GeoscientistThe Fellowship magazine of The Geological Society of London | www.geolsoc.org.uk | Volume 23 No 5 | June 2013

KERB CRAWLER Urban geologist struck by mysterious marks JOURNAL CUTS Should the Society be reducing journal subscriptions?

LANDSLIDE AL BOOKS & ARTS SPECI ] [REVIEWS BUMPER ISSUE YEAR? Was the increase] in UK landslides [ during 2012 real or apparent? Exploration, Resource and Mining Geology Conference 2013 Getting it right from the outset 21-22 October 2013, Cardiff, Wales, UK

Registration opening soon

THE CONFERENCE Sponsorship Opportunities Associate your organisation with the Exploration, Resource & Mining Geology The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (The AusIMM) and The Geological Conference 2013 and we will work alongside you to provide multiple opportunities to Society of London are pleased to announce the Exploration, Resource and Mining promote your organisation before and during the conference. This is an excellent Geology Conference 2013 and are calling for abstracts from intending authors for opportunity to maximise your business exposure in 2013. Contact event management consideration in the conference programme. today. We are operating in challenging times. Despite relatively high commodity prices, there are few mining projects where an easy dollar is to be made. There are particular challenges that must be faced, including the need for cost-effective discovery Proudly hosted by strategies and methods; evaluation and extraction of often lower-grade complex (geologically and/or metallurgically) deposits; understanding time-orebody variability to achieve the optimum mine plan; and predicting grades in geologically complex deposits that can be achieved by selective mining using wide-spaced data. These and other challenges can be ameliorated by ‘getting it right from the outset’ and building orebody knowledge. Topics to be discussed at the conference include: • Exploration value drivers and strategies • Geophysical and geochemical exploration tools and techniques Headline Sponsor • Benefits of geological mapping for exploration and exploitation • Regional and orebody scale controls to mineralisation • Geological modelling and uncertainty evaluation • Drilling, sampling, assaying and QA/QC • Resource estimation, classification and reporting • Mine geology, grade control and reconciliation • Geometallurgy • New technologies Event Supporters • Case studies. Conference Venue National Museum Cardiff, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF 10 3NP Web: www.museumwales.ac.uk Event Management For all enquiries including sponsorship, please contact: Sienna Deano, Coordinator, Events, The AusIMM Telephone: +61 3 9658 6126 | Email: [email protected] For registration enquiries, please contact: Georgina Worrall, Conference Manager, The Geological Society Telephone: +44 (0)20 7434 9944 | Email: [email protected] www.ermg2013.com CONTENTS GEOSCIENTIST

IN THIS ISSUE JUNE 2013

FEATURES 16 STREET WALKER Peter Dolan has been sweeping the gutters of England for mysterious markings on old kerbstones. Does anyone know what they once meant? REGULARS 05 WELCOME Ted Nield on vanishing and redundant holes in the ground, and how we can preserve them 06 SOCIETY NEWS What your Society is doing at home and abroad, in London and the regions 09 SOAPBOX John Cope and Bernard Leake think that cutting journal subscriptions when the Society is flush 10 COVER FEATURE: LANDSLIDING 2012 is betraying future generations Catherine Pennington and Anna Harrison 20 BOOK & ARTS An exhibition and six books reviewed by Douglas Palmer, Steve Rowlatt, Colin Murray- investigate last year’s landslide record Wallace, Mark Burdett, Nigel Trewin, Richard Porter and Chris King 24 PEOPLE Geoscientists in the news and on the move 26 OBITUARY Two distinguished Fellows remembered 27 CALENDAR Society activities this month 29 CROSSWORD Win a special publication of your choice

n ERRATUM In the previous issue we printed the wrong affiliation for co-author of the feature article Solid Achievement, Dr Brian McConnell. We are happy to point out that Dr McConnell works for the Geological Survey of 06 16 Ireland, and offer our apologies for the slip.

JUNE 2013 03 04 JUNE 2013 ~ EDITOR’S COMMENT GEOSCIENTIST THE RAIN IT RAINETH EVERY DAY. WAS IT RESPONSIBLE FOR 2012’S LANDSLIP RECORD? Cover image: Clare Scott / Shutterstock.com ~ OVERLOOKED & UNDERFOOT ast month we featured Sandy Whyte and Geoscientist is the F 01727 893 895 Fellowship magazine of E enquiries@centuryone Hugh Black of Aberdeen, who are working the Geological Society publishing.ltd.uk to return Rubislaw Quarry, Europe’s of London W www.centuryone publishing.ltd.uk deepest open pit and Aberdeen’s longest- The Geological Society, lived granite quarry, to use. Though not, Burlington House, Piccadilly, ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE alas, as a quarry; those days are over, at London W1J 0BG Jonathan Knight T +44 (0)20 7434 9944 T 01727 739 193 least for Rubislaw. Rubislaw reborn will F +44 (0)20 7439 8975 E jonathan@centuryone Lbe a community resource and conference centre, with E [email protected] publishing.ltd.uk (Not for Editorial) a signature building, cantilevered out over the abyss, ART EDITOR faced in granite. But granite from where? Publishing House Heena Gudka The Geological Society The beautiful and vastly over-budget Scottish Publishing House, Unit 7, DESIGN & PRODUCTION Parliament in Holyrood was faced in Aberdeen Brassmill Enterprise Centre, Sarah Astington Brassmill Lane, Bath granite, from Kemnay. Such an object of national BA1 3JN PRINTED BY pride could hardly have facings in imported Chinese T 01225 445046 Century One Publishing Ltd. granite; but that is what almost everyone else is using. F 01225 442836 Copyright Even Indian granite is now highly likely to be Library The Geological Society of exported first to China for finishing; while a certain T +44 (0)20 7432 0999 London is a Registered Charity, F +44 (0)20 7439 3470 number 210161. academic bathroom in Princeton, I am reliably told, is E [email protected] ISSN (print) 0961-5628 lined with British limestone that reached New Jersey ISSN (online) 2045-1784 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF via China, where the quarried block was sent for Professor Peter Styles FGS cutting and polishing. And although the Annenberg The Geological Society of London Courtyard at Burlington House uses a mix of British, EDITOR accepts no responsibility for the Dr Ted Nield NUJ FGS views expressed in any article in European and more exotic granites, setts recently used E [email protected] this publication. All views expressed, except where to re-pave the courtyard of Cardiff University came explicitly stated otherwise, exclusively from China. EDITORIAL BOARD represent those of the author, and Dr Sue Bowler FGS not The Geological Society of Messrs. Black and Whyte are salvaging Rubislaw Mr Steve Branch FGS London. All rights reserved. No Dr Robin Cocks FGS paragraph of this publication may granite from wherever they can, in the hope that it can Prof. Tony Harris FGS be reproduced, copied or be strategically re-used in their new building. But the Dr Howard Falcon- transmitted save with written permission. Users registered with staple business of the UK granite industry (namely, Lang FGS Copyright Clearance Center: the Dr Jonathan Turner FGS Journal is registered with CCC, kerbstones and setts) has long moved beyond even Dr Jan Zalasiewicz FGS 27 Congress Street, Salem, MA Europe’s shores. This process began in the early 20th 01970, USA. 0961- Trustees of the Geological 5628/02/$15.00. Century, when British quarrying (having enjoyed the Society of London Every effort has been made to Empire advantage) found itself unable to satisfy Mr D T Shilston (President); trace copyright holders of material in this publication. If any demand, and began to import from Europe. Mrs N K Ala; Dr M G rights have been omitted, the Armitage; Miss S Brough; publishers offer their apologies. A protectionist import tariff, lobbied for by quarry Professor R A Butler; Professor N A Chapman; No responsibility is assumed by firms themselves, failed to stem the tide, and resulted Mr D J Cragg; Professor J the Publisher for any injury and/or (for exchange rate reasons) chiefly in favouring damage to persons or property as Francis (Secretary, Science) a matter of products liability, imports from just one country – Finland. Finally, Professor A J Fraser; negligence or otherwise, or from Dr S A Gibson; Mrs M P any use or operation of any during the 1930s, the very first kerbs and setts from Henton (Secretary, methods, products, instructions India arrived here, bought at what the Quarry Professional Matters); or ideas contained in the material Dr R A Hughes; Mr D A herein. Although all advertising Managers Journal termed ‘coolie labour prices’ by Jones; Dr A Law (Treasurer), material is expected to conform to traitorous London boroughs. Now, India and China Professor R J Lisle; ethical (medical) standards, inclusion in this publication does command the entire base market of the granite trade. Professor A R Lord not constitute a guarantee or (Secretary, Foreign & endorsement of the quality or But kerbstones in British granite remain a staple of External Affairs); Mr P value of such product or of the Maliphant (Vice president); claims made by its manufacturer. urban geology. While visiting the London Book Fair Dr B R Marker OBE; recently I was pleased to note, in Seagrave Street Subscriptions: All Professor S B Marriott (Vice correspondence relating to non- near Earl’s Court, the canapé salmon squares of pink president); Dr G Nichols; member subscriptions should be Dr C P Summerhayes addresses to the Journals plagioclase typical of Shap Granite, gracing kerbs (Vice president); Professor Subscription Department, and quarter corners, polished by generations of J H Tellam; Dr J P Turner Geological Society Publishing (Secretary, Publications) House, Unit 7 Brassmill Enterprise shoe leather. Centre, Brassmill Lane, Bath, BA1 3JN, UK. Tel: 01225 445046. Fax: But all of us who spend our time wondering at such Published on behalf of 01225 442836. Email: everyday things will have asked – what are all those the Geological Society [email protected]. The of London by subscription price for Volume 23, initials, deltas and Maltese crosses? Nobody really Century One Publishing 2013 (11 issues) to institutions seems to know. In this issue, Peter Dolan sets out his Alban Row, 27–31 Verulam and non-members is £108 (UK) Road, St Albans, Herts, or £124 / US$247 (Rest of World). own theory. AL3 4DG © 2013 The Geological Society T 01727 893 894 of London DR TED NIELD EDITOR

