SCIENTISTVOLUME 27 NO 7 ◆ August 2017 ◆ WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST

GEOThe Fellowship Magazine of the Geological Society of London UK / Overseas where sold to individuals: £3.95 ] [REVIEWS SPECIAL!

Wren’s Nest at 60 Celebrating the World’s first National Nature Reserve

ONLINE SPECIAL FELLOWS’ ROOM HUTTON’S DEBT The long road from Society reoccupies Did Hutton crib his famous ‘disposal’ to ‘recovery’ a valuable amenity line from Browne?

GEOSCIENTIST CONTENTS

17 24

10 25

REGULARS

IN THIS ISSUE... 05 Welcome Ted Nield says true ‘scientific outreach’ is integral,

not a strap-on prosthetic.

06 Society News What your Society is doing at home and abroad, in London and the regions. 09 Soapbox Mike Leeder discusses Hutton’s possible debt to Sir Thomas Browne

ON THE COVER: 16 Calendar Society activities this month 10 CATCHING THE DUDLEY BUG 20 Letters New The state of Geophysics MSc courses in the Andrew Harrison looks back on the UK; The new CPD system (continued).

61st year of the World’s first NNR 22 Books and arts Thirteen new books reviewed by Dawn Brooks, Malcolm Hart, Gordon Neighbour, Calymene blumenbachii or ‘Dudley Bug’. James Montgomery, Wendy Cawthorne, Jeremy Joseph, David Nowell, Martin Brook, Alan Golding, Mark Griffin, Courtesy, Dudley Museum Services Hugh Torrens, Nina Morgan and Amy-Jo Miles

24 People Geoscientists in the news and on the move 27 Obituary Robin Temple Hazell 1927 - 2017 RECOVERY V. DISPOSAL William Braham 1957 -2016 NLINE Chris Berryman on applying new guidance 27 Obituary affecting re-use of waste soil materials. If you 28 Obituary David Murray Boyd 1926-2016 SPECIAL work in remediation, you need to read this! 29 Crossword Win a Special Publication of your choice

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | AUGUST 2017 | 03 Petroleum Group 28th Annual Dinner Natural History Museum 21 September 2017

For further information or to book a table for this event, please contact [email protected]

04 | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST

GEOSCIENTIST WELCOME Geoscientist is the ADVERTISING SALES ~ Fellowship magazine of the Jonny Verman Geological Society T 01727 739 184 DEFINITIONS MATTER. THEY REACH OUT INTO THE of London E j.verman@ centuryonepublishing.uk HUMAN REALM, AFFECTING PEOPLE’S LIVES, POLITICAL The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, ART EDITOR POLICY AND ACTION London W1J 0BG Heena Gudka T +44 (0)20 7434 9944 F +44 (0)20 7439 8975 DESIGN & PRODUCTION E [email protected] ~ Jonathan Coke (Not for Editorial - Please contact the Editor) PRINTED BY Century One Publishing House Publishing Ltd. The Geological Society Publishing House, Unit 7, Copyright Brassmill Enterprise Centre, The Geological Society of Brassmill Lane, Bath London is a Registered Charity, BA1 3JN number 210161. T 01225 445046 ISSN (print) 0961-5628 F 01225 442836 ISSN (online) 2045-1784 Library T +44 (0)20 7432 0999 The Geological Society of London F +44 (0)20 7439 3470 accepts no responsibility for the views FROM THE EDITORS DESK: E [email protected] expressed in any article in this publication. All views expressed, except EDITOR-IN-CHIEF where explicitly stated otherwise, Professor Peter Styles represent those of the author, and not The Geological Society of London. All Integrating outreach All rights reserved. No paragraph of this EDITOR publication may be reproduced, copied Dr Ted Nield or transmitted save with written E [email protected] permission. Users registered with Copyright Clearance Center: the Journal EDITORIAL BOARD is registered with CCC, 27 Congress his month’s feature on Wren’s conceivably generating more conservation Dr Sue Bowler Street, Salem, MA 01970, USA. 0961- Nest, Dudley, takes me back to funding. Classification has real-world Mr Steve Branch 5628/02/$15.00. Every effort has been made to trace copyright holders of my scientific roots – such as they consequences. Dr Robin Cocks material in this publication. If any rights Prof. Tony Harris have been omitted, the publishers offer are – in the Silurian. Despite a In a recent comment piece in Nature1, Dr Howard Falcon-Lang their apologies. snazzy palaeoecological thesis Australian researchers Stephen Garnett Mr Edmund Nickless No responsibility is assumed by the Mr David Shilston Ttitle, knowing what rocks are where, and and Les Christidis suggest that the time Publisher for any injury and/or damage Dr Jonathan Turner to persons or property as a matter of Dr Jan Zalasiewicz products liability, negligence or what fossils they hold, has always been has come for the IUBS to take the matter in otherwise, or from any use or operation my thing. hand and create a taxonomic commission Trustees of the of any methods, products, instructions or ideas contained in the material herein. Philistines assume that stratigraphy and to establish rules applicable across all Geological Society Although all advertising material is of London expected to conform to ethical (medical) taxonomy are simple matters, devoid of life-forms, involving other stakeholders Mr Malcolm Brown (President) standards, inclusion in this publication Mr John Booth does not constitute a guarantee or philosophical difficulty; but nothing could in decision-making. They hold up as Mr Rick Brassington endorsement of the quality or value of such product or of the claims made by its be further from the truth. Even biologists a good example the deliberations of Dr Jason Canning manufacturer. Miss Liv Carroll have difficulty defining a species, our own International Union, IUGS, Ms Lesley Dunlop Subscriptions: All correspondence operating at least 30 definitions - only one over recognising the Anthropocene as Dr Marie Edmonds (Secretary, relating to non-member subscriptions should be addresses to the Journals of which is the best-known ‘biological Science) Subscription Department, Geological a subdivision of geological time (to be Mr Graham Goffey (Treasurer) Society Publishing House, Unit 7 species’ definition, involving ‘fertile resolved in 2020). They applaud Earth Dr Sarah Gordon (Secretary, Brassmill Enterprise Centre, Brassmill Foreign & External Affairs) Lane, Bath, BA1 3JN, UK. Tel: 01225 offspring’. Palaeontologists, needless to scientists for arguing for the inclusion of 445046. Fax: 01225 442836. Email: Mrs Tricia Henton [email protected]. The subscription say, don’t even have that option. anthropologists and historians among the Ms Naomi Jordan price for Volume 27, 2017 (11 issues) Dr Robert Larter to institutions and non-members will be Then there’s the question of codes. 36 people who will decide. ‘If species … Dr Jennifer McKinley £139 (UK) or £159/$319 (Rest of World). Zoologists use one, botanists another are at least partly arbitrary’ they write, Dr Colin North (Secretary, © 2017 The Geological Society Publications) of London - governed by the International ‘deliberations must draw upon expertise Dr Sheila Peacock Commission on Zoological Nomenclature beyond taxonomy’. Lawyers should be Prof Christine Peirce Geoscientist is printed on FSC® mixed Mr Nicholas Reynolds credit - Mixed source products are a (ICZN) and the International Association involved too, to ensure that definitions can blend of FSC 100%, Recycled and/or Prof Nick Rogers (President Controlled fibre. Certified by the Forest for Plant Taxonomy (IAPT) respectively, withstand legal challenge, and so on. designate) Stewardship Council®. Dr Katherine Royse (Secretary, twin branches of the International Union Definitions matter. They reach out into Professional Matters) of Biological Sciences (IUBS). Neither the human realm, affecting people’s lives, Mr Keith Seymour (Vice president, Regional Groups) takes responsibility for species definition, political policy and action. ‘Scientific Miss Jessica Smith however – just ensuring that every name outreach’ (for this is what this really is) Mr John Talbot (Vice president, Chartership) is unique. must not be thought of just as a bolt-on Dr Alexander Whittaker This presents no small problem to accessory. If scientists wish truly to Published on behalf of the Geological Society of the wider world. Depending on whose embrace the public, they must hold the London by classification you use, the number of world close and involve it in the decisions Century One Publishing Alban Row, 27–31 Verulam species classified as ‘endangered’ might they take. Road, St Albans, Herts, be nine or 25. Raising the number of 1. Garnett S T & Christidis L, 2017: AL3 4DG T 01727 893 894 recognised ‘species’ might encourage Taxonomy anarchy hampers conservation. F 01727 893 895 more hunting/poaching, while also Nature 546 pp 25-27, 1 June. E enquiries@centuryone publishing.uk W www.centuryone DR TED NIELD NUJ FGS, EDITOR - [email protected] @TedNield @geoscientistmag publishing.uk WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | AUGUST 2017 | 05 GEOSCIENTIST SOCIETY NEWS

What your society is doing SOCIETYNEWS at home and abroad, in London and the regions Honorary Fellowship Colourful events

During the evening of Friday 11 August 2017 between 1800 and 2030, the Library will be hosting three special talks around the theme ‘The Colours of Geology’. The Colour of Gemstones Cally Oldershaw FGS, former Curator of Gemstones for the Natural History Museum in London and first ‘Lady Chair‘ of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, will introduce you to the colours of gemstones including diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald, as well as tanzanite, and the rainbow Following a proposal from the to be recognised both inside and colours of tourmaline. Discover what causes colour in External Relations Committee, outside Finland for their technical and gemstones and how colours can be enhanced. Council recommends the following professional abilities. ➤ 1800-1900, Tickets £12.00, Booking essential candidate for election to Honorary During his time as a Council Fellowship at a future OGM. member of the European Federation of Geologists, over a period of The Colour of Maps Dr Markku Juhani Iljina about 10 years, he has provided Dr Allison Ksiazkiewicz (University of Cambridge) Dr Iljina is the founder of Markuu support and understanding of will explore how early geologists described three- Iljina GeoConsulting Oy. He is an the aspirations of the Society for dimensional landscape through the visual language exploration geologist with extensive EFG and supported it in all related of maps and sections of the Earth. Find out about the experience of Fennoscandian professional matters. He has shown techniques used in the maps produced by geologists geology, specialising in gold, nickel, himself to be a good friend of the George Bellas Greenough and William Smith and how copper, vanadium, chrome, tungsten, Society and this will only increase colour and theories of art played an important role in and PGM mineral deposits. He has in the future. He is an effective the first geological maps of Britain. a broad palate of mineral exploration ambassador and through his many ➤ 1830-1930, Free, no booking required activities over more than 30 years contacts with Finnish employers will and has published widely on the be able to promote professional titles results of this work and continues to and the highest standards of ethical The Colour of Fossils do so. behaviour. He has been the EFG Dr Maria McNamara (University College Cork) will Dr Iljina has played a major role in (European Federation of Geologists) explain how the emerging field of fossil colour has the reorganisation and development representative in PERC (Pan- revealed unprecedented insights into the ecology of professional bodies. Initially European Reserves & Resources and behaviour of ancient animals. Find out about this was in his home country of Reporting Committee) since June how colour is preserved in ancient animals and how Finland where he played a lead role 2012. it can shed light on what they looked like, how they in the reorganisation of the Finnish It is recommended that he be communicated with each other, and how the functions technical and professional bodies elected to Honorary Fellowship to of colour have evolved through deep time. that represent geologists so as to enhance and cement this ongoing ➤ 1800-1900, Free, no booking required properly allow professional geologists collaboration into the future.

