SCANDIUM Pete Siegfried and Colleagues Discuss Potential New Sources of This Miracle Metal

SCIENTISTVOLUME 28 No. 10 ◆ NOVEMBER 2018 ◆ WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST

GEOThe Fellowship Magazine of the Geological Society of London UK / Overseas where sold to individuals: £3.95

Focus on mineral supply

FORGOTTEN SCANDIUM Pete Siegfried and colleagues discuss potential new sources of this miracle metal

STRATEGISING MINERALS DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE A GEOLOGIST AT WAR The UKMS as an antidote Hannah Gow reports W.B.R. King and the value of to ignorance on sinkholes in Ripon geology in the war effort WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2018 | 1 Earth Systems v1b_ART 21-6-18_Layout 1 21/06/2018 16:39 Page 1

Earth System transitions The Geological Society How resilient is the biosphere? Career and Industry Days 2018/19 17-18 January 2019 | The Geological Society, London

Wednesday 7 November 2018 Venue: Our Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh, UK www.geolsoc.org.uk/careersday18edinburgh

Wednesday 14 November 2018 Venue: BGS, Keyworth, Nottingham, UK www.geolsoc.org.uk/careersday18nottingham

Wednesday 20 March 2019 Venue: Royal School of Mines, Imperial College London, UK www.geolsoc.org.uk/careersday18london The Geological Society, London Convenors Earth System Science special interest group Dr Susan Canney (Oxford) Biosphere Evolution, Transitions & Resilience (NERC research The Geological Society Career & Industry Day is an essential meeting Professor Tim Lenton (Exeter) programme) place for geoscience students and the geoscience industry, and is the Professor Graham Shields (UCL) most recognised geoscience careers focused forum in the country. Professor Paul Valdes (Bristol) In an era of rapid technological innovation, opportunities exist to improve Professor David Waltham (Royal efficiency and quality of resource estimates; both developing trust and The day will include short career and industry presentations covering Holloway) encouraging investment in mining projects. Forming part of the Year of the different areas of geology and academia, and there will be an exhibition Professor Paul Wignall (Leeds) Resource, this conference aims to provide a forum for resource estimate consisting of industry and professional bodies, and higher education Dr Ying Zhou (UCL) practitioners to meet and discuss new developments and advances in mineral institutions promoting MSc and PhD programmes. There will also be a resource estimation and reporting. Further information CV and careers workshop running alongside the talks. The four main themes of this meeting are: For further information please Registration contact: • Earth system transitions: the Precambrian This event is free to attend but there are limited numbers so pre- Georgina Worrall, Conference Office, • Earth system transitions: the Palaeozoic Era booking is recommended. Delegates will be required to pre-register to The Geological Society, • Earth system transitions: the Mesozoic and Cainozoic eras Burlington House, Piccadilly, receive a student manual, free packed lunch and free drink at the drinks • How resilient is the biosphere – key notes and discussion. London W1J 0BG reception. T: 0207 434 9944 Contact Information E: georgina.wo [email protected] Rhianna McLean, Conference Ofﬁ ce, The Geological Society, Web: Call for abstracts Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG www.geolsoc.org.uk/biosphere19 We welcome oral and poster abstract contributions for this meeting. To be Follow this event on Twitter: considered for a slot in the programme or a poster presentation, please send T: 0207 432 0981 #biosphere19 an abstract of no more than 500 words to [email protected], E: [email protected] no later than Friday 30 November 2018.

#GSLcareers18 Follow these events on Twitter: Background image: Assynt, © Timothy Gregory

The Geological Society Call for meeting proposals

The Geological Society invites meeting proposals for 2019 and 2020 to be held at Burlington House, London.

For more information please visit www.geolsoc.org.uk/meetingproposal-submit

2 | NOVEMBER 2018 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST GEOSCIENTIST CONTENTS

Geoscientist is the W www.centuryone Fellowship magazine publishing.uk of the Geological Society of London ADVERTISING SALES Alex Killen The Geological Society, T 01727 739 182 Burlington House, Piccadilly, E [email protected] London W1J 0BG T +44 (0)20 7434 9944 ART EDITOR F +44 (0)20 7439 8975 Heena Gudka E [email protected] (Not for Editorial - Please DESIGN & PRODUCTION contact the Editor) Ryan Gaston Publishing House PRINTED BY The Geological Society Century One Publishing Ltd. Publishing House, Unit 7, Brassmill Enterprise Centre, Copyright Brassmill Lane, Bath The Geological Society of BA1 3JN London is a Registered Charity, T 01225 445046 number 210161. F 01225 442836 ISSN (print) 0961-5628 5 24 Library ISSN (online) 2045-1784 T +44 (0)20 7432 0999 The Geological Society of London E [email protected] accepts no responsibility for the views expressed in any article in this publication. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF All views expressed, except where explicitly stated otherwise, represent those of the author, Professor Andy Fleet and not The Geological Society of London. All All rights reserved. No paragraph of this DEPUTY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF publication may be reproduced, copied or Mr David Shilston transmitted save with written permission. Users registered with Copyright Clearance EDITOR Center: the Journal is registered with CCC, Dr Amy Whitchurch 27 Congress Street, Salem, MA 01970, USA. 0961- 5628/02/$15.00. Every effort has been E [email protected] made to trace copyright holders of material in this publication. If any rights have been EDITORIAL BOARD omitted, the publishers offer their apologies. Mr Steve Branch 10 16 Dr Robin Cocks No responsibility is assumed by the Publisher Dr Howard Falcon-Lang for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, Prof. Tony Harris negligence or otherwise, or from any use Mr Edmund Nickless or operation of any methods, products, Dr Alan Roberts instructions or ideas contained in the material ON THE COVER: Prof. Peter Styles herein. All advertising material is expected Dr Colin Summerhayes to conform to ethical and trading standards, and reasonable care is taken to ensure that 10 IN SEARCH OF THE Dr Jan Zalasiewicz advertisers are reputable and reliable. However, inclusion in this publication or as an insert does Trustees of the not constitute a guarantee or endorsement FORGOTTEN RARE EARTH Geological Society of the quality or value of such products of London or services, or of the claims made by its Could we be on the cusp of Prof Nick Rogers (President) manufacturer. Geoscientist and the Geological Society of London can give no assurance that a scandium boom? Mr Thomas Backhouse an advertiser will fulfil its obligation under all Mr Andrew Bloodworth circumstances Mr John Booth (Vice President) Subscriptions: All correspondence Dr Jason Canning relating to non-member subscriptions should Ms Lesley Dunlop be addresses to the Journals Subscription Mr Graham Goffey (Treasurer) Department, Geological Society Publishing FEATURESFEATURES Dr Sarah Gordon (Secretary, House, Unit 7 Brassmill Enterprise Centre, Foreign & External Affairs) Brassmill Lane, Bath, BA1 3JN, UK. Tel: 01225 16 STRATEGISING MINERALS: 445046. Email: [email protected]. Contact Prof James Griffiths us by phone or email for current rates. SECURING SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY Ms Naomi Jordan Nigel Jackson lauds the UK Minerals Strategy in Prof Chris King © 2018 The Geological Society raising awareness of mineral supply Dr Robert Larter of London Dr Bryne Ngwenya Geoscientist is printed on FSC® mixed Dr Colin North (Secretary, credit - Mixed source products are a blend of Publications) FSC 100%, Recycled and/or Controlled fibre. REGULARS Dr Sheila Peacock Certified by the Forest Stewardship Council®. Mr Nicholas Reynolds (Vice President) 05 WELCOME Amy Whitchurch on mineral supply and geopolitics Prof Katherine Royse (Secretary, Professional Matters) 06 SOCIETY NEWS What your Society is doing at home and Mr Keith Seymour (Vice abroad, in London and the regions President) Miss Jessica Smith Dr Helen Smyth 09 SOAPBOX Geology is ‘science plus’ argues John Gilbey Prof Robin Strachan NLINE Mr John Talbot (Vice President) 22 B OOKS & ARTS Four new books reviewed by Jeremy Joseph, Dr Alexander Whittaker Matthew Owen, Michael Tso and Brent Wilson (Secretary, Science) SPECIAL Cover image: Scandium, sublimed-dendritic, Published on behalf of high purity 99.998 % Sc/TREM. 24 MEETING REPORT Hannah Gow on the EGGS field meeting to THE 111TH BIRTHDAY OF the Vale of York and Ripon the Geological Society Cover image credit: © Wikimedia commons, THE LATE DOROTHY HILL of London by: by Alchemist-hp Heinrich Pniok

Century One Publishing Douglas Palmer on Australian 25 CALENDAR Society activities this month Alban Row, 27–31 Verulam palaeontologist, Dorothy Hill, Road, St Albans, Herts, her PhD research at Cambridge 26 PEOPLE Advice for PhD students, W.B.R. King and geology AL3 4DG University with Gertrude Elles, in the war effort, and more T 01727 893 894 and her work on coral faunas E enquiries@centuryone publishing.uk and biostratigraphy 30 OBITUARY Keith Atkinson 1942-2017

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2018 | 3 Corporate Corporate Supporters: Call for Abstracts: 14 December 2018 Supporters: Call for Abstracts – Deadline: 29 March 2019 Celebrating the life of Chris Cornford (1948-2017) Capturing Geoscience Petroleum Systems Analysis in Geomodels ‘Science or Art?’ 26-27 June 2019 24-25 April 2019 Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen Convenors: The Geological Society, Burlington House, London

Steve Lawrence Subsurface Resource Consulting Convenors: Dan Cornford Matt Jameson IGI Ltd Glencore Elin Rein Gwilym Lynn Shell Equinor Leigh Truelove David Gardiner Schlumberger IGI Ltd Ingrid Demaerschalk Over recent years the construction of 3D static and dynamic reservoir models has become Tullow increasingly complex. With the availability of extensive tools and technology it is important not to Abhen Pather Alun Griffiths forget the objective of the modelling process. RPS Energy Rockhopper As we develop our hydrocarbon fields it is essential that 3D Static Models be built with fit-for- Mark Groves Catherine Tonge purpose geological models, honouring the geological, geophysical and petrophysical data that Shell Gidney they are created from. David Hulme Energetical Equinor This two-day conference will explore how geoscience information should be used to best effect, Richard Bray Tom Marsh and how to identify when geoscience data may no longer add value. Sessions will include the Subsurface Resource Rock Flow Dynamics following themes: Consulting Approaches to tackling the scientific and practical questions in the fields of Petroleum Geochemistry and James Aguas • Data integration: seismic, well log, sedimentological, core dynamic data and beyond Petroleum Systems Analysis range from the entirely theoretical to the empirical. Chris Cornford embraced both Halliburton John Argent in his working life. The integrated approach he espoused will form the basis of the technical programme for the • Capturing conceptual geology in reservoir modelling for different settings and depositional Sound Energy Conference covering two themes: environments • Recent developments in the use of data including integration of models and (big) data; use of visualisation • Scale: geology vs model vs data Mark Osborne and data exploration or mining techniques. • Uncertainty: dealing with geological uncertainty in modelling and understanding its benefits and BP • Topical issues & controversies ranging from mass balance approaches, petroleum migration to specific Sponsored by: limitations modelling studies and practical applications. • Embracing new modelling technology and approaches. The Conference will be inspired by Chris’ ethos of innovation, encouragement of youth and challenging received wisdom. Call for Abstracts: Call for Abstracts: Please submit talk or poster abstract to [email protected] by 29 March 2019. Please submit abstracts for oral and poster contributions that cover any of the above themes to [email protected] before 14 December 2018 For further information please contact: For further information please contact: Sarah Woodcock, The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG. Sarah Woodcock, The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG. Tel: +44 (0)20 7434 9944 Tel: +44 (0)20 7434 9944 or email: [email protected]

At the forefront of petroleum geoscience At the forefront of petroleum geoscience www.geolsoc.org.uk/petroleum www.geolsoc.org.uk/petroleum