JUNE 2013 05 GEOSCIENTIST SOCIETY NEWS SOCIETYNEWS

ELECTION – FELLOWS Image: S.Borisov / Shutterstock.com

The following names are put forward for election to fellowship at the OGM on 26 June 2013. ABBASI Amir Reza; ADAMS Ian; ALBADRAN Adel; AMAEWHULE Hermas Kasie; ANDERSON Lloyd Paul; ARIYARATNA Don Hettiarchige; ARMSTRONG Richard; BARDE Jean-Pierre; BARKLEY Craig; BARNES Ryan David; BATTY Paul Graham; BEAL Timothy James; BEE James; BELL Steven Robin; BOGGIANI, Paulo; BOTHA Christoffel Philippus; BOYD Christopher James; BRINDLEY James; BRODERICK Aisling; BROWN James Hugh; BROWN Matthew David Andrew; BUSCHKUEHLE Maja; BUTLER Paul; CAIRNS Bruce; CARNEY Matthew Brendan; CARTER James Edward; CARTER Richard John; CHAU Chi Bong; CHEUNG Ka Ho; CHURCHILL Mark Policy update James; CILLARI Azzura; CISSE Mouawiyah Amadou; CLARK Jessica Lucy; CLEEVE Anthony Peter; COCHRANE, Graeme; It has been a busy few months for the Society’s policy advisers, says COOPER Stephen John David; COURT Rachel; COVENTRY Alan Florence Bullough* CROSS CROSSLEY DALEY Ross; Melanie; Rosalind Joanne; The Geological Society’s science policy activities cover a wide range of topics, Howard John; DAVIES Alice; DEWIT Julie; DIKEDI Patrick; DINHAM Paul James; DOBBS Victoria Elizabeth; DOLAN from funding for research and teaching in universities, to providing advice to Eamonn Patrick; DOWDESWELL Edward; DOWNEY Eric John; policymakers on sustainable resources and conserving the geological heritage. DUFF Sara Leigh; EARDLEY Gavin Lewis; EASTWOOD Laura We have continued to respond to inquiries about shale gas, providing relevant Ann; EVANS Rhys David; FENDER Thomas David; FINCH Victoria; FIRPO Giacomo; FULLER Darrell John; GALLAGHER geoscientific information regarding what is known (and not known) about Daniel; GALLAGHER Elizabeth Anne; GANCHEVA Anastasiya; resources and reserves, and possible environmental impacts. The Society issued GIBSON Stephen Albert; GIRARDIN, Isabelle; GITTINS Jeremy a short statement on the Government’s announcements on shale gas in GIZAW GOFF GOMEZ Scott; Fetene Damtew; Paul Alexander; www.geolsoc.org.uk/shalegas-comment Ceylan Monique; GRAHAM, Daniel; GRAHAM Ian Terrace; December ( ), and responded to the GRAVES Suzanna Jayne; GREW Duncan; GRIFFIN Nicole House of Commons Energy and Climate Change Committee’s inquiry into The Ashley; GRIGOLATO Jean-Christophe Samuel; HALL David Impact of Shale Gas on Energy Markets Gordon; HAMMOND James Wilson; HART Stephen Francis; (www.geolsoc.org.uk/impactofshalegas), as well as a European Commission HARVEY Sarah; HEATH Richard; HEBDITCH Katy Victoria; HENRY Felicity; HINES Richard; HO Ka Kit George; HOBSON consultation on Unconventional Fossil Fuels (www.geolsoc.org.uk/ecshalegas). Andrew James; HOLLIDAY Thomas Michael; HOLMES Gary; Both were made jointly with PESGB. Professor Richard Davies (University of HOMEWOOD Peter Wisdom; HOOPER, Matthew; HUTCHISON Durham) also appeared as a Society witness at the ECCC inquiry, the report of William; JAMES Adam; JAMIESON Robert Andrew; JANKOWSKI Edward Jan; KARLATOU- which should be out by the time you read this. CHARALAMPOPOULOU Artemis; KEARNEY Sarah Anne-Marie; We have also made written submissions to the House of Commons Science KENT Emiko Jane; KHAN Riyaz Mohammed Kamaruddin; KING and Technology Committee’s inquiries into Water Quality KING LAM LANGDON LE Daniel; Marguerite; Hoi Lee; Ryan; (www.geolsoc.org.uk/waterquality) and Public Understanding of Climate BARBANCHON Pierre Jonas Paul Alexandre; LEON Ralph Richard; LIMOND Christopher; LOGANATHAN Senthuran; Change (www.geolsoc.org.uk/pu-climate-change); to two Parliamentary LONGRIDGE Luke; LUNNON, Jack; LYNCH Edward Francis; inquiries into Open Access publishing, DEFRA’s triennial review of the MADHOO Hamechan; MADHUSODHANAN SUSEELA Bobby Environment Agency and Natural England, and a consultation on the proposed Prasanth; MCBRIDE, Aodhin; MCELLIGOTT Ross; MCSORLEY Paul; MCVICAR WRIGHT Sarita Eleanor; MEREDITH David new National Curriculum for England – a process with which we have been Christopher; MILES Andrew James; MILLS Daniel; MILNER engaged since 2011. Penelope Ann; MINNS James Benjamin Nicholas; MISTRY When the opportunity arises, we also take the initiative to stimulate discussion Jimesh; MOCKRIDGE James; MOORE Elaine Margaret; NEWMAN George William; NG Chun Kwok; NICE Richard; with policy-makers. In early January, the Society (with AAPG), hosted a two-day NICHOLSON Uisdean Alasdair Macgregor; NUNNS Christopher international conference on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). Following two Mark Reeve; NWOZOR Kingsley Kawayochukwu; OAKES, James days of cutting-edge research, Parliamentarians, officials and others joined Edward; O'CALLAGHAN Jonathan; O'MARA Peter; O'NEILL delegates for a panel discussion on broader policy implications. David Egan; O'SULLIVAN Brian; O'SULLIVAN Paul Adrian; ORDUNA Javier Gonzalez; OWEN Holly-Marie; OXLEY Stuart As part of National Science and Engineering Week (March), the Society was Louis; PARSONS Benjamin Elliott; PARSONS William Walter; represented by three young geoscientists at Voice of the Future, an event in PEARSON Robert Guy; PESHWA Saradchandra Rao; PHILLIPS Parliament at which they and their colleagues from other learned societies Olivia; PISTONE Mattia; PRICE, Joanne; PRYOR Nicholas Andrew; RASMUSSEN Cecily Ellen; RAVEN Jonathan; READ questioned members of the House of Commons Science and Technology Tom Oliver Trevett; ROMERA GARCIA Elena; ROOKS Eve Committee, Science and Universities Minister David Willets and the then Elizabeth; ROTHWELL Katherine Ann; ROUTLEDGE Karl; Government Chief Scientific Adviser Sir John Beddington. Footage of this event SAMARRAI SARUMI Adnan Ismail; Rafiu Arowosaye Atanda; can be found on the UK Parliament website. SAWFORD Benjamin Charles; SENGOR Ali Mehmet Celal; SLATTERY Joseph; SMITH Alister; SMITH Mark James; SOANES Andrew Christopher; STANDISH Paul Alan; STEWARD Society responses and public statements can all be found at Christopher; STEWART James Michael; STEWART Simon Alexander; STOWE Simon; STUART Hugh David; SWINBOURNE www.geolsoc.org.uk/policy Andrew Thomas; SYNNOTT William Robert; TATA Ernest; *Florence Bullough is currently Policy Intern at the Society

06 JUNE 2013 SOCIETY NEWS GEOSCIENTIST

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

New Discoveries of Life at Deep- n LITERATURE SEARCHING to you ! For more information, By Rogers et al. ( via Wikimedia ) By Rogers et al. ( via Wikimedia Sea Hydrothermal Not enough time or struggling to find contact [email protected] or Vents the information you need ? We can call 020 7432 0999 search a wide range of resources on Speaker – Adrian your behalf and send you the results n SPONSOR A FISH Glover (Natural History directly to your inbox. To find out Thanks to everyone who has so far Museum) more about this service, please email donated to our appeal to conserve [email protected] and digitise the three thousand 3 July 2013 watercolours from the fossil fish n NEW ACQUISITIONS collection of Louis Agassiz. More n Programme – Afternoon talk: 1430 Tea & Coffee: If you would like to receive by email information about the appeal can 1500 Lecture begins: 1600 Event ends. or post a list of titles recently added be found at www.geolsoc.org.uk/ n Programme – Evening talk: 1730 Tea & Coffee: to our library catalogue, please sponsorafish 1800 Lecture begins: 1900 Reception. contact [email protected] or call 020 7432 0999 n INTER-LIBRARY LOANS FURTHER INFORMATION If the item you want is not in our Please visit www.geolsoc.org.uk/ n DOCUMENT DELIVERY collection, we may be able to shelllondonlectures13. Entry to each lecture is by Not based in London or simply too obtain it from another library. ticket only. To obtain a ticket please contact us around busy to come to the library ? We can To find out more about this service, four weeks before the talk. Due to the popularity of this send you by post or fax photocopies please email library@geolsoc. lecture series, tickets are allocated in a monthly ballot of articles from our collection. org.uk or call 020 7432 0999 and cannot be guaranteed. To find out more about this service, please email library@geolsoc. n SPONSOR A BOOK Contact: Naomi Newbold, The Geological Society, org.uk or call 020 7432 0999 Sponsor a book and support the Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG, conservation of important titles T: +44 (0) 20 7432 0981 n POSTAL LOANS from the Geological Society’s E: [email protected] You do not need to live in London to collection. To find out more about borrow books, maps or journals this project: www.geolsoc.org.uk/ from the library – we can post them sponsorabook

ELECTION – FELLOWS CONTINUED...

The following names are put forward for election to fellowship at the OGM on 26 June 2013. TAYLOR Andrew Paul; TAYLOR Claire; TERRINGTON Ricky Luke; THOMAS Megan Louise; THORNBURN Timothy Paul; TOBIAS, David; TURVEY Cassandra; VALLANVE-BULL Elizabeth; VAN DER LAND, Cees; WALKER Mathew John Peter; WALKER Roy; WALTHO Andrew; WARNER Matthew John; WATSON Ruth Leala; WENDLAND Oliver Paul Nicholas; WESTWOOD Rachel Fiona; WHITE Alister John Revell; WHITTLE John Harry; WILCOKSON Robert Nathan; WILLENBROCK Nicholas; WILTSHIRE Stuart; WITKOWSKI, Francis David; WOODALL Stephen; WRIGHT, Louise; WRIGHT Matthew; YATES Christopher Martin; YAU Mei Wan; YILDIZ Bahri; YUNG For Tat. Candidate Fellows wishing to upgrade to Fellowship FUTURE MEETINGS BEMBRICK Sarah Jane; BILLINGTON Steven; CARMICHAEL Dates for meetings of Council and Ordinary General Meetings Charles; COULSON, Leonard; FAIRCHILD Steven; FIELDER until April 2014 shall be as follows: Stuart Richard; GARBUTT Adam; GOODING Thomas; KELLY Thomas; LANGHAM Diane; MARSHALL Samuel Andrew; SMITH n 2013: 26 June; 25 September; 27 November James; SULLIVAN Katherine Anne; TOWNSEND Thomas. n 2014: 5 February (OGM at 3pm); 9 April

JUNE 2013 07

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No to journal cuts!