06 | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST Medallists, Awardists and Fund Winners 2017. Back, L-R: Tim Elliott, Ian Kenyon, Martin Hurst, Sami Mikhail, John Walsh. Middle, L-R: Richard Hinton, Ian Fairchild, Peter Rawson (on behalf of the Rotunda Museum), Richard Alley; Front, L-R: Caroline Lear, Ros Rickaby, Malcolm Brown (President), Mark Anderson, Richard Walters. Not pictured: Andrew Smye (President’s Award) and Prof. Mott Greene (Sue Tyler Friedman Medal) Society Awards 2018 – nominations President’s Day 2017

Fellows of the Society are invited to submit nominations for Society Award winners received their prizes at President’s the Society’s Awards for 2018 to the Awards Committee, Day on 7 June 2017. A list of winners has already writes Stephanie Jones. appeared in these pages; their full citations and replies Full details of how to make nominations are on the website at may be inspected on the Society website. Full pictures of www.geolsoc.org.uk/About/Awards-Grants-and-Bursaries. the presentations also appeared that day on the Society’s Nominations must be received at the Society no later than Facebook feed. 29 September 2017. Dawne Riddle. Society Discussion Group

Programme: 2017 Meetings of the Geological Society Discussion Group (formerly the Geological Society Club) are 18.30 for 1900, when dinner is served. Attendance is open to all members of the Society. For up to date information concerning topics for discussion and speakers, please go to W: http://bit.ly/2lkAvbd

◆ Tuesday 19 September.​ Burlington House (London W1J 0BG) ◆ Thursday 19 October.​ Athenaeum (London SW1Y 5ER) ◆ Wednesday 8 November. ​Bumpkins Restaurant (London SW7 3RD) ◆ Wednesday 6 December. ​Athenaeum (London SW1Y 5ER)

➤ Please contact Caroline Seymour on [email protected] for more information and to make a reservation

FUTURE MEETINGS Dates for meetings of Council and Ordinary General Meetings until June 2017 will be as follows: u OGMs: u Council: 2017: 20 September, 2017: 20 & 21 September (residential) 22 November, 22 November, 2018: 7 February, 4 April 2018: 7 February, 4 April

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | AUGUST 2017 | 07 Fellows’ Room returns

They’re out – Royal Academy staff, who have been temporarily purposes such as conferences and meetings, which will mean that occupying the Fellows’ Room at Burlington House, will quit in access will be unavailable from time to time.” September. Dawne Riddle reports. For those periods when the Fellows’ Room is being used for ‘other The Fellows’ Room, a comfortable lounge adjacent to the Upper purposes’, the email Newsletter report concluded, “we are also Library in Burlington House, will return to Society use in the autumn. planning to add some relaxed seating in the Lower Library as well as a An announcement in the Society email newsletter, sent out on May coffee machine” for Fellows wishing to rest, or hold informal meetings. 30, broke the news under the headline ‘Update on Burlington House The move brings to an end a situation that sparked concern at the facilities for Fellows’. 2016 AGM and reported here a year ago (Geoscientist 26.7, August The note stated: “…after current occupation by the Royal Academy 2016), over an announcement made to staff in May 2016 that the ends, the Fellows’ Room will be used as part of the Plate Tectonics at Fellows’ Room was to be ‘sub-let’ to the RA for 13 months, and that it 50 conference in early October. Council have agreed that thereafter was to close immediately for refurbishment (pictures). The room has it will become available to Fellows again but also be used for other been unavailable since then.

Latest news from the Publishing House

Jenny Blythe has the latest from the Geological Society Publishing House Catchment-based gold prospectivity analysis combining geochemical, geophysical and geological Heavy hydrocarbon fate and transport in the environment data across northern Australia Heavy hydrocarbons are a heterogeneous mixture of compounds consisting mainly of alkylated cyclics, resins and asphaltenes and, depending on the source, can form a The results of a pilot study into the application of an signifi cant proportion of crude oil. Their prevalence is expected to increase in the future unsupervised clustering approach to the analysis of as heavy oil reserves are increasingly exploited for growing worldwide energy demands. catchment-based National Geochemical Survey of Despite their growing use, heavy hydrocarbons are generally overlooked when assessing Australia (NGSA) geochemical data combined with the risk of hydrocarbons to human health, ecology and water reserves. Although their geophysical and geological data across northern human and environmental health risks are considered low, heavy hydrocarbons are known Australia are documented. NGSA Mobile Metal Ion® to persist in the environment. This review considers the fate, transport and toxicity of heavy (MMI) element concentrations and fi rst and second order hydrocarbons. It provides a description of the possible mechanisms involved in heavy statistical summaries across catchments of geophysical hydrocarbon attenuation and offers some interpretation of data that provides insight into data and geological data are integrated and analysed their persistence in the environment. using Self-Organizing Maps (SOM). Input features that  Read the open access paper https://doi.org/10.1144/qjegh2016-142 contribute signifi cantly to the separation of catchment New Book! Monogenetic Volcanism clusters are objectively identifi ed and assessed. This volume presents new research on small-scale basaltic volcanism  Read here https://doi.org/10.1144/geochem2016-012 and provides a ‘state of the art’ review of our understanding of the nature, origin and global signifi cance of monogenetic volcanism. It would also appeal to anyone interested in exploring the enigma of monogenetic volcanism in geological, volcanological, geomorphological volcanic hazard and geoconservation aspects.  Available to purchase in print at www.geolsoc.org.uk/sp446  Available in the Lyell Collection as part of the Full Book Collection (for subscribing fellows)

08 | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST GEOSCIENTIST SOAPBOX

Hutton’s debt to Browne?

Mike Leeder* asks: does geology’s most famous aphorism owe more to Browne of Norwich than Hutton of Edinburgh?

utton’s famous catchphrase ‘…no sceptical, Christian. Both men had Leiden vestige of a beginning, – no prospect MDs. I like to imagine Hutton reading of an end’ (for which ‘Google’ has Religio Medici as a young medical student, SOAPBOX 20 000+ entries) comes in the last perhaps returning to it as an ‘improving’ sentence of the eloquent coda to agriculturalist in early 1750s Norfolk or CALLING! H Theory of the Earth1 his 1788 paper, ; arguably recalling it when developing his own the Enlightenment’s outstanding geological ‘world theory’ in 1780s Edinburgh. testament: Soapbox is open to contributions ‘…if the succession of worlds is established in the Paramoudra Club from all Fellows. You can always system of nature, it is in vain to look for anything It is ironic that within living memory write a letter to the Editor, of higher in the origin of the earth. The result, the City of Norwich School 6th Form course: but perhaps you feel you therefore, of our present enquiry is, that we find had both a Thomas Browne Society (a need more space? no vestige of a beginning – no prospect of an end.’ debating club, founded in 1947) and a more Hutton’s theory replaced divine intervention scientific Paramoudra Club, an early-1950s If you can write it entertainingly in with a natural system of perpetual mountainous geological debating and field club, and 500 words, the Editor would like surface-wasting, periodically replenished by forerunner to the Geological Society of to hear from you. Email your piece, uplift. Norfolk. It was devoted to the geology of and a self-portrait, to But was Hutton’s memorable and mellifluous Charles Lyell – meetings always beginning [email protected]. aphorism, sui generis, self-penned? I am going with readings from Lyell’s ‘Principles’. Copy can only be accepted to suggest no; because of previous writing by Hutton adapted Browne’s writings: electronically. No diagrams, tables Thomas Browne (1605-1682), medical doctor, Lyell was Hutton’s great champion or other illustrations please. polymathic naturalist and a long-term resident of of geological sciences to the post- Norwich, knighted there in 1671 by Charles II. Enlightenment world. The continuity of Pictures should be of print It comes in Section 11 of Browne’s 1643 Religio associations defines a rich heritage: one quality – please take photographs Medici2 (‘Religion of a Doctor’): over which the irenic and sceptical Browne on the largest setting on your ‘Time we may comprehend, ‘tis but five and the gregarious conversationalist camera, with a plain background. days elder than our selves, and hath the same Hutton might well be chuckling!

Horoscope with the world; but to retire so farre Precedence will always be given back as to apprehend a beginning, to give such an to more topical contributions. Any infinite start forward, as to conceive an *Emeritus Professor, School of Environmental one contributor may not appear end in an essence [God’s eternity] that Sciences, UEA, Norwich. His latest book (with Joy more often~ than once per volume wee affirme hathe neither the one nor Lawlor) ‘GeoBritannica: Geological Landscapes (once every 12 months). the other;’ and the British Peoples’ (2017; Dunedin Press) The bracketed words are mine. is reviewed on p19. He is preparing a more Readers should compare the detailed account of the material presented here I LIKE TO italicised words with Hutton’s and welcomes criticisms, suggestions or relevant IMAGINE HUTTON more punchy précis. Since information from interested Fellows. READING RELIGIO Browne denied both Genesis and Revelations 1, 8-9 (‘I am ➤ References MEDICI AS A alpha and omega; beginning 1. James Hutton 1788 THEORY of the STUDENT, and ending’), his book was EARTH; or an INVESTIGATION of the Laws RECALLING IT WHEN promptly banned by Vatican observable in the Composition, Dissolu- censors. tion, and Restoration of Land upon the DEVELOPING HIS Globe. Transactions of the Royal Society of ‘WORLD THEORY’ Naturalist Edinburgh 1, 209-304 (Facsimile reprint How did Hutton’s debt to Kessinger Publishing; www.kessinger.net). IN 1780S Browne come about? 2. Patrides, C A (Ed.) 1977. Sir Thomas EDINBURGH Browne was a Browne: The Major Works. Penguin Books, wise naturalist Harmondsworth. MIKE LEEDER~ and a devout, though