Corporate Corporate Supporters: Call for Abstracts – Deadline: 30 November 2018 Supporters: Call for Abstracts – Deadline: 1 December 2018 Petroleum Geology of Mexico and the Northern Caribbean Hydrocarbons in 14-16 May 2019 Space and Time The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London Convenors: 9-11 April 2019 Jonathan Hull Ophir Energy – Chair Convenors: The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London Matthew Bowyer Cairn Energy Owen Sutcliffe Halliburton The global endowment of hydrocarbons is Ian Davison Earthmoves markedly uneven both spatially and temporally. Frans van Buchem In the 1990s, several key papers recognised that Mike Hohbein Halliburton Ophir Energy distinct stratigraphic and paleogeographic trends Aruna Mannie Mark Houchen exist and that this knowledge was an important guide to successful exploration. So, what has Premier Oil 2017 Zama Discovery Shell Chris Matchette changed in 30 years? Downes Bruce Levell CaribX The Gulf of Mexico is a world class prolific hydrocarbon system. As a result of recent energy reform the Oxford University The industry has moved into new frontiers and Mexican sector of this basin has been open to international companies for the first time through a series of basins, drilled deeper, found new plays and Adrian Neal competitive licence rounds. The first phase of drilling on these newly awarded permits has resulted in the Badley Ashton Hannah Steaggles gone through a revolution that has brought discovery of giant hydrocarbon accumulations in the Mexican offshore sector. Geologically, the offshore and BP unconventional resources to the fore. It is Mark Shann onshore basins of Mexico offer a diverse range of play types with multiple source / reservoir pairs and are therefore timely to consider how our knowledge Sierra Oil & Gas characterised by complex tectonic evolution with associated halokinesis and shale tectonics. Mike Simmons Halliburton of the distribution of hydrocarbons in time and More widely within the Northern Caribbean region, exploration activities are ongoing in several countries space has changed. What new insights have targeting both proven and frontier petroleum systems. Some of these play elements are potential extensions we gained? Can this new understanding be Sponsored by: of the proven systems in Mexico. While geologically complex, these areas have the potential to emerge as major hydrocarbon basins. used to be better at predicting new hydrocarbon discoveries? This regional conference aims to bring together both academic and industry geoscientists together to discuss Keynote Speakers: the current state of understanding of the geology and petroleum systems in these geologically complex, but This 3-day conference will seek to share recent advances and case studies and will be built around prolific hydrocarbon basins. A diverse set of four main themes: The committee now invite submissions of abstracts along the following themes keynote speakers are • The known global heterogeneity of hydrocarbon resources – including source rocks being solicited from • Regional Plate Tectonic Evolution • Neogene Clastic Depositional Systems • The controls on heterogeneity – including palaeoclimates and geodynamics • Basins of Mexico and the Northern Caribbean • Carbonate Depositional Systems across the community • The geological and data science tools to aid prediction • Onshore Basins and the Laramide and Chiapas • Salt Tectonics Fold Belt effects • Controls on hydrocarbon habitat – seal capacity • What our present understanding means for future exploration • Petroleum Systems • Relevant GOM Analogues Event to be accompanied by a post-conference field trip to the Wessex Basin. • Exploration & Production History

Call for Abstracts: For further information please contact: Please submit talk or poster abstract to [email protected] by 30 November 2018. Sarah Woodcock, The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG. For further information please contact: Tel: +44 (0)20 7434 9944 or email: [email protected] Sarah Woodcock, The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG. For Abstract Guidelines, please download a copy from the website: Tel: +44 (0)20 7434 9944 https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/PG-Hydrocarbons-in-Space-and-Time

At the forefront of petroleum geoscience At the forefront of petroleum geoscience www.geolsoc.org.uk/petroleum www.geolsoc.org.uk/petroleum

4 | NOVEMBER 2018 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST ~ GEOSCIENTIST WELCOME

RISING POLITICAL TENSIONS HIGHLIGHT THE NEED FOR SECURE MINERAL SUPPLIES. THANKFULLY, NUMEROUS ACADEMIA AND INDUSTRY LED INITIATIVES ARE UNDERWAY

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK: Diversifying supply

n mid-September, the US-China trade conflict intensified waning coal industry. when the Trump administration slapped new tariffs on The prospect of repurposing old waste to extract scandium is $200 billion worth of Chinese imports. In a turnaround touched on in a feature by Pete Siegfried and colleagues on from earlier reports, rare earth elements (REE) were page 10 of this issue. In reviewing the various sources of this spared. The omission highlights China’s monopoly on the important element, they note that scandium concentrates in red rare earth market. The US, like Europe, relies heavily on muds—the waste products of aluminium processing. Like coal IChina for their supply of REE, which are used in smart phones, ash, tens of millions of tonnes of red mud waste are produced laptops, electric vehicles and wind turbines, as well as in military annually. Major European initiatives, such as SCALE and the defence technologies. Red Mud Project, are underway to research REE and particularly It is essential to diversify REE supply. Interestingly, a rich scandium recovery from red muds. There is scope to diversify source of REE may exist in a common waste product—coal ash. REE supply and contribute to the circular economy in By burning coal for electricity, the US alone produces tens of the process. millions of tonnes of coal ash annually. Much goes to landfill or is In addition to REE, construction minerals are vital for an stored in open containment ponds, yet this waste product can improved standard of living. Geopolitics shouldn’t be a major issue contain REE with concentrations 100 times higher than found for the UK: our diverse geology provides a ready, indigenous supply naturally. Attempts to extract the REE have so far proved too of construction minerals. But, as argued by Nigel Jackson on page costly, but new research (Das et al., Journal of Cleaner Production 16, Government ignorance may compromise supply because they 189, 539-551, 2018) reports on a method to extract REE profitably, fail to link the delivery of housing and infrastructure that underpins using supercritical carbon dioxide and a chemical, economic growth to the need for secure mineral supply. To combat tributylphosphate, that forces the REE to clump together. this, the industry has launched the UK Minerals Strategy, which Tributylphosphate is incredibly expensive, but if the coal ash aims to galvanise action and ensure supply of over 5 billion tonnes contains high concentrations of REE, and particularly scandium, of minerals and mineral products for the next 25 years. the most expensive REE, the process could be economically Experts from academia and industry are on the case, but secure viable—and could provide an additional income stream for the mineral supplies should not be taken for granted.

Ash waste produced by burning coal at a power plant. Image credit DuxX/Shutterstock.com

DR AMY WHITCHURCH, EDITOR - [email protected] @geoscientistmag

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2018 | 5 GEOSCIENTIST SOCIETY NEWS

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

Christmas and New Year closure

The Society (London and Bath) will close at 14.00 on Friday, 21 December, re-opening at 09.30 on Wednesday, 2 January 2019.

Research Grants Applications are invited for the 2019 round of the Society research grants. PUBLIC LECTURE SERIES Please complete the form, which can be downloaded from the Society Awards and Research Grants page at www.geolsoc.org.uk/grants where you will also find information about all the grants. The role of geosciences in The Research Grants committee meets once annually. Applications must International Development reach the Society no later than 12 noon on 1 February 2019 and must be supported by two Fellows of the Society who must each complete a supporting Speaker: Martin Smith, BGS statement form. The committee will only consider complete applications on the Location: Burlington House, London appropriate form. Date: 21 November Programme The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 ◆ Afternoon talk: 14:30pm Tea & Coffee; 15:00 The President of the Society is an ex-officio Commissioner of the Royal Lecture begins; 16:00 Event ends Commission for the Exhibition of 1851. Applications are open for their various ◆ Evening talk: 17:30 Tea & Coffee; 18:00 awards, including Research Fellowships. For further information please go to: Lecture begins; 19:00 Reception www.royalcommission1851.org/awards/

CRM project update Further Information As Fellows are no doubt aware, the Society has been implementing a new Please visit www.geolsoc.org.uk/gsllondonlectures18. membership management system (CRM) for some time. By the time you read Entry by ticket only (contact the Society about four this, phase 1 of the implementation should be live and online for your use. As is weeks before the talk). Due to popularity, tickets often the case when introducing new technology and integrating with existing are allocated in a monthly ballot and cannot be platforms, the implementation has been a challenge and the delivery is guaranteed. somewhat later than originally envisaged. Among the immediate benefits you will see will be improvements to the Contact: Sarah Woodcock, The Geological Society, Burlington Fellowship renewals process, online management of CPD and a new online House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG T: +44 (0) 20 7432 0981 E: [email protected] chartership application process. We hope you find the changes helpful and we welcome any feedback you have, good or not so good, to [email protected].

Email Issues Council & OGMs In recent weeks, there have been increasing incidences of spoofing and OGMS: 2018: 28 November 2019: 6 February, 3 April phishing emails purportedly originating from The Geological Society. Email COUNCIL: 2018: 28 November 2019: 6 February, 3 April spoofing is the forgery of an email header, giving the impression it originates from persons in the Society and phishing is the fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information by various means. Often, both spoofing and phishing GSDG Programme: 2018 emails contain malware designed to compromise the recipient’s computer or seek to have the recipient divulge sensitive information. The Geological Society Discussion Group meets at 18.30 These emails do not originate from the Geological Society though they for 19.00, when dinner is served. Attendance is open to appear to do so. The first and best line of defence is to make sure you run all members of the Society. For up to date information good anti-malware software that is kept up to date. A second line is to always concerning topics for discussion and speakers, please go to exercise caution when opening attachments. These types of emails tend to W: bit.ly/2DXiM8G be plausible, so we recommend Fellows take a moment to consider whether it is an email you are expecting and whether the content is what you would ◆ Wednesday 5 December—Athenaeum, Mayfair expect from us. We have taken additional security measures to further combat this modern plague and will continue to adopt best practice For information and reservations, contact Sarah Woodcock where appropriate. E: [email protected]

6 | NOVEMBER 2018 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST GEOSCIENTIST SOCIETY NEWS

Diversity, equality and inclusion, and the Society

In recent years, the Geological Society has taken many positive with other key organisations who specialise in specific strands of steps to expand on its commitment to Diversity, Equality and Diversity and Inclusion work. Some of the more visible organisations Inclusion (DEI), with the aim of making the geoscience include: community as welcoming and inclusive as we know it International Association of Geoscience Diversity (IAGD): can be. George Jameson provides an update. An Associated Society founded in North America in 2008 as an advisory group that raises awareness of Declaration signed improving access, accommodation, and inclusion Our first step on this journey was in 2014, for students, faculty and geoscientists with when the Society became one of the original disabilities. In 2015, the IAGD came together with signatories to the Science Council’s Declaration others at Burlington House for the ‘Confronting on Diversity, Equality and Inclusion. The Barriers to Inclusion’ event—a very successful declaration committed member bodies to and informative day highlighting the advancements be proactive and improve opportunities for all the Earth sciences is making, especially around individuals who wish to fulfil their scientific potential, fieldwork. irrespective of their background or circumstances, Diversity in Geoscience UK (Dig-UK): The recently thus helping to attract the widest possible talent into established UK chapter of the IAGD, DiG-UK aims to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) expand the mission and vision of the IAGD while focusing careers and ensuring a greater diversity of scientific ideas, research specifically on the needs, values and resources in the UK. Dig-UK and technology. held their launch event at Burlington House in June 2018, focussing We carried out an extensive review of our communications and on key themes of mental health, advocacy and leadership for attempted to better understand the demographics of our Fellowship supporting diversity. with the introduction of our Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Survey. Athena SWAN: Originated as a national charter mark in 2005 to The survey aimed to identify real and/or perceived barriers recognise commitment to advancing women’s careers to inclusion, guiding us on where to direct resources (and men where appropriate) in STEM employment to make the Society and Earth science community throughout Higher Education. Since 2017, The more inclusive, and providing a baseline to track Society has facilitated workshops offering guidance our progress. and opportunities to share best practice for Earth Science Departments submitting for an award. Framework WISE: This year the Society joined the WISE In 2016, the Science Council and the Royal Campaign, which provides expertise and Academy of Engineering collaborated to support to organisations seeking to improve develop a Diversity and Inclusion Progression gender balance issues. WISE recently launched Framework. We took part in a trial run, feeding ‘People Like Me’ a fantastic project breaking back our experience and helping to fine-tune the down gender stereotypes and showing that process before it was officially launched in 2017. The anybody can be a part of the STEM community. specially created framework aims to help organisations APPG on Diversity in STEM: The Society is involved to plan, track and assess progress in eight main areas with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Diversity and of work: Governance and leadership; Membership and registration; Inclusion in STEM. Established by the British Science Association, it Meetings, conferences and events; Education and training, aims to improve outcomes for people from diverse backgrounds in accreditation and examinations; Prizes and awards; Communications, STEM. Recent meetings have focused on education and skills, the marketing and publicity; Employment; and Monitoring and measuring. Industrial Strategy and regional disparities. The Society was one of 21 scientific bodies to participate in the benchmarking exercise, along with 20 professional engineering Updating policies and procedures institutions. The findings of this report are available in a link in the Over the past year, we have undertaken positive strides, while recognising online version of this article. that much remains to be done. The Society was part of the AGI ad The Science Council and Royal Academy of Engineering brought hoc Committee on Harassment in the Geosciences and is currently together their respective scientific and engineering professional bodies developing our own version for the Society and its affiliated groups and in a steering group to address the findings and recommendations networks. We have a new Equal Opportunities Statement and we will to from the report. Four subgroups are now considering these in more review our Professional Code of Conduct very soon, so watch this space. depth, focusing on communications and language; developing better measures; extending use of the framework; and sharing of resources. Images Top: A recent Access Anglesey Geological Field Trip Working with others (led by co-founder of DiG-UK) Our work to advance inclusivity is not limited to signing a declaration Bottom: Previous GSL Executive Secretary, Edmund Nickless, and participating in a Progression Framework. We work in partnership and Council member, Natalyn Ala, signing the declaration

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2018 | 7 GEOSCIENTIST SOCIETY NEWS

Newly Chartered Fellows FROM THE LIBRARY

CGeol: Alexander Blake, Finlay John Booth, Thomas Anthony Cash, Paul John Joseph Daily, Jonathan Mark Davey, Alexandra Elisabeth New e-journals Flint, Christopher Rhuairdh, John Gell, Graham Paul Goffey, Charlotte The Library can now provide Fellows with offsite online access to Laura Gwilliam, David Samuel Hinxman, Daymion Teifion Jenkins, the following journals: Matthew John Lennard, Kam Hung Hazel Lo, Timothy Daimon New, u Canadian mineralogist Katherine Overy, Shaun Paul Paterson, Philip Ian Patterson, Geoffrey u Journal of sedimentary research George Pook, Daniel Frederick Riding, Richard John Sorapure. u Journal of vertebrate paleontology Neil William Chalmers, Andrew Michael Kelleher. CSci: u Monograph of the Palaeontographical Society EurGeol: Simon Eden, Mike Lelliott, Christopher Thomas Dodge u Palaios

Eligibility to apply for Chartered Geologist Visit the Virtual Library In line with the Engineering and Science Councils and other E-journals webpages to apply professional institutions, the Geological Society now requires a for an ‘Athens’ login and for Master’s degree qualification as evidence of eligibility to apply. further details of all the Library’s Those with degrees at Bachelor level only will be required to e-journals. produce evidence of knowledge to the equivalent of Master’s level, through the submission of Supporting Documents.

