any thanks to all Earth Heritage readers who completed our M questionnaire - your feedback is essential for the continued development ofthe magazine. Overwhelmingly, you seemed to like the mix of main articles, shorter items in Outcrops, and reviews, and about 90% felt the magazine on balance was 'about right'. Most liked the presentation, although a few found it 'too fussy and clever '. We have tried to address this already, with a more straightforward layout. Perhaps the most useful iI_'", responses were to do with suggestions for fitture topics; in particular there <': pages was a significant vote jar more overseas articles. In some cases, ofcourse, -c your suggestions conjlicted - more articles on fossils/jewer articles on 3-& !} fossils! - reflecting the diverse readership. The editorial board will have its e­ work cut out trying to do the balancing act! '-':'t~m-'-~, =2 ~,~" ~ " Earth Alert 2000 and how to follow it We hope this issue has something fOl' everybody. Mick Stanley 's look at " - - -_.. ;11 =2t! - page 7 geodiversity takes us to all corners ofBritain, and emphasises the intimate .s relationship between geology and the built environment. Scotland's most -8 o scenic beaches are weighed-up, while the hot springs ofNew Zealand -c (h Earth heritage alild archaeological provide an exotic contrast! We also take a look at the milestone event of conservation - page 8 Earth Alert 2000 and how to follow it. Then there is the usual eclectic mix of RIGS news and activities. English Nature describes exciting new projects to get Earth Science sites into shape, while a look at Wales' 1, OOOth SSSI shows in the balance Profile of the Quaternary Research that geomorphology is finally getting onto the map! A public inquiry into proposals England, and the geology of the rest is We hope you enjoy this mix. Ifany ofyou who suggested a topic to cover Association - page 10 affecting a key Earth heritage SSSI (Site of significantly different. would like to write it, then please do contact me' Special Scientific Interest) ran last month The inquiry over Birling Gap centres on (July) in Alfriston, East Sussex, the fact that some dwellings are threatened by Scottish Stewart Campbell, Proposals to build rock revetments at coastal erosion. Some residents strongly beach Managing Editor Birling Gap (above), part of the Seaford to support the case for a revetment at the foot of beauties Beachy Head SSSI, to try to prolong the life the cliffs which they hope will slow erosion of some cliff-top dwellings, were due to be and prolong the lifetime of the dwellings. ~ 'iiiCTiiRE;"""""'·""""·""""""·""""""'~ , 'coVER , considered by a planning inspector during an Two separate applications for coastal page 11 : The basalt columns of the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland are among the most fascinating : inquiry expected to last the best part of two protection usi~ rock revetments have been : parts of the UK's geodiversity. See pages 15-18. (Photo by Stewart Campbefl) , weeks. The SSSI is notified for its geology, put forward. One scheme extends for .•......••....•......•....................................................... geomorphology and biology, with Birling Gap approximately 180 - 220 m, the other for itself being a GCR (Geological Conservation about 30 m. The longer scheme was turned Earth Heritage is a twice-yearly journal produced for the Review) site because of its Quaternary down by the local planning authority, but it The 1,ooOth Welsh SSSI geological and landscape. conservation community by the Joint features and coastal geomorphology was minded to approve the second, smaller - page 14 . a .t Nature Conservation Committee. English E scheme. ~t\ age Nature. Scottish Natural Heritage and the Erosion of chalk cliffs at Birling Gap Countryside Council for Wales. The Royal creates a key site for periglacial English Nature argued at the public Society for Nature Conservation and the UKRIGS Geoconservation Association are principal enquiry that both schemes should be rejected Geodiversity and why we need it geomorphology and the study of chalk contributing partners. We would like to thank all those who have assisted with the preparation of landscape evolution. It is the best example of due to their impact on the geological and - page 15 the magazine. However. the opinions expressed by thc contributors are nol necessarily those of a complete cross-section through a dry valley geomorphological features. The concealment the above organisations. anywhere in Britain. The valley is well of the dry .valley and disruption to natural Key articles from this and previous issues of EQ/1!1 Heritage can be found on the Web at: exposed, allowing access to the deeply coastal processes are particular