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | AUGUST 2017 | 09 WREN’S NEST AT 60 Andrew Harrison*describes Dudley’s great geological site, the World’s first NNR, a year on from its 60th birthday Photo: Courtesy of Dudley Museum Services

part from heavy industry bedding planes also testify to ancient and being the birthplace of earthmovements. Sir Lenny Henry, Dudley is Wren’s Nest stratigraphy comprises known for one important but variable thicknesses of interbedded A often overlooked geological limestone, mudstone and shale. gem. Wren’s Nest is internationally The youngest stratum, the Lower known for its fossils, and in September Elton Formation, formerly ‘Lower 2016 it celebrated its 60th anniversary Ludlow Shale’, belongs to the as the World’s first National Nature Ludlow Series. The underlying Much Reserve. The accolade was granted Wenlock Limestone Formation and in 1956 during the post-war recovery Coalbrookdale Formation (the oldest period, when the Council were looking stratum), belong to the Wenlock for green spaces where local people Series. The Much Wenlock Limestone could find peace, reconciliation and Formation is divided into the Upper inspiration. Quarried Limestone Member (formerly An important location for fossil-finding, ‘Upper Quarried Limestone’), the Wren’s Nest stood out as a site requiring Nodular Member and the Lower protection. A nominated Site of Special Quarried Limestone Member (formerly Scientific Interest (1991) and a Scheduled ‘Lower Quarried Limestone’). Monument (2004), it is valued for its Fossils include brachiopods, geology, industrial heritage and wildlife. bivalves, crinoids, trilobites, gastropods, Today a committed team of Council cephalopods and bryozoans. Abundant wardens and Friends of Wren’s Nest corals form dome-shaped bioherms Group volunteers (Friends Group) indicate warm shallow marine maintain the site, which is important for conditions with plenty of sunlight. The geological teaching and research. nature of the strata and variable-size Photo: Authors’ Photo ripples within the limestone layers Geography and geology reflect fluctuating low to high-energy Wren’s Nest is one of three hills, conditions and wave activity. Such including Hurst Hill to the north and conditions are found today within Castle Hill (the site of Dudley Castle) shallow back-reef lagoons like those on to the south east. They occupy a Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Wren’s northwest-southeast trending ridge Nest was most likely situated landward between Sedgeley and Northfield, of such a barrier. which historically provided an Throughout the Wren’s Nest rocks important communication route we find 37 ash layers, weathered to across the region - Central England’s greenish-grey bentonite clay, each watershed. The name ‘Wren’s Nest’ indicating separate volcanic eruptions Photo: Authors’ Photo comes from the Anglo- Saxon word, that smothered the region with ash Wrosne, meaning ‘The Knot’. during deposition, and comparable Top: Geological and Geographical Map of the Black Country The Wren’s Nest and its to ash layers found through rocks Upper middle: Cross Section through Wren’s Nest Hill Courtesy of Dudley Museum Services neighbouring hills represent three of similar age on Gotland (Sweden). Lower middle: Wren’s Nest Fossil Death Assemblage Silurian inliers, or periclines, rising Grain size and geochemical analysis of Bottom: The Main Patch Reef at Wren’s Nest from the low-lying South Staffordshire these layers indicates a nearby volcanic Coalfield and resulting from Late source. Geochemically these compare Carboniferous tectonic movements closely with deep borehole cores taken associated with the Variscan Orogeny. from approximately 2km beneath The folded Wren’s Nest strata dip at Cheltenham. The likely source has been approximately 80° and 24° on east identified as a stratovolcano, producing and west limbs respectively. Faulting, granodioritic lava. slickensides and tension cracks on Mid to late Silurian geography and ▼

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | AUGUST 2017 | 11 Attendees on the Wren’s Nest for the 60th Anniversary Celebrations Photo: Courtesy of Dudley Museum Services

▼ tectonics places the Black Country Age left the region with abundant Miners & Murchison region on the continental shelf of near-surface mineral wealth, including Miners supplemented their income Avalonia, approximately 23° south of limestone, coal, ironstone and seatearth, from collecting and selling Wren’s Nest the Equator, on the southern fringe associated with the underlying fossils. The 1850 Bentley Directory of the closing Iapetus Ocean. To the strata. Consequently, the region was records three shops selling such fossils north a volcanic island arc, resulting historically important as an industrial in Dudley town centre. These included from oceanic subduction, is believed and manufacturing centre, especially for the popular trilobite - Calymene to account for the volcanic source that iron goods. blumenbachii, known locally as the affected Wren’s Nest. Wren’s Nest was worked for the pure ‘Dudley Bug’ or ‘Locust’, which adorns Zircon crystals from ash layers Lower and Upper Quarried Limestone the town’s coat of arms. Today, Wren’s towards the top and base of the Much strata. Originally mineworkings Nest fossils can be found in museums Wenlock Limestone Formation have comprised shallow pits and quarries. and collections worldwide. Since the been subjected to radiometric dating. However, from 1796 pillar-and-stall 18th Century they have appeared in The top layer, at the Lower Elton methods were employed as demand many publications and scientific papers. Member / Upper Quarried Limestone increased and workings sank deeper, During the 1830s, eminent Member boundary, dated at 427.7Ma, chasing steeply dipping limestone beds. palaeontologist Sir Roderick Impey has pushed the date for the Ludlow / Mining ceased in 1924, leaving behind a Murchison visited Wren’s Nest and Wenlock boundary back approximately sculpted landscape of trenches, quarries Castle Hill to study the Wenlock Series. four million years. The bottom Lower and caverns. Today, these provide Stratigraphically describing every fossil, Quarried Limestone Member / various important habitats for flora and his work revealed over 600 species and Coalbrookdale Formation layer was fauna, in particular for rare wildflower, 30 major taxonomic groups. Today, dated at 429.1Ma. Together these butterfly and bat species. Wren’s Nest represents the type locality dates indicate that the Much Wenlock Its blocky nature made the mined for 186 fossil species, of which 87 are Limestone Formation was deposited limestone ideal building stone, as seen found nowhere else. over approximately one million years. in Dudley Priory and Castle. Crushed Murchison’s book ‘The Silurian The ash layers are also revealing and burnt limestone provided lime System’ was published in 1839, earning abundant microfossils, including for mortar, fertilizer for agricultural him the nickname ‘King of Siluria’, numerous scolecodonts, believed to be purposes and, during the Industrial and launched in Dark Cavern beneath the mouthparts of annelid worms. Revolution, crushed limestone as flux Wren’s Nest to an audience of learned for iron smelting. At its height, Wren’s academics, sponsors and locals. His Industry Nest produced approximately 90,000 work would lead to a local Dudley Strong connections have existed tons of limestone. In 1678, ‘Father of fossil collection being assembled between the Wren’s Nest, the local the Industrial Revolution’, Abraham and the establishment of the Dudley geology and community for centuries. Darby was born at the family lodge once and Midland Geological Society in Absent glacial cover after the last Ice located on the reserve. 1842 - precursor to the Black Country

12 | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST Photo: Authors’ Photo Photo: Authors’ Photo Halysites Chain Coral

Photo: Authors’ Photo Dome Coral on the Main Patch Reef

Ripples on Limestone Beds, The Ripple Beds

Wren’s Nest Welcome Board and Trail Map

Photo: Authors’ Photo

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | AUGUST 2017 | 13 Photo: By Neil Mitchell/Shutterstock.com Sir Roderick Murchison

Silurian sea bed fossils collected Aerial view of Dudley Castle near from Wren’s Birmingham, West Midlands Nest Nature Reserve, Dudley UK. June 2014

Photo: sevenMaps7/Shutterstock.com Photo: www.badobadop.co.uk

▼ Geological Society, founded in or fossil hunting on the reserve. bid, the Wren’s Nest will hopefully 1975. Murchison also encouraged the Ongoing conservation work continue to be appreciated for at least movement for a Museum of Geology in encourages local participation to prevent another 60 years. ◆ Dudley, which led to the establishment anti-social behaviour, improve access of the Dudley Museum and Art Gallery and provide maintenance, education and in 1912. other promotional activities. Four trails *Andrew Harrison is Senior Geotechnical and – Wren’s Nest Highlights Trail, Wild Geo-Environmental Consultant at Rodgers Leask Geoconservation Wrosne, Murchison’s Walk and Abraham Environmental. He is field secretary and Vice Chair Friends Group volunteers and reserve Darby’s Walk – cross the Reserve, each of the Black Country Geological Society (BCGS). wardens hosted the Wren’s Nest 60th exploring geological features, wildlife E: [email protected] Anniversary celebrations, a year ago next and industrial heritage. Recent Lottery month, at the former Mons Hill College funded projects including, ‘The Ripples Campus. The event included talks from Through Time Project’ (2006), ‘The Strata Acknowledgments the Friends’ Group, Graham Worton Project’ (2007) and ‘The Wrosne Project’ Thanks to Dudley Museum Services for (Keeper of Geology) and guest speaker (2008) which continue to inspire and the use of photographs and for help with Professor Richard Fortey. After lunch educate visitors. As a flagship site for the the finer points of this article activities included either a guided walk Black Country’s ongoing Global Geopark

14 | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | AUGUST 2017 | 15 GEOSCIENTIST CALENDAR Can’t find your meeting? Visit www.geolsoc.org.uk/listings [Full, Accurate, Up-To-Date]

ENDORSED TRAINING/CPD

COURSE DATE VENUE AND DETAILS

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

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE MANY MORE MEETINGS FOR WHICH WE DO NOT HAVE SPACE. DIARY OF MEETINGS 2016/2017 ALWAYS CHECK WITH WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/LISTINGS

COURSE DATE VENUE AND DETAILS

Petrochemistry - 2017: 3rd World Congress 24 August Venue: Alimara Hotel, Berruguete, Barcelona, Spain. Cost: $799. on Oil, Gas and Petro Chemistry See website for details W: www.petroleumcongress.com/ Convener Petroleum Congress E: [email protected]

CENTURY ONE PUBLISHING To plan your ad campaign in IS THE UK’S BRIGHTEST Dietetics Today magazine contact: AWARD-WINNING Jonny Verman CONTRACT PUBLISHING t: 01727 739 184 AND ADVERTISING SALES AGENCY. e: [email protected] w: www.centuryonepublishing.uk

16 | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST Geoscientist welcomes readers’ letters. These are published as promptly as possible in Geoscientist Online and a selection READERS’ printed each month. Please submit your letter (300 words or fewer, by email only please) to [email protected]. LETTERS Letters will be edited. For references cited in these letters, please see the full versions at www.geolsoc.org.uk/letters

