tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42285905609982725032024-03-16T18:51:47.080+00:00GEOBLOGYScience from the core of the British Geological SurveyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05297797356322244437noreply@blogger.comBlogger625125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228590560998272503.post-41166350061791109102021-07-02T17:01:00.005+01:002021-07-09T17:54:57.261+01:00New Podcast: Critical Raw Materials<p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONV8zY6HDm6Kvwppp5PzDMmuwVzBBbM8ebhWUqzvPlF8a4tTWlSQs-4BTj61W2nU3XWQ_LpTsuMKIRg8vCZ_fgjHwLtQgoez-aeZpqZTNQCipVTbp3UpE2gXNdetN6YQSSBJfzVlvANSA/s640/MicrosoftTeams-image+%252824%2529.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A picture of Andrew Bloodworth, smiling into the camera. The Rock the Mic logo is to the left of him, on the background of a graphic of the thin section of a rock." border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="640" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONV8zY6HDm6Kvwppp5PzDMmuwVzBBbM8ebhWUqzvPlF8a4tTWlSQs-4BTj61W2nU3XWQ_LpTsuMKIRg8vCZ_fgjHwLtQgoez-aeZpqZTNQCipVTbp3UpE2gXNdetN6YQSSBJfzVlvANSA/w640-h428/MicrosoftTeams-image+%252824%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BGS' Policy Director, Andrew Bloodworth</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div><br /></div><div>BGs has created Rock the Mic, a <a href="https://www.bgs.ac.uk/tag/podcasts/" target="_blank">podcast</a> which aims to discuss the most pressing geological topics of our time, with a specific focus on the upcoming <a href="https://ukcop26.org/" target="_blank">COP26</a> climate conference in Glasgow this November. <p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />In this episode on critical raw materials (CRM) we speak to BGS’ Policy Director, <a href="https://www.bgs.ac.uk/people/bloodworth-andrew/" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 1px solid; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;">Andrew Bloodworth</a>, about what exactly these materials are, where they’re from and the crucial role they will play as we move towards a low-to-zero carbon future.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="232" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/4watj9xkRBzXcNtq6ptLAy" width="100%"></iframe></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top: 0px;">We also talk to Frances Wall, Professor of Applied Mineralogy at Camborne School of Mines, to learn how we, both as individuals and at a societal scale, can contribute towards a circular economy by keeping metals in use.</p><p> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px;">Find out more about our</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px;"> </span><a href="https://www.bgs.ac.uk/geology-projects/critical-raw-materials/" style="border-bottom: 1px solid; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px; text-decoration-line: none;">critical raw materials research</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px;">on our website.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top: 0px;">Our podcasts are also available via:</p><ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 30px 20px; padding: 0px;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-the-mic/id1545144765?uo=4" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 1px solid; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Apple</a></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdWRpb2Jvb20uY29tL2NoYW5uZWxzLzUwMzkxNjQucnNz/episode/dGFnOmF1ZGlvYm9vbS5jb20sMjAyMS0wNy0wMTovcG9zdHMvNzg5NjkxNw?sa=X&ved=0CAUQkfYCahcKEwj40Nnk58HxAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 1px solid; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Google</a></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 10px;"><a href="https://audioboom.com/posts/7896917-critical-raw-materials-with-andrew-bloodworth-bgs-and-frances-wall-camborne-school-of-mines" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 1px solid; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;">Audioboom</a></li></ul></div>British Geological Surveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740304547062993679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228590560998272503.post-91775811286101780392021-02-18T14:10:00.008+00:002021-02-18T14:34:10.861+00:00Resolving the unresolved: new insights into soil chemical reactions using microdialysis / / by Olivier Humphrey, Elliott Hamilton and Matthew Ogley<p><i><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background: white;">Olivier Humphrey is an environmental chemist with a particular focus on assessing
short-term interactions of micronutrients and potentially toxic elements in
soils and plants and their effects on ecosystem and human health.</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black;">Elliott Hamilton is an environmental chemist within the
Inorganic Geochemistry Facility, specialising in the development and
application of analytical techniques to measure and track the mobility of
potentially harmful elements and their species in environmental and biological
systems.</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black;">Matthew Ogley, a placement student from the University of