concerns, www.seabury.salmon.dial.pipex.com/earth.html weathered and contorted valley floor and the The National Trust, the Countryside overlying sequence of solifluction deposits. Agency and the Sussex Downs Conservation Contact details for tbe editorial board, to whom offers of articles should be directed. are: Face Lift grants Managing Editor As well as being nationally imp0l1ant for Board share similar concerns on what is a spectacular and unprotected stretch of STEWART CAMPBELL, Countryside Council for \Vales, Plas Penrhos. Ffordd Penrhos, research, it is also a wonderful educational achieve site Bangor. Gwynedd LL57 2LQ. Telephone 01248 385693, e-mail: [email protected] site, well used by students. The coastal coastline. enhancements Editors geomorphological features are provided by DAVID EVANS, English Nature, Northminster House, Peterborough PEI IUA. Telephone the cliff-beach-shore platform system - page 20 01733455207. e-mail: [email protected] developed on chalk. The beach is one of six Colin Prosser COLIN MACFADYEN, Scottish Natural Heritage, 2 Allderson Place, Edinburgh EH6 5NP. major south-west-facing beaches in southern English Nature Telephone 01314474784, ext 2516, e-mail: colin.macfadyen@snh,gov.uk NEIL ELLIS, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Monkstone House, City Road, Peterborough PEI IJY Telephone 01733 562626, e-mail: [email protected] MICK STANLEY, Royal Society for )lature Conservation, The Kiln, Waterside, Mather Hot news from the Ice Age Road, Newark NG24 IWT Telephone 01636 670000. e-mail: [email protected] Seeds, leaves, pollen, bits of insects and the bones of small fish and mammals which thrived CYNTHIA BUREK UKRIGS Geoconservation Association. Environment Research Group, Striving for a balance in New in an extended heatwave during Britain s Ice Age and which were washed into the River Thames Chester College. Parkgate Road, Chester CHI 4BJ. Telephone 01244 375444, Zealand e-mail: [email protected] over 300,000 years ago, have been unearthed. - page 24 Production The finds were made in Hackney, north London, by archaeologists from English Heritage Seabury Salmon, Seabury Salmon & Associates, Beechwood, Poyner Road, Ludlow, and scientists from the University of London s Geography Depa11ment. Shropshire SY8 IQT. Telephone 01584 877442. Fax 01584 875416. The number and range of finds from this period confirms that the Ice Age in Britain Reviews - page 2& e-mail: [email protected] contained phases when temperatures rose dramatically. Early analysis shows that over 250,000 Cjrculation years ago, for about 20,000 years, southern Britain was as warm as parts of Spain or Italy are Enquiries should be made to the relevant editor above today and the area around the Thames was lush with plant and animal life. 2 3 New Earth science • Earth heritage conservation is about management. Under the focus of sustainable discussed in body In N. Ireland? much more than site protection, and the management of our natural heritage, the parallel work­ Attendees agreed that urgent action was agenda in Scotland has moved forward. conference addressed not only the links of shops. Among key points was a necd for Area for its geological and ornithological A meeting scheduled to be held this needed to reverse the decline of geology Earth Science and the Natural Heritage: Earth sciences to ecosystems and landscapes, more integrated management based on a importance. Autumn should see the formation of an provision in schools and universities (Queen s Interactions and Integrated l'11anagement, a but also the worth of Earth sciences in better understanding of landscape sensitivity, A history of coal mining has caused independent body dedicated to promoting University is closing the only conventional conference organised by Scottish Natural resource and land management, local and working with, rather than against, natural ground levels to drop by a metre or more, Earth science in Northern Ireland and geology degree course in Northern Ireland; in Heritage at the Dynamic Earth Centre, authority planning, environmental education processes. but the effects were fonnerly masked by lobbying Government when appropriate. 200 I, the NI Examination Board IS Edinburgh, last November explored how and geotourism. The importance of greater awareness was spoil dumping on the shore. Since pit It follows a meeting in the Spring when withdrawing GCSE and A-level exams in far forward. An inspiring keynote address by Aubrey emphasised throughout the meeting. At one closure, beach levels have fallen 55 people from various backgrounds met in Rocks, landfonns and soils are integral to Manning examined the global interdepen­ level, it was felt demonstration projects could dramatically. Combined with the the Ulster Museum, Belfast, to air their views