New CPD system Photo: iurii/Shutterstock.com

Photo: RunTheJewels/Shutterstock.com

Sir, I would agree entirely with Messrs. Talbot and Eccles (Letters, Geoscientist 27.05) that professional geologists,(ie., those offering expert services for payment) ought, both ethically and in their own business interests, to undertake CPD; and that where they seek to advertise such services by joining a Chartered body, that body is entitled to insist on this. Whether or not such body has the right to set itself up as a professional regulator is another matter; my preference would be that this function is better performed by public authority / government agency to avoid the ‘closed shop’ danger. However I believe that the Society has a unique role to play in advising any regulator and setting standards; it was for this reason that I became a professionally active CGeol in 1991. I am now retired and self-funded; I do not offer service for payment so there can be no legitimate public interest in what CPD I undertake. By most normal definitions (not the circular definition offered by Talbot and Eccles) I am not ‘a professional’. When I put data and opinion into published work it benefits from peer review to ensure that it is neither unsubstantiated nor outdated and that my discussion of the views of Much on Earth others follows due courtesy. That producing such work has necessitated CPD should be obvious. The need to report it to central bureaucrats is not. going on The GSL Code of Conduct is, since 2015, presumably that of the AGI Guidelines (a decision of Council not by poll of the Fellowship I believe). These make no distinction (as worded) between ‘professional’ Sir, John Arthur’s Soapbox ‘What on Earth is going on?’ and ‘scientific’ activity and by implication ‘Chartered’ or Non-Chartered’. (Geoscientist 27.05) deplored the closure of MSc courses in Seemingly the only difference between Chartered and Non-Chartered Exploration Geophysics at three universities and argued the Fellows is by now the requirement for a centralised registration of undoubted importance of geophysical techniques for site CPD. However I have always believed that, to the outside world, the investigations. designation CGeol adds something that is not immediately obvious However, the situation is not as bleak as he portrays it. A review in FGS alone, just as a senior degree adds to a first degree. It reflects of current MSc courses containing the word ‘Geophysics’ shows a qualification milestone and demonstrates one’s support (not least that nearly all of them are taught in conjunction with named subjects financial) for the Chartership structure as a means of improving such as Structural Geology (Leeds), Marine Geology (Southampton), professional standards. Soil Mechanics (Imperial) and so on. The Departments have Academic degrees are also milestone qualifications that reflect recognised the importance of providing geophysicists with a firm knowledge relevant to the time of their award; but universities do understanding of the geology, petrophysics and soil mechanics not require evidence of continued further study to allow the degree which our techniques can image so effectively. continued validity. The point of collecting any data is surely that it has Many years ago, Professor Perce Allen recognised this a use. It seems to me that those having attained CGeol status should fundamental truth when he founded the Geological Geophysics be offered a choice: tick the ‘non professionally-active’ box and save BSc course at Reading University. Sadly this course, with its many the submission and storage of CPD data that is of no use to anyone, opportunities for graduates, was closed by the then University or tick ‘professionally-active’, and ensure that their CPD data can be Grants Committee following the 1988 Earth Science Review. independently corroborated by those considering the possible use of However, I think we may conclude that the teaching of Exploration their services. In the latter case they are surely entitled to the safeguards Geophysics at MSc level is not dead, but exists very effectively in over the use of data that my Soapbox article mentioned. conjunction with detailed studies of the geological targets.

DAVID JAMES CLIVE MCCANN

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | AUGUST 2017 | 17 have no Internet access? CALL THE Library Bookshop 0207 432 0999 for [advice and to purchase publications] BOOKS & ARTS

The Earth in Human the subject. Unlike a university set text, it were dammed and he would then be higher up has more character and encourages you the canyon walls. This he likened to flooding Hands to think about a wide range of topical the Sistine Chapel to get a better view of Astrobiology is a niche Earth science issues – everything from Michelangelo’s ceiling! area of Earth sciences the implications of contacting aliens to After years of campaigning and promoting and it is in this context whether we should consider the use of conservation, Brower was all-powerful; but in that this book considers fossil fuels as akin to slavery. 1966 there was a change and his role went from the Anthropocene. Messiah to sage and he left the organisation. Although at first I Reviewed by: Dawn Brooks Wanting a new challenge he formed ‘Friends wondered if this would of the Earth’, basing it in New York rather be a little contrived, as THE EARTH IN HUMAN HANDS - SHAPING OUR than California where he had ‘history’. FoE Grinspoon sets out to PLANET’S FUTURE has gone from strength to strength and is by DAVID GRINSPOON, 2016. Published by now familiar to all those with environmental convince you - thinking with a planetary Grand Central Publishing 522pp (hbk) ISBN: science hat on about many topical Earth 978145558912852800 concerns. Bower’s vision and building of the science issues is more important and List Price: $28.00 USD. organisation is carefully documented though, www.grandcentralpublishing.com relevant than most people think. He again, non-American readers may struggle to presents the Anthropocene as a result of follow the political history so carefully laid out our planetary system rather than a direct by the author. consequence of human actions. However, This is a book that is clearly one that those I have to admit that until part-way The man who built the concerned with geoconservation should read through, when politics and social science as, throughout, there are references to places were brought into the mix alongside Sierra Club: a life of such as Dinosaur National Monument. One geology, the title felt a little bewildering. David Brower must, however, be prepared for a difficult I read this book with a background ‘read’ with only 18 b/w images to lighten the (perhaps obviously) in geology and an task. Those who are proud of the legacy of interest in anthropogenic impacts on the At 406 pages this is John Muir will certainly find items of interest. Earth. The first few chapters were mainly a large volume that If you have the time – it is quite fascinating in familiar material for me - but unexpected provides a detailed places. anecdotes and the introduction of account of the life of Reviewed by Malcolm Hart some unexpected concepts made for David Brower. Many entertaining reading. There was some may struggle to identify juxtaposition between relatively advanced him, though some THE MAN WHO BUILT THE SIERRA CLUB: A LIFE scientific vocabulary and explanations will recognise that OF DAVID BROWER by ROBERT WYSS, 2016, Columbia University Press. of fairly basic geological concepts and I he founded Friends Distributed in the UK by John Wiley & Sons Ltd, think someone with little knowledge of of the Earth in September 1969. Fewer Bognor Regis, West Sussex. Earth sciences could struggle. will recall his connection to the Sierra List Price: £26.00. https://cup.columbia.edu/book/the-man-who- The book considers some of the Club; a Californian ‘walking club’ that built-the-sierra-club/9780231164467 philosophical questions related to our he transformed into a campaigning role as caretakers of the planet as a whole environmental association. rather than considering individual Earth The interest to UK readers is the link science systems such as weather. Instead to John Muir who, after growing up in Devonian Climate, Sea of jumping to extreme conclusions, Dunbar, emigrated to the United States, Grinspoon argues why astrobiology was instrumental in founding the Sierra Level and Evolutionary supports favouring stability over Club (1892), and also became the father- Events innovation and that we are ‘perhaps figure of the American National Parks engineering Earth only in the way that after his famous camping trip in Yosemite your infant is engineering your home with president Theodore Roosevelt in This Geological Society media system by sticking cookies in the 1903. Special Publication DV D slot ’. The story of how Brower joined the presents a number of However the book stops short of Sierra Club and developed it into a papers encapsulating suggesting answers to many of the campaigning, environmental organisation the latest research questions which are posed to the reader – as well as transforming its membership surrounding our and instead presents novel, space- numbers – is fascinating. At the time, of understanding of research-related ways in which to course, there were plans to dam major the geological and approach problems, and allows you to rivers in the Rockies, and those wishing palaeontological draw your own conclusions. As the author to preserve ‘wilderness’ were at odds with records of climate change and the reminds us – ‘The difference between us government. The text, in places, is dense, evolutionary changes associated with and the dinosaurs is that they didn’t have with frequent references to the American them in the Devonian. a space programme’. political system and the politicians. There Having recently reviewed the book I enjoyed reading this book. What sets are, however, some memorable quotes, on the same topic by Suttner et al. (2016), it apart from some titles on similar topics my favourite being where Brower, on a I was keen to see how this volume is its less ‘authoritative’ tone; perhaps a trip down a river in a deep canyon, was measured up. It is a fascinating read, more appropriate and enjoyable reading horrified when the politicians suggested although obviously aimed at a slightly experience for those with a background in that he would get a better view if the river different, (dare one say, more ‘academic’)

18 | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST Would you like to receive a free book and write a review? Available titles are listed online, of which a small selection is shown below. Contact the editor for further information [email protected]

audience. The 14 chapters cover a wide Strictly (Mining) national mining policy. range of topics and subject areas, with Boardroom – Volume II There is surprisingly little on the a global coverage and encompassing a challenges the industry faces relating wide range of techniques. to legacy issues and environmental The book is essential reading for Where to start? degradation, two of the largest issues anyone interested in the Devonian Attention should that new and old mining face in the world and is a welcome addition to be on the fact that future. the subject, summarising as it does the subtitle has An interesting book, a good the work of all the scientists involved DIRECTORS in introduction to the mining sector and in ICGP 596. It is really interesting for capitals. This book of no doubt a useful guide for future someone who teaches geology (like personal reflections ‘DIRECTOR S’. me) to see how multidisciplinary and views is aimed at approaches are being used to answer those in the mining Reviewed by: James Montgomery questions from deep time and sector who are on a career path that will increasingly coming up with answers result in their becoming senior directors STRICTLY (MINING) BOARDROOM – and also with further questions for in mining companies. It therefore is VOLUME II: A Practitioner’s Guide for Next research! not big on geological detail, but does Generation DIRECTORS by ALLEN TRENCH & JOHN SYKES. 2016. This volume builds on the excellent look at the economics and operations Published by: Major Street Publishing Pty Ltd. books already covering the Devonian of businesses in relation to mining 294pp (ppk). ISBN : 9780994542410. world by the same publisher, for activities. Online Price Aus $34.95. example Königshof (2009). As with all The authors are Australian and the W: www.majorstreet.com.au books from the publisher the quality focus of attention is on the Australian of reproduction is second to none, with mining sector; so there is a significant excellent use of colour where required. amount of information relating to Tables and diagrams are clearly Australia and much less on international reproduced and enhance the readability mining, but all in the context of how you Geobritannica of the text. might plan and run a mining enterprise. Covering the use of modern So the focus on Australia is not a The authors state that techniques to give a much improved distraction for the reader. this book “… attempts dating and correlation of Devonian The book is a collection of articles to put the geological events, I will be using this text to revisit tackling a very wide range of topics. history, landscapes my teaching of the understanding of Generally, it is very easy to read. and materials of mass-extinction events and global sea- Although some parts require a better Britain … into historic, level fluctuations during that period. understanding of elements of economics societal and artistic In particular I found the coverage of than I have, the target audience should concepts.” They trace a multitude of biotic crises during be familiar with them. its ‘ancestry’ back to A the Devonian really enhanced my Initial sections cover what the Board E Trueman’s Geology and scenery of England understanding. The wide variety of of a mining operation should look and Wales, W G Hoskins’s The making of the techniques covered and the wide like – what skills and competencies English landscape and Jacquetta Hawkes’s geographical coverage mean that there make a good Board. It looks at the roles A land, books that a certain generation of should be something for everyone and responsibilities of Boards, and reader will recognise as ‘classics’. We have with an interest in climate change the authors provide suggestions and waited a long time for a reputable heir! and evolutionary events during an recommendations throughout as to how Early chapters introduce readers to important time in our planet’s history. the status quo that exists in the industry basic geology and the history of geology This volume deserves a wide may be challenged and improved. together with its influence on art and readership. It complements perfectly the An interesting chapter looking to the literature and the use of rock in people’s work of Suttner et al. (2016) and if you future for mining justifies improving lives, especially as building stone. There were tempted to purchase that volume, the gender balance at Board level (and is a chapter on palaeogeography with then I would suggest you would be keen throughout the industry). There are simplified maps which is particularly to have this book on your shelves as also three scenarios looking at how useful, explaining the concept of plate well! Indeed I feel very lucky indeed to global mining will develop up to 2040, tectonics and placing Great Britain in have had the opportunity to review it. from somewhat bleak to positive (from a context during each geological era private mining company’s perspective). In the final section of the book entitled • References available online. Editor Throughout the book, the need to ‘GeoRegions’, Great Britain is divided into maintain exploration at a high level 17 areas with a chapter devoted to each. Reviewed by Gordon Neighbour is discussed and addressed from Simplified geological and topographical many different angles. Operating and maps are placed adjacent to each other at DEVONIAN CLIMATE, SEA LEVEL AND maintain existing assets is covered, the beginning of each chapter to set the EVOLUTIONARY EVENTS but to a lesser degree. Finally, the scene, making comparison easy, before by R T BECKER, P KÖNIGSHOF AND C E BRETT book provides an insight into mineral the geology, culture and art is discussed. (Eds) Geological Society Special Publication #423 ISBN: 978–1–86239–734-7 economics, and finance, policy and Without doubt this is the section to which List Price: £130.00 Fellows’ price: £65.00. regulation. The latter in particular readers will turn first. W: http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SP423 poses challenging questions to those It is beautifully illustrated

