institution of whisky and politics. prodigious output of he remained until he retired Civil Engineers and the academic papers, articles and (2001). The University of Institute of Materials, books. His first paper and Natal gave him a DSc, and he Minerals and Mining. Fred’s ➤ By Martin Culshaw, John first book both appeared in was made Distinguished vast published output Cripps, Dennis Gillen & 1975, the former on salt Visiting Professor at the included 17 textbooks, four Laurance Donnelly. subsidence in Cheshire and University of Missouri-Rolla Engineering Geology Special A longer version of this the latter on site investigation (USA) and Visiting Research Publications and nearly 250 obituary is available online. in areas of mining subsidence. Associate at the British papers covering a vast range.

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.

26 | NOVEMBER 2014 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST GEOSCIENTIST CALENDAR Can’t find your meeting? VISIT www.geolsoc.org.uk/listings] [full, accurate, up-to-date

ENDORSED TRAINING/CPD

COURSE DATE VENUE AND DETAILS

Soil & Rock Description and Site Investigation 10-14 University of Sussex. Instructor: Dr David Norbury. Contact: Prof. Julian Murton E: University of Sussex November [email protected]. Registration W: www.sussex.ac.uk/geomorphology/

Lapworth’s Logs n/a ‘Lapworth’s Logs’ is a series of e-courses involving practical exercises of increasing complexity. Contact: [email protected]. Lapworth’s Logs is produced by Michael de Freitas and Andrew Thompson.

DIARY OF MEETINGS NOVEMBER 2014

MEETING DATE VENUE AND DETAILS

Geology and Medicine. History of Geology 2-4 November Venue: Burlington House. See website for details. Contact: Dick Moody E: [email protected]

Co-evolution of Life and the Planet 5-6 November Venue: Burlington House. See website for registration and details. Fees apply, with discounts. Contact: Geological Society of London Georgina Worrall E: [email protected] W: www.lifeandplanet.net/2014-life-and-planet.html

Careers Day 2014 5 November Venue: BGS, Keyworth, Nottingham. See website for details. Contact: Naomi Newbould Geological Society of London E: [email protected]

Advanced Technologies for Contaminated Site 11 November Venue: Lapworth Museum, Birmingham. Speaker Dr Jeremy Birnstingl (Regenesis Ltd.) Evening lecture; no Remediation. West Midlands Regional time given at time of writing. Contact: Dan Welch E: [email protected]

Hydrogeological Legacy: A Celebration & 12 November Venue: Burlington House. Time: 12.45. Wine reception. See website for details and registration. Continuation of the Work of Dick Downing (1928- Contact: Dr Mike Price E: [email protected] 2013) Hydrogeological Group

Myanmar Earthquake 18 November Venue: Royal Holloway University, Egham. Speaker: Ian Watkinson. See website for details. Evening Thames Valley Regional lecture; no time given at time of writing. Contact: E: [email protected]

Data from the Sky: Recent Advances in Data 18 November Venue: Cardiff University, ROOM 1.25 Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT. Time: 1730 for 1800 Collection from UAVs. Southern Wales Regional Speaker: Adrian Charters (Geological Director of Quarry Design Ltd). Contact: E: [email protected] W: www.geolsoc.org.uk/south_wales

Petroleum Geoscience Research Collaboration 19-20 Venue: ExCeL, London. See website for details and registration. Contact: Laura Griffiths Showcase AAPG, Petroleum Exploration Society of November E: [email protected] Great Britain, Petroleum Group

PRiMES 2014: Postgraduate Research in Marine & 19-21 Venue: Scottish Association for Marine Science, Oban. Fees apply. See website for details. Earth Science. Marine Studies Group November Contact: E: [email protected] W: www.sams.ac.uk/primes

Contaminated Land: What is it good for? 19 November Venue: Burlington House. Speaker: Paul Nathanail. A London Lecture. See p. 6 for details. Geological Society of London

Karstic Landscapes & Sinkholes 20 November Venue: NOC, Southampton. Speaker: Clive Edmunds, Peter Brett Associates. Solent Regional Contact: Wendy Furgusson. E: [email protected]

The Preservation of Plants as Fossils 21 November Venue: Chester University. Speaker: Barry Thomas (Aberystwyth University). North West Regional. North Wales GA Contact: E: [email protected]

Geoconservation Annual Gathering 2014 24 November Venue: Burlington House. Time: 1300-1830. See website for details and for registration email Donna Geoconservation Committee, GSL Fitzgerald E: [email protected]