BY JOHN C W COPE AND BERNARD ELGEY LEAKE* The Society’s Library is cutting periodical subscriptions when the Society can well afford to keep them, and should, say two former senior Officers

SOAPBOX CALLING! A major change is happening within the future readers, and the growth of electronic Society of which most Fellows seem material ensures that Fellows increasingly Soapbox is open to oblivious, although short notes in do not have to visit Burlington House to contributions from all Fellows. Geoscientist since 2011 have hinted as to make use of Library holdings. You can always write a letter to what was coming. Most Fellows, we If the Society were facing bankruptcy - the Editor, of course: but suspect, are unaware of the scale of the as it so nearly was during the period from perhaps you feel you need proposed changes. We hope that this 1962 to 1980, with chronic annual deficits more space? article will open eyes to what is happening. and only three years of surpluses (two of The Society’s funding of current library which were minute), such cuts might be If you can write it entertainingly in periodicals is being severely cut and many necessary. But with our present level of 500 words, the Editor would like journals are being cancelled - some of them surpluses we can afford, and should be to hear from you. with long runs even going back to initial proud to keep, one of the best geological volumes in the 19th Century. We libraries in Europe fully supplied (as we Email your piece, and a self- profoundly oppose the scale of cuts to the managed to do through the lean years). portrait, to ted.nield@geolsoc. Library acquisition budget which has, and Our present financial position does not org.uk. Copy can only be is, resulting in many journal cancellations. demand any reduction in library spending. accepted electronically. No The cumulative effect of these concerns us. The speed with which articles in the diagrams, tables or other Recent monitoring of journal-use started Library holdings can be supplied, illustrations please. at a disadvantage. The opening of the Lyell compared to inter-library loans, should be Centre meant that shelving for current an attraction to would-be Fellows, whether Pictures should be of print periodicals was all crammed together into in industry or academe. quality – as a rule of thumb, the Fellows’ Room, not only reducing that anything over a few hundred space, but making even the most casual INVALUABLE kilobytes should do. perusal awkward. The proximity of one The proposed cuts will leave some aspects rack to the next makes it difficult to see the of our subject (e.g. hydrogeology) and Precedence will always be given journals properly. If you make the journals some geographical regions (e.g. Canada) to more topical contributions.

difficult to access, then their use is bound virtually unrepresented, especially those Any one contributor may not

to suffer. covered by little-read non-mainstream appear more often than once per journals whose present use is not a guide volume (once every 12 months). BEQUESTS to their long-term value and for which the ~ What particularly concerns us is Society is often the only readily accessible that these library cuts are being UK holding. New developments can made without regard to the make such journals suddenly invaluable. WHAT future. As Fellows, we should We urge a total reconsideration of PARTICULARLY leave to our successors four the journal cancellation policy, which main bequests: we regard as short-sighted, and CONCERNS US IS THAT accommodation in hope for a recognition that the THESE LIBRARY CUTS Burlington House, a library is, for many Fellows, ARE BEING MADE thriving Society, a an immensely valued resource successful Publishing and one for which posterity WITHOUT REGARD TO House and a superb will thank us. THE FUTURE. WE ARE Library. We are not NOT BUYING JUST buying just for *Professor John Cope and today’s users but as Professor Bernard Leake FOR TODAY’S USERS much, or even are inter alia a former BUT AS MUCH, OR more, for Treasurer and former President EVEN MORE, FOR of the Society FUTURE READERS respectively John Cope and Bernard ~Leake

JUNE 2013 09 Image: Richard Bowden / Shutterstock.com

GEOSCIENTIST FEATURE

n 2012, trains were cancelled, traffic mapping began in 1835. All this diverted and houses pulled down information is held in the BGS National as a result of landslides, at a cost of Landslide Database, the definitive millions of pounds - the cause? source of information on landslides in Rain - and plenty of it. In January, Great Britain. In addition, the the Met Office annual statistics for Landslides Team started to monitor I2012 showed that it was the second the media for news reports of landslides wettest year in the UK since national in 2006, incorporating social media records began in 1910. From July in 2012, and have found some onwards, media interest in the effects of interesting correlations between all this rain gained considerable landslides and rainfall. momentum; damage and disruption due to floods and landslides became the hot LANDSLIDES 2012 topics of the moment. However, analysis The extraordinary amount of rain in carried out by the Landslides Team at the 2012 saw an increase in the number of British Geological Survey (BGS) poses landslides reported around the country. questions about the way in which In July, 21 landslides were reported in landslides are reported, especially with the media, or four times the national respect to the power of social media. average for that time of year. Three people were killed and at least six RELICTS injured. In November, 37 landslides Ask the average person about landslides were reported - three times the national in Great Britain and they will probably average. In December, this rose to 67 or tell you that there are a few. Some may over four times the national average. point to the famous ones, like Mam Tor The map shows the location of the in Derbyshire or Holbeck Hall in 2012 landslides (red dots) with respect Yorkshire. Most are surprised to learn to the annual rainfall seen in 2012 as that there are more than 16,000! published by the Met Office. It is clear Fortunately, a large proportion of these that the areas which experienced well are relicts from the end of the Late above-average amounts of rain (dark Devensian glaciation and most (though blue) coincide with landslides reported, not all) currently lie dormant. For the particularly in south-west England - most part, these do not pose a threat to highlighting the importance of people, homes or infrastructure; but it is hydrogeological triggering as a main vitally important to know where all these driver of slope instability. landslides are, as they may be reactivated A large proportion of these landslides by, for example, changes to the weather - occurred on man-made slopes, such as such as that seen in 2012. road and railway embankments and Geologists at BGS have been collecting cuttings. Such ‘slope failures’ are information on landslides as part of usually small-scale slumps or flows

regional geological surveys since triggered by heavy rainfall and happen ▼ 2012 LANDSLIDE YEAR? Heavy rains in 2012 saw media and social media report a seemingly astonishing number of landslides. But was it real? Catherine Pennington and Anna Harrison* investigate The Mam Tor Landslide (Derbyshire, UK) moves on average about half a metre per year, and is exacerbated by small rises in groundwater levels GEOSCIENTIST FEATURE Image: northallertonman / Shutterstock.com

▼ within a short time of prolonged heavy 2012 was the rain. Data collected in 2012 reflect UK’s second this trend. wettest year since records A closer look at the statistics for 2012 began in 1910 showed some interesting relationships between landslide occurrence and monthly rainfall. These cursory statistics are a national overview based on monthly data for the UK. More detailed work is being done to analyse the data on regional and daily time- scales further, as well as elucidate the relationships between effective rainfall, geology and landslides. We know that: n 43% of the variance in the number of landslides in the UK is explained by the current month’s rainfall. In comparison, 61% is explained by considering the rainfall for the two months preceding the event. Rainfall data interpreted as However, extending this to include percentages the antecedent three months weakens above or below the average the relationship. rainfall for the n as might be anticipated, slope failures time of year show a closer relationship with rainfall (48%) than landslides on natural slopes (43%), suggesting that deep-seated natural landslides are less driven by rainfall as they exhibit more complex geotechnical conditions and their hydrogeological response is more complex. Graph to show the number of FACT OR ‘TWICTION’? landslides reported against But is this a true representation of what rainfall. happened in 2012, or a result of better Landslides in reporting by local authorities, 2012 (red solid line), average coastguards, highways agencies and number of Network Rail to inform the public of landslides delays and diversions? Is it a result of reported 2006- 2012 (red media hype, whereby more landslides dashed line), are reported to keep the story about a 2012 rainfall (blue bars) and year of excessive rainfall and flooding average rainfall rolling? Or are social media now 2006-2012 (blue playing a larger role in capturing dashed line) information, and skewing the data? Over the past six years, the BGS There is clearly a Landslides Team has monitored the relationship published online press for information between the amount of rain about landslides through various and the number Internet search engines. This would of landslides reported in local often mean they would find out and national about the event the following day at media; an best, unless it was headline news. increase in rain saw an increase In August, the Landslides Team in landslides. became @BGSLandslides and has been With information searching for information on landslides from Twitter from August through Twitter. 2012 onwards, Once someone tweets about a the number of landslides “landslide” or “landslip” the team can reported form a picture of, and start to monitor, increases three what is happening very quickly. Take to four times the national the Burton Bradstock rock fall (see case average for the study below). This tragic event occurred time of year

12 JUNE 2013 Source: Met Office © Crown copyright

FEATURE GEOSCIENTIST

at 1230hrs and the Landslides Team knew about it before 1300hrs via Twitter. News reporting of landslides seems to take a familiar format. The first words are mentioned on Twitter and, depending on the impacts caused by the landslide, several are tweeting about it within minutes. Some people may upload photographs or videos from their mobile phones. A dialogue is often open between the public and, say, Network Rail where questions are asked and information exchanged. The public now expect to be able to find out about travel delays from the comfort of their train seats. The media then get hold of the information and publish, usually within the hour, a holding webpage with what they have gathered from these reports. A more detailed article is published shortly afterwards in several places, such as the local and national news web pages, once the journalists have either been on- site themselves or gained additional information from other sources. This rate Map showing and detail of reporting is a far cry from the location of the 2012 the days of waiting for the newspaper to landslides (red be delivered and cutting out the article. dots) with It has revolutionised the ease and rate at respect to the annual rainfall which hazard analysts can collect new received in 2012 event data. TIME & NUMBER The time in which landslides are being reported has speeded up enormously through Twitter, but it is also likely that the number of landslides being reported has increased too. Or to put it another way, we may now be getting a more accurate picture of the true number of landslides than we were before, though at the expense of creating a false impression that more landslides are happening in total. For example, a small landslide that has partially blocked a minor road would previously be unlikely to make the press. Now, it is just as likely to be mentioned on Twitter as a larger landslide. We have plotted the monthly number of landslides (red line) and the amount of rain (blue line) between 2006 and 2012. There is clearly a relationship between the monthly rainfall total and the number of landslides being reported in the local and national media; an increase in rainfall amount saw an The rock fall increase in landslides. However, with the at Burton Bradstock. addition of information from Twitter BGS Landslides from August 2012 onwards the number Team carrying of landslides reported increases three to out LiDAR survey of the landslide four times the six-year national average