who might be responsible for developing throughout with clear captions ▼

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | AUGUST 2017 | 19 have no Internet access? CALL THE Library Bookshop 0207 432 0999 for [advice and to purchase publications] BOOKS & ARTS

and acknowledgment of sources. The a book on this one part of the topic might having occurred during paintings shown are very often familiar well be justified. past glaciations. Since but the book makes one look at them The next three chapters deal with nature, then there has been a from a different perspective. It is worth effects – changes in the course of history growing realization possessing a copy of the book for these – and events. Like chapter one, these of the particularly alone! hold you in place and are full of extensive dangerous hazards There is a very useful glossary and information, some well-known but much produced by magma bibliography at the end of the volume, my not. Discussion of an event’s effects is coming into contact only criticism being that the bibliography, often interesting, especially when, as here, with ice and meltwater, split into the three corresponding unrelated but otherwise similar events are and enhanced production of fine volcanic sections of the book, does not repeat the compared. The occasional comparison of ash. Chapter numbers contained in those damage ‘value’ has little value, though, Glaciovolcanism played a significant sections. It would have made finding because the underlying costs, which tend part in the eruptions of Mount St Helens, references much easier, but it is a minor to increase quite rapidly with time, cannot and melting magnified an otherwise small niggle, easily solved by annotating one’s be compared. The ‘most expensive’ storm, Andean eruption by producing deadly personal copy! or knick-knack, rarely remains in pole lahars in 1985 which flowed down from the The book has been written to appeal position for long. Nevado del Ruiz killing more than 24,000 to the ‘interested amateur’. This it does Storms in literature and spectacle are people in Columbia. admirably, but I am sure a professional covered in their respective chapters in Following a brief introduction, this geologist will find it equally rewarding much the same way as above. Both the well-structured account with numerous to read. Copies are available for sale in breadth of cover and individual detail photographs, figures, graphs and the Society’s Bookshop (online and in deserve top marks, although it is inevitable tabulations, starts with a round-up of Burlington House) at a discounted price that many ‘lesser’ sources are not included. main provinces, with mostly Quaternary of £22.49 for Fellows. The final chapter – ‘Futures’ – examples - though, Kerguelen and was slightly less satisfying than its Spitsbergen are easily omitted, and it is Reviewed by: Wendy Cawthorne predecessors. The breadth of knowledge inconceivable that many eruptions in applied and the detail are both excellent, France did not occur in the vicinity of as is much of the comment. A little more GEOBRITANNICA: GEOLOGICAL LANDSCAPES ice. Indeed, even in the Eifel maars were AND THE BRITISH PEOPLES BY MIKE LEEDER & strength would have helped, however. It probably erupted though permafrost: JOY LAWLOR, 2016 Published by: Dunedin Press is, indeed, wise to cut back on human any tentative evidence may simply have xiv, 281pp (hbk) ISBN 9781780460604 activities likely to affect the rate and/ been overlooked, as this possibility only List Price: £24.99. W: http://www. dunedinacademicpress.co.uk/page/detail/GeoBr or extent of climate change, for that and occurred to me reading the chapter about itannica/?K=e2015040315443911 other reasons. Such things can only work Mars with references to rootless cones slowly, at best, though, and some of the (p.367). Eruptions are outlined for fourteen change, however caused, is irreversible in historically observed volcanoes, including anything less than the very long term. It Eyja, whose volcanic ash grounded flights is imperative, therefore, to adapt activities, during the 2010 Easter holidays, though Storm - nature & cultures, and modes of life to fit climate (unlike the Icelandic topographic survey), culture change, not just try to reverse, halt or slow Eyjafjallajökull, the name given to its it. Despite that, this really is an excellent glacier, is used following the literature! book and is a welcome addition to my The technical chapters start with physical This is seemingly an collection. properties and chemistry, including how age of increasingly varying silica and volatile content affect the ferocious storms, so Reviewed by: Jeremy Joseph temperature and viscosity of lavas. Physics this book is timely. includes more complex thermal equations It is also excellent STORM – NATURE AND CULTURE (including (6.6) a very rare error confusing – fascinating, well by John Withington, 2016. Published by: Reaktion gravity with the gravitational constant), written and hard to Books, London, UK. ISBN: 978-1-78023-661-2. fragmentation processes and modes of Paperback. 192 pp. put down. The seven List Price £14.95. emplacement. Next, analytical methods are chapters have many W: www.reaktionbooks.co.uk outlined, then landforms associated with beautiful illustrations. Some are very glacial environments, before a handy guide well known others not, but all were worth to the formal terminology for describing including. glaciovolcanic sequences. This is backed up The first chapter deals with the place of by three compositionally themed chapters storms in religion, around the world and Glaciovolcanism on describing typical volcanic products formed through the ages. Most English-speaking Earth & Mars under glacial conditions, including ice- readers will know the place of storms and impounded lavas. The chapter on hazards many of the stories about them, in current, expands on earlier examples. Throughout major religions. Fewer, perhaps, will know This delightful monograph provides an the text is extremely well illustrated, even if much about them in Greek, Hindu, Roman excellent introduction to the hitherto the middle pages containing 25 high quality and/or Scandinavian mythology, let alone neglected topic of how volcanic eruptions colour versions don’t need captions stating that of the Aztecs, Maori or Nootka. While interact with the cryosphere. The that they also appear in black and white. limited – this is just one chapter – the distinctive properties of extensive volcanic This is in stark contrast to some of the pages, comparisons and parallels are intriguing; deposits were first recognised in Iceland as which are incredibly faintly printed for such

20 | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST Would you like to receive a free book and write a review? Available titles are listed online, of which a small selection is shown below. Contact the editor for further information [email protected]

an expensive volume. will be useful for those new to Quaternary The penultimate chapter on Mars engineering geology. It provides benefits most from its colour illustrations, useful discussions on relationships Environmental Change as it briefly outlines how low surface between geology and engineering, gravity of 3.71 ms-2 and atmospheric which tends to vary depending on in Southern Africa pressure probably influenced past the part of the world you work in, and eruptions. This is coupled to a very high the local relevance of professional This book consists obliquity with past axial tilts approaching accreditation. Eggers also provides a of 25 chapters on 47° compared to 25° currently, which history of how engineering geology a highly diverse means Martian glacial periods are the has evolved, outlining some of series of topics from opposite to ours with higher polar the organisations intrinsic in its hominin origins, insolation and warmer climates than development. geomorphology, usual. The final chapter sets out how For engineering geology novices, sedimentary future research might be enhanced in a this provides a platform with which environments, number of avenues, including the timing to explore the rest of the book, while climate, of eruptions in relation to the glacial cycle others may delve straight into the paleoanthropological archaeological and likely responses to climate change, individual chapters. My favourite record and fauna relating to the theme plus selecting Martian landing sites which chapter is on geotechnical issues at of this book with chapters one and 25 may have harboured extra-terrestrial life an open-cut coal mine in the Late setting the theme and summary of sustained by volcanic geothermal heat. Permian Baralaba Coal Measures in the book respectively. Each chapter Queensland, Australia. It presents describes and summarises the • References available online. Editor some of the longstanding issues that current status of research of the topic I and many other geologists have had relating to that chapter. This includes Reviewed by: David Nowell to deal with there over the years. Such illustrations relating to the topic under case studies from the Bowen Basin discussion and selected illustrations GLACIOVOLCANISM ON EARTH AND rarely make it into the international are reproduced in colour in section of MARS - PRODUCTS, PROCESSES AND literature beyond an extend abstract the text. As each topic is a stand-alone PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE in a conference proceedings, so to see paper this has resulted in some very by J L SMELLIE AND B R EDWARDS Published by: a full-length paper is most welcome. Cambridge University Press 2016. similar plates being reproduced twice. ISBN: 978-1-107-03739-7 As is sometimes the case with As indicated above, with such a wide List Price £112, $140 xii + 483pp Hardback edited volumes, the figures are of range of topics, a general reader might W: www.Cambridge.org variable quality. The vast majority of find their level of interest varying and figures are in black and white. This being stimulated or otherwise from is somewhat of a pity, as some of the paper to paper; but overall the book figures would have been enlivened provides very interesting insights into with colour; several of the figures in the variability of the environment, Developments in Kozlyakova et al., for example, and during the last 2.6Ma. Engineering Geology this detracts from the book. Also coming to the fore are the Another thought is that there is challenges that researchers face in a four-year gap between the 34IGC respect of the accuracy (or to be more The 20 chapters and publication of this volume. New precise the inaccuracies) of dating in this volume are technology is emerging all of the events or sites covered by these topics, a series of case time in engineering geology, given its and the current scarcity of sites over studies arising position at the nexus of engineering this large area which can lead to a from the 34th and remote sensing disciplines. meaningful correlation of events and International Hence, recent technological advances sites in Southern Africa. Geological such as structure-from-motion This brings me to a niggling comment Congress (‘34IGC’) (SfM) photogrammetry and other that - while the book is described as in Brisbane, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) covering ‘Southern Africa’, many, but Australia (2012). The chapters are from technologies are absent. Nevertheless, not all of the authors present maps and a range of contributors, including in summary this will be a worthwhile data from South Africa. There is not academics, government researchers, volume, and presents interesting case one contribution from researchers in and consultants. The book is divided studies by eminent practitioners in Botswana or Namibia whose countries into five themes, reflecting the ‘34IGC’ the field of engineering geology. fall within ‘Southern Africa’. symposia within which the work Coincidentally, there is, in the Reviewed by: Martin Brook was presented: (1) urban engineering December issue of Geobulletin by geology; (2) mining engineering the Council for Geoscience of South geology; (3) managing geohazard DEVELOPMENTS IN ENGINEERING GEOLOGY Africa, a striking reproduction of a risk; (4) geological models; (5), by M J EGGERS, J S GRIFFITHS, S PARRY and M poster commissioned by the Institute geomechanics. Hence, a broad range of G CULSHAW (eds), 2016. Published by: Geological for Coastal and Marine Research topics are covered, and the index at the Society Engineering Geology Special Publication in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, of a #27 253pp (hbk) ISBN: 9781862399723 back of the volume will be useful for List Price: £90.00. representation of the Palaeo-Agulhas readers who want to dip into specifics. W: https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SPE27 Plain. This was exposed some 60,000