Operations Geology Conference 26-27 Venue: Burlington House. For details and registration see website. Fees apply – reductions. Petroleum Group November Contact: Laura Griffiths E: [email protected]

15th Glossop Medal Lecture & 18th Glossop Award. 26 November Venue: Royal Geographical Society, London. See website for details and registration. Fees apply, with Engineering Group reductions. Contact: Alexander Conrad E: [email protected]

AGM & Frederick Sherrell Career Recognition Award 26 November Venue: Exeter area (tbc). See website. Contact: Jonathan King. E: [email protected] 2014. South West Regional

Mine Water as an Energy Source for Heat Pumps: 26 November Venue: Cardiff University, ROOM 1.25 Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT. Time: 1730 for 1800. Case Study. South Wales Regional. CIWEM Speakers: David Tucker & Gareth Farr. Contact: E: [email protected]

Careers in Earth Science 2014 26 November Venue: Our Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh. See website for details. Contact: Naomi Newbould Geological Society of London E: [email protected]

Origins of British Geological Fieldwork 27 November Venue: Gass Lecture Theatre, Open University, Milton Keynes. Speaker: Tom Hose (GeoconservationUK Home Counties North Regional and Bristol Unviersity). Time: 1830 for 1900. Contact: E: [email protected]

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2014 | 27 GEOSCIENTIST OBITUARY

OBITUARY JOHN WILLIAMS 1930-2014

British geologist honoured for his contribution ohn Bernard Edgar On retirement in 2001 he was

Williams CD was to Jamaica’s economic geology still on the board of born in Britain on Clarendon Alumina

October 8, 1930. He Production Ltd. John died gained his BSc in July 2014, following a J ~ (London) from Kingston short illness. Technical College, Kingston- on-Thames, but spent most of his life in Kingston, Jamaica. FOR HIS In 1953 he entered the British Overseas Geological Survey SERVICES TO JAMAICA Service, being posted to HE RECEIVED THE Jamaica’s Geological Survey NATIONAL HONOUR Department. Early assignments included OF COMMANDER mapping the Cretaceous rocks OF THE ORDER OF of the Central Inlier, last examined by the Sawkins DISTINCTION survey of the 1860s. ~ The 1:50,000 Jamaican topographical sheets of those Order of Distinction days, while better than Apart from his professional anything before, were hardly career, John was the first appropriate for detailed secretary of the Geological mapping. The 250-foot Society of Jamaica, founded in contour interval inhibited 1955, and edited early analysis of features over the volumes of the Society’s steep, extensively faulted journal ‘Geonotes’ (now the island topography. Aerial ‘Caribbean Journal of Earth photos were in short supply Sciences’). He became the and were not allowed to be With technical assistance from short spell at the UK’s Society’s President and taken into the field. the British Geological Survey Commonwealth Office, he helped to secure funding for Nevertheless, John did a he helped to initiate entered the Jamaica National the Society’s student sterling job of sorting out the publication of Geology map Investment Company where scholarship. He joined the main components of the sheets at a 1:50,000 scale. He he was able to use his Jamaica Defence Force as a inlier’s geology in the first co-managed the UNDP- managerial skills to promote reservist, and became two years of his tenure. sponsored Ground Water development of Jamaica’s increasingly involved with Maps with adequate programme and involved industrial and natural the military, rising to the rank contouring became available NASA in a multispectral resources. Because Jamaica of Major. only after 1968. aerial survey of the island. has no fossil fuel deposits, For his services to Jamaica Leaving the Geological this involved investigations of he received the National Petrologist Survey in 1973 he became alternative energy sources, Honour of Commander of the John became the manager of the government’s including sizeable peat Order of Distinction (CD). department’s petrologist, Water Resources Division. deposits with potential as a He is survived by his wife involved with the assessment In the later 1970s John left fuel resource. Regna, children Nicola and of industrial mineral deposits. the government and direct The family spent two years Phillip, and three He collaborated with the involvement with in the island of St. Kitts before grandchildren, Sabrina, Director, Verners Zans, in a professional geology to work returning to Jamaica where Samantha and Nathanael. survey of the island’s coral briefly with the bauxite John worked with Price reefs. In 1965 he was industry, before returning to Waterhouse, identifying promoted Deputy Director, enter the Ministry of the potential executives for the ➤ By Ted Robinson and became Director in 1968. Public Service. Then, after a company’s clients.

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

28 | NOVEMBER 2014 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST GEOSCIENTIST CROSSWORD

CROSSWORD NO.185 SET BY PLATYPUS WIN A SPECIAL PUBLICATION!