and cliffs for the time of year. ▼

JUNE 2013 13 GEOSCIENTIST FEATURE

2,3 ▼ So are more landslides really groundwater levels . We have now had happening? Taking into account the over six months’ above-average rainfall extraordinary rainfall seen in 2012, it is (since June 2012), so it will be interesting most likely that more landslides have to see if many of our well-known deep- occurred, particularly those shallow, seated landslides reactivate in coming small-scale, rapidly-responding slope- months, or if new larger landslides occur. failures such as those seen in the data. However (and without exception) all BURTON BRADSTOCK The debris flow landslides reported in 2012 have been Shortly after 1230 on 24 July 2012, the path above and described in the media and social media BGS Landslide Response Team received below the A83 Rest and Be because they have had an impact on the reports of a large rockfall on the Jurassic Thankful pass lives of people - through road diversions, Coast at Burton Bradstock in Dorset. in August 2012 rail delays, homes demolished or the There were, in fact, two events closure of coastal footpaths. approximately 20 minutes apart. Several While these are valid reports, it is also people were injured and, tragically, 22- likely that more landslides occurring in year-old Charlotte Blackman from 2012 went undetected because their Derbyshire was killed. The rockfall was impacts were insufficient to warrant widely reported in the media, including reporting. This may be especially true Twitter, and the beach and coastal cliff- for those larger and older landslides, top footpath were later closed which may have started to reactivate but temporarily to protect the public. have no immediate impact on the public. Rockfalls have been reported and We will be testing this theory through photographed along this section of coast follow-up communication with Local for decades. In February 2012, a couple Authorities and by continuing to monitor walking along the same beach narrowly Landslide deposit blocks the media and science literature. avoided one probably caused by thawing the road on the Larger deep-seated landslides are less of a deep frost; another fall came down A83 Rest and Be likely to be as responsive to heavy after heavy rain in January 2013. Thankful Pass in August 2012 rainfall as smaller shallow ones because The fall in July 2012 was probably water takes longer to filter down to the triggered by a combination of natural slip surfaces and increase pore pressure factors including prolonged heavy to critical levels. This ‘lag time’ will, we rainfall, coastal erosion, stress release hope, be recorded in the data we collect, and long-term deterioration of the rock should there be an onset of larger strength by weathering and possibly landslides occurring or reactivating. even thermal expansion; these are As an example, the Mam Tor landslide natural processes that play a continual moves on average 0.5m per year and this role in weakening cliffs. The antecedent rate is exacerbated by quite small rises in rainfall through July had saturated the high porosity sandstone rock, increasing its unit weight and raising pore pressures in the slope, particularly between the wide-open joints and bedding planes, effectively reducing the slope’s overall resistance to gravity. The rockfall debris ran out by 30m onto the gently sloping gravel beach, rapidly depositing a pile of rubble approximately The path of the 20m wide debris flow on the Rest and Be and up to Thankful Pass 10m high. in August 2012

14 JUNE 2013 FEATURE GEOSCIENTIST

The 40m-high sea cliffs between West solution to the problem could be as much Bay and Burton Bradstock mostly as £520 million4. comprise the Jurassic Bridport Sand The debris flows occur on steeply Formation, a shallow marine fine- sloping ground underlain by the grained sandstone with irregularly Neoproterozoic Beinn Bheula Schist placed stronger calcite cemented Formation, comprising very strong sandstone beds and lenses that weather metamorphosed psammites and to a yellow colour and protrude from semipelites composed largely of quartz, the cliff face every metre or so as seen in feldspar and mica, commonly intensely the photographs. When the Bridport foliated and spectacularly folded. Sand Formation sandstone is dry it is Bedrock plays relatively little part in typically a weak to moderately strong landslide activity on these slopes, rock; but once saturated it weakens however, and the recent debris flows considerably rendering these cliffs more have largely been associated with slope susceptible to failure during prolonged deposits - including peat, topsoil and periods of wet weather when underlying colluvium. Colluvium groundwater levels are elevated and deposits on this slope represent earlier slopes saturated by rain or melting snow phases of slope instability and comprise and ice. Most of the landslide deposit sandy to gravelly silts and clays, with was composed of the Bridport Sand varying amounts of cobbles and Formation with blocks up to 2m3 in the boulders. It is also likely that conditions landslide debris. were exacerbated by the additional input Above the Bridport Sands rests the of water from bedrock pathways, where Inferior Oolite Group, a three-metre jointing or fracturing occurs, due to thickness of limestone beds forming a groundwater flux from the heavy rain resistant cap. The presence of widely leading up to the event. n spaced orthogonal joints generates large (2m x 2m x 0.5m) blocks that are seen in * Catherine Pennington and Anna Harrison the landslide debris and provide a Landslides Team, British Geological Survey. regular source of fossils for the many Have you seen a landslide? The BGS Landslides fossil hunters who visit the Dorset Coast Team can be contacted E: [email protected] every year. The cliff is capped by or through Twitter (@BGSLandslides) or you can fill several metres of Fuller's Earth, a grey in an online form www.bgs.ac.uk/landslides calcareous mudstone which typically /reportForm.html erodes as mudflows that cascade down the cliff onto the beach. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The fatal landslide was a sad The authors would like to acknowledge the reminder of the dangers of rapidly- other members of the current BGS Landslides moving landslides that give little or no Team: Dr Claire Dashwood, Dr Tom Dijkstra, warning, and cautions us all not to David Boon, Alick Leslie, David Morgan, approach recent rockfall sites that might Hannah Jordan, Peter Hobbs, Katy still be actively eroding, and to take Freeborough, Emma Ward, Dr Vanessa safety precautions when working under Banks and Dr Helen Reeves potentially unstable slopes. REST AND BE THANKFUL On 1 August 2012 following a period of FURTHER READING heavy rain, a debris flow landslide occurred along the A83 Rest and Be 1 Boon, D, Morgan, D & Pennington, C (2012) Burton Bradstock rock fall, Dorset, Thankful pass in Argyll and Bute. It http://www.bgs.ac.uk/landslides/burtonBra was reported that 50 to 100 tonnes of dstock.html material blocked the road, which was 2 Waltham, T & Dixon, N. (2000) Movement subsequently closed in both directions. of the Mam Tor landslide, Derbyshire, UK. While this may not be a large Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology & landslide in a national context, its Hydrogeology, v33 (2), pp105-123. impacts were disproportionately large. 3 Rutter, E H & Green, S (2011) Quantifying The Rest and Be Thankful Pass lies near creep behaviour of clay-bearing rocks below the critical stress state for rapid the bottom of a slope prone to debris failure: Mam Tor landslide, Derbyshire, flows that have closed this road England. Journal of the Geological Society, frequently in recent years. Its closure London, v168, 2011, pp 359–371. means a 55-mile detour for all residents, 4 Symes, C (2013) New report presents commuters and businesses in the area, options for landslide-prone A83 in Scotland. costing the local economy £50,000 a day. Ground Engineering, February 2013, p4. The cost of engineering a permanent

JUNE 2013 15 KERBSTONE Image: Claudio Divizia / Shutterstock.com CONUNDRUM

Kerbstones are the very stuff of many urban geology tours. But Peter Dolan* has become captivated by their occasional enigmatic markings… FEATURE GEOSCIENTIST

hile examining kerbstones in British towns and cities for want of anything geologically Wmore interesting to do, you may have noticed certain marks on Victorian kerbstones. Your natural curiosity may then have led you to search the Internet to find out their meaning, and you will have found a range of views from considered and musings to supernatural invocations. You will not have found any definitive, verifiable explanation. I offer therefore the following observations drawn from my somewhat random walk through London, Saltaire (West Yorkshire), Salisbury and York. The marks that have been noted all occur (as far as I know or can determine) on the upper surface of kerbstones, and apparently never on the vertical, road-facing face. poorly shaped letters Δ shapes These are ‘outliers’ and not strictly Above (left): Of course, if any marks are on the Kerbstone mark and so on. Letters and symbols part of the conundrum being bottom or inner hidden surfaces ‘HT’ Hydrant, (very rarely numerals) occur considered here. then they are not visible without perhaps? alone or in various combinations When I began this casual excavation. There appears to be no Above (right): (a footnote gives a list of those I project, I experienced a strong consistency as to whether the Delta-shaped have recorded to date). When desire to prove a romantic vision kerbstone mark, marks are ‘road facing’ or ‘side- and an ‘E delta’ combined, they often form a set, of Victorian quarrymen toiling walk’ facing, though the former mark (top). What such as LVE, HT and many with rolled-up sleeves all day in may be more prevalent; symbols did this mean in others. On other occasions they dusty quarries; then, as the sun set the St Margarets are more problematical since they area of Middx.? can be widely spaced on the same on their day’s travails, they would often do not have a natural ‘right- kerbstone, apparently sending have marked their stones with a way-up’. Marks occur on narrow, Left (clockwise mixed messages, such as EΔ with unique symbol, indicating nothing from top): Let not wide and (less commonly) on the absence of a an inverted Δ a couple of feet more than pride in a job well done curved kerbstones, but none have Fab Foursome at away. In a broader context, or, more prosaically, the amount of the Abbey Road been found on ‘quarter-circle’ crossing curb your clustering of marks may occur work accomplished and hence the corner kerbstones. enthusiasm. Think within an area: the E and Δ just pay due for their honest sweat. In London, the kerbstones how much cheaper mentioned being very common in But I fear this does not seem to this picture was themselves tend to be granitoid, the St. Margarets (Middlesex) area offer an explanation. Note that sometimes with conspicuous An ‘LVE’ kerb – either alone or in combinations. three examples of what look like orthoclase phenocrysts, (those in mark. Apart from Similarly, a batch of large crosses Martini glasses with olives ‘Liverpool v. the Twickenham/Richmond area Everton’ what does with a dot in each quadrant are bobbing around in them often appear to have affinities with this combination common in the Bloomsbury presumably were not what our of letters conjure granites of SW England), up in your mind? (central London) area, Δs quarryman was eagerly sometimes mafics (?amphibolites) containing dots and Maltese anticipating to quench his thirst! or, occasionally sandstones. The Mysterious delta crosses in the Baker Street (central On a purely ‘first principles’ mark on a distinctive Shap Granite features curved kerb London) area while diamonds are basis the marks could signify one along Seagrave Road, near Earl’s a favourite in Saltaire. of three things: Court Exhibition Centre. Other Could this H plus Only two examples of 1 Pedigree: The quarryman, arrow pointing cities would be expected to have a roadwards be undeniable pedigree have been quarry or quarry company. similar mix, including from the indicating a long- found. Firstly, in Saltaire ↑ GPO 2 Supply Chain: Distributing vanished water early 20th Century on, an hydrant? (arrow and General Post Office – haulier, destination or customer. increasing admixture of Finnish maybe concerned with telephone 3 Local Information: Relating to and later Indian kerbstones. Deeply incised T services, or the directions to the such things as nearby or buried mark, somewhat Smaller towns probably relied for after the style of… nearest post office) and ‘St. GB’ services, specific use of the longer on stone nearer to hand. next to ‘St. GF’ marking the adjoining carriageway (eg The quality of marks varies A deeply incised boundary between the parishes market stalls), characteristics of Maltese Cross tremendously, ranging from marking of St. Giles in the Fields and nearby dwellings (which brings carefully chiselled Maltese crosses St. Georges Bloomsbury in to mind the red crosses on

and letters with serifs to very Bedford Square (London). plague infected houses in 1665). ▼