The first chapter by Eggers years ago, to the south of the ▼

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | AUGUST 2017 | 21 have no Internet access? CALL THE Library Bookshop 0207 432 0999 for [advice and to purchase publications] BOOKS & ARTS

southernmost point of South Africa, in Hazards from magmatic rifts. the important legacies of which the current coastline of RSA is The first section focuses on East Africa his museum work, and his shown as mountains in the distance (30km) and also includes a case study of the wife’s contributions and to the north. After reading this volume, I Colima Rift in western Mexico. The memories. was able to appreciate how the world is a second (and main) section reports new Its second part deals dynamic entity, and not a static one. The observations and insights on the magma- in greater detail with his book also highlights the adaptability of dominated rifting in the Ethiopian scientific work; on both humans and their ancestors to the variable Afar region, which is undergoing the fish and tetrapods, and his climes of the last 2.6Ma. final phases of continental break-up (or contributions to Antarctic, potentially where sea floor spreading has Australian, and South America geology. Reviewed by: Alan Golding initiated). It gives a mere nod to ASW’s sad work on The third section describes the tectonic human evolution, sullied by his being taken in QUATERNARY ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE IN and magmatic processes operating at active by that remarkable impostor Charles Dawson SOUTHERN AFRICA: PHYSICAL AND HUMAN mid-ocean ridges and examines the closing (1864-1916) at Piltdown. New light now shows DIMENSIONS stages of continental fragmentation / there was a) only a single perpetrator (pointing Edited by: Jasper Knight and Stefan W Grab. 2016 Cambridge University Press ISBN: 9781316572900 break-up from rock associations preserved only at Dawson, Geology Today, Sept-Oct 2016) (ebook) ISBN-13: 978-1107055797 (hbk). 450pp. within continental margins. The final and b) that Dawson’s earlier work in Sussex List Price (hbk) £79.99. W: www.cambridge.org section additionally addresses hazards was already of doubtful authenticity (Sussex related to active magmatic rift settings Archaeological Collections, vol. 151, 2013). and their significance for appropriate One of the main rationales of this book was to risk management and hazard-reduction publicise the great contributions ASW made to strategies. vertebrate palaeontology. Magmatic Rifting and In summary, the volume provides But problems remain. In 1980, Albert E an excellent overview of the recent Gunther claimed ASW was ‘from a cultured Active Volcanism interdisciplinary geoscientific family of silk traders in Manchester [sic], developments within this important enabling him to devote his life to science The association of and evolving field. The contributions are untroubled by pecuniary difficulties’. This magmatism with the well-written and edited, complemented volume counter-claims ‘the family were extensional rifting with appropriate figures, photographs and comfortably off, but by no means wealthy’. of continental crust data-tables, features that one has come to ASW’s own record of his meteoric rise in is a key factor in the expect from the GSL Special Publication Victorian science gives no clues. But ASW’s fragmentation or series. The editors and contributors are life may not have been that easy, when we break-up of established to be congratulated. An informative and consider his extended family. continental lithosphere. recommended read. His wife, Maud Leonora Ida, née Seeley Deciphering the (1873-1963), contributes her 122-page Reviewed by: Mark Griffin complex interactions between magmatism Memories [online at https://www.geolsoc. and rifting is problematic as the collective org.uk/SUP18867]. She was the daughter of ‘end-products’ of this (now-inactive) MAGMATIC RIFTING AND ACTIVE VOLCANISM palaeontologist Harry Govier Seeley (1839- system are concealed beneath substantial by Wright T J, Ayele A, Ferguson D J, Kidane, T and 1909). Her mother Eleanor Jane, née Mitchell Vye-Brown, C (editors). Geological Society of London (1845-1925), was granted a civil list pension sedimentary deposits. Special Publication No 420. 2016. Geological Society This Special Publication explores the of London. ISBN 978-1-86239-729-3. Hbk. 374pp. in 1910: ‘her husband having merited the relationship between magmatism, rifting ISSN 0305-8719. financial gratitude of his country by his useful and active volcanism documenting the List Price: £120.00, Fellows’ Price £60.00 W: discoveries in science’. www.geolsoc.org.uk/SP420 current geoscientific research conducted Both Mitchells and Seeleys had to face over the complete rift system, from straightened circumstances. Eleanor’s brother, initiation of continental break-up to busy gathering data on William Smith (1769- the final ‘products’ preserved within 1839), was unable to complete it through continental margins and at active mid- financial crises. And both Harry’s father ocean ridges. The volume concentrates on Arthur Smith Woodward and grandfather were declared ‘insolvent’ currently active rift systems in order to - His Life and Influence (when not being ‘in trade’ meant much more understand system components that are draconian treatment than mere ‘bankruptcy’). now inactive, with particular emphasis on Modern Vertebrate ASW’s own fine career in science during placed on the East African Rift system and Palaeontology Victorian times suggests that such careers Ethiopian Afar region. were still not being adequately rewarded. Introduced with an overview paper from the editors, the volume presents 17 papers This is a most useful, and handsome, Reviewed by: Hugh Torrens organised into four thematic sections, volume. Using the resources of the Natural chronologically arranged to cover the History Museum in London, where ASW ARTHUR SMITH WOODWARD - HIS LIFE spectrum of magmatic rift settings, from (1864-1944) was Keeper of Geology 1901- AND INFLUENCE ON MODERN VERTEBRATE 1924, it lists his incredible bibliography PALAEONTOLOGY the initiation of continental break-up to Edited by Z JOHANSON, P M BARRETT, M RICHTER AND sea floor spreading: Role of magmatism of 742 entries, starting with his Trip from M SMITH, 2016. Published by the Geological Society of in continental rifting, Magma-dominated Crewe to North Wales, which he printed London (SP 430) 362pp (hbk) ISBN 978-1-86239-741-5. rifting in the Afar triple junction, Mid- himself in 1878. This volume, and its online List Price: £110.00. Fellows’ Price: £55.00. W: www.geolsoc.org.uk/SP430 ocean ridges and continental margins and supplements, chart both ASW’s life and

22 | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST Would you like to receive a free book and write a review? Available titles are listed online, of which a small selection is shown below. Contact the editor for further information [email protected]

John Phillips’s and endnotes are a model of Aside from rocks as we know them, scholarship: informative, clearly, Zalasiewicz also delves into human- Lithographic Notebook concisely and engagingly written. The made rocks such as concrete and - book itself – a beautiful slim hardback surprisingly - how more than 50,000 A review of a book with text and illustrations printed on crystalline species have been made so about the history of heavy, cream-coloured paper – would far. Enough aluminium has be produced lithography might grace any coffee table. But it also in the last 150 years to cover the USA seem out of place in highlights the links between geology entirely in kitchen foil. However, a magazine aimed at and lithography, sheds new light on the geological longevity of human- geologists. But there the activities and motivations and made rocks and minerals is not yet are plenty of reasons talents of both Smith and Phillips, determined, so we don’t know the full why they will and emphasises the importance of extent of our footprint for ages to come. find it fascinating. presentation in communication. Treat This book is a great pocket-sized short Lithography – printing from stone – was yourself! read and gently touches on the principles invented in 1796 as a cheap method for and concepts behind Earth sciences. The publishing theatrical works. It soon Reviewed by: Nina Morgan author also provides a recommended caught the attention of geologists as reading list for you to explore to your a useful method for printing maps, JOHN PHILLIPS’S LITHOGRAPHIC NOTEBOOK heart’s content. drawings, and manuscripts. William by MICHAEL TWYMAN (ed), Printing Historical Reviewed by: Amy-Jo Miles Smith (1769–1839) was one of these, Society, London, 2016, 103pp. ISBN 978-0- 900003-16-5. and he seems to have encouraged his List Price: £30.00 (£15 to members of the orphaned nephew, John Phillips (1800– Printing Historical Society). ROCKS: A VERY SHORT INTRODUCTION 1874), to look into its potential uses. JAN ZALASIEWICZ, 2016. Published by: Oxford Phillips arrived in London in University Press, 160pp. ISBN: 9780198725190 List Price: £7.99. W: https://global.oup.com/ November 1815 to work with on his ukhe/product/rocks-a-very-short-introduction- uncle’s extensive fossil collection and 9780198725190?cc=gb&lang=en& became, in effect, Smith’s geological apprentice. He went on to rise through Rocks - a Very Short the ranks and became, in 1853, the Introduction first ‘Professor of Geology’ at Oxford BOOKS FOR REVIEW University. Soon after his arrival in London, the teenager began a series of This is a thorough Please contact [email protected] if you would experiments to improve and understand and succinct account, like to supply a review. You will be invited to keep the review copy. See a full up-to-date list at the process of lithography. His accessible to all who www.geolsoc.org.uk/reviews notebook, recording his experiments would like a concise and observations, is now preserved in introduction on a ◆ NEW! Energy Science - principles, the archives of the Oxford University wide and highly technologies and impacts by John Andrews & Museum of Natural History. researched topic – Nick Jelley. Oxford UP 2017508pp, Phillips’s work is presented in full as rocks. As with many sbk (3rd edn) ◆ a series of double-page spreads, with ‘VSI’ books, you NEW! The Cambrian Fossils of Chengjiang, China - the flowering of Early Animal Life by a facsimile page from the notebook on are introduced to the wider concept, Hou-Xiang Guang et al, 2nd Ed., 311pp, one and a transcript and annotations such as how primitive Earth and Wiley Blackwell hbk by historian of printing, Michael minerals were formed from supernova ◆ NEW! Principles of Radiometric Dating by Twyman, facing. It is a wonderful explosions and stellar outbursts, before Kunchithipadam Gopalan Cambridge example of a lab notebook from the past. exploring the differing rock types, UP207pp hbk It not only provides an insight into the plate tectonics, rocks on other planets, ◆ NEW! Atlas of Trace Fossils in Well Core: development of lithography, but also the ‘Anthropocene’ and the concept of Appearance, Taxconomy & Interpretation by Phillips’s skill as an experimentalist and human-made rocks. Dirk Knaust 2017 Springer Verlag209pp, hbk. his ideas for improving it. Zalasiewicz is a great storyteller who ◆ NEW! Water Wells & Boreholes (2nd Edn) Documents like this, which were not captures your imagination as concepts by Misstear, Banks and Clark. Wiley 2017518pp hbk meant for publication, often bring the are explained using straightforward ◆ NEW! Geochemistry and Geophysics of Active personality of the author to life. Just prose. Not only is it a great overview Volcanic Lakes by Ohba et al. GSL the sight of Phillips’s clear copperplate of Geology 101, but the author treats Publishing SP#437 295pp, hbk handwriting is evocative of a time when us to a few surprising facts along the ◆ Silver - nature & culture by Lindsay Shen. handwriting was a major means of way. Hornfels has been utilised in past 2017 Reaktion Books 208pp flexicover. communication. Charmingly personal musical performances as a xylophone- ◆ Rocks, Ice and Dirty Stones - diamond comments appear in some places. like instrument, capturing the hearts of histories by Marcia Pointon. On one page Phillips bemoans how (among others) Queen Victoria! 2017 Reaktion books 257pp hbk thoughts fly out of his head, and writes: Other than those of planet Earth, rocks ◆ Anomalies - pioneering women in Petroleum ‘When a thought suddenly occurs from further afield are also discussed, Geology 1917-2017 by Robbie Gries. Jewel Publishing 2017 405pp, hbk it most probably will soon depart, such as our Moon, rocks of near and ◆ Salt Tectonics - principles & practice therefore I think it best to mark it in a distant planets, and planets of other star by Jackson PA and Huden MR. Cambridge black letter.’ We’ve all been there! systems, exploring the evidence and University Press Twyman’s introduction, annotation history of our knowledge.