Correction In September’s Geoscientist, Bill Gaskarth explained why the Society has decided not to offer CEng, mentioning that the IMMM was opposed to the proposal. This statement was made in error and he apologies to the IMMM for this. Those opposing the proposal had canvassed the IMMM for support, but the institution has not publicly stated its opposition.

Latest news from the Publishing House

Jenny Blythe has the latest from the Geological Society Publishing House he onset of the Quaternary (2.58 Ma) corresponds to signifi cant paleo-environmental events, such as the umankind, in its technological development, is increasingly utilizing both intensifi cation and southward extension of Northern mineral resources from Earth’s interior and developing the rock mass as a T Hemisphere glaciation. In the North Sea Basin a signifi cant late Hresource in itself. In this paper we review the types of anthropogenic intrusion, Cenozoic succession has been identifi ed as a high-resolution at different depth ranges, that can modify archive of paleo-environmental changes during the Pliocene and the physical structure and chemistry of the Pleistocene. However, the identifi cation of the base of the Quaternary subsurface. Using examples from across has been a long-standing issue owing to lack of stratigraphic the world, but with emphasis on the UK, and calibration. This study incorporates continuous, regional 3D seismic physical models of the induced modifi cations, data with high-quality chronostratigraphic markers to map the we predict what kind of subsurface signatures base-Quaternary surface at high resolution across the entire North a geologist of the future might recognize as Sea. Depth conversion, backstripping, seismic geomorphology anthropogenic, including boreholes, tunnels and sedimentation rate calculations are integrated to analyse the and caverns, waste and resource storage paleogeographical evolution of the North Sea Basin and its infi ll of c. facilities, mineral workings and military test 83 × 103 km3 of northward prograding marine to deltaic sediments. traces. The potential of these anthropogenic The basin is 600 km long from SSE to NNW and largely localized signatures to be discriminated from natural above residual topography of the Mesozoic graben system. During analogues is discussed against known or the earliest Quaternary (2.58 – 2.35 Ma) paleo-water depths modelled processes of deterioration and were c. 300 ± 50 m and solid sedimentation rates (calculated from transformation over geological timescales of 0% porosity) c. 32 km3 ka−1. The base-Quaternary provides an millennia or longer. important marker for further studies of the changing environment Recognizing anthropogenic modifi cation of the subsurface in the geological of the Quaternary of NW Europe as well as resource and shallow record By Colin N. Waters, Caroline Graham, Deodato Tapete, geohazard analysis. Simon J. Price, Lorraine Field, Andrew G. Hughes and Jan Zalasiewicz The early Quaternary North Sea Basin By Rachel M. Lamb, Rachel Harding, Mads Huuse, Margaret Stewart and Simon H. Brocklehurst  Read full abstract and paper in the Lyell Collection  http://qjegh.lyellcollection.org/content/early/2018/09/19/qjegh2017-007 Read more here http://jgs.lyellcollection.org/content/175/2/275

8 | NOVEMBER 2018 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST GEOSCIENTIST SOAPBOX

Once a geologist, always a geologist The Big Bang Theory may not classify geology as a science, but John Gilbey* begs to differ, arguing it is ‘science plus’

e geologists often spend time during years of project management walking, looking down, in the mean there are still useful roles for retired SOAPBOX open air, in the real world. dinosaurs like me. Understanding what it is that we are standing on is a rare gift What to do? CALLING! Wnot available to everyone or every discipline. Professional geology and management are a Geology requires a unique and open way useful combination of abilities. Using these of thinking. skills, I’ve helped teams build facilities from Soapbox is open to contributions small to very large—tennis pavilions in Toronto from all Fellows. You can always Transition and Canterbury, and a flint-walled village hall write a letter to the Editor, of Aged 11, my interests were astronomy, science in Kent, built on time and to budget. I’ve served course, but perhaps you feel you fiction and dinosaurs. I went on to study as a magistrate and become a councillor and need more space? geology at university and spent a second-year successfully lead council for eight years. field position working with Falconbridge I will remain a geologist with wide geological If you can write it entertainingly in Nickel in northern Ontario. Following a spell and non-geological interests. Working in the 500 words, the Editor would like at the Ghana Geological Survey, I undertook geosciences creates a network of like-minded to hear from you. Email your piece, post-graduate research on gold mineralisation friends across the globe. I recently revisited and a self-portrait, to in Wales. My interests in mineral exploration friends in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We toured [email protected]. were crystallised, my career direction the geological wonderland, of Yellowstone and Copy can only be accepted was clear. the Tetons, having great conversations on topics electronically. No diagrams, tables Base-metal mineralisation experience in from astronomy to algal net development and or other illustrations please. Yorkshire, Australia, The Netherlands, the provision of free oxygen on our planet! I Canada and Guinea gradually led me from have excellent debates with my son, who is also Pictures should be of print geologist to exploration manager to other a qualified geologist working on base metals quality – please take photographs managerial roles. But, working with teams of and gold exploration. on the largest setting on your very talented geologists in the field and even Regardless of whether you end up as a camera, with a plain background. in head offices ensured that my overriding professional geologist, studying geoscience interest in geology remained. Eventually, I provides you with transferable skills, a passion Precedence will always be given to became president of a US corporation mining for learning and a broad interest in the natural more topical contributions. the largest bauxite deposit in the world, but world that lasts a lifetime. Any one contributor may not even this could not eclipse my love of geology. appear more often than once per My geological background enhanced my volume (once every 12 months). management skills, imparting a clear vision of issues, from all angles, without bias. STUDYING Retirement? GEOSCIENCE Geologists interests continue and grow. Reading the article on Earth’s Crustal PROVIDES YOU WITH Thickness (Geoscientist, August 2018) TRANSFERABLE SKILLS, reminded me once again that I remain hooked. A PASSION FOR Following my early retirement from business, I was able to give back to the LEARNING AND A community in ways that were not possible BROAD INTEREST IN THE while living on three continents, five countries ©CBS NATURAL WORLD THAT and in countless houses and tents, for 23 years. The fundamental nature of a geologist’s John Gilbey is a retired geologist; LASTS A LIFETIME brain, combined with the approaches learned e-mail: [email protected] JOHN GILBEY

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2018 | 9 IN SEARCH OF THE FORGOTTEN RARE EARTH

Image: Yerko Espinoza/shutterstock.com

candium (Sc) has been called a Several research groups are turning their China and Russia ‘miracle metal’. When alloyed attention to Sc, using new data from currently monopolise with aluminium, it produces exploration projects to identify a number super-strong but lightweight of promising sources that could be mined. the global supply S materials, just right for use in Here we discuss the behaviour of Sc and the next generation of aeroplane the distribution of these deposits of scandium. Pete manufacture and other high-tech worldwide. We argue that with improved Siegfried, Frances Wall applications. By definition, Sc is a member understanding of how Sc associates with of the 17-strong, rare earth element (REE) clinopyroxene and how it concentrates and Kathryn Moore family. Like the other REEs, Sc isn’t within weathering and waste products, actually rare in terms of distribution—it such as laterites and red muds, these examine the distributions can be found throughout Earth’s crust and newly identified deposits could create a of scandium globally has a similar abundance to lead —but virtuous circle of raw materials supply unlike lead, economic concentrations of Sc and new high-tech uses. and identify a number are very rare, making it one of the most expensive elements in the world. Indeed, Why Scandium? of promising targets concentrations of Sc are usually so low The manufacturing industry requires a that could help that Sc is often excluded from geological wider range of specialist raw materials assessments of REE—it is the forgotten than ever before, especially for digital and diversify supply rare earth. green technologies. In this context, Sc is But this may be about to change. used in solid oxide fuel cells, lasers,

10 | NOVEMBER 2018 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST CURRENT INTEREST IN Sc IS DRIVEN MAINLY BY PROJECTED USE IN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY. Al-Sc ALLOYS ARE STRONG, LIGHT AND WELDABLE

Fig 1: Sc mines and deposits compared with REE mines and deposits (courtesy of the British Geological Survey)

ceramics, neutron screens, lighting, tonnes annually, according to the United serve to strengthen China’s monopoly high-specification sports equipment and States Geological Survey. Sc exists in such of the whole rare earth market. amelioration of the glare from spotlights. low concentrations that it is difficult and In contrast, there are currently no Current interest in Sc is driven mainly expensive to extract, hampering use in known, economically viable, large-scale Sc by projected use in the aerospace industry. commercial applications. But, this is resources in the USA or western Europe, Al-Sc alloys are strong, light and weldable. something of a chicken-and-egg scenario. and many companies are dependent upon They have been used for years by NASA There is no shortage of applications for Sc, Sc single-sourced either from Russia or and the Federal Space Agency, where price so if reasonably cheap and assured China. Such lack of diversity in supply was no problem, so have been tried and supplies of Sc become available, more could lead to economic issues if the tested. Only tiny amounts of Sc are needed applications will be found and demand current supplies are jeopardized—an for alloys, which then create lighter, more will increase. increasingly likely scenario, given current fuel-efficient aircraft and cars. These are Sc is mainly produced as a limited political tensions surrounding Brexit, the not only cheaper to run, but emit less CO2, by-product of conventional uranium and US and Europe, and China, leading to a helping nations achieve long-term nickel extraction processes. The main fear of future global trade wars. A trade emission targets set by policy producers of Sc are China, Russia, dispute relating to the export of REEs makers. If a ready supply were available, Ukraine, and the Philippines (Fig. 1), and occurred in 2010, for example. Low labour Sc could revolutionise the aerospace and production in Russia and China is thought costs and more lax environmental automotive industries. to be accelerating. In particular, there are restrictions meant China could more easily Although potentially revolutionary in ongoing plans to considerably increase Sc and cheaply produce REE than other terms of its applications, global demand production from waste dumps at the nations, and they became the world’s for Sc is currently small, at around 10-15 Bayan Obo mine in China, which will dominant supplier. In 2010, the Chinese ▼

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2018 | 11 Fig 2: Plot of REE atomic number vs. cation radius. Sc3+ is not part of the ‘lanthanoid contraction’ (REE3+ cations decrease in size as atomic number increases), it is much smaller than the other REEs and closer in size to transition metals, such as Ti, Fe and Zr (included here in arbitrary positions on the x axis). Cation radii from http:// abulafia.mt.ic. ac.uk/shannon/ radius.php?

Fig 3: Maps of the oxidation state of iron, interpreted as goethite and hematite (a) and distribution of Sc (b). Maps made by Mathieu Chassé et al. (2016) using synchrotron µ-XRF and used to propose that Sc is mainly hosted by goethite in the Syerston– Flemington Ni-Co laterite deposit. (Credit: Chassé et al, 2016, Geochemical Perspectives Letters 3, 105-114; under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License) GEOSCIENTIST FEATURE

government reduced its export quotas Mineral Formula Occurrence by 40%, arguing that this was needed to protect the environment. REE prices SILICATES outside of China soared. China finally dropped the export quotas in 2015 bazzite Be3(Sc,Al)2Si6O18 granitic pegmatite, also rodbergite, Fen following a ruling from the World Trade carbonatite complex, Norway; Organisation that the restrictions violated albite, beryl and amazonite pegmatites, trade regulations. But the dispute was a Telemark, Norway; wake-up call, a reminder of the need for secured supply of essential elements, Zr-REE-F metasomatites, Altai area, Russia particularly in Europe. And several projects are currently underway. One is cascandite Ca(Sc,Fe)Si3O8(OH) cavities in alpine granites, Italy the SCALE EU project (scale-project.eu/ jervisite Na,Ca,Fe)(Sc,Mg,Fe)Si2O6 cavities in alpine granites, Italy scandium), which aims specifically to develop a stable and secure European thortveitite (Sc,Y)2Si2O7 granitic pegmatite supply chain for Sc using bauxite and titania acid wastes that can serve PHOSPHATES European aerospace and high-tech juonniite CaMgSc(PO4)2(OH)·4(H2O) carbonatite-phoscorite Kovdor, Russia industries. Sc properties kolbeckite ScPO4.2(H2O) associated with crandallite group minerals

