GeoscientistThe Fellowship magazine of The Geological Society of London | www.geolsoc.org.uk | Volume 22 No 3 | April 2012 follow us on twitter ] [www.twitter.com/geoscientistmag OFFICERS WITH MAPS How geologists invaded the battlefield FERMOR FUND Anniversary bursaries! WINES OF LEBANON Geoviticulture in the Eastern Med Not Just Software. RockWare. For Over 29 Years. 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Jenny Hugget and abroad, in London and the regions visits the new vineyards of the Bekaa Valley 23 LETTERS We welcome your thoughts 24 PEOPLE Geoscientists in the news and on the move 26 BOOK & ARTS Two reviews by Joe McCall and Sean Mulshaw 26 OBITUARY A distinguished Fellow remembered 27 CALENDAR Society activities this month 29 CROSSWORD Win a special publication of your choice ONLINE SPECIALS n THE BEARABLE WEIGHT OF LIABILITY Max Langer 08 14 et al. Reply to Dave Martill’s recent criticism of Brazil’s policies towards palaeontological conservation APRIL 2012 03 0%42/,%5-'2/50 43'#/ "!$'%$#/.&%2%.#% $!93 In conjunction with: )NDUSTRIAL3TRUCTURAL Corporate Supporter: 'EOLOGY! Principles, Techniques and Integration 28 - 30 November 2012 The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London Convenors: Frank Richards Dana Petroleum Nick Richardson Dana Petroleum Steve Rippington CASP Woody Wilson BP Structural geology is a crucial element in the Petroleum and Mineral Industries. It provides the framework within which we explore, appraise and develop assets, with a critical influence on their commercial success. Industrial activity provides a wealth of structural data to advance fundamental science, which allows theories to be tested through constantly evolving techniques. Ultimately structural geology is a key pillar in supporting Conference Sponsors: the profitable generation of society’s energy and mineral requirements, requiring research funding and offering rewarding careers to future geoscientists. This conference provides an opportunity to review current best practices in structural geology as well as explore and define the relationships between industry and academic practitioners. In a commercial climate, where declining resources, the environment and safety are all fundamental issues, defining future trends and developments through better collaboration will help prepare us for the challenges that lie ahead. This three-day conference will combine presentation, discussion and workshop formats. We invite contributions covering all practical aspects of structural geology with a commercial application, including: mapping and fault validation; fault seal, trapping and compartmentalisation; regional geology, including restorations and plate-scale reconstructions; risk, uncertainty and volumetric assessment; geomechanics, fracture prediction and (HPHT) production behaviour; unconventional resources; carbon storage; application of analogues; salt tectonics; data collection, synthesis and integration. Confirmed Keynote Speakers: John Cosgrove (Imperial College) John Underhill (University of Edinburgh) Martin Jackson (AGL, BEG, University of Texas) John Walsh (Fault Analysis Group, UCD) Steve Jolley (Shell) Nicky White (University of Cambridge) Dave Sanderson (University of Southampton) Graeme Yielding (Badleys Geoscience) Richard Swarbrick (Ikon Science/Geopressure Technology) For further information and registration, please contact: Steve Whalley, Event Co-ordinator: +44 (0)20 7432 0980 or email: [email protected] At the forefront of petroleum geoscience www.geolsoc.org.uk/petroleum ~ EDITOR’S COMMENT GEOSCIENTIST JENNY HUGGETT AND OMAR ZUMOT EXAMINE YOUNG VINES IN THE MARSYAS VINEYARD IN THE BEKAA VALLEY, LEBANON Front cover image ~ BRICKBAT TIME ne of the mistakes that scientists Geoscientist is the F 01727 893 895 Fellowship magazine of E enquiries@centuryone frequently make whenever they turn the Geological Society publishing.ltd.uk their minds to matters of public of London W www.centuryone publishing.ltd.uk awareness, is to think that all people The Geological Society, at all times must do nothing other Burlington House, Piccadilly, CHIEF EXECUTIVE than fall on their rear ends in London W1J 0BG Nick Simpson T +44 (0)20 7434 9944 T 01727 893 894 admiration. Anything less is so often F +44 (0)20 7439 8975 E nick@centuryone Otaken as some kind of failure. E [email protected] publishing.ltd.uk (Not for Editorial) Now this would be all the more laughable if ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE available evidence did not show that scientists are Publishing House Jonathan Knight The Geological Society T 01727 739 193 already among the more highly admired and Publishing House, Unit 7, E jonathan@centuryone respected of people in society. But heavens, let us not Brassmill Enterprise Centre, publishing.ltd.uk Brassmill Lane, Bath allow facts get in the way of a good prejudice, BA1 3JN ART EDITOR especially if it allows us to whimper alone in our T 01225 445046 Heena Gudka rooms, which after all in this adolescent fantasy is the F 01225 442836 DESIGN & PRODUCTION next best thing to being invited to parade through Library Sarah Astington London on elephants. No, take it from me - the sure T +44 (0)20 7432 0999 F +44 (0)20 7439 3470 PRINTED BY way to know you’ve made it is to find yourself E [email protected] Century One Publishing Ltd. attacked for never being off the telly. I am happy to EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Copyright say that such evidence is emerging. Professor Tony Harris FGS The Geological Society of First, the Guardian’s TV critic Sam Wollaston (no London is a Registered Charity, relation, we assume), offering his view on BBC’s Super EDITOR number 210161. Dr Ted Nield NUJ FGS ISSN (print) 0961-5628 Smart Animals, wrote of its presenter Liz Bonnin on 8 E [email protected] ISSN (online) 2045-1784 February: “She could have done more to show off her (genuine) science credentials as well as her lovely EDITORIAL BOARD The Geological Society of London Dr Sue Bowler FGS accepts no responsibility for the views smile; but then it is a nice change to have a science Mr Steve Branch FGS expressed in any article in this Dr Robin Cocks FGS publication. All views expressed, programme that isn't some Scottish bloke banging on Dr Martin Degg FGS except where explicitly stated about rocks.” Ahem. I think we all know who you Dr Joe McCall FGS otherwise, represent those of the author, and not The Geological mean, Wollaston. And he’s from Glasgow, so I’d Dr Jonathan Turner FGS Society of London. All rights reserved. Dr Jan Zalasiewicz FGS No paragraph of this publication may watch it if I were you. be reproduced, copied or transmitted Anyway, hardly had we stopped reeling from this Trustees of the Geological save with written permission. Users Society of London registered with Copyright Clearance piece of cheek when another BBC series The Great Dr J P B Lovell OBE Center: the Journal is registered