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | AUGUST 2017 | 23 PEOPLE NEWS

CAROUSEL

All Fellows of the Society are entitled to entries in this column. Please email [email protected], quoting your Fellowsip number.

◆ Bruce Cairns has recently been appointed Chief Policy Advisor at Radioactive Waste Management Limited, having spent over 10 years at the various UK Government departments responsible for nuclear energy and th’ radioactive waste management. A tale of two 50 s ◆ Patricia Henton Council member On 5-8 July a conference took place in Engineering Geology & Hydrogeology. A and lately Non- Portsmouth, celebrating two significant series of talks was lined up from notable Executive Director, landmarks in applied geology, writes Steve contributors to the journal, such Eddie Coal Authority, was Branch. Bromhead (current Chief Scientific Editor), awarded the MBE for 50 years ago, the undergraduate Mike Winter, Jim Griffiths, and many others, services to the Environment and Engineering Geology and Geotechnics who explored and reviewed the significant programme at the University of Portsmouth contribution of the journal over the last half Professional Education in the admitted its first students. Introduced in 1967 century. Queen’s Birthday Honours List. soon after the establishment of the Geology The conference was well attended, with department, the course has aimed to supply significant support from a wide range of ◆ Susan Turner industry with highly competent, practical professional organisations and engineering has had a meeting engineering geologists and geotechnical consultants and contractors, such as the organised in her honour engineers. Over its 50 years graduates of British Geotechnical Association, The - the 14th International the course have gone on to make significant Geological Society of London, Atkins, BAM Symposium on Early contributions to the ground and mining Ritchies, GEA, Aecom, WSP-PB, Ramboll, engineering sectors the world over, and the Keller, PBA and many more. and Lower Vertebrates, conference offered the opportunity for these in the Holy Cross Mountains, alumni to come together and celebrate their Poland, 3-8 July 2017. The achievements. ➤ http://www.port.ac.uk/ festschrift will be published in Acta th The second landmark was the 50 engineering-geology-50-conference/ Geologica Polonica. anniversary of the Quarterly Journal of

IN MEMORIAM WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/OBITUARIES

THE SOCIETY NOTES WITH SADNESS THE PASSING OF: Absolom, Sydney Stuart * Gardener, Roger * Marshall, Mr John A * Shingleton, Sam * Armitage, John * Geddes, James D*§ Maud, Rodney Richard Morgan Small, John * Ayers-Morgan, Christopher * Howell, Frank Travis * Palmer, Stephen J * Whitlow, Roy * Butcher, Norman Edward * Jenner-Clarke, Hugh Clifford David * Pipes, Kenneth P * Young, Paul Ivor * Downey, Marlan Laws, Michael James * Rawcliffe, Eric * Drysdall, Alan Roy * Leighton, James * Robson, David *

In the interests of recording its Fellows’ work for posterity, the Society publishes obituaries online, and in Geoscientist. 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 [email protected] 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 recorded in a Roll of Honour at www.geolsoc.org.uk/obituaries.

24 | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST GEOSCIENTIST PEOPLE NEWS

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

DISTANT THUNDER Buried Treasure

Geologist and science were popular among the mineral decoration to the natural just off the tourist route while writer Nina Morgan goes wealthy. Meanwhile a trade caverns in the Fluor Mine.” trying out a new method of in smaller Blue John items mining using a stone chainsaw. underground to discover and jewellery for the masses Under the carpet In the 1870s when supplies a treasure trove. flourished in ‘petrification’ shops Although commercial mining of were relatively plentiful, Blue in Derbyshire. Blue John ended around 1926, John sold for £40/ton ‘in the Vases and ornaments made small quantities of Blue John rough’. This translates into from the fluorspar variety are still excavated from parts £3500 - £3700 in today’s Blue John were must-have Magical mystery of Treak Cliff. The Treak Cliff money. At that price, the Blue ornaments for the wealthy in the tour show caves, reopened in 1935 John mines at Treak Cliff may second half of the 18th Century. In the 19th Century the Blue by the then leaseholder, John well be turning into gold mines. Although similar fluorspars are John caverns – formed within Royse, remain a popular tourist But fashions in ornamental found elsewhere, the ‘authentic’ a reef limestone mass of early destination. stones change quickly, so Blue John is found only in Carboniferous age – became When Royse retired in shareholders are advised not to veins in the caverns and mines a popular tourist destination. 1945 and handed over the book that luxury holiday just yet! of Treak Cliff, near the Peak Visitors were guided by management of the caverns to District town of Castleton in candlelight through the show the current leaseholders, Peter Derbyshire. The first known Harrison and his family, he left caves which contained ‘rooms’ ➤ Acknowledgement references to Blue John date with exotic names such as behind a legend and a mystery. Sources for this vignette from around 1700, but serious the Variegated Cavern and During the handover, Royse include: the entry for mining began around 1750, the Crystallised Cavern to revealed that he had discovered Robert Bakewell by Hugh and the popularity of Blue John marvel at displays of flowstone, a significant new source of Blue Torrens in the Oxford ornaments took off. stalagmites, stalactites John at Treak Cliff, but he died Dictionary of National Fans included George III and ‘organ pipes’ which before he could describe its Biography; the Wikipe- and Queen Charlotte who formed where stalactites and location. dia Entry for Treak Cliff; owned a set that included a stalagmites meet. This vein was only re- Trevor Ford, Blue John clock, censers and candelabra In his book 1833 book discovered by chance in Fluorspar, Geology To- in Blue John made in 1770 by Introduction to Geology, a book January 2013 by the cavern day, vol 10 (5), 1994, pp. the manufacturer, entrepreneur that inspired Charles Lyell [1797 manager, Gary Ridley and 186-190; James Croston, and Lunar Society member, – 1875] to take an interest in Harrison’s grandson, John On Foot Through the Peak, third edition, 1876, Matthew Boulton. The stone geology, the geologist Robert Turner, hidden under a piece and the website: was also used widely used as of carpet and a layer of clay. Bakewell [1767–1843], waxed www.bluejohnstone.com decorative panels in fireplace lyrical about the caverns, writing The location, Harrison said, surrounds in large houses. that: was one that “we’ve walked Large bespoke items, such as “were the descriptions of the over for years and years”. At the Chatsworth Tazza (a vase grotto of Antiparos translated current rates of extraction, the * Nina Morgan is a geologist and made from a single piece of into the simple language of find is expected to last for at science writer based near Oxford. Blue John in around 1842 for truth, I am inclined to believe least a decade. And there is Her latest book, The Geology of the Duke of Devonshire and it would be found inferior in more to come. In 2015, Ridley Oxford Gravestones, is available via now on display at Chatsworth) magnificence and splendour of discovered a further new vein www.gravestonegeology.uk

Bowl made from Derbyshire Blue John, Source: Wikimedia commons on display in Castleton Visitor Centre

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | AUGUST 2017 | 25 GEOSCIENTIST OBITUARY