Sc is a soft, silvery transition metal. It is pretulite ScPO4 xenotime-zircon-lazulite veins, Austrian Alps officially defined as part of the REE family together with yttrium (Y) and the Table 1: Examples of scandium minerals lanthanoids (also called lanthanides). However, the smaller size of the Sc3+ meteorites are enriched by a factor of three and these are all rare. The most common cation causes rather different geochemical compared with terrestrial rocks. On Earth, Sc mineral, thortveitite, occurs in granite behaviour to the rest of its family the highest concentrations of Sc are chiefly pegmatites (table 1). It contains the highest members, so many general rules about the associated with occurrences of high-field- weight percent Sc at 32% and has been geochemistry of REE do not apply to Sc strength elements, such as titanium, mined as a Sc ore in the past. (Fig. 2). Most reviews of REE tantalum and zirconium, especially in Sc also occurs as a minor component in geochemistry (e.g. Chakhmouradian and granite pegmatites. Indeed, granite hundreds of minerals, substituting for Wall, Elements, 2012), mention this fact pegmatites provide a small amount of the Sc titanium, zirconium, iron or tantalum. and then exclude Sc from further produced commercially each year. An ore Other important Sc-bearing minerals consideration. The United States deposit of Sc may well contain likely have names unfamiliar to most Geological Survey treats Sc separately concentrations of just a few hundred parts geologists and include scandium- from the REEs. So, Sc has been rather per million (ppm) Sc in the rock. This is columbite, davidite, tantalite, samarskite, forgotten in the REE literature. higher than a gold deposit, which may ixiolite, rutile, Ti-aeschynite, zircon, Sc rarely concentrates in any geological contain only one ppm gold, but much catapleiite and baddeleyite. Additionally, setting and the rocks with highest lower than copper or the other main REE, Sc isn’t always incorporated into a mineral concentrations of Sc are of extra-terrestrial such as neodymium (Nd). structure, and may instead be adsorbed origin! Lunar basalts and chondritic Bayan Obo in China—the world’s largest onto the surfaces of iron oxide and REE mine—is a source of Sc (Williams-Jones hydroxide minerals. and Vasyukova, Economic Geology, 2018). This seems at odds with our assertion that Sc in laterites Sc does not follow the other REE in natural Laterites are iron- and aluminium-rich environments until we learn that the Sc rocks and soils formed by a prolonged comes from pyroxene re-processed from the process of chemical weathering. At least waste tips at Bayan Obo, rather than from four Sc laterite deposits in eastern the REE ore minerals themselves. Indeed, Australia are undergoing feasibility figure 1 shows that highly anomalous Sc studies that may bring them into chemistry also appears to be associated with production as mines. The Sc was hosted some alkaline silicate rocks and with originally in clinopyroxene and then carbonatites, but REE deposits are not released and adsorbed onto iron oxides Fig 4: The phoscorite at Kovdor mine, necessarily Sc deposits. during the strong weathering process that Kola Peninsula, Russia has spectacular relationships between apatite, produced the laterite. The Nyngan magnetite, olivine and calcite-rich rocks Sc in minerals laterite deposit in New South Wales, but Sc is contained in baddeleyite, a Of the 5,000-odd species in the mineral Australia, developed by weathering of mineral rarely seen in the field

kingdom, only sixteen are Sc minerals, basic rocks. It has grades up to 409 ppm ▼

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2018 | 13 GEOSCIENTIST FEATURE

Sc and has been touted as the world’s Vast tailings dams of this material occur in to include Sc in their initial resource first stand-alone Sc deposit. many parts of the world and there has calculations. Our review of these results, The mineralogy of the weathering been recent interest in recovering REE however, supports the idea that REE-rich process has been studied in the Syerston– from this waste product. This is one of the carbonatites and alkaline rocks do not Flemington deposit of New South Wales. few environments where REE, including necessarily contain high concentrations of Sc This Co+Ni+Sc deposit contains about Sc, are concentrated together. Grades of (although some localities are worthy of 1,350 tonnes of Sc at an average about 100 ppm Sc have been found in red future attention). concentration of 434 ppm. Mathieu Chassé muds in Greece waste and so research is The best-known example of Sc enrichment recently found that deposit formation ongoing (e.g. scale-project.eu/) to in carbonatite is probably the carbonatite- requires a high initial concentration of Sc in determine if any economic recovery phoscorite deposit at Kovdor, Kola clinopyroxene. These are then weathered processes for Sc can be found. Peninsula, Russia (Fig. 4). This deposit is leading to Sc-rich waters circulating below mined for magnetite, apatite and baddeleyite the water table. Seasonal precipitation Sc in carbonatites (ZrO2). Sc substitutes for Zr in baddeleyite allows the adsorption of Sc3+ onto and alkaline rocks (Kalashnikov and colleagues, Ore Geology goethite, which accounts for about 80 % of Carbonatites (igneous carbonate rocks) and Reviews, 2016), which contains an average the Sc budget (Fig. 3). The deposit contains alkaline rocks (some of the most bizarre and of 780 ppm Sc. up to 800 ppm Sc in its limonitic laterite extreme composition igneous silicate rocks) Africa’s best Sc potential may be in the compared to about 80 ppm in its parent are the main types of deposits mined Glenover pyroxenite-carbonatite complex in rock. This exceptional concentration of Sc currently for REE, so we turned to existing South Africa, with a Sc content of 300-500 in lateritic deposits requires a combination geochemical databases to see if these rocks ppm in a supergene apatite-martite breccia of three circumstances: (1) anomalously typically contain high concentrations of Sc. (Fig. 5). The complex was mined for apatite, high Sc concentration in the parent rock, (2) According to the GeoRoc database (georoc. while the low-grade ore was stockpiled long time-scales of alteration in a stable mpch-mainz.gwdg.de/georoc) a single rather than processed. This stockpiled tectonic environment and (3) lateritic carbonatite sample from Pakkanadu, India, material is of interest for its REE—including conditions during weathering, allowing the revealed a Sc content of 237 ppm. A sample Sc—potential. The REE are hosted mainly in trapping of Sc by Fe oxides. from Bayan Obo, China had a high Sc value monazite but the Sc is hosted in zircono- of 111 ppm. silicates, aeschynite and secondary Nb- Sc in red muds The REE exploration boom of 2010 to oxides. Sc-bearing aeschynite is now also ‘Red muds’ are the waste products of 2013, and the increase of the traded price of recognised in the carbonatite and regarded, aluminium processing after bauxite ores Sc from $2,000 to $5,000/kg in 2012, together with aegirine, as an important host have been treated by the Bayer process. encouraged a number of mining companies for the primary Sc mineralisation.

Fig 5: The Glenover open pit mine, South Africa. (a) Secondary red coloured apatite-martite breccia (right) formed through The sign, atomic number and atomic weight of weathering of carbonatite veins intruding apatite pyroxenite (left). Height of profile is approximately 20 m. (b) Diamond drill chemical element Scandium. core sample of apatite-martite breccia containing angular white and cream coloured secondary apatite clasts Image credit: GrAl/shutterstock.com

14 | NOVEMBER 2018 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST GEOSCIENTIST FEATURE

Recent exploration work by Imperial show that Sc associates with niobates, Note: All three authors are researchers on Mining on the Crater Lake alkaline complex titanates, iron oxi/hydroxides and, the EU H2020-funded HiTech AlkCarb located in Quebec, Canada, outlined importantly, clinopyroxene. Focused study of project, grant number 689909. significant Sc hosted in a magnetic ferro- Sc content in clinopyroxene is therefore a Pete Siegfried is also an independent syenite. The main host to this Sc is the necessary avenue for further research, and it consultant and has carried out consulting at clinopyroxene, hedenbergite. may be worth looking again at previously the Glenover, Karingarab, Araxá Values of nearly 450 ppm Sc were investigated alkaline complexes and and Catalão localities mentioned in reported in the weathered Karingarab carbonatites. Successful, cheap and easy this article. carbonatite in Namibia (Fig. 6), suggesting extractive metallurgy needs to be developed 1,2 2 2 that weathering is a key factor in and fine-tuned to target this important Pete Siegfried , Frances Wall and Kathryn Moore concentrating Sc. Tomtor (Yakutia, Russia) is potential host. 1. GeoAfrica, P.O. Box 24218, Windhoek, Namibia 2. Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter, Penryn a huge deposit of weathered carbonatite Potential Sc deposits exist in Canada, Campus, Cornwall, TR10 9FE with exciting grades of niobium and REE, Namibia, Brazil, Australia, Uganda, Gabon, including average grades of 391 ppm Sc. and in Europe, Finland. Clearly, there are a FURTHER READING Weathered carbonatites at Araxá and number of promising deposits of Sc that Chakhmouradian, A.R. & Wall, F. (2012). Catalão (Brazil), Mt Weld (Australia), could increase and diversify supply, and Rare earth elements: minerals, mines, magnets Sukulu (Uganda), Mabounié (Gabon) and potentially reduce overreliance on China (and more), Elements (Ottawa): an international Sokli (Finland) all may be of interest for their and Russia. magazine of mineralogy, geochemistry, and Sc potential. Given the numerous applications of this petrology 8, 333-340. ‘miracle metal’, Sc exploitation seems ripe for Chassé, M., Griffin, W.L., O’Reilly, S.Y. & The future for Sc development. Research time and funds Calas, G. (2016) Scandium Speciation in a World- Class Lateritic Deposit. Geochemical Perspectives Although classed as a REE, the smaller cation should be devoted to identifying viable Sc Letters 3, 105-114. size of Sc means that it doesn’t behave in the deposits in more western nations to secure Williams-Jones, A. E. & Vasyukova, O. V. (2018) same way and its mineral hosts are not the supply, as well as to better understand how The Economic Geology of Scandium, the Runt of the same as for the other REE. So, we can’t use Sc can be more efficiently extracted from its Rare Earth Element Litter. Economic Geology 113, current understanding of REE behaviour to many different sources. There is still plenty 973-988. identify promising deposits of Sc and for geoscientists to do to improve our U.S. Geological Survey (2017) shouldn’t assume that REE-rich deposits will understanding of the geology, geochemistry Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2017, contain high concentrations of Sc. Our and mineralogy of this rather neglected p146-147, https://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/ commodity/scandium/mcs-2017-scand.pdf (accessed assessments of the concentrations of Sc in element. If successful, we could be on the January 2018). various rock types and deposits globally cusp of a Sc boom. ◆

Fig 6: Examining drill core at Karingarab, Namibia. This material may contain as much as 437 ppm Sc STRATEGISING MINERALS: SECURING SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY

Aerial image of traffic on the approach roads to the Queensferry Crossing bridge near Edinburgh Image credit: TreasureGalore/shutterstock.com

16 | NOVEMBER 2018 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST The UK economy depends on one million tonnes of minerals and mineral products every day, yet few recognise the importance of this sector. Nigel Jackson* lauds the UK Minerals Strategy for raising awareness

here is widespread ignorance monitoring and managing. Planning generally, and more worryingly authorities lack the resources to undertake within Government, of the meaningful assessments, so there are no importance and economic up-to-date estimates of future requirements, T contribution of the UK minerals risking under provision. The current industries. That is, non-energy related mineral planning system enables planning minerals and mineral products, such as applications for new mineral sites to be aggregates, concrete, asphalt, agricultural converted into production via a ‘predict- and industrial lime, potash, clays and and-provide’ approach based on local plans. sands—raw materials that are essential to Whether this is a robust and appropriate build infrastructure, fertilise our soils, and basis on which to meet demand for the sustain construction and the economy. biggest material flow in the economy going To combat this ignorance, the UK forward is an open question. Minerals Strategy (UKMS) has just been Based on recent consumption, the launched. This industry-led response is industry estimates that more than five billion designed to raise awareness of the minerals tonnes of minerals and mineral products industry, its contribution to the economy will be needed over the next 25 years. and our way of life, among central and Current replenishment rates, particularly local Government, key stakeholders and for aggregates that represent over 80% of the general public. The strategy also aims our mineral needs, have been languishing to bring the industry together, to shape a at around or below 60% for over 10 years. common approach and ensure sustainable Given that it can take anything from 10 supplies for the next 25 years. to 15 years to move from exploration to production, alarm bells should be ringing. A mining nation The entire UK economy relies on minerals Strategic vision (Fig. 1). They are critical to develop and Support for the minerals industry should maintain our built environment and sustain be a national priority and policy imperative. our quality of life. Most people do not think Yet, there is no overarching Government about where the materials for construction strategy. Instead, individual planning and manufacturing come from and many documents exist for England (the National assume that, with the decline of coal, we Planning Policy Framework, NPPF), as well are no longer a mining nation. Not so. The as for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. UK has diverse geology—on land and There is an emerging Industrial Strategy offshore—meaning that the vast majority that aims to boost productivity and create of the demand can be met from indigenous jobs through investment. And this strategy sources. We remain very active, with over will link with the Construction Sector Deal 2,000 extraction, processing and production which aims to cleanly and efficiently build sites onshore and offshore using ports, smarter, safer homes and buildings, through wharves, rivers, canals and the rail network a strategic partnership between Government (Figs. 2 and 3). Activity spans construction and the industry. and industrial minerals, with recent tungsten The UKMS was developed in anticipation and planned polyhalite operations in Devon of this emerging Industrial Strategy, to and Cleveland, respectively, and active champion the minerals industry, the interest in tin, gold and lithium all testifying essentiality of its products and the need to to the potential that remains. But mineral ensure a steady and adequate supply of