Surrey, is currently working in the Inorganic Geochemistry facility to support
the research efforts being made on microdialysis, as well as undertaking routine
analyses in the laboratories.</span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-LacxrQd9rBdziqjdSwFCLOIrtd_fMeb7iU19tsc6cO03ytfHhT-ouZ7wvu7MTbxz21wEDrJoVfT_8rRB1mCZt38FtLGfL43MOn9bIrKEXOCtu2IgPDrSnm7u6Se60udJotniMC7QPHS/s1041/Figure+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="780" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-LacxrQd9rBdziqjdSwFCLOIrtd_fMeb7iU19tsc6cO03ytfHhT-ouZ7wvu7MTbxz21wEDrJoVfT_8rRB1mCZt38FtLGfL43MOn9bIrKEXOCtu2IgPDrSnm7u6Se60udJotniMC7QPHS/w480-h640/Figure+3.jpg" width="480" /></a></i></div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Chemical reactions in
soils are difficult to monitor due to the speed with which they start and
finish, but measuring them is necessary to increase our understanding of how
nutrients and toxic compounds are transferred into plants.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">There are a number of techniques
capable of collecting and measuring dissolved compounds in water within soil,
but the complex nature of soil demands methods that can collect samples faster
and at smaller scales without disturbing the natural chemistry of the soil. Microdialysis
- originally developed for use in neuroscience and pharmacokinetics - is a new
technique that uses small probes to sample compounds dissolved in soil solution
(Fig. 1), without the need to dig up soil and potentially alter its chemical
properties. BGS’ Inorganic Geochemistry Facility is at the forefront of
developing microdialysis as a soil sampling technique, with the ability to
assess rapid chemical reactions with unparalleled temporal and spatial
resolution without significantly disturbing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in-situ</i>
physicochemical soil properties. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5T9I-O4fvRK0_4hA355LJPa6ci0s-gUu9zlZddO-Qcvf1IuFY9-5LWAtLB8qUgj43pZ-o3qHHPCW9XMwpbpdPGj6gk84jrnQaj4lJ-wTOIs-zPX6mM08Fq_pw5rygnrbCUNO3ZkeA5xW/s1580/Fig+one.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pictures of the lab equipment in use." border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="1580" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5T9I-O4fvRK0_4hA355LJPa6ci0s-gUu9zlZddO-Qcvf1IuFY9-5LWAtLB8qUgj43pZ-o3qHHPCW9XMwpbpdPGj6gk84jrnQaj4lJ-wTOIs-zPX6mM08Fq_pw5rygnrbCUNO3ZkeA5xW/w640-h344/Fig+one.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 1: microdialysis equipment a) syringe pump b) microdialysis in soil microcosm, sample collection vials d) ICP-QQQ for analysis and e) microdialysis probe. The small size of the probe enables high spatial resolution of sampling as you can place multiple probes in very close proximity</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />We first began developing
the application of microdialysis during Olivier Humphrey’s PhD (completed in
2019) at the Centre for Environmental Geochemistry (BGS / University of
Nottingham), where he was investigating </span><a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.est.9b02296"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">short-term iodine soil interactions following a
simulated natural/anthropogenic iodine addition event</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> (full paper). This marked the first occasion of
continuous sampling of soil solution to investigate the short-term behaviour of
an essential micronutrient, the results of which could inform future food
fortification studies aimed at alleviating hidden hunger (aligned with the
United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2: ‘Zero Hunger’). The use of
microdialysis to investigate soil-elemental speciation dynamics has been
further developed by Elliott Hamilton during his PhD (completed in 2020), which
will be summarised in a future blog.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27m-zgO6ZyL18e3iLMUdiScQ_xLlkqQ10Qv79ABvSrnSLcwLO_5wIuUDy9Ba1B-ybrUn-8FrSlBYSXsPOWgXAehrQ9xCLDfWkK8ZCnNRI_fAF8pWhEWJpe8JLw4ED-zQTGmjZTXeb2xmr/s708/Fig2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Imagine shows a graphic featuring a test tube (MD probe / passive diffusion) with close up of semi-permeable membrane, as well as the syringe pump, it's placement in the soil, the fraction collector and image of the MD-ICP-MS on-line analysis" border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="708" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27m-zgO6ZyL18e3iLMUdiScQ_xLlkqQ10Qv79ABvSrnSLcwLO_5wIuUDy9Ba1B-ybrUn-8FrSlBYSXsPOWgXAehrQ9xCLDfWkK8ZCnNRI_fAF8pWhEWJpe8JLw4ED-zQTGmjZTXeb2xmr/w640-h640/Fig2.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 2: Microdialysis sampling for on-line and off-line analysis</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We have since been
awarded a Royal Society of Chemistry grant to continue this research, and have
developed a project aimed at establishing harmonised methods for both microdialysis
sampling in soils and subsequent data interpretation. Despite the potential
advantages of microdialysis, considerable effort is required to develop and
progress the analytical chemistry and theoretical frameworks to apply the