JUNE 2013 17 GEOSCIENTIST FEATURE

▼ PEDIGREE Right: Tools of the On an a prima facie basis it seems sett and kerbstone- makers’ trade. reasonable, since marks such as Did they leave the letter E, or the symbol Δ occur masons’ marks? on large numbers of similar Or were they indicating batches? kerbstones, thereby indicating Or was it all done significant production volumes, locally to indicate perhaps from a set of quarries or a local services? quarry company. following Confounding this assumption Victorian information: a is the occurrence, for example, of sett-maker. In a picture (ideally oblique several beautifully formed letter S few instances, including yellow parking marks on granitoid kerbstones at combination marks may lie cheek- restrictions lines or other elements the western end of Richmond by-jowl on the ends of abutting for scale), location (road name, Bridge (Surrey) and similar kerbstones suggesting to me that junction name, nearby house examples of the letter S on they were marked after laying. number), gross lithology, Millstone Grit kerbstones in In contrast to this, examples of general description of kerbstone Saltaire (near Bradford). This marks being cut through a length (wide, narrow, curved, etc), strongly suggests that the marks of kerbstone has been shortened photographer, date. are neither quarryman- nor demonstrates that some marks Note, that this is not a risk-free quarry-specific. Arrows and pre-date laying. However, these activity. Attention to the job in arrowheads are also fairly could be cases of reused hand can lead to unexpectedly ubiquitous, and found on different kerbstones, a common practice painful encounters with ‘street rock types. indicated by the ‘hotch potch’ of furniture’, not to mention the local different kerbstones found in constabulary. While it is frustrating SUPPLY CHAIN some areas. to be unable to determine the In support of this idea is the fact Persuasive though these geological provenance of kerbstones that not all kerbstones bear marks observations are that the marks reliably, taking samples for thin- (a rough estimate from those relate to local circumstances, there section work is not advised. n sampled is about 20%). Could a is one fly in the ointment. This is symbol represent a ‘production that, in central London (and FOOTNOTE batch’ mark? The widespread maybe other city centres), there Types of kerbstone marks identified distribution of marks might are often long runs – several during the writing of the above article; in suggest a ‘common carrier’ from hundred yards – of uniform ‘alphabetical’ order. source to widespread points kerbstones with no marks. If, in ↑ (various sizes and rock types), of use. such affluent areas where the local arrowhead (various), arrowhead EE, Again, there is contrary residents surely enjoyed all arrowhead SPB, bullet, CS, Ο, Ο evidence. A case in point would contemporary ‘mod cons’, no enclosing +, + (various sizes, types and be two Δs widely spaced on the marks were used, does this rock types) + with dot in each quadrant, same kerbstone; why two? Also, in suggest that they are not related to +IIII, + EΔ, ◊, ◊ bisected, ◊ with wavy Saltaire, kerbstones carry utilities and, indeed, may not be ‘kite’ tail, E (various sizes, types and rock numerous marks which would essential to the road engineer? types), EHT, E↑, EΔ (Δ can be inverted), seem to be totally unnecessary The conundrum persists. G+56, H, HT, HTΔ, HTg, HV, holes (six in for delivery, since they were a row), II, IIVV, J↑, L (large with serifs), sourced locally for nearby use CONCLUSION? LVE, N, N (? reversed) P (various sizes by a single customer. I believe on balance that the and rock types), PE, PT, S (various rock marks are imparting information types and one example being italic), SB, LOCAL INFORMATION related to the primary site of use ? SEFA PE, SG, SW, Sw, □, □ with tail, □ Supporting this explanation is the of host kerbstones and have with internal X, T (various types), TE, TH, geographically widespread use of nothing to do with source or Δ (various sizes, quality and rock types, particular marks, like arrows or transportation. It is tempting to sometimes duplicated) ΔE, ΔP, ΔS, Δ arrowheads (as previously noted), say, that E, g (rare), w (rare), T, enclosing s, Δ enclosing □, ΔΔΔIIΔ with irrespective of rock type, respectively stand for electricity, first and third Δs containing dots, suggesting they carry some gas, water and telephone. But if ΔII+IIΔ, V, VVV each with a suspended generic meaning. Also, the so, what are all the ‘non-letter’ dot at open end of V, VH, X, X with dot in presence of several marks on a symbols, and why are there often each quadrant. single kerbstone indicates a combinations and multiples of the possibly more complex message same symbol? than them simply a representation It may be that some readers are * The author would be grateful for any of origin or author. The variable sufficiently curious to build a constructive suggestions (although ‘get a quality of marks implies to me database of Victorian kerbstone life’ and ‘why have you stopped your that they were made by road- markings (if they exist) in their medication?’ he can get anywhere). workers and, being often being own neighbourhood. If so, it is Correspondence should be directed via the rather poor, unworthy of a helpful to note the mark with the Editor E: [email protected]

18 JUNE 2013 Right: X with a dot in each quadrant

Far right: Assorted deltas, some with dots centrally, and a V (possibly an arrow?) with a dot between the arms

Right: Rhomboid mark in sandstone kerb

Far right: Three V marks, each with a dot between the arms

Right and far right: S marks in granite and sandstone kerbs respectively GEOSCIENTIST BOOKS & ARTS

human level of risk assessment global systems in their entirety, rather associated with volcanoes such as than artificially dividing them into small, Vesuvius. As the Roman poet Publius discrete topics. Text and graphics are Papinius Statius (c.45AD - c.96AD) complementary and well integrated. wrote in his epic Silvae in AD93-96: It is very much a ‘learning and ‘Nor has that fatal summit ceased to teaching’ tool, and is backed by copious threaten’. If this history is anything to online resources. It should be suitable go by, some people will always ignore for A level or undergraduate students, warnings for a variety of social and being well written with many useful political reasons. No doubt, some baker diagrams and colour photographs. will still be filling his bread oven hours Summary diagrams at the end of the before Vesuvius next blows. chapters recap concepts and reinforce the I suspect that this wonderful ‘systems approach’. exhibition will be even more popular In mapping out its course of study the than 'Ice Age Art' (Geoscientist 23.03, book briefly looks at how scientific p22), so book soon! Failing that, get the thought affects the study of physical book, which not only illustrates all the geography (with a nod to metaphysics exhibits but also places them in their and a suitable poetic epigraph). The domestic context. authors begin by presenting an overview Life & Death - Pompeii of planet Earth, mentioning how Reviewed by Douglas Palmer important it is in physical geography just and Herculaneum simply to look at the environment! It then With some 450 objects on display, A longer appreciation of this exhibition may moves on to give examples of this ranging from carbonised figs to room- be read online. Editor. thoughtful approach, with telling and sized frescoes, the new British Museum attractive satellite imagery. exhibition Life and Death - Pompeii and LIFE AND DEATH - POMPEII AND HERCULANEUM The authors then embrace the British Museum, London, 28 March – 29 September 2013. Herculaneum is a spectacular and Booking essential. T: 020 7323 8181 or book online biosphere and mention how bioenergy content-rich display of Roman domestic www.britishmuseum.org is distributed throughout the world, life as preserved in the ruins of these and then look at how humans and two small Italian cities. Developing in agriculture fit into this global the shadow of Veusvius, they grew ecosystem. They consider the wealthy on agriculture boosted by rich distribution of plant and animal types volcanic soils, and trade promoted by and look at factors such as soil and their southerly coastal position - before microclimate, weathering, streams, being destroyed by the famous glaciers, coastal systems and deserts. eruption of 24-25 August, AD 79. Of course, such a book could hardly Needless to say, the current miss out geology, and duly discusses exhibition is not aimed at geologists but plate tectonics, earthquakes and portrays the Roman home and its volcanoes as well as various rock occupants in as much detail as possible, types. An entire chapter is dedicated to given pyroclastic surges, centuries of climate change, its geographic origins, looting by Naples’s Bourbon kings and Physical Geography: likely outcomes, and influence on other allied bombing during WW II. What is Earth systems. really so surprising is the amount of Great Systems and Each chapter begins with an overview, domestic stuff that has survived! This Global Environments with summaries placed within chapters, should encourage palaeontologists to along with end-of-chapter review points continue searching for 'Pompeii' style In this fine book the physical geography and questions to highlight key concepts burial sites within more ancient of the Earth is explained through the and encourage thoughtful review of volcanic environments. systems that shape the planet’s lands, material. In short, the book is excellent, Some of the most remarkable finds waters and atmosphere. The book looks providing not merely the details of its are carbonised: a process which under at various elements of these systems; subject but demonstrating how to study the right conditions preserves amazing such as energy, climate, water, physical geography from an inclusive, charcoal 'fossils', including figs, olives, ecosystems, rock and truly holistic viewpoint. onions, walnuts and peas, along with mountains. All are bread, pieces of wooden furniture, interconnected and Reviewed by Steve Rowlatt small tables, a bench, a linen chest change is the and a child’s cradle. Better-known norm, not the PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY: GREAT objects are the plaster body casts exception! SYSTEMS AND GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTS taken from hollow moulds of This WILLIAM M. MARSH, MARTIN M. hardened ash, such as the famous treatment is KAUFMAN, Published by: chained dog, found over a century ago. distinctively Cambridge University Press 2013 Over 100 are now known, and a good holistic in ISBN 978-0-521-76428-5 (hbk) 631pp plus appendices sample is on display. approach, in List price: £45, Powerful lessons to be learned at the that it considers www.cambridge.org