supply cannot be assumed: it needs planning, minerals to meet societal demand. ▼

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2018 | 17 The development of this industry-led if it was to survive and prosper, and to ensure But knowing there is a problem was the strategy has been a unique process that has the economy received sustainable supplies easy part. Developing a solution is what taken around 25 years. of the minerals it needs, at the right level and has taken the time. The industry needed the right rate. to organise itself, engage with others using The trigger The committee published ‘Living with evidence-based dialogue, debate key issues, In 1993, a number of trade associations, Minerals’ as a first attempt to set out the put its ideas together, consult and conclude. geologists, mineral planners, consultants scale, importance and nature of the industry, and lawyers formed the then CBI Mineral and to make the link between minerals and The response Committee. Frustrations with the planning their end use. The document includes a cut The CBI Minerals Group brought together and permitting system were raw. The away of the minerals and mineral products 99.9% of the industry, in concert with committee concluded that enough was used in a typical home, which is emblematic the Mineral Products Association which, enough; the industry must get its act together of the case being made. representing over 90% of the UK mineral products industry, has the resources to help Estimated turnover deliver solutions. of UK non-energy To engage with key stakeholders, the UK Minerals Forum (UKMF) was formed minerals and coal in 2007. Although funded by the industry, (2013) the forum is independently chaired and brings together the planners, NGOs, and representatives from Government and its agencies across the UK to debate important and controversial issues. The forum produced consensus reports and helped build trust between industry and its stakeholders. In parallel, six ‘Living with Minerals’ Fig 1: (Source: ONS, ABS, MPA; reproduced from the UKMS, CBI 2016, conferences held since 2004 have identified © Crown Copyright) key issues necessary to shape a credible strategy. Together, these forums and ECONOMIC Demand & Importance Supply & Distribution Trade & Investment conferences led to the publication of three

important documents between 2014 and Government should The Industry will submit Government should ensure 2016: 1) the House of Commons Select provide clear national sufficient planning or there is a supportive policy and a statement of marine licence regulatory, operating and Committee Investigation into the Extractive need for minerals and applications. Mineral trading environment to Industries Sector (Nov 2014), which endorsed mineral products to planning authorities and encourage investment, the development of a strategy; 2) the UK underpin local plan- marine regulators should trade and export of UK making, policy and ensure that sufficient sites minerals and mineral Minerals Forum report ‘The Future of our decisions to enable a are allocated in plans and products, and reduce risks Minerals’ (Nov 2014), which examined steady and adequate consents or marine licences from insecurity of supply of minerals and granted, to maintain a international supply. recent and future trends in production, mineral products to be steady and adequate and recommended developing a long-term maintained. supply of minerals and vision for UK mineral supply; and 3) the CBI mineral products to meet demand, while also Minerals Group report ‘The UK Minerals ensuring that reuse and Extraction Industry’ (Feb 2016), which recycling is maximised. quantified the economic contribution of ENVIRONMENTAL Planning & Regulation Environmental Benefits Environmental Impacts the industry. Government should ensure The Industry will aim to The Industry will continue These outputs motivated the industry to that the mineral planning deliver environmental net to avoid and mitigate the system is properly gains through responsible impacts of extraction, keep moving forward and convert years of resourced to operate site management and processing, manufacturing preparation into a UK Minerals Strategy. effectively and that high-quality restoration, and transportation as part duplication with other adding to the wildlife, of the transition to a low regulation, particularly recreational and landscape carbon and circular The Strategy environmental permitting, assets already created. economy. The first ever UK Minerals Strategy is minimised. SOCIAL Education, Skills & Public Understanding & Research & Innovation launched this summer (Fig. 4). The Employment Engagement overarching aim is to ensure that UK demand for minerals and mineral products The Industry will continue The Industry and The Industry will encourage to provide attractive Government should work and invest in innovation, is supplied sustainably for the next 25 years, career opportunities and with stakeholders to research and by identifying and permitting at least five meet skills needs for a improve public development, including the billion tonnes of minerals to be sourced modern, healthy, safe, understanding of the need identification of new well-educated and diverse for minerals and mineral resources and the primarily from indigenous sources. workforce and encourage products and their development of new The strategy is multi-layered, from the people to choose to work associated supply chains, markets. in the industry. and strengthen the political to the operational. It aims to raise evidence base and awareness and make the link between our availability of relevant data. mineral resources and their end use, thus

Tabel 1: The key building blocks of the UKMS selling the importance of this industry to

18 | NOVEMBER 2018 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST the next generation. The document serves as a reference and reminder for the industry, Government and planners of the crucial need for these minerals, encouraging them to view planning applications favourably, invest in research, development and exploration to find new indigenous resources, invest in skills to create a new generation of specialists to work in the industry, and, importantly, to do all this safely and sustainably. The UKMS is constructed around three building blocks of sustainable development (table 1): economic, environment and social. In turn, these are divided into nine blocks, creating the opportunity to build bespoke communities of interest, to ensure manageability and affordability. Fig 3: Mineral transport on the River Thames. Work on the three building blocks will Extraction processing sites onshore and offshore use start soon. Mineral extraction is a long-term ports, wharves, rivers, canals and the rail network across the UK. (Credit: CBI Minerals Group and MPA) business, where lead-in times for planning and permitting to production can typically take up to 10 to 15 years. Thus, to meet demand in 25 years’ time, the nine key blocks need to be completed in around three years. The project is ambitious, but, significantly, already has support from the industry’s sponsoring Government Minister, Richard Harrington MP. The aim of linking the UKMS to Government’s own ambitions for the industry and the economy has been recognised, which is both satisfying and welcomed. The strategy is also attracting support from non-industrial organisations with a legitimate interest in the industry. UKMS should be viewed as this generation handing the baton to the next, to ensure that this great industry continues to Fig 4: A panel of industry specialists discusses thrive for the good of the economy and our the launch of the UK Minerals Strategy at the quality of life. ◆ recent ‘Living with Minerals 6’ conference

Nigel Jackson BSc (Hons) CGeol CSci FGS, Chief Executive of the Mineral Products Association & Chairman of CBI Minerals Group; E: Fig 2: Crushed rock (a) and sand and gravel (b) inter-regional flows, 2014 (Source: Collation of the results of the Nigel.Jackson@ 2014 Aggregate Minerals Survey for England and Wales. reproduced from the UKMS, CBI 2016, © Crown Copyright) mineralproducts.org

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2018 | 19 New Publications to add to your bookshelf

History of the European Oil and Gas Industry Petroleum Geology of the Black Sea Edited by J. Craig, F. Gerali , F. MacAulauy and R. Sorkhabi Edited by: M. D. Simmons, G. C. Tari and A. I. Okay List price: £ 125, Fellow’s price: £ 62.50 List price: £ 120, Fellow’s price: £ 60 The history of the European oil and gas industry refl ects local as well as global political events, economic constraints The Black Sea remains one of the largest underexplored rift basins in the world. Future success is dependent on a better and the personal endeavours of individual petroleum geoscientists as much as it does the development of technologies understanding of a number of geological uncertainties. These include reservoir and source rock presence and quality, and the and the underlying geology of the region. The fi rst commercial oil wells in Europe were drilled in Poland in 1853, timing of migration of hydrocarbons relative to trap formation. An appreciation of the geological history of the Black Sea basins Romania in 1857, Germany in 1859 and Italy in 1860. The 23 papers in this volume focus on the history and heritage of and the surrounding orogens is therefore key. The timing of basin formation, uplift of the margins, and of facies distribution re- the oil and gas industry in the key European oil-producing countries from the earliest onshore drilling to its development main issues for robust debate. This Special Publication presents the results of 15 studies that relate to the tectono-stratigraphy into the modern industry that we know today. The contributors chronicle the main events and some of the major players and petroleum geology of the Black Sea. The methodologies of these studies encompass crustal structure, geodynamic evolu- that shaped the industry in Europe. The volume also marks several important anniversaries, including 150 years of tion, stratigraphy and its regional correlation, petroleum systems, source to sink, hydrocarbon habitat and play concepts, and oil exploration in Poland and Romania, the centenary of the drilling of the fi rst oil well in the UK and 50 years of oil reviews of past exploration. They provide insight into the many ongoing controversies concerning Black Sea regional geology production from onshore Spain. and provide a better understanding of the geological risks that must be considered for future hydrocarbon exploration. Find out more or buy online at www.geolsoc.org.uk/sp465 Find out more or buy online at www.geolsoc.org.uk/sp464

Mesozoic Resource Potential in the Southern Permian Basin Characterization of Ore-Forming Systems from Geological, Geochemical and Geophysical Edited by: B. Kilhams, P. A. Kukla, S. Mazur, T. McKie, H. F. Mijnlieff and K. van Ojik Studies Edited by K. Gessner, T.G. Blenkinsop and P. Sorjonen-Ward List price: £ 130, Fellow’s price: £ 65 List price: £ 120, Fellow’s price: £ 60 The Southern Permian Basin, as its name suggests, is a historical heartland for hydrocarbon production from the Palaeozoic Rotliegend interval. However, in this mature basin the Mesozoic presents further possibilities to offer Economically viable concentrations of mineral resources are uncommon in Earth’s crust. Most ore deposits that were mined resource security to NW Europe. Such opportunities include increasing effi ciency in the production of discovered in the past or are currently being extracted were found at or near Earth’s surface, often serendipitously. To meet the future hydrocarbons, exploration for further hydrocarbons (both conventional and unconventional) and effi cient exploration for, demand for mineral resources, exploration success hinges on identifying targets at depth. Achieving this requires accurate and and production of, geothermal energy. All these potential resources require a grounding in technically sound geoscience, informed models of the Earth’s crust that are consistent with all available geological, geochemical and geophysical informa- AD SPACE tion, paired with an understanding of how ore-forming systems relate to Earth’s evolving structure. Contributions to this volume via traditional scientifi c observation and the application of new technologies, to unlock their value. address the future resources challenge by (i) applying advanced microscale geochemical detection and characterization methods, (ii) introducing more rigorous 3D Earth models, (iii) exploring critical behaviour and coupled processes, (iv) evaluating the Find out more or buy online at www.geolsoc.org.uk/sp469 role of geodynamic and tectonic setting and (v) applying 3D structural models to characterize specifi c ore-forming systems. Find out more or buy online at www.geolsoc.org.uk/sp453

The Himalayan Cryosphere: Past and Present Geology and Geomorphology of Alluvial and Fluvial Fans: Terrestrial and Planetary Perspectives Edited by: N. C. Pant, R. Ravindra, D. Srivastava and L. G. Thompson Edited by D. Ventra and L.E. Clarke List price: £ 90, Fellow’s price: £ 45 List price: £ 100, Fellow’s price: £ 50 The Himalaya mountains contain not only one of the largest concentrations of ice outside the polar regions, but Alluvial and fl uvial fans are the most widespread depositional landform bordering the margins of highland regions and actively contribute to the hydrological requirements of large populations spread over seven nations. The exceptionally high subsiding continental basins, across a broad spectrum of tectonic and climatic settings. They are signifi cant to the local elevations of this low-latitude cryosphere presents a natural laboratory and archives to study climate–tectonics morphodynamics of mountain regions and also to the evolution of sediment-routing systems, affecting the propagation and interactions as well as regional v. global climate infl uences. The existing base-level data on the Himalayan cryosphere preservation of stratigraphic signals of environmental change over vast areas. are highly variable. Several climate fl uctuations occurred during the late Quaternary (MIS1–MIS5, especially the last c. 100 ka), which led to the evolution of the Himalayan landscape. Detailed studies of these archives, along with those The volume presents case studies discussing the geology and geomorphology of alluvial and fl uvial fans from both active of the present cryosphere and related hydrosphere, are essential for understanding the controls on present and future systems and ancient ones preserved in the stratigraphic record. It brings together case studies from a range of continents, climatic and tectonic settings, some introducing innovative monitoring and analysis techniques, and it provides an overview of hydrology of the glacial-fed mountain rivers. current debates in the fi eld. Find out more or buy online at www.geolsoc.org.uk/sp462 Find out more or buy online at www.geolsoc.org.uk/sp440 FELLOWS RECEIVE UP TO Browse the online bookshop for more titles from the Geological Society and 50% other earth science publishers, visit www.geolsoc.org.uk/bookshop DISCOUNT ON HARD COPY SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS AND MEMOIRS Background Image © Thomas Wild Hopeman NE Scotland New Publications to add to your bookshelf

Mesozoic Resource Potential in the Southern Permian Basin Characterization of Ore-Forming Systems from Geological, Geochemical and Geophysical Edited by: B. Kilhams, P. A. Kukla, S. Mazur, T. McKie, H. F. Mijnlieff and K. van Ojik Studies Edited by K. Gessner, T.G. Blenkinsop and P. Sorjonen-Ward List price: £ 130, Fellow’s price: £ 65 List price: £ 120, Fellow’s price: £ 60 The Southern Permian Basin, as its name suggests, is a historical heartland for hydrocarbon production from the Palaeozoic Rotliegend interval. However, in this mature basin the Mesozoic presents further possibilities to offer Economically viable concentrations of mineral resources are uncommon in Earth’s crust. Most ore deposits that were mined resource security to NW Europe. Such opportunities include increasing effi ciency in the production of discovered in the past or are currently being extracted were found at or near Earth’s surface, often serendipitously. To meet the future hydrocarbons, exploration for further hydrocarbons (both conventional and unconventional) and effi cient exploration for, demand for mineral resources, exploration success hinges on identifying targets at depth. Achieving this requires accurate and and production of, geothermal energy. All these potential resources require a grounding in technically sound geoscience, informed models of the Earth’s crust that are consistent with all available geological, geochemical and geophysical information, paired withAD an understanding ofSPACE how ore-forming systems relate to Earth’s evolving structure. Contributions to this volume via traditional scientifi c observation and the application of new technologies, to unlock their value. address the future resources challenge by (i) applying advanced microscale geochemical detection and characterization methods, (ii) introducing more rigorous 3D Earth models, (iii) exploring critical behaviour and coupled processes, (iv) evaluating the Find out more or buy online at www.geolsoc.org.uk/sp469 role of geodynamic and tectonic setting and (v) applying 3D structural models to characterize specifi c ore-forming systems. Find out more or buy online at www.geolsoc.org.uk/sp453