The winner of the September Crossword puzzle prize draw was Thomas Edwards of Whitby.

All correct solutions will be placed in the draw, and the winner’s name printed in the February issue. The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Closing date - November 28.

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

Please return your completed crossword to Burlington House, marking your envelope “Crossword”. Do not enclose any other matter with your solution. Overseas Fellows are encouraged to scan the signed form and email it as a PDF to [email protected] ACROSS DOWN Name ...... 1 Stomach footers (10) 1 Speaker of Goidelic language (4) ...... 6 Calcareous mudstone (4) 2 O rose, thou art (4) Membership number ...... 9 Man-made exposure (10) 3 When the hanging wall moves up, relative to the footwall (7,5) Address for correspondence ...... 10 Plasterboard and timber walling (4) 4 Repair panel much used by wand'ring ...... 12 Chains of islands (12) minstrels (5) 15 Metamorphic product, of high ...... 5 Coprolites, before they 19 across (9) temperature low pressure kind, ...... principally from kaolin (9) 7 Unable to bring an object into sharp focus on the retina, probably ...... 17 Famously unforgettable battle in because of toric curvature of the lens the Texas Revolution (5) or cornea (10) ...... 18 Without, outside (5) 8 North-pointing rocks (10) Postcode ...... 19 To undergo preservation by mineral 11 Having the tendency to increase pH (12) replacement (9) 13 Arms and legs, for instance, 20 The art technique of squeezing though also palps and mandibles. (10) SOLUTIONS SEPTEMBER paint between two surfaces, or creating a transfer (12) 14 Chalk time (10) ACROSS: 24 To emit light (4) 16 A person who offends by mere 1 Orthoclase 6 Silt 9 Ambient 10 Richter presence (9) 12 Compensate 13 Gee 15 Eddies 16 Meteoric 25 Arranged in regular layers or 18 Utensils 20 Stoker 23 Orc 24 Retrograde beds (10) 21 Once more (5) 26 Arundel 27 Antlers 28 Site 29 Fantastised 26 Sliding component of the ingenious 22 Any 9 across, sunk for the purpose Mr Hooke's window (4) of extracting Earth materials (4) DOWN: 1 Opal 2 Tabloid 3 Overpressured 4 Latent 27 To exceed its boundaries, like a 23 Lyrical stanzas eg to Nightingales, 5 Striated 7 Integer 8 Threescore rising ocean (10) Grecian urns, Autumn, Joy etc. (4) 11 Coelenterates 14 Beaujolais 17 Flotilla 19 Encrust 21 Kidneys 22 Cobalt 25 Used

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2014 | 29 GEOSCIENTIST RECRUITMENT

2255

PETEX is the largest subsurface‐focussed E&P conference and exhibition in the UK, attracting thousands of delegates from across the world and across a spectrum of industry sectors, from super‐majors to consultancies. Why should you attend? Technical excellence ‐ PETEX continues to attract some of the best speakers from across the world, including major company CEO’s as keynotes. Themes cover topics from Frontier Exploration to Mature Field Rejuvenation. The call for papers opens in January. Exhibition ‐ PETEX attracts over 150 exhibitors made up of the Industry leaders and start ups, the top academic institutions and government agencies. Conference & Exhibition on the same floor ‐ providing easy access for all attendees between the exhibition and technical conference One ticket, access all areas ‐ No need to pay extra for accessing social events or areas of the conference Lively Social programme ‐ PETEX’s unparalleled social programme can be enjoyed by all attendees, a social event every evening Venue ‐ ExCeL, London boasts easy access from London Heathrow, well connected to all London locations, 7 onsite hotels, over 40 onsite cafes, bars and restaurants, complimentary WiFi and quick access to the O2 Arena via the Emirates Airline Cable Car. For more informaon why not visit our website: www.petex.info

30 | NOVEMBER 2014 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST Programme of Events Further events willbepublicised oncetheyare confirmed. For information about any of theaboveevents, pleasewww.geolsoc.org.uk/mud15 G 2 U 1 L 4 t G t G t G G G O tbc tbc tbc t tbc 05-10 July 2015 2015 12-17 April Mid March 2015 18-19 March1 2015 1 11 March 2015 G 10 March 2015 4-5 March 2015 17-22 February 2015 21 January 2015 5-8 January 2015 U 1 5 t U E M 0 1 b b b b b o G 1 7 - 8 1 0 - 5 2 l n n e e e e e e u e s i 5 8 n c c c c c

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