20 JUNE 2013 BOOKS & ARTS GEOSCIENTIST

describes the language of the subject and graphical applications that lack the rigour outlines strategies and modelling of quantitative analysis. The authors are approaches. In this section the relative accomplished researchers in structural weights of different objectives is geology and have written several current considered, as well as the notion of analytical computer programs. Built on ‘trade-offs’ and the merits of sensitivity their extensive undergraduate teaching analysis. This section also describes experiences this book is designed as a approaches to building decision-trees. university lab manual intended to Subsequent chapters cover modelling complement a traditional descriptive spatial continuity (e.g. variograms), structural geology text. Each chapter modelling spatial uncertainty; has worked examples developed Modeling uncertainty in constraining spatial models of from first principles, with the uncertainty with data; modelling mathematical treatments prefaced by the Earth Sciences structural uncertainty particularly for those most welcoming words, ‘We assume The identification and quantification of subsurface data sets; visualising no prior knowledge...’ potential sources of uncertainty within uncertainty; modelling response Chapters One to Five introduce Earth sciences has become increasingly uncertainty and the potentially circular common problems in structural geology important in recent years, as illustrated by problem of assessing the value of and the mathematical concepts the recent conviction of six Italian information in the context of additional fundamental to solving them. Emphasis is scientists who provided advice before data acquisition. on understanding coordinate systems, the earthquake in L’Aquila, Italy in 2009. This is a very valuable book that will their transformations, and basic matrix In such a context, this book is timely. be of interest to a wide range of Earth operations, which the authors stress are While most researchers are aware that scientists. A minor criticism, however, essential to understanding vectors and every measurement has an uncertainty, concerns the numerous grammatical tensors, the main mathematical operations there are times when certain lapses in errors. Although they do not detract for computation. Chapter Six examines acknowledging uncertainty occur, from the science, I did wonder whether the concept of stress as defined by vector particularly in field-based investigations. the uncorrected proofs were printed and tensor operations, uniting the Commonly, geological observations are by mistake! mathematical tools developed. Remaining made, and associated uncertainties chapters focus on applying these tools to considered after the fact. Reading this Reviewed by Colin V Murray-Wallace common problems in deformation. work irreversibly changes that While this book’s in-depth approach perspective and encourages researchers to MODELING UNCERTAINTY IN THE EARTH SCIENCES may prove daunting to some unfamiliar consider more critically potential CAERS, J. Published by: Wiley-Blackwell (2011) with the mathematics, the accompanying ISBN: 978-1-119-99262-2 (pbk) 229 pp. uncertainty much earlier in the research List price: £39.95, http://eu.wiley.com prose constructively links the mathematics design. In this sense the book is very with the process. The flow of each chapter thought-provoking. is consistent and easy to follow, Numerous sources of uncertainty are progressing through a comforting considered with well-illustrated case Introduction that demystifies the concept studies, many of an applied nature. logic in common terms and maintains Chapter One begins with a spatial links with previous chapters and ideas. problem focusing on the identification Notations, keys concepts, and applications recharge zones for groundwater and the are developed as theoretical proofs and importance of confidently delineating the worked examples and a final section of three-dimensional geometry of subsurface Exercises consolidate the chapter themes. channels and their relation to potential The figures and tables appear constructed point sources of surface contaminants. for this edition and are clear and relevant. The theme of subsurface analysis is Structural Geology While initially the examples and strongly developed throughout, reflecting exercises can be solved either by hand or Caers’s principal research interests. Algorithms – Vectors in a spreadsheet, the emphasis of the text Chapter Two reviews statistical analysis is towards using the MATLAB® software and probability theory providing a useful and Tensors program. In this regard, application of revision-style chapter for many readers. For many, structural geology is an this text outside its intended laboratory The broad concepts and philosophies observational endeavour with stereonets setting is restricted to the non-MATLAB® of modelling uncertainty are examined in being the foundation tool for further exercises, of which no worked answers are Chapter Three and demonstrate that analysis. While this approach is readily provided for checking. quantifying uncertainty is far from applied to simple rotation problems, trivial. The chapter explores sources and more complex analysis requires an Reviewed by Mark Burdett models of uncertainty, deterministic understanding of the mathematics of modelling, Bayesian uncertainty as well rotation – vectors and tensors. STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY ALGORITHMS: as the appropriate complexity of models This text is intended to teach the VECTORS AND TENSORS of uncertainty. reader the operations of linear algebra to ALLMENDINGER, R W, CARDOZO, N & FISHER, D M, Published by: Cambridge University Press (2011) ISBN The general principles of decision- solve problems in structural geology 978-1-107-01200-4 (hardback) – ISBN 978-1-107- making in the context of uncertainty is through computation, using spreadsheets 40138-9 (pbk.) List price: Aus$ 135/ Aus$ 59.95, then examined in Chapter Four, which and MATLAB® rather than simple www.cambridge.org ▼

JUNE 2013 21 GEOSCIENTIST BOOKS & ARTS

▼ evolution of organisms and ecosystems. Each chapter begins with a table This volume is well organised and presenting presents a summary of the presented; the numerous colour geological history of Wales. This is no illustrations are generally of a high more than a stratigraphic timescale with standard and a valuable feature. The text the local events that affected Wales and contains copious references, but where the latitude of the country at selected six or more are listed for individual times. The nine-page introduction has a points the style becomes akin to that of a simplified geological map and several thesis. Brief explanations rather than a palaeogeographic representations to set list of references within text would make the scene. the work more reader-friendly. On the The following five chapters each Ichnology: Organism- other hand many will find the 49 pages boast a coloured geological map of references list very useful, despite followed by a description of the regional substrate interactions in some lack of balance in coverage. geology before the itineraries. Each space and time The volume is not a textbook, nor a itinerary gives the road number, start memoir on trace fossils, but is a valuable and finish grid references and the length The study of trace fossils is a rapidly reference work for all who study of the journey in miles and kilometres. expanding branch of palaeontology, and sedimentary rocks, and need to take trace The authors have divided the country includes essential knowledge for the fossils into consideration. Thus this book into fives areas (chapters): Gwynedd, palaeoecologist, sedimentologist and is a valuable interdisciplinary link, and North-West Wales; Clwyd, North-East stratigrapher. There is also a strong link reasonably priced. Wales; Central Wales; Glamorgan and with biology and the behaviour of Gwent, South-East Wales and finally organisms. The authors have an Reviewed by Nigel Trewin South-West Wales. Up to five impressive record of publication on trace excursions are given within each area, fossils over the past 20 years, and through ICHNOLOGY: ORGANISM-SUBSTRATE providing good general coverage. Each INTERACTIONS IN SPACE AND TIME great enthusiasm and energy have made LUIS BUATOIS AND M. GABRIELA MÁNGANO, Published chapter is well illustrated with colour a major contribution to ichnology. This by: Cambridge University Press 2011 xii +358pp ISBN geological maps, geological sections, book naturally draws heavily on their 978-0-521-85555-6 (Hbk) List price: £50.00, field sketches and colour photographs. own experience and observation, a www.cambridge.org These chapters are followed by a feature cheerfully acknowledged by the useful reference list and suggestions for authors. The contents cover a wide range further reading, including some useful of environments and the changes in trace websites. As the guide is aimed at those fossil assemblages that have taken place with little previous knowledge of through geological time. The main theme geology there is a section on ‘Common is on animal/substrate relations, and Welsh Rocks’. There is also a very other subjects, such as tetrapod tracks, useful place-name index. have lesser influence on contents. More experienced geologists will still The book is divided into three major find the guide useful. It provides an parts. The first, ‘Conceptual tools and excellent overview of the geology of the methods’, provides a summary of the country and where best to see it for basic concepts. Taxonomy, palaeobiology, yourself. It is wire-bound, which is a ichnofacies models and ichnofabrics are really useful feature when using the all covered. The contents are well suited guide in the field or car, as it can be laid to a university-level ichnology course; The Roadside flat or folded back to keep a page. students at Aberdeen used to hear Geology of Wales Highly recommended. something very similar from myself not long ago! This guide is intended for those with Reviewed by Richard Porter Part two, ‘Spatial trends’, covers the little previous geological knowledge and ichnology of a wide range of as the title suggests it focuses on Welsh THE ROADSIDE GEOLOGY OF WALES JIM TALBOT AND JOHN COSGROVE, Published by: The environments, and is well illustrated with geology that can be seen and visited by Geologist’s Association. 2011 Geologist’s Association colour diagrams and photographs. This car. The descriptions are organised Guide No. 69. ISBN 978 0900717 51 2 (sbk) 214p section is particularly useful for following the main roads, but also List Price £17.00 £14.00 (GA Members), sedimentologists who lack ichnological include the sea cliffs and beaches where www.geologistsassociation.org.uk/ experience, introducing views of traces the best outcrops are to be found. All of both on bedding surfaces and in core. the described locations are accessible to Part three, ‘A matter of time’, begins the public and the preface to the guide with a section on the use of trace fossils in suggests that hammers are not used and sequence stratigraphy. Following the specimens not collected in the interests commercial use of traces in core studies of conservation. The authors assume to determine environments, ichnology that readers will use a 1:250,000 road embraced sequence stratigraphy, a map with a 10km grid, and hence only welcome source of funding for many. give a four-figure grid reference. This This section also considers trace fossils will give position to within 100m and through time, and in relation to the therefore should be quite adequate.