Burning Planet: will want to return to it to confirm items data, allowing direct comparison with the and learn more. I have one suggestion for interpretation shown immediately below. The Story of Fire the author. Now that this excellent book is In some cases, the structures are less clear. Through Time “out of the way”, please write a substantial However, such examples can be considered two-volume tract containing a lot more a useful inclusion within a collection of This is an excellent technical detail. Perhaps that should be a analogues; as the geophysicist does not and interesting book. demand, not a suggestion. always have the benefit of the highest- Aimed at lay readers, it quality data. hits the target spot-on Reviewed by: Jeremy Joseph The main limitation of the atlas is the while including some lack of metadata surrounding the seismic fascinating scientific BURNING PLANET: THE STORY examples shown. For example, seismic OF FIRE THROUGH TIME insights. The history by Andrew C. Scott, 2018. Published by: Oxford University source volume, and thereby frequency, of fire is written in Press, Oxford, UK. ISBN: 978-0-19-873484-0. 231 pp. hbk. is not generally stated; nor are any other the geological record in charcoal. That fire List Price: £20.00. www.oup.com acquisition or processing parameters. figures so much in the record, and that Considering the first chapter of the book its residues provide such extensive and discusses issues concerning seismic data useful information, has little recognition Atlas of Structural resolution, this represents an opportunity within the geological profession, let alone missed: one of the challenges of seismic elsewhere. Scott’s book will help fill Geological Interpretation interpretation is the correct identification of that blank. from Seismic Images geological structures via seismic systems A useful introduction clarifies many employing different source and acquisition basic issues. The author then discusses why Geological parameters. charcoal is so important to the story—how interpretation from This last point notwithstanding, the atlas it formed, and what the various types and seismic data can be provides a good number of interpreted forms show. One thinks of charcoal as a difficult task, due sections and should prove a useful source wood residue, but that is by no means the to a range of issues of data examples for reflection seismic whole truth. Any and every part of a plant relating to data interpretation. can be preserved beautifully in charcoal. (quality, resolution and There are astonishing pictures of pollen density) and geology Reviewed by: Matthew Owen grains, parts of leaves, individual wood (ambiguity and complexity). As such, cells, minute flowers and even parts of this recently published atlas is a welcome ATLAS OF STRUCTURAL GEOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION FROM SEISMIC IMAGES insects. The pictures are very good, the addition to a reference collection. edited by A.A. Misra and S. Mukherjee, 2018. Published by: explanations add even more to them—Scott Divided in five sections, the book first Wiley Blackwell 267 pp. hbk. ISBN: 9781119158325 is a good communicator. introduces the reflection seismic method List Price: £100.00 W: www.wiley-blackwell.com The figures give rise to one minor gripe. before providing a raft of data examples The plates—colour (14) and monochrome from a range of geological settings. These (11)—are well produced and provide examples, terrestrial and marine, are Subsurface Fluid Flow and important information. The 61 monochrome sourced globally, though dominantly from Imaging: With Applications figures also clarify and enhance what is India and Europe. They show a combination said, but are printed with the text on a of density plot and wiggle-trace data, with for Hydrology, Reservoir matt surface. The graphs and time-lines a strong emphasis on deep-penetration Engineering, and amongst them are fine, even if some might hydrocarbon-exploration-type data. Higher- be clearer in colour. As charcoal tends to be resolution, shallow-penetration systems are Geophysics black, however, pictures of burnt forests and not generally considered. heaths, and both recent and fossil plants, The introductory chapters provide a solid Some readers may can be hard to see clearly on the matt finish. overview of the reflection seismic method, scratch their heads Fire, natural or otherwise, needs both including discussion of processing and data when they see the title kindling and enough atmospheric oxygen resolution. Interpretation case studies are of this text. After all, (about 15%) to take hold. Evidence of fire presented in the main body of the volume. it is not common to is first found in Devonian strata, around These generally take the form of a page see subsurface flow as 400 million years ago. When humans first of summary text followed by two to four an imaging problem. “used” it is not known. One of the issues figures, which include an interpreted and However, there were addressed in this context is that, nowadays, un-interpreted seismic section. However, in fact significant developments in the it is almost always seen as a threat. In there is some variation in the structure of past couple of decades to turn the problem fact, some ecosystems depend on fire for these case studies and formatting of figures of subsurface flow characterisation into their continuance and this, too, needs to be can be inconsistent with, for example, an imaging problem, like in geophysical recognised. variation in the notation of horizontal tomography—the idea being that This book is recommended for all. It and vertical scale. In the best examples, observations from different excitations should be bought not just read, as readers structures are well imaged by high-quality are used to reconstruct the distribution of

22 | NOVEMBER 2018 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST Would you like to receive a free book and write a review? Available titles are listed online. Contact the editor for further information [email protected] subsurface properties. Vasco and Datta- Mountains, Climate continuous mountain chains act as corridors Gupta are among the pioneers in this field. for migration for high-altitude species, This text uniquely presents a unifying and Biodiversity while also being barriers for low-altitude theory to tackle a wide range of subsurface ones. A trio of maps contrast present- imaging problems using trajectory- Mountains and day ruggedness, vascular plant species based techniques. By doing so, the same volcanoes have long per 10,000 km2, and terrestrial mammals, framework can be applied to wave-like received attention and make the links visually clear. Five hyperbolic problems, diffusive parabolic from geoscientists, major global centres for vascular plant problems, and a mixture of the two. Both the being such impressive diversity are identified, all in or adjacent to mathematical formulation and asymptotic geological features. mountainous regions (Andes, Rockies, East solutions of the imaging equations are Alexander von African Rift System, the European Alps and presented, highlighting the efficiency and Humboldt (1769- Yunnan, SW China). adequacy to describe spatially varying 1859), following travels in Latin America, Ten chapters provide case studies properties of these techniques. A key feature noted that there is a global relationship worldwide. Each makes interesting of trajectory-based modelling is that it between biota and elevation in addition reading. I was particularly intrigued to separates the spatial heterogeneity from to that between biota and latitude. Even read, for example, that the isolated ice-free the transport computations themselves. By so, the climatic effects of orogenisis, and coastal areas and nunataks (ice bound transforming coordinates to one where the how mountains and (palaeo)climates “mountain islands”) in Antarctica have time of flight is an independent variable together influence extinction, speciation rich, geologically ancient moss and lichen along a trajectory, the 4-D problem can (the evolutionary origin of species) and communities occupied by tardigrades and be solved in 2-D, where time and time of species’ migrations, remain topics of debate. mites nowadays able to withstand prolonged flight are the coordinates. Examples of the Prior to this publication, no single volume desiccation and freezing. This welcome problems considered include transient had addressed the complexities of these volume deserves to be widely read. pressure tomography, tracer response interactions. The 31 chapters presented here and transport tomography, multi-phase address our current knowledge of these Reviewed by: Brent Wilson fluid flow and production tomography, topics more or less comprehensively. geophysical time-lapse imaging, and Mountains are landforms that rise MOUNTAINS, CLIMATE AND BIODIVERSITY by Carina Hoorn, Allison Perrigo, Alexandre Antonelli (eds), imaging using deformation and strain. prominently above their surroundings, have 2018. Published by: Wiley-Blackwell, 544 p. hbk. ISBN: 978- As mentioned in its preface, this text is relatively confined summit areas (sometimes 1-119-15987-2. List Price: £70.00. intended for imaging research practitioners. forming biotically isolated “sky islands”) W: www.wiley.com It is quite mathematically evolved because and considerable relief (ruggedness). it aims to bridge the gap between imaging Early chapters review our knowledge of theories and subsurface applications. It is no mountain formation through tectonic plate BOOKS FOR REVIEW easy introduction to geoscientists new to this collisions and dynamic topography (uplift topic, but I am sure those curious enough by mantle convection). Means of measuring Please contact [email protected] if you among us will read this text with great palaeotopography are outlined, such as would like to supply a review. You will be invited to keep the review copy. See a full up-to-date list at interest. The free software accompanying exploiting altitudinal changes in oxygen www.geolsoc.org.uk/reviews the book allows intuitive understanding of and hydrogen/deuterium isotopic ratios the concepts discussed, without worrying of rainfall and deposits. Also described is ◆ too much about the maths. For the academic the field of phytopalaeoaltimetry—using NEW! Minerals of the English Midlands, by Roy E. Starkey, British Mineralogy Publications researchers and industry practitioners plant fossils and leaf shapes (the Climate 2018, 426 pp. pbk. working on subsurface characterization, this Leaf Analysis Multivariate Programme— ◆ NEW! Characterization of Ore-Forming Systems serves as an important and helpful reference. CLAMP) as proxies for altitude. A from Geological, Geochemical and Geophysical It should help us to appreciate the elegance regrettably brief chapter discusses Studies, by K Gessner, TG Blenkinsop & P Sorjonen- of trajectory-based modelling and promote measuring biodiversity, but most chapters Ward (Eds), GSL SP 453, 2018, 424 pp. hbk. future applications. The book’s presentation is present primarily species richness as a ◆ NEW! History of the European Oil and Gas clear, systematic, innovative, and complete. It measure. Industry by J Craig, F Gerali, F MacAulay & R Sorkhabi (Eds), GSL SP 465, 2018, 472 pp. hbk could benefit from having a summary chapter How can there be a relationship between at the end of the book and not limiting its dynamics and species richness, given ◆ NEW! Mesozoic Resource Potential in the Southern Permian Basin by B Kilhams, PA Kukla, S colour figures at the centre of the book. that mountain building and evolution are Mazur, T McKie, HF Mijnlieff & K van Ojik (Eds), GSL processes acting at markedly different SP 469, 2018, 572 pp. hbk Reviewed by: Michael Tso rates? We are informed that stable mountain ◆ NEW! Petroleum Geology of the Black Sea areas (e.g., in Australia) host diverse, by MD Simmons, GC Tari & AI Okay (Eds), GSL SP 464, 2018, 484 pp. hbk SUBSURFACE FLUID FLOW AND IMAGING: mature radiations, while rapid radiations WITH APPLICATIONS FOR HYDROLOGY, are occurring in tectonically active areas ◆ NEW! Geology and Geomorphology of Alluvial and Fluvial Fans: Terrestrial and Planetary RESERVOIR ENGINEERING, AND GEOPHYSICS (e.g., New Zealand). Mountains with much by Donald Wyman Vasco and Akhil Datta-Gupta, 2016. Perspectives by D Ventra & LE (Eds), GSL SP 440, Published by: Cambridge University Press (HBK) ISBN: ruggedness have greater richness than do 2018, 353 pp. hbk. 9780521516334. List Price: £89.99. those with little topographic complexity, W: http://www.cambridge.org/ especially in the tropics. Meanwhile,

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2018 | 23 MEETING REPORTS That sinking feeling?

Hannah Gow reports on the use Portsmouth) and led by staff from the implications, as well as impacts on the of improved conceptual models of British Geological Survey and Technical region’s hydrogeology. We saw how the subsurface geology to aid planning Solutions in Partnership (TSP) Projects, depositional environments and glacial and hazard mitigation in a region over 40 delegates with backgrounds history, including ‘glaciotectonism’, affect renowned for complex engineering ranging from engineering geology to materials and their potential applications. geology and sinkholes consultants to students attended to learn Our excursion led us to the University about the geological history of the Vale of of York campus where we were able to Ripon, a small and pleasant cathedral York and sinkholes in Ripon. bring our geological history tour into the city in North Yorkshire, made headlines in The Friday evening kicked off with talks Anthropocene, discussing the role of recent years when sinkholes opened up in by Holger Kessler, Callum Irving, Vanessa human landscape modification on the 2014, 2016 and as recently as this August. Banks and myself. We gave an overview region’s Quaternary geology. During the 1980s and 1990s, sinkholes of the Quaternary history, mapping and As is typical for a field visit, it rained for appeared in the area every two to three modelling of the areas we would visit over most of the day and we came away a few years. The geological sequence of marls, the next two days. The talks went on late inches taller due to clay from Wilberfoss limestone and gypsum, combined with the into the evening, but we were raring to go Quarry that stuck to the bottom of our topographic groundwater flow, makes Ripon again on Saturday morning, starting the wellingtons! highly susceptible to dissolution features day with site visits to the Escrick Moraine. On Sunday, Tony Cooper led us to such as sinkholes. On September 7-9, the Jon Ford, Holger Kessler and Callum various sites around Ripon to look at Engineering Group of the Geological Society Irving, provided an in-depth narrative of sinkholes. One had opened up only in the met for their Annual Field Meeting to discuss the geological history and engineering last five months. At first glance, it could the geological hazards and engineering properties of the ground in the area. The be mistaken for a lovely village pond, were implications of the dissolution features there. shallow geology and landscape of the it not for the bright orange fencing and We also discussed the Quaternary Geology Vale of York between Selby and York the fact that similar-looking holes appear of the Vale of York, which is characterised records a legacy of dynamic Quaternary quite often in Ripon! The sinkholes form by glacial moraines and lake sediments, till evolution. The group retraced this because Ripon is underlain by gypsum and gravel left over from the last ice age. geological history, visiting key localities that rapidly dissolves in water on a human The aim was to explore conceptual ground that reveal the diverse and often complex timescale of years to decades. This models for these regions and to share our nature of the superficial deposits. Our dissolution causes cavities to open and knowledge and experience with engineering discussions focussed on relationships the ground above to collapse—a process geologists across academia and industry. between geological processes and the that can be triggered by natural dissolution Organised by David Giles (University of ground properties, their engineering or human intervention, such as a burst water pipe. Dave Morgan demonstrated to the group a range of geophysical survey techniques that can be used to better understand the geometry and processes occurring within a sinkhole. With improved understanding of sinkholes, we can create more detailed ground models and interpretations of sinkhole formation to aid hazard mitigation in the city. This part of northern England has truly intriguing geology. It is easy to see why some believe the Ripon sinkholes were the inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland falling down a deep hole following the white rabbit.