OBITUARY Robin Temple Hazell 1927 - 2017

Pioneer of systematic groundwater obin Temple Hazell, Robin felt the best way for died in Bodmin, development in Africa the siting to stay ahead Cornwall on 19 of drilling was by aerial February, 2017 aged photograph interpretation R 89. Evacuated to New and electromagnetic (EM) Zealand during WW2, Robin conductivity surveying. completed secondary education He developed an empirical and began university studies at system of EM data collection the University of Otago. At the and interpretation. The end of the War, he returned to boreholes were drilled at an the UK and entered the Royal 83% success rate. College of Science in London He was until his death taking a degree in Geology in a member of the choir of 1948. his church, an avid bridge He joined the Geological player, crossword solver Survey of Nigeria, mapping and raconteur, regaling his several marble, limestone, and audience with anecdotes coal deposits; but his main from his eventful life - a gift interest was groundwater. to he put into great use in his He studied and documented hilarious memoir, ‘Life on the groundwater resources of t he Roc k s’. Nigeria in several bulletins of the Geological Survey and Compassion other papers. He remained a very compassionate person. Once Independence in Bauchi, I fell ill. He put At Nigeria’s independence me on a plane to London to (1960) aged 33, he retired see a Harley Street doctor at from the colonial service his own expense. He was

and set himself up as an a man of deep faith and

independent consultant as fortitude, attributes which ‘Temple Hazell Associates’. sustained his spirits when he In 1974, he registered Water ~ lost his first wife, Kath and Surveys Nigeria Ltd. The later their two daughters. company became a leading He is survived by his hydrogeological firm in Nigeria the water was hot. It turned second wife, Ursula, the and operated all over Africa, HE WAS A out to be artesian, at 71°C – pillar of his old age, and Middle East and Europe. MAN OF DEEP and was the deepest water- Sam, his grandson. For In the late 1960s, the FAITH AND supply borehole in West me, his death brings to an groundwater supply to the Africa at the time. end an era spanning nearly Guinness brewery at Ikeja, FORTITUDE, 40 years of almost daily north of Lagos became ATTRIBUTES Surveys communication. He guided contaminated. Robin WHICH SUSTAINED During the International me through my professional suggested that the Cretaceous Drinking Water and life and was always a good aquifer that crops out 50km HIS SPIRITS Sanitation Decade, Water friend. May he rest in peace. north of Ikeja should persist to Surveys was catapulted the brewery at a depth of 700m, until, at 750m, the driller~ into borehole siting at and that they should drill it. called an urgent meeting to mass-production levels. ➤ By Dotun Adekile, Nigeria The brewery bought the idea. announce that the mud was Thousands of boreholes had A longer version of this Supervising the drilling was steaming and bubbling. The to be sited on the crystalline obituary may be seen online. Editor. a nerve-racking experience aquifer had been reached, and terrain of northern Nigeria.

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

26 | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST GEOSCIENTIST OBITUARY

OBITUARY David Murray Boyd 1926 - 2016

Pioneer of airborne surveys in geological mapping, avid was born Adelaide at Dalmuir, equally at home in commercial and academic David decided to return to Clydebank, geology academia and was appointed Scotland, and Professor of Geophysics in D educated at the Department of Economic Kilmarnock Academy. He Geology at the University of entered the University of Adelaide in 1969. His main Glasgow and was awarded focus was nurturing honours a double first in Natural graduates who would be Philosophy and Geology in sought after by the mining 1946. He remained there as industry, and many of his a lecturer in geophysics until students became leaders and 1955. achievers in the exploration He joined London mining industry. Another of David’s consultants John Taylor contributions to the mining and Sons, working on the industry was his support evaluation of lead and coal of the Australian Mineral mines in the UK, copper Foundation Course, which mines in Cyprus and diamond led to his book Geophysics and gold mines in India, and Geology. He remained before joining Hunting actively involved at the Geology and Geophysics Ltd University until 1992. (Borehamwood) in 1958 as David was an adviser Chief Geophysicist to work on many Australian

on exploration problems government airborne survey

worldwide. programmes, including the South Australian Exploration. Huntings ~ He was also an adviser to air In 1948 Huntings was one survey companies in Finland, of only two companies that of large areas of Uganda, India, China and in Africa. had a licence to fly surveys FOR A which revealed to David, David was elected President worldwide using the Gulf and others working on the of the Geological Society of fluxgate magnetometer, and it GEOSCIENTIST TO interpretation, the great value Australia (1986-87), and in was the experience he gained DEVOTE OVER 50 of such low-cost surveys in 2016 was awarded the Gold in interpreting these surveys YEARS TO ACTIVE areas with poor exposure. Medal of the Australian that formed the basis for EXPLORATION This period culminated Society of Exploration David’s subsequent career. in David’s landmark Geophysicists. As Huntings was also very WITHOUT BEING paper at the Canadian For a geoscientist to experienced in the use of DEEPLY INVOLVED Centennial Mineral and devote over 50 years to photogeology this provided IN ‘MANAGEMENT’ Ground Water Conference, active exploration without a very strong background for 1967: The contribution of being deeply involved in the teams working with David MUST BE airborne magnetic surveys ‘management’ must be on regional surveys. UNIQUE! to geological mapping, unique! David is survived From 1958 until 1968 David which is still a compelling by his widow Jenny and was working on very large ~ read. In 2012 David wrote their children Jim, Hugh aeromagnetic surveys from surveys in the UK, Kenya, that he still thought of the and Sarah, and three many countries including the Copper Belt, Cyprus Hunting’s experience as ‘the grandchildren. Angola, the Spanish Sahara, and Tanzania. However, most important aspect of my Ghana, South West Africa, it was the United career … and I have been able Somalia, and on various trials Nations Development to pass on the ideas I learnt in ➤ By Derek Morris with airborne electromagnetic Fund survey in 1962-63 Aust ra l ia’.

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

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | AUGUST 2017 | 27 GEOSCIENTIST OBITUARY

OBITUARY William Braham 1957 - 2016

Respected stratigraphic palynologist illiam (Bill) wellsite bio-steering and Braham was for the North Sea and Eastern Europe, overpressure deduction born on 8 amateur historian and bibliophile in the North Sea, Poland, January 1957 Kazakhstan, Georgia and W and grew up Sudan. in Royston, Barnsley. He was the youngest son of Field classes Hubert Braham and the A passion for history only son of Mary Clenton. took up much of his He graduated from private life. Bill was an Southampton University active participant in a with a BSc (Hons) in number of historical Geology in 1978 and started discussion groups, with working on oil rigs in the whom he shared much North Sea and Nile Delta as of his original historical a mudlogger with Gearhart research. He was a Geodata Services Ltd. respected authority on the English Civil War Scholarship and the American War of He married Rosey, a Independence, amassing fellow Southampton an extensive library, undergraduate, in 1980. A including many rare year later Bill was granted volumes. He had recently an MSc Scholarship been commissioned to by Gearhart to study write a comprehensive Palynology at Sheffield; the account of the Battle of subject of his thesis being Worcester, 1651. an investigation into the Bill was a highly palynological stratification respected stratigraphic of the Lower Cretaceous palynologist. Numerous Speeton Clay. colleagues regarded Following his MSc, him as one of the best

he and Rosey moved to interpretative geologists

Aberdeen, where Bill that they had had the continued working for pleasure of working with. Gearhart Geodata as ~ Bill died at home on their Senior Stratigraphic 15 July 2016, aged 59, as Palynologist. a result of a Pulmonary In 1987 he joined HE WAS A became an Independent Embolism. Palaeoservices in Aberdeen; Consultant, based in He was a true Yorkshire initially as a Geologist/ TRUE YORKSHIREMAN, Hemel Hempstead. man, with a dry acerbic Palynologist and then WITH A DRY ACERBIC His work initially wit and was one of as Acting Operations WIT AND WAS ONE covered the Jurassic and the funniest and most Manager. Following his OF THE FUNNIEST Cretaceous palynology of intelligent men you could divorce, Bill transferred to the North Sea, but soon hope to meet. He will be Palaeoservices in Watford AND MOST expanded to include the sorely missed by many as the Senior Palynologist. INTELLIGENT MEN Tertiary and Palaeozoic friends and colleagues. In 1994, Bill joined YOU COULD HOPE in Europe, Asia, North Kronos Consultants, as a Africa and the South Stratigraphic Palynologist; TO MEET Atlantic. He was also ➤ By Barry Constable then a decade later ~ involved in real time HELP YOUR OBITUARIST The Society operates a scheme for Fellows to deposit biographical material. The object is to assist obituarists by providing contacts, dates and other information, and thus ensure that Fellows’ lives are accorded appropriate and accurate commemoration. Please send your CV and a photograph to Ted Nield at the Society.

28 | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST GEOSCIENTIST CROSSWORD

CROSSWORD NO.217 SET BY PLATYPUS

1 2 3 4 5 6 WIN A SPECIAL 7 8 PUBLICATION!

The winner of the June Crossword 10 11 puzzle prize draw was Dudley Seifert of Aurora, Colorado..

All correct solutions will be placed in the 12 13 draw, and the winner’s name printed in the August 2017 issue. The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 14 15 16 Closing date - August 18.

17 18 The competition is open to all Fellows, Candidate Fellows and Friends of the 19 20 21 22 Geological Society who are not current Society employees, officers or trustees. This exclusion does not apply to officers of joint associations, specialist or regional 23 24 groups.

Please return your completed crossword to Burlington House, marking your 25 26 envelope “Crossword”. Do not enclose any other matter with your solution. Overseas Fellows are encouraged to scan the signed form and email it as a PDF to [email protected] ACROSS DOWN Name ...... 7 Mineral formed at the same time 1 With voids filled by injection (7) Membership number ...... as the rock bearing it (7) 2 Usually planispiral cephalopod 8 Upper jaw in most vertebrates (7) with frilled suture lines (8) Address for correspondence ...... 10 Hillslope water flow, consisting 3 Various superficial deposits (6) ...... of ‘base’ and ‘quick’ (6) 4 Unicellular microorganisms 11 Genetic change (8) with cell walls but no organelles ...... 12 Himalayan monster man (4) or organized nucleus (8) ...... 13 When an igneous rock has neither 5 Decree from on high (6) ...... excess nor deficiency in Si (10) 6 Organic compound containing 14 A shape which reduces the drag one or more hydroxyl groups ...... from air moving past (11) attached to a carbon (7) Postcode ...... 19 Subject to scrutiny and 9 Synonym for a violet variety of certification by an official quartz often used in jewellery (11) body (10) 15 Scraped off from a downgoing SOLUTIONS JUNE 22 Hydrous silica composed of oceanic plate (8) minute spheres (4) 16 Temperature contour (8) Across: 23 Projecting watchtower over a 17 Type of crust from which 15d 7 Epigene 8 Derived 10 Natron 11 Germinal 12 Mine 13 Wildflysch defensive gate (8) material is scraped (7) 14 Deformation 19 Octahedral 22 Peat 24 Subsidiary fault in a shear zone, 18 Carbonate depositing banks 23 Somerset 24 Member 25 Pumices 26 Lignite parallel to shear direction (1,5) in the W Atlantic (7) 25 Young female horses, typically 20 Chaotic eroded debris (6) Down: under four years old (7) 21 Natural gas composed entirely 1 Aphasia 2 Aggrieve 3 Unknow 4 Retrofit 26 Of or like a lizard (7) of methane (3,3) 5 Sicily 6 Tenancy 9 Agglomerate 15 Overstep 16 Orpiment 17 Scrotum 18 Jadeite 20 Acetic 21 Limnic

WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | AUGUST 2017 | 29 WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | AUGUST 2017 | 30 | AUGUST GEOSCIENTIST RECRUITMENT