22 JUNE 2013 BOOKS & ARTS GEOSCIENTIST

The final two chapters cover the Ball fascinating insight into how our own Clay mines of both North and South thinking, as well as that of our students, Devon and the Lignite Mines of the develops. The introductory discussion Bovey Basin. Again wonderfully outlines how geoscientists are uniquely illustrated with sketch maps and equipped to study the Earth, with all its sections, the description of the Ball Clay complexity, and approaches that differ industry and its working methods is from those of many other scientists. aptly covered as are the Bovey Coal and Then each of the four main papers the industries that it supported. provides a well-explained synthesis of Altogether, this is a highly desirable current understandings about how we book for not only the geologist, but also think and learn, which I could easily Devon’s Non-Metal Mines historians, industrial archaeologists and follow. The commentary papers were all those interested in the beautiful similarly accessible and engaging. A recent reviewer described the County of Devon. Highly Thought-provoking highlights for me publishers Halsgrove as the ‘Rolls Royce recommended. were: a discussion of why the population of local books, their aim is to produce at large finds understanding geological titles of national quality in a regional Reviewed by Richard Porter time so difficult; some amazing research market’. They are well known as findings into how many college students publishers of books on a range of varied DEVON’S NON-METAL MINES have such a poor understanding of 3D RICHARD A EDWARDS, Published by: Halsgrove, West Country subjects, they usually 2011. ISBN 978 0 86704 118 0 (hbk) 160pp space that they are unable to draw the follow a set format using high quality List price: £16.99, www.halsgrove.com water level in a half-filled tilted bottle paper, which makes the illustrations, correctly; a well-reasoned discussion into and photographs reproduce to an equal why it is so difficult to teach about high quality. This book lives up to the systems-thinking effectively; and how publisher’s reputation. research into learning in the field is still Numerous publications have in its infancy, and needs more work to concentrated on the metalliferous support the strong anecdotal evidence of mining aspects of both Devon and the part played by fieldwork in the Cornwall, but this is the first to focus on learning of geoscience. the non-metal mines of Devon. In summary – this book provides a Following the well-written introduction, valuable addition to the library of any which gives a background (including the academic geoscience department, and an geological setting) to the lay reader and important springboard for future includes advice on safety and access to research into how we learn and think the sites, there follow chapters about geoscience. describing the mines. Thinking and learning Next comes a detailed description of in the geosciences Reviewed by Chris King Devon’s only slate mine. This little- known mine has been thoroughly Bring together a group of experienced THINKING AND LEARNING IN THE GEOSCIENCES KIM KASTENS & CATHRYN MANDUCA, Published by: researched and the text is well illustrated geoscience educators and a group of Geological Society of America. GSA Special Paper SPE with both modern and old photographs, cognitive scientists to investigate the 486, 210 pp. ISBN 978-0-8137-2486-7 (sbk). old maps, and plans of the workings. current position in thinking and learning List price: US$75.00; GSA member price: US$60.00, Even though I am local to the area, I did in the geosciences, and what do you get? www.geosociety.org/bookstore not know about this mine; but, armed – a fascinating commentary on how with the book’s six-figure map geoscience thinking and learning takes references and detailed maps, this once place, called ‘Earth and Mind II’. This REVIEWS: COPIES AVAILABLE important aspect of the county’s project took four areas recognised as Please contact [email protected] if you industry can be explored. relatively unique to geoscience (the would like to supply a review. For a full list go The author moves on to describe the studies of time, space, systems and to www.geolsoc.org.uk/reviews Culm mines of North Devon. Again fieldwork). For each of these, it paired a these are well illustrated with old geoscience educator with a cognitive n Gravity and Magnetic Exploration: photographs, and the hand-drawn and scientist to prepare a paper summarising Principles, Practices and Applications by coloured geological sketch maps are a the current state of thinking. The writing William Hinze, Ralph von Frese and Afif H Saad. delight. This is followed by an account involved the whole group working Cambridge UP 1023 512pp hbk of the Whetstone mines of the together and commenting through n Forensic Seismology and Nuclear Test Blackdown Hills. A description of that scoping meetings, subgroup meetings, a Bans by Alan Douglas. Cambridge University Press 2013 514pp hbk industry is very well illustrated, again ‘virtual journal club’, etc. Drafts of the n with hand-drawn geological sketch four main papers were then circulated for Radioactive Waste Management 2012 by maps and sections, and some charming shorter commentary papers to be written Nick Evans (ed) Mineralogical Magazine #501 December 2012. Mineralogical Society. pp old illustrations. The author tackles next by a range of other geoscience educators 2865-3507 sbk the better-known Beer Stone mines of and cognitive scientists across the world. n Earth Dynamics - deformations and East Devon, whose method of working, The result is academic, well- oscillations of the rotating Earth by D E Smylie. history and the uses of the stone are all referenced, offers a springboard for Cambridge University Press 2013 hbk 543pp. covered in detail. further research and provides a

JUNE 2013 23 GEOSCIENTIST PEOPLE

Geoscientists in the news and on the move in the UK, PEOPLE Europe and worldwide CAROUSEL IN MEMORIAM WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/OBITUARIES All fellows of the Society are entitled to entires in this column. Please email [email protected], quoting your THE SOCIETY NOTES WITH SADNESS THE PASSING OF: Fellowship number. Bestow, Trevor * McCall, Joe *§ Blackburn, James Kirk * Middleton, John * Bowler, Christopher Michael Lance * Million, Ronald * n SAM FINCH Chapman, W T * Trendall, Alec Sam Finch has been appointed Holroyd, J D * Williams, Colin L * Principal Engineering Geologist Hudson, Neal F C * Willis, John Humfrey A. working out of the Camberley Jones, Brian Lloyd * Zwart, Hendrik * office of geotechnical specialists Knox, Robert Soil Engineering Geoservices. In the interests of recording its Fellows' work for posterity, the Society Sam has over 20 years’ publishes obituaries online, and in Geoscientist. The most recent experience in geotechnical additions to the list are shown in bold. Fellows for whom no site investigation, predominantly obituarist has yet been commissioned are marked with an asterisk (*). gained around London and The symbol § indicates that biographical material has been lodged the South East. Sam’s with the Society. responsibilities will include If you would like to contribute an obituary, please email management of the whole life of contracts within Southern [email protected] to be commissioned. You can read the Operations and ensuring works are carried out to client guidance for authors at www.geolsoc.org.uk/obituaries. To save specification, on time, and on budget. yourself unnecessary work, please do not write anything until you have received a commissioning letter. n TREVOR SHAW Deceased Fellows for whom no obituary is forthcoming have their Trevor Shaw, Honorary Fellow of names and dates recorded in a Roll of Honour at the Karst Research Institute in www.geolsoc.org.uk/obituaries. Postojna and Honorary Member of the Research Section of the Slovene Academy of Sciences and Arts, has been made an Honorary Member of the Circolo Speleologico & Idrologico Friulano in Udine – only the seventh to be so honoured in 113 years. His latest book, Slovene Caves & Karst, written with Alenka Cuk,ˇ recently received the Tratman Award of the British Cave Research Association.

24 JUNE 2013 PEOPLE GEOSCIENTIST

HELP YOUR OBITUARIST The Society operates a scheme for Fellows to deposit biographical material. The object is to assist obituarists by providing contacts, dates and other information, and thus ensure that Fellows’ lives are accorded appropriate and accurate commemoration. Please send your CV and a photograph to Ted Nield at the Society. DISTANT THUNDER Dog days Geologist and science writer Nina Morgan discovers how an underdog came out on top

It’s a well known axiom: the more became acrimonious. accurate the topographic base His mapping turned up some map, the more accurate and unexpected fossils that led to a informative the geological map. bitter controversy about the age But it wasn’t until the first of the rocks. Feelings ran high topographical maps of England among the ‘gentleman geologists’ prepared by the Ordnance of the Geological Society, with one Trigonometrical Survey – prominent member, Roderick forerunner of the modern Murchison (1792-1871), writing Ordnance Survey – became that: “De la Beche is a dirty dog… available, that detailed geological I knew him to be a thorough mapping in the modern sense jobber and a great intriguer and became possible. we have proved him to be Among the first geologists to thoroughly incompetent to carry make use of the newly available on the survey.” The dispute went topographical maps for geological unresolved until the 1840s after mapping – and the first to further studies were carried out by geologically colour the whole another geologist, William extent of an Ordnance survey Lonsdale and by Murchison one-inch sheet – was Henry De la himself. The result was the Beche (1796-1855). This establishment of a ‘new’ achievement led to the geological System – the Devonian. establishment of what is now the British Geological Survey (BGS) ENEMIES and provided De la Beche with De la Beche was so distressed by far accomplished.” Friends of the National Museum what proved to be a job for life. attacks like these from people he The BGS remains the oldest of Wales, Cardiff, 1977, pp. 77; He served as its first Director- considered to be his ‘personal continuously functioning John Flett, The first hundred General, holding the post until his enemies’ that he threatened to geological survey in the world. years of the Geological Survey death in 1855. resign. But in spite of the Which just goes to show that of Great Britain, HMSO, 1937, opprobrium, he was persuaded to dirty or otherwise, every dog has pp. 280; J A Secord, Dictionary DEVON continue. After the Devon map his day! of National Biography entry for Initially De la Beche began his was completed in May 1835 Sir Henry Thomas De la Beche. geological mapping by colouring things began to look up. De la ACKNOWLEDGEMENT the new topographic maps of Beche was asked to carry out a Sources for this vignette include: If the past is the key to your Devon. Initially he used his own geological survey of Cornwall – Life of Sir Roderick I. Murchison present interests, why not join money to fund the project. But and the Geological Survey of Based on his journals and letters the History of Geology Group when his circumstances changed Great Britain was born. Even with notices of his scientific (HOGG). For more information he applied to the Ordnance Murchison seems to have contemporaries and a sketch of and to read the latest HOGG authorities and in 1832 received a eventually changed his mind the rise and growth of Palaeozoic Newsletter visit the new HOGG grant of £300 to enable him to about De la Beche. In his Life of Geology in Britain by Archibald website at: www.historyof complete his map of Devon. Sir Roderick I. Murchison, Geikie, John Murray, 1875; David geologygroup.co.uk where The request was Murchison’s biographer, Bate, 2010, Sir Henry Thomas De you’ll also find abstracts for the granted and he Archibald Geikie, writes of la Beche and the Founding of the talks and posters presented at became a him: “To the tact of that British Geological Survey, the Conference on Geological ‘Geologist to the sagacious man the Survey Mercian Geologist, vol. 17 (3), pp. Collectors and Collecting, April Trigonometrical owed its existence, and to 149-165 [available for download 2010 available free to download Survey of his energy and skill it is from: http://nora.nerc. as a pdf. Great Britain. indebted for its present ac.uk/11264 ]; Paul J. But then importance and the great McCartney, Henry de la Beche: * Nina Morgan is a geologist and things work for which it has so observations on an observer, science writer based near Oxford