Hannah Gow is a Spatial Data Specialist and Geoscientist at the British Geological Survey; Hannah Gow (BGS) e-mail: [email protected]

24 | NOVEMBER 2018 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST GEOSCIENTIST CALENDAR

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Training. ‘Lapworth’s Logs’ is a series of e-courses involving practical exercises of increasing complexity. Contact: Michael de Freitas or Lapworth’s Logs n/a Andrew Thompson (First Steps Ltd) E: [email protected] (mention Lapworth’s Logs as the subject)

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Venue: Burlington House Contact: Georgina Worrall Marine Minerals: A New Resource for the 31 Oct-1 Nov E: [email protected] 21st Century W: www.geolsoc.org.uk/marineminerals18

Venue: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA GSA 2018 Annual Meeting 4-7 Nov W: https://community.geosociety.org/gsa2018/home

Venue: Burlington House Contact: Sarah Woodcock Operations Geoscience Adding Value 7-8 Nov E: [email protected] W: www.geolsoc.org.uk/PG-Ops-Geo18

Venue: Park Plaza Hotel, Leeds Contact: Rebecca Nolan Brownfield Redevelopment: North 2018 7 Nov E: [email protected] W: www.geolsoc.org.uk/EnviroAnalyst-Brownfield-Redevelopment-2018

Venue: Athens, Greece Contact: Sarah Wilson Petroleum Engineering Conference 12 Nov E: [email protected] W: https://petroleumengineering.euroscicon.com/

Venue: University of Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile XV Chilean Geological Congress 18 Nov Contact: Andres Tassara E: [email protected] Geoscience toward the community W: http://congresogeologicochileno.cl/en/home/

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2018 | 25 PEOPLE NEWS

DISTANT THUNDER Rock star

Geologist and science writer Concrete Evidence Italian Campaign. After WWII he became Nina Morgan celebrates a Along with his work on water supply, Geological Adviser to the War Office and geologist who went to war King also drew on his geological training saw the creation of an emergency reserve to identify the source of aggregate of geological officers. When Sir Aubrey Strahan [1852-1928] present in the concrete used by the King was mentioned twice in dispatches became Director of the Geological Germans to build their pill boxes. This during the First World War, and later Survey of Great Britain in January 1914 work provided the key evidence to received awards for his war work, he faced a baptism of fire. Eight months demonstrate that Dutch neutrality was including an OBE for geological services after he took office, Britain entered the being compromised. in the First World War. Twenty-two years First World War and Strahan Writing to P.A. Sabine in later he was awarded a Military Cross faced a catastrophic loss 1961, King explained for bravery during the Second World of personnel. By the that: “The point, of War, for volunteering to drive the leading end of 1915, 68 staff course, was that lorry of a convoy of high explosives back members—more the Germans were from Boulogne to Bailleul and Cassel, than a third of the sending gravel an area he knew intimately from the First workforce of the from the Rhine World War. After WWII he first returned Geological Survey thro’ neutral Dutch to the Geological Survey, and then went and Museum—had waterways and we on to have a distinguished academic joined up. claimed that it was career, working first at Cambridge, Survey geologist, being used for war then at University College London, and William Bernard purposes and the Germans finally returning to Cambridge in 1943 as Robinson (W.B.R.) King said that they would never do such Woodwardian Professor of Geology. [1889-1963] was one of those who a wicked thing and it was used for Geologists admire him particularly was quick to volunteer for active peaceful purposes only.” for his contributions to Palaeozoic service. He was given a commission But after Canadian troops obtained palaeontology and stratigraphy. But in the as a second lieutenant in the Seventh a sample of the concrete used in a public imagination it is surely his war time Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers German emplacement that contained work that made him famous. He on 21 September 1914 and in April granite, King’s suspicions were aroused was the only geologist to serve in both 1915 was appointed to the War Office. and he persuaded his General to order World Wars. In June 1915, he was transferred to personnel at the 5th Army HQ to collect France to serve as Geological Advisor samples. As King recalled: End notes: Sources for this vignette to the Chief Engineer of the British “...I arrived at 5th Army HQ to find much include: Sabine, P.A., 1961, Geologists at Expeditionary Forces with regards to wrath at all the Intelligence staff having war: a forensic investigation in the field of water supply. to waste a day getting bits of concrete war-time diplomacy, Proc. Geol. Assoc, 102, for a very youthful Captain from GHQ 139-141; D.G. Bate & A.L. Morrison, 2018, Call the Geologist to examine. But by luck, [from] the first Proc Geol. Assoc. 128, 3-11; Peter Doyle, The idea of turning to a trained sandbag when opened, out fell a lump 2014, Geology and the war on the Western geologist to advise on geological of concrete with a piece of Niedermendig Front, 1914-1918, Geology Today 30 (5), problems in a war zone was a new one. lava.” 183-191; Nature 152, 531 (06 November King—nicknamed ‘Rocks’ by the Royal King’s instant identification of a rock 1943), http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/152531b0; Engineers—was the first geologist in from the Niedermendig–Andernach–Eifel and an article about King by Benedicte either the Allied or the German armies region of the Rhineland, provided proof Windle of the NE Yorkshire Geology Trust, to receive a military assignment for positive that the Germans were using available for download from http://www. work in his own profession. Until May Dutch canals to transport war materials neyorksgeologytrust.com/pages/ww1/ 1916, when he was joined by Major to the front line. willking.html; Keep calm and carry on, T.W. Edgeworth David, Professor of Geoscientist, November 2013. Geology at the University of Sydney, War hero Australia, King was the only geologist King went on to serve in the Second World * Nina Morgan is a geologist and science writer actively working in the battlefield. His War as the senior of three geologists who based near Oxford. Her latest book, The Geology work demonstrated clearly the value of provided expertise to the British Army in of Oxford Gravestones, is available via geology in the war effort. North West Europe, North Africa and the www.gravestonegeology.uk

26 | NOVEMBER 2018 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST GEOSCIENTIST PEOPLE NEWS

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

The meeting that wasn’t

In May 2018, the Geological Society and an electrical power outage throughout of Japan turned 125. Hugh Torrens Hokkaido, causing a blackout that shut reports on his eventful and rather down all public transport. 41 people are dramatic recent trip to Hokkaido to confirmed dead and over 600 were injured. celebrate this milestone The decision had to be taken to cancel the 125th anniversary conference. The Society notes with To mark the 125th anniversary of the But we should congratulate the GSJ for sadness the passing of: Geological Society of Japan (GSJ), an organising such an important topic for Barnes, Simon James * anniversary conference and international discussion and for their resilience in the face Booth, Tony * symposium on “Geology and Society” of such island-arc-related activities, with Bowen, Geoffrey Gordon * was organised at Hokkaido University, which they have so often to contend. We Carmichael, David* Casey, Raymond * over 5-7th September 2018. I attended, should also thank the Japanese engineers Fletcher, Brian * with my wife, to represent the Geological for designing hotels in which we felt Gladwell, David Robert * Societies of London and Hungary, ‘as safe as houses’, despite being on the Ince, David Martyn * Kenna, Raymond * present the GSJ with our Bicentennial sixth floor (of many more), and for the Lambert, John F * History, give a lecture on how geology safe routes our beds took to dissipate this Llewellyn, Peter L and society should better co-operate in earthquake’s energies laterally. Lynch, Edward * Matheson, William * future, and read addresses from both At a later Quaker meeting in Tokyo, Milward, Anthony Frederick * Presidents. we met a Bristol engineer who discussed Morgans, Michael William *§ But, sadly, disasters struck. In the days how the Japanese might now farm more OKADA, Hakuyu * leading up to the conference, powerful wind-born energy at sea. He explained Pegg, Eric Arnold * Roberts, Brinley Typhoon Jebi battered the region, bringing how the greater water depths around Japan Shrimpton, Godfrey * violent winds and flooding. Then, in the meant that these would have to be surface Smith, Howard James * early morning of September 6th, a moment tethered, as any bottom tethering would Thomson, Martyn Hugh * Veevers, John James * magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck Iburi mostly be too deep. Geology certainly White, Owen * Subprefecture in southern Hokkaido. involves society in Japan more than The earthquake triggered major landslides in Britain. In the interests of recording its Fellows’ work for posterity, the Society publishes obituaries online, and in Geoscientist. Photo credit: ©Simon Wallis The most recent additions to the list are in shown in bold. Fellows for whom no obituarist has yet been commissioned are marked with an asterisk (*). The symbol § indicates that biographical material has been lodged with the Society.

If you would like to contribute an obituary, please email amy.whitchurch@geolsoc. org.uk to be commissioned. You can read the guidance for authors at www. geolsoc.org.uk/obituaries. To save yourself unnecessary work, please do not write anything until you have received a commissioning letter.

Deceased Fellows for whom no obituary is forthcoming have their names and dates The GSJ conference team, with those international delegates from the partner Geological Societies of Korea, recorded in a Roll of Honour at London, Mongolia, and Taiwan who could get to Sapporo. Professor Millard Coffin (Hobart, Tasmania), this year’s GSJ award winner, stands at the right of the front row, next to the GSJ president, Hiroki Matsuda www.geolsoc.org.uk/obituaries. Staff matters Georgina Worrall, Head of Events, who has worked for the Society for 12, years left us in October to take up a role as Head of Events at the British Property Federation. The Society wishes Georgina well for the future and thanks her for her valuable contribution to its work.

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2018 | 27 PEOPLE CAREERS

Essential tips for a rock-solid geoscience PhD: Part III

In the last part of this three-part minute clips shot on a smart phone can be you achieved); publications (published focus, Melanie J Leng & Anson effective for showing others what you do. conference abstracts, papers, preprints, Mackay give some final advice Social media can help build your CV by blogs); work experience (with the most improving your network outside of your recent first); achievements (explain how your We’ve previously explained how important institution and internationally as well; if previous experience has given you the skills it is to carefully choose your PhD project done well, it will help you stand out from needed to make you a suitable candidate and supervisor, to manage your time and the crowd. But balance your time spent on for the position you are applying for); any relationships, and given more detailed social media with other forms of writing. relevant prizes or scholarships, hobbies and advice on the practical side of doing a PhD. Platforms such as Twitter are great for interests that demonstrate your skills and To finish, we’ll cover social media, CVs and finding out about the latest developments provide interview talking points. some guidance on what to do if a PhD isn’t, in your field, from a professional, scientific after all, for you. level, to more personal issues related to Get involved workloads and stress. But social media has Learn to say yes! Grab opportunities as they Social media downsides, too, and it is good to recognise arise; everyone loves positivity and you will Join up! From day one start to build your these early on to limit the detrimental demonstrate energy and teamwork. Apply online presence (there will be one anyway, impacts. Read up on tips for getting the for positions of responsibility when they so create your own). If using Facebook most out of a platform, as well as codes of arise; early career representatives are often decide whether it’s private (family and conduct (held by universities) one should sought. Such positions can provide great friends), work, or a mix. If a mix, bear in follow. experience to find out how learned societies mind that posts can be shared, and people work, and give you opportunities to influence may be checking you out. Microblogging Curriculum Vitae what and how decisions are made. and photo/video-sharing platforms, such There is no one-size-fits-all solution for the Learn to say no! As important, is knowing as Twitter and Instagram, are popular with perfect CV, but it should always be clearly when not to say “yes” all the time, especially geoscientists for sharing moments in formatted and short enough to be if it’s a yes for the wrong reasons, or you the field or lab and scanned quickly—and are just simply over-committed. Saying yes seeing what other most importantly— should be an opportunity—not just a request geoscientists are tailored to the role from others. If you are not used to relying doing. Searchable you’re applying for. on intuition, then think about how a request hashtags (#) are a Many websites offer makes you feel. Knowing when to say no is great way of getting advice on writing CVs, important for developing healthy, balanced involved with many but take care to keep it relationships with colleagues. Remember different communities, relevant and academic. that when you say “no” to things you don’t ideas and campaigns. And keep it up-to-date want to do, it frees your time to focus on Twitter and Instagram because you may need it for the pursuits that you really want to do and are open for all to various purposes; if you apply can be liberating. Never give an immediate access unless you to be on a committee or panel, answer—think over the request for a day or lock down your account. If your for example, and eventually so and use friends as sounding boards. university personal profile pages towards the end of your PhD when are brief then consider using you will apply for future roles. What if it all goes wrong? freeware such as WordPress or About.me CVs should never be completely If for whatever reason PhD research to create your own personal profile. Keep it formulaic, but they should always turns out not to be for you, up to date with conferences, papers, blogs, contain: personal details there is often an option to social media, contact information, and (name, email, contact phone “press pause”. That is, plenty of action photos. number and address, you can interrupt your Blogs are a great way to practise writing social media handles); PhD with a break, which short (400-800 words) “stories” on things personal statement (this might eventually result you have been up to, or fancy talking helps you to stand out from in withdrawing from about. Use lots of interesting photos. Most the crowd by explaining your PhD altogether, universities have blog sites for staff and who you are, what you’re writing up an MSc or students to contribute to, else create your offering and what you’re MPhil instead, or transferring own using freeware or your website. Video looking for); education (dates, the to a different PhD project or is increasingly popular. Short, one-to-two type of qualification and/or the grade supervisor. The main thing is to talk

28 | NOVEMBER 2018 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST GEOSCIENTIST CAREERS

to your supervisors, your postgraduate care to build professional relationships tutor, your Head of School, and welfare and manage your interactions and services within the university. Universities expectations. Presentations, writing have careers services that can advise on and social media are significant parts to the options and possibilities open to you, your PhD that must be tackled head- and any potential implications, as well on. Training and building a CV are vital as appropriate timings and time-limits of to enhance your further employment interruptions. Universities have forms to prospects. We briefly touched on critical complete and approvals to seek, so follow care, which is all too important these the procedure. If you are an international days. Learning to say “no”, as well as student, on a Tier 4 visa for example, “yes”, is essential. contact your graduate tutor immediately. There are many things to consider They will be able to guide you on who to when embarking on PhD research, Melanie Leng1 is Director of Geochemistry at talk to within your university so that you do but the experience will increase your the British Geological Survey, UK, and not break any visa rules. confidence, communication and Professor in Isotope Geoscience at the managements skills, and improve University of Nottingham, UK. In summary your abilities to understand and solve Anson Mackay2 is Professor in Environmental Our advice given in this three-part series problems. Enjoy your PhD. It may be Change at UCL, UK, and an Honorary Research is not exhaustive, but it comes from tough at times, but it will be an amazing Associate at the British Geological Survey. many years of personal experiences. experience. When you pass your viva, be 1 [email protected] Remember that you have some choice proud of this major achievement and call when deciding on a PhD supervisor, take yourself doctor—you earned it. 2 [email protected]

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2018 | 29 GEOSCIENTIST OBITUARY

OBITUARY Keith Atkinson 1942-2017

Head of Camborne School of Mines, who helped bring meritus Professor Increasingly Keith’s Keith Atkinson about its merger with Exeter University energies were channelled died from cancer into administrative duties E on 2 August 2017 within the Camborne School at Treliske Hospital, Truro, of Mines, firstly becoming aged 74. He faced his illness the Course Director of the with great courage and his newly established master’s customary humour, emailing degree in Mining Geology. friends from his hospital bed Later he played an important with the news that he was role in the negotiations that emulating Tony Hancock by led to the merger between the giving an armful of blood. School of Mines and Exeter University. Port Talbot Keith was born and grew up in Restructuring Port Talbot, where he attended Keith was appointed Head Dyffryn Grammar School. of the School of Mines in He then spent eight years at 1994 and in 1997 became Aberystwyth University as Deputy Vice-Chancellor of undergraduate, postgraduate Exeter University, where and finally Research Fellow. he carried out a number of So Wales was his launching important roles, including pad and spiritual home, and the re-structuring of this allegiance emerged in university departments and his passionate support for the the creation of the Institute Welsh Rugby team. However, of Arab and Islamic Studies. Cornwall was Keith’s adopted This led to a very fruitful home, living in the County for was mainly written during the period of collaboration with nearly 50 years. night. The book had very good the Ruler of Sharjah, United Appointed Lecturer in reviews, but also received the HE WAS Arab Emirates. In 2002 he Geology at the Camborne withering wifely rebuke “Book EQUALLY AT was appointed as the first School of Mines in 1969, he is a four letter word”. Provost of Exeter University could teach across a range HOME MAKING A in Cornwall, where he of geological subjects. Research PRESENTATION TO helped to establish its first He was equally at home His research interests AN INTERNATIONAL campus. making a presentation to an were eclectic and included A genial, but private and international conference or to geophysics, slope stability, CONFERENCE OR TO modest man, Keith never a classroom of primary school minerals processing and A CLASSROOM OF boasted about his many children. He always brought Tertiary geology. However, PRIMARY SCHOOL achievements. He was tremendous energy to the task. the main thrust was based always full of good humour Keith’s research and on a research team he and I CHILDREN. HE with an endless repertoire publications were as wide established in the mid-1980s ALWAYS BROUGHT of amusing anecdotes. He ranging as his teaching. In to investigate different aspects TREMENDOUS will be sorely missed by his 1986 he and I co-authored of mine waste in Cornwall. family and friends. ‘Ore Deposit Geology’. At that Some aspects of this work led ENERGY TO time Keith was increasingly to a paper for which the four THE TASK ➤ By Richard Edwards involved in administrative authors were awarded silver * Read Richard Edwards’ personal duties at the Camborne School medals by the Institution of memoir of Keith online – Editor. of Mines, so his contribution Mining & Metallurgy.

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 Amy Whitchurch at the Society.

30 | NOVEMBER 2018 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST JW poster 2019 v1_ART 13-6-2018_Layout 1 13/06/2018 12:37 Page 1 Lyell poster 2019 v1_ART 14-9-18_Lyell leaflet 16/09/2018 18:45 Page 1

THE JANET WATSON MEETING 2019 From core to atmosphere: Lyell Meeting 2019 Deep carbon Carbon: geochemical and palaeobiological perspectives 26-28 February 2019 The Geological Society, Burlington House 28 June 2019 The Geological Society, Burlington House Carbon is the element central to the evolution of life and maintenance of the Earth’s habitability. Though the presence of carbon at Earth’s surface is well known and vitally important, the majority of Earth’s The fundamental building block carbon is thought to reside in the Deep Earth. Constraining the of life as we know it, carbon, is magnitudes of the fluxes to and from the Earth’s interior, and how they critical to the Earth system. are controlled, is vital for understanding how the present-day Earth came to be and how it may develop in the future. Traditionally biological and This three-day meeting will bring together early career geoscientists and chemical approaches to senior members of the Deep Carbon research community. Presentations understanding carbon dynamics and discussions will encompass the latest advances in our understanding in the geological past have been of the behaviour of carbon at the extreme pressures and temperatures of the Earth’s deep interior, the exchange of carbon between the near- considered in relative isolation. surface and deep reservoirs, the abiotic development of organic compounds through deep time, and the extreme limits of life on Earth. For the 2019 Lyell Meeting we Mentoring activities will take place throughout the meeting, where will to bring together a broad senior scientists will lead small group discussions about their research spectrum of scientists that careers and experiences in academia. address the big picture of carbon Conference themes in the Earth system, drawing on ex pertise in Convenors: ● Deep Carbon origins, storage and transport palaeontology, geochemistry, palaeobotany, atmospheric Barry Lomax (Nottingham University) processes, deep-Earth processes, and anthropogenic ● Carbon in the deep biosphere WT Fraser (Oxford Brookes University) ● Deep Carbon through time impacts. Further information: ● The future of Deep Carbon research Further information For further information about the conference This meeting seeks to foster conversation between ● Deep Carbon synthesis please contact: For further information about the conference Rhianna McLean, Conference Office, these disparate communities to facilitate a more holistic please contact: The final day of the conference is dedicated to workshops addressing The Geological Society, Burlington House, Rhianna Mclean, Conference Office, the future of Deep Carbon research and exploring the application of new approach to considering carbon, and how it cycles Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG The Geological Society, Burlington House, software driven tools for understanding carbon in the Earth. Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG T: 0207 434 9944 between Earth’s organic and inorganic reservoirs. T: 0207 434 9944 Call for abstracts E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Web: www.geolsoc.org.uk/lyell19 Call for Abstracts Web: www.geolsoc.org.uk/jwatson19 There is a call for abstracts and oral and poster contributions are invited. Follow this event on Twitter #lyell19 Follow this event on Twitter: #jwatson19 Abstracts should be sent in a Word document to We invite oral and poster abstract submissions for the [email protected] by 14 December 2018. The abstract should be approximately 500 words and include a title and me eting, and these should be sent in a Word document acknowledgement of authors and their affiliations where possible. to [email protected] by 4 February 2019. Abstracts should be approximately 250 words and Convenors: include a title and acknowledgement of authors and Simon Matthews (University of Cambridge) Lotta Purkamo (University of St Andrews) their affiliations.

Bryan Lovell 2019 v2 4-4-2018_Layout 1 31/08/2018 16:25 Page 1 4D Subsurface poster 2018 v2_ART 19-7-18_Layout 1 19/07/2018 15:42 Page 1

in association with

4D Subsurface Modelling: BRYAN LOVELL MEETING 2019 Predicting the Future Role of geological science in the A workshop for mining, civil engineering & energy decarbonisation of power production, heat, transport and industry 20-21 February 2019 The Geological Society, Burlington House, London 21-23 January 2019 The Geological Society, Burlington House

In the UK and elsewhere, decarbonisation of power production, industry, transport and heating to meet climate change targets is a major challenge and one that intrinsically involves the subsurface and geoscience. Decarbonisation is central to Government and international policy and this three day conference will host national experts from industry, academia, and government to look at the geological and rese rvoir engineering aspects of the problem. The main objective will be to identify the high level barriers to progress and the main science questions - and begin a roadmap to solve the problems.

Science and analysis of the solid earth is often conducted based on only sparse, Keynote speakers confirmed Convenors incomplete or unverified information. To counter this, as Earth Scientists, we rely on Convenors remote sensing techniques across a broad range of scales to extrapolate from the Spencer Dale, Group chief economist, BP; Chris Stark, Chief Mike Stephenson (British Geological Survey) John Booth (Geotechnics) GSL Science limited number of data points in order to build models of what the “real” picture Executive, Committee on Climate Change; Nick Pidgeon, Committee Advisor might be. To enable and manage this ambitious process, we capture our current Dave Schofield (British Geological Survey) Glen Burridge (Glen Burridge & thinking in the form of models, each one shaped by the problem it is specifically built Sebastian Geiger (Heriot-Watt University) Cardiff University. Associates) Co-chair to examine, the techniques that will inform it and the mindset of the people that will Thomas Finkbeiner (KAUST) Co-chair Philip Ringrose (Statoil/NTNU) Jorg Herwanger (MP Geomechanics) build it. Other speakers confirmed Further information Wolfgang Hohl (Hohlraum ZT) A comprehensive model of the Earth’s subsurface will want to account for: Martin Blunt, Frances Wall, Jonathan Turner, Seamus Garvey, Richard Plumb (Plumb Geomechanics) For further information about the Co-chair ● Structural history that provides the geological framework & wider regional cont ext Clair Gough, Sebastian Bauer, Martin Smith, Jon Gibbins, conference please contact: Michael Prycz (University of Austin) ● Effects of past & present stress fields & resultant pore pressure regime Jonathan Pearce, Stephen Bull, Thomas Koebel, Thomas Katherine Royse (British Geological ● Mechanical properties of the observed lithologies & regoliths Rhianna McLean, Conference Office, Survey) The Geological Society, Burlington House, Driesner, Adele Manzella, Henrik Solgaard Andersen, John ● Genetic processes that have led to the deposition of lithologies Benedikt Steiner (Camborne School of Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG Underhill, Ben Sovacool, Toby Peters. Mines) ● Distribution of relevant minerals within any commercial deposit & their quality T: 0207 434 0981 ● Actions of all fluids likely to be present & their reactions with lithology Call for abstracts Further information ● Quality & distribution of data available seeking to discern the subsurface E: [email protected] Abstracts are invited from early career researchers who For further info rmation please contact: ● Uncertainties inherent in techniques & theories used as premises for interpretation Web: www.geolsoc.org.uk/lovell19 wish to exhibit posters at the conference. Posters that Georgina Worrall, Conference Office, ● Changes induced through modification of the volume of interest by human activities Follow this event on Twitter: #lovell19 The Geological Society, address any aspect of decarbonisation geoscie nce are Burlington House, Piccadilly, This pioneering event examines current approaches and the vulnerabilities they create encouraged, for example geothermal, gas storage, London W1J 0BG for high quality depictions of the subsurface in industrial contexts, the decisions we T: 0207 434 9944 need to make about it, and our ability to accurately predict its future evolution. compressed air energy storage, critical metals, radioactive waste disposal, CCS, and bio-energy and CCS (BECCS). E: [email protected] In this forum earth scientists building virtual representations of their target Web: www.geolsoc.org.uk/ environment share ideas with the engineers who build structures in response to them Abstracts should be approximately 500 words and include a 4dsubsurfacemodelling19 and managers who make decisions based on them. The event is also designed to build title and acknowledgement of authors and their affiliations Follow this event on Twitter: on previous related GSL events to continue to raise debate on how and why we build where possible. Please send your abstract as a Word #4dsubsurfacemodelling19 such depictions of the subsurface, the nature of inter-disciplinary interaction that goes document to [email protected] by on around them, and their effectiveness in risk mitigation and value creation. 1 October 2018.

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2018 | 31 CLIMB THE JOB LADDER

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