JUNE 2013 25 GEOSCIENTIST OBITUARY

OBITUARY‘

DAVID KENNETH BAILEY 1931-2012 Igneous petrologist-geochemist, and expert on alkaline magmatism and petrogenesis

en Bailey died in the years 1961-63 in the bombs, Ken decided that my colleagues, previously hospital on 14 Geophysical Laboratory, petrological career might unknown areas of November 2012, Washington, DC, where he more profitably develop carbonatite-silicate aged 81. He had worked with Frank Schairer along different lines. volcanism in France and K been suffering on the system Na2O-Al2O3- At this time, Ken also Spain. Ken also returned, from motor neurone disease. Fe2O3-SiO2. That study, and went about promoting the in collaboration with Alan Ken was born in London in the petrological implications critical role of the lithosphere Woolley, to promoting his 1931 and graduated BSc drawn from it, were a major in controlling continental views on the dominant from Chelsea College in contribution to the alkaline magmatism. Along role of lithosphere on 1951. His first job was with petrogenesis of alkaline rocks with Felicity Lloyd and using continental alkaline the (then) Geological Survey and are still widely quoted. mantle nodule suites from magmatism. of Northern Rhodesia, In 1964, Ken moved to the western Uganda and Despite his commitment where his fieldwork on the University of Reading, where Germany, he did pioneering to his work, Ken found time carbonatites of the Rufunsa a major commitment was the work on the mineralogical for music and poetry, of Valley engendered a life- establishment of an and compositional effects of which he was particularly long fascination with such experimental laboratory. mantle metasomatism. fond, and for tending his rocks. He submitted the He was particularly garden in Batheaston, the results of his Survey work to concerned with the phase CARBONATITES delightful village in the University of London relationships in peralkaline In 1986, Ken took up the post Somerset where he and his and was awarded the degree trachytes and rhyolites, of Professor of Igneous wife Kay set up home on of PhD in 1959. which, typically, he Geochemistry at the his move to the University complemented by field, University of Bristol. In a of Bristol. PETROGENESIS petrological and geochemical return to his earliest research Ken Bailey was a Ken moved, in 1957, to studies of the Longonot and days, he redeveloped his genuinely innovative Trinity College, Dublin, Eburru volcanoes in Kenya. interest in carbonatites and thinker who brought to his where he taught igneous I went to work with Ken as a took particular pleasure in research a wide range of petrology. In a career- post-doc in 1967. After I documenting, with UK, skills, from field geologist defining decision, he spent burst one of his one-kilobar French and Spanish through experimental petrologist to geochemist. He could be rather dismissive; he had scant regard, for example, for theories invoking mantle plumes in continental magmatism. At the same time, he was a wonderfully generous teacher and colleague, always ready to help students with quiet encouragement. When he died, he was still supervising doctoral research studies and planning future research projects. We will remember a warm-hearted, immensely positive friend and colleague.

Written by Ray Macdonald

26 JUNE 2013 CALENDAR GEOSCIENTIST Can’t find your meeting? VISIT www.geolsoc.org.uk/listings] [full, accurate, up-to-date

ENDORSED TRAINING/CPD

Course Date Venue and details

Soil and rock logging course 11 June EM Drilling, Bath. Organised by: First Steps Ltd. Cost: £265 + VAT per person. Fellows receive a 10% discount. Contact: Christine Butenuth, First Steps Ltd T: 0207 736 6889; E: [email protected]; W: www.firststeps-geo.co.uk

Lapworth’s Logs n/a ‘Lapworth’s Logs’ are 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 JUNE 2013

Meeting Date Venue and details

Structure and tectonics of the NW Highlands of 2-7 June Venue: NW Highlands of Scotland. Field trip presented by GSL as a contribution to the 125th Scotland: from deep crust to hydrocarbon reservoirs Anniversary of the GSA. Leaders: Rob Butler (University of Aberdeen) & Rick Law Geological Society of London (Virginia Tech). See website for details. E: [email protected]

President’s Day 5 June Venue: Burlington House. AGM 11.00 Fellows only. Lunch with awardists (fee applies). Talks by Geological Society of London award winners. Awards Ceremony. Reception. See previous issue; website for details and booking. E: [email protected]

Isotopes as Diagnostic Tools in Astronomy, Geology 11 - 14 June Venue: Höör, Sweden . Contact: Wolf Geppert. E: [email protected]; and Biology, W: www.nordicastrobiology.net/Isotopes2013/ Nordic Network of Astrobiology

Minerals For Life 17 June Venue: University of Edinburgh. See Website for registration. Contact: Kevin Murphy. Mineralogical Society T: +353 (0)23 8845401. E: [email protected]. W: www.minerals-for-life.org

Rockfall in Quarries - Training Day 19 June Training day. Venue: Heritage Motor Centre (HMC), Gaydon, Warwickshire. EIG Conferences Contact: Craig Arditto. E: [email protected]; W: www.eigconferences.com.

Microbial Carbonates in Space and Time 19-20 June Venue: Burlington House. Please see website for details and registration for this two day Petroleum Group conference. Fees apply. Contact: Steve Whalley. T: 020 7432 0980; F: 020 7494 0579; E: [email protected]

William Smith Meeting 2013: The first century of 25-27 June Venue: Burlington House. See Website for details and registration. Fees apply. Isotope Geochronology: the legacy of Frederick Contact: Naomi Newbould; T: 020 7432 0981 F: 020 7494 0579; Soddy and Arthur Holmes E: [email protected]; Geological Society of London

CENTURY ONE PUBLISHING To plan your ad campaign in IS THE UK’S BRIGHTEST Geoscienst magazine contact: AWARD-WINNING Jonathan Knight t: 01727 739 193 CONTRACT PUBLISHING e: [email protected] AND ADVERTISING SALES AGENCY. w: www.centuryonepublishing.ltd.uk WE WORK EXCLUSIVELY WITH MEMBERSHIP ORGANISATIONS GENERATING ADVERTISING REVENUES AND MANAGING ALL OR PART OF THE PUBLISHING FUNCTION

JUNE 2013 27 GEOSCIENTIST OBITUARY

OBITUARY‘

BRUCE CHAPPELL 1936-2012 Distinguished Australian geologist who made profound contributions to the origin of granites

ruce Chappell’s post office and telephone of laboratory geochemical the most significant studies research began exchange. Intellectually data were the hallmarks of of a British igneous just as the outstanding, he gained first- his work. In 1974, Chappell province in the last 80 years, magmatic/ partial class honours and a and White recognised the and resolved the problem of B melt origin of University Medal in 1959, and fundamental concept of the ‘tin granites’ (showing granite was being accepted, an MSc in 1961. In 1960 he I-type and S-type granites, their source rocks were not ending ‘the great granite was appointed lecturer in showing how both types abnormally high in tin). controversy’. He since Geology at ANU where he come from partial melting of dominated and largely was awarded a PhD (1967) continental crust, (the ‘restite SPECTROMETRY determined the global and DSc (1990). He became a model’), and that I-type Chappell pioneered X-ray directions of research on Fellow of the Australian granites could not be spectrometry for trace granites as igneous rocks, Academy of Sciences in 1988. mantle-derived. element analysis and quickly recognising that This remains the only designed and built the first many granite magmas move GRANITE SUITE fundamentally new process automated sample-changer.

bodily away from their Much of his work was done dealing with the evolution This led to significant

sources deep in the crust with the late Alan White. In of igneous rock suites contributions in several as a mixture of melt and their long-term, brilliant work since Bowen’s reaction fields, most notably lunar solid residues. on the granite suite, Chappell series (1928).~ samples, for which he was Fourth of five children, and White became intellectual the Apollo Program’s most he lived in Arding, south of successors to H H Read and productive analyst. Armidale, where his father W S Pitcher. Meticulous HIS STUDY OF Chappell’s master data set was primary school teacher mapping of plutons, careful CORNISH GRANITES on the Tasmanide granite and his mother Eva ran the microscopy, and huge banks suite, a lifetime WAS ONE OF THE achievement, is to be MOST SIGNIFICANT released in three mammoth STUDIES OF A sets. His work, with Alan White’s, on the upper BRITISH IGNEOUS half of the Streckeisen PROVINCE IN THE diagram will form the basis LAST 80 YEARS of all future studies of the granite clan. ~ Chappell gave Chappell showed that generously of time and much of the petrographic money to young geologists. variation of the ‘granite clan’ A rough diamond, he was a results from fractionation, gentleman, who hated which can occur on a crustal suffering; a wonderfully scale. With others, Chappell argumentative, maddening, and White accounted for the intellectual companion, great variation in deeply loved by his emplacement temperature of many friends. granites by zircon saturation. Bruce Chappell, born Most of Chappell’s work Armidale NSW 20 was done in the Lachlan and November 1936; died New England Belts (eastern Canberra 22 April 2012. Australia), a massive ‘sea’ of granite; but he also worked Written by John Dewey. in California, Cornwall, and A longer version of Professor Scotland. His study of Dewey’s obituary may be read on Cornish granites was one of the website. Editor

28 JUNE 2013 CROSSWORD GEOSCIENTIST

CROSSWORD NO. 169 SET BY PLATYPUS WIN A SPECIAL PUBLICATION

The winner of the April Crossword puzzle prize draw was Michael Saunders of Wonersh.

All correct solutions will be placed in the draw, and the winner’s name printed in the August issue. The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Closing date - 21 June.

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

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

Name ...... ACROSS DOWN Membership number ...... Address for correspondence ...... 1 Major taxonomic categories of 1 Rare iron sulphide mineral with variable ...... the animal kingdom (5) iron content (10) 4 Truganini, or possibly Fanny 2 Over there (3) ...... Cochrane Smith, was the last 3 Beehive (6) of the first of these (9) ...... 4 Set off (like one earthquake by another) 9 High-temperature calc-silicate (9) ...... skarn mineral (9) 5 Rock that typically yields German beer ...... 10 Natural watercourse (5) (5) 11 Not the same in all directions ...... 6 Zoned contact-metamorphic haloes (8) (14) 7 Examine closely (11) ...... 14 Hardy Captain (4) 8 Naturally occurring radioactive minerals Postcode ...... 15 Low temperature physics (10) are designated standard (4) 18 Human cave dweller (10) 12 Lowest portion of the atmosphere (11) 19 Halite chemically (4) 13 Of 28 across temperature (10) SOLUTIONS APRIL 21 Thermoplastic polymer, much 16 Adherence to standard code of used in packaging (13) accepted 8-acrosses (9) ACROSS: 24 What a rock of ages did for 1 Fault 4 Catabasis 9 Orbicular 10 Ouija 17 Emits a trilling howl (8) Rev. Toplady (5) 11 Decomposition 14 Lane 15 Adulterous 20 Artomatic hydrocarbon solvent 25 Property of having the same 18 Iconoclasm 19 Soda 21 Daguerreotype C H (CH ) displaying three-fold 25a molecular formula, but different 6 4 3 2 24 Canaa 25 Breakable 27 Maelstrom 28 Erupt (6) molecular structure (9) 22 To tittivate and preen the person (5) 27 'Divine knowledge' espoused DOWN: by Madame Blavatsky et al. (9) 23 Improvisatory jazz singing (4) 1 Floodplain 2 USB 3 Tacoma 4 Colloidal 5 Tarsi 6 Bromides 7 Scientology 8 Spam 28 Alike in quantity, degree, value, 26 Onomatopoetic admission of debt 12 Concordance 13 Escapement 16 Laser status, etc (5) (1,1,1) Beam 17 Congeals 20 Cookie 22 Ember 23 Scum 26 BTU

JUNE 2013 29 RECRUITMENT

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