technology to soil solution multi-elemental analysis. By providing accurate and
precise data on the bioavailability of beneficial and harmful elements in soil,
substantial progress can be made within soil science, botany and agricultural
sciences. A better understanding of what is beneath our feet can only help us
in tackling real world problems (incorporating the SDGs); microdialysis truly
has the potential to pave the way in finding the solutions to widespread food
security and nutrition issues, as well as aiding the promotion of sustainable
agriculture and good health and well-being.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We aim to establish
microdialysis as a tool capable of assessing fine-scale, rapid soil chemistry
interactions to better inform existing geochemical models that influence
phytoremedial and crop biofortification strategies globally, and look forward
to updating you in the future as this exciting technique is developed further.<o:p></o:p></span></p>British Geological Surveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740304547062993679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228590560998272503.post-4119450160171507932020-12-21T15:22:00.005+00:002020-12-21T17:36:20.996+00:00Continuing Fieldwork in Africa Despite COVID-19 / / by Michael Watts and Odipo Osano<i>Michael Watts from BGS specialises in the study of geochemical factors that affect the mobility of metals or nutrients and their effects on ecosystem or human health, with a particular focus on applied projects in sub-Saharan Africa.<br /><br />Odipo Osano specialises in environmental toxicology at the University of Eldoret with a background in Veterinary medicine, public health and environmental epidemiological studies with both community and laboratory orientated research.</i><div><br /><div><div style="mso-element: comment-list;"><div style="mso-element: comment;"><div class="msocomtxt" id="_com_1" language="JavaScript"><!--[if !supportAnnotations]--></div><!--[endif]--></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fuJYRdO9-3QFfNHbFRSJAsVUMfXECfGmQ8M0ZTpBmVxJInFeU7yO8E1polhXiWI7HjvxEayouPemCAc_nZowROYWNBDPALNXYBq3PRDrCFxwHIjlOLr3ob_aZSR1O_pzyWVmDQXfs9CL/s1280/Kenyan+Research+Assistants_with+Odipo+Osano.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Three research assistants stand in a field in Nandi County with various farming and scientific tools" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fuJYRdO9-3QFfNHbFRSJAsVUMfXECfGmQ8M0ZTpBmVxJInFeU7yO8E1polhXiWI7HjvxEayouPemCAc_nZowROYWNBDPALNXYBq3PRDrCFxwHIjlOLr3ob_aZSR1O_pzyWVmDQXfs9CL/w640-h360/Kenyan+Research+Assistants_with+Odipo+Osano.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kenyan research assistants with Odipo Osano</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br />Throughout 2020, BGS, the Universities of Nottingham, Plymouth and Loughborough, and Kenyan partners from the University of Eldoret (UoE), Moi University and Kenyan Marine Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) have been able to progress research activities on joint environmental geochemistry projects funded by the BGS ODA programme and a Royal Society International Collaboration grant despite the COVID-19 crisis.<br /><br />Tackling Geochemistry and Health related problems has engaged cross-disciplinary collaboration between geochemists, epidemiologists (IARC-WHO), health practitioners, farmers and local agricultural extension workers. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrG8s18S7g2WdgC2C4dZQhJDaQg2_ftaZGRJWq7ewpVhte5M6Oqm8zkFIwtfP8l-Q_hhlqSVwXLsZor4Fcl_g0TqOTmlJMT9NIBbTuTaD9M_tTHInRl8btX_82ER4iAHsysDgZbMmvfII/s1280/Job+%2526+Melvine+Research+assistants+during+fieldwork.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Three research assistants stand by a river wearing PPE and holding instruments" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrG8s18S7g2WdgC2C4dZQhJDaQg2_ftaZGRJWq7ewpVhte5M6Oqm8zkFIwtfP8l-Q_hhlqSVwXLsZor4Fcl_g0TqOTmlJMT9NIBbTuTaD9M_tTHInRl8btX_82ER4iAHsysDgZbMmvfII/w640-h360/Job+%2526+Melvine+Research+assistants+during+fieldwork.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Research assistants Jo and Melvine during fieldwork</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>A great deal of interest was created amongst local communities who welcomed the research and could provide useful local knowledge with respect to the environmental influence on farming and local health issues (<a href="http://britgeopeople.blogspot.com/2018/11/geochemistry-and-health-in-kenyan-rift.html" target="_blank"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: inline; text-align: center;"><a href="http://britgeopeople.blogspot.com/2018/11/geochemistry-and-health-in-kenyan-rift.html" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://britgeopeople.blogspot.com/2018/11/geochemistry-and-health-in-kenyan-rift.html" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">see our previous blog</a><span style="text-align: left;">). </span></div><br /><br />Notwithstanding the COVID-19 pandemic, the consortium of researchers have readjusted their activities to focus on communication of environmental and public health data to local authorities and communities. With usable data tools from the previous few years of data collection in Western Kenya, we have been able to carry out research with minimal human contact. For example, one of the data activities includes the generation of predictive modelling for soil chemistry, which will be presented to stakeholders in the agricultural sector for co-design, based on BGS’ UKSO data platform. This data format will extend through to staple crops and the association with health status/biomonitoring data capture for a range of health issues to study a potential spatial influence on health conditions. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWQNl1JdVaKrjBAj-8tPn4vKE0O7uyVfHWjzvv8HLzlQXsx_pXzWrq45AKvEZfjx26hdg0oJ3VRVPtsNG9YyPqnLtFn3worKLvmPdacxJ9pjZyNOB83rQ9-CB79nGM16NvgEydtxOqsk8/s1280/Nandi+County+landscape+showing+steep+slopes+and+rapid+land+clearance_2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hills in Nandi County on a cloudy but bright day" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWQNl1JdVaKrjBAj-8tPn4vKE0O7uyVfHWjzvv8HLzlQXsx_pXzWrq45AKvEZfjx26hdg0oJ3VRVPtsNG9YyPqnLtFn3worKLvmPdacxJ9pjZyNOB83rQ9-CB79nGM16NvgEydtxOqsk8/w640-h360/Nandi+County+landscape+showing+steep+slopes+and+rapid+land+clearance_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landscape showing steep slopes and rapid land clearance, Nandi County</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br />In connection with the BGS ODA funded geochemistry-health and aquatic biogeochemistry-fisheries activities in Western Kenya, an established partnership started in 2020. A Royal Society International Collaboration grant connects these strands of research. The project aims to establish the dynamics of land degradation via soil erosion by determining soil erosion rates and land-to-lake transfers into the Winam Gulf catchment of Lake Victoria (e.g. metals) via source apportionment modelling and the consequences for the rapidly growing aquaculture industry. <div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8WzavH3w5yKNe8vWiV2-zcStsEFwFAOTTmOsNFiTyrJcO59W4grpPTOeXnlHIPwMOF5EnvgpNKdOQ0qAmmwBJlWTswUzAB4tn2qlyWOXWvEXjBBH7ToCjWQw_9TFe5RMbaAVrymvY1hI/s1280/Nandi+County+examples+of+farming%252C+tea+cultivation.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Various farms across a large swathe of agricultural land. The sky is bright but cloudy and the flora is green." border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8WzavH3w5yKNe8vWiV2-zcStsEFwFAOTTmOsNFiTyrJcO59W4grpPTOeXnlHIPwMOF5EnvgpNKdOQ0qAmmwBJlWTswUzAB4tn2qlyWOXWvEXjBBH7ToCjWQw_9TFe5RMbaAVrymvY1hI/w640-h360/Nandi+County+examples+of+farming%252C+tea+cultivation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Examples of farming and tea cultivation in Nandi County</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Thankfully, in March significant fieldwork was undertaken before international lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first component of the project was commenced with Sophia Dowell’s aligned NERC DTP ARIES PhD (BGS-UoE-Plymouth Uni) project to set-up field experiments for the determination of soil erosion rates and losses of micronutrients/fertility in soil available for crop nutrient composition (yield, nutritional value) over the next few years. Fortunately, the BGS labs were reopened in May subject to careful COVID-19 considerations. This enabled progress on geochemistry analyses, including method development to speed up analyses to define erosion rates – plutonium isotope ratios at 20-30 analyses per day versus using Pb-210 activity at one sample per day. Whilst international travel was curtailed for all partners through the middle of 2020, we have leveraged communication technology to refine field planning and data processing to deliver impactful data tools. One example includes a soil erosion model for the Winam Gulf catchment by Olivier Humphrey which has helped to frame and refine fieldwork planning, as well as deliver a practical tool for communicating the need to mitigate for soil erosion on land and subsequent input to the lake environment. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZdrBj8mRVeeRSfv4uvChyXW3z7owUqHo50z8r5TG0DpESgCzj8lrgco65RvKrFEMJHLaeu8cJ58lY5shMxEXDulvZ5roWlVsvgqiGZhvz5-2U5qPgciZ3YanLnElvwtZe0iehfKKjmqw/s2048/Soil+Erosion+Risk+Map.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1606" data-original-width="2048" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZdrBj8mRVeeRSfv4uvChyXW3z7owUqHo50z8r5TG0DpESgCzj8lrgco65RvKrFEMJHLaeu8cJ58lY5shMxEXDulvZ5roWlVsvgqiGZhvz5-2U5qPgciZ3YanLnElvwtZe0iehfKKjmqw/w640-h502/Soil+Erosion+Risk+Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soil Erosion Risk Map</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /><br />In addition, training and planning between partners was undertaken virtually through the middle of 2020. Two Kenyan MSc students (Melvine Otieno and Job Isaboke were taken on by the project in April as research trainees to provide data/data handling skills for their MSc projects and forward planning for fieldwork starting November to March 2021, to capture data and keep on track for the source apportionment modelling of the project. National restrictions for travel within Kenya were eased in the second half of 2020, allowing us to plan for Kenyan-led fieldwork, albeit with careful assessment of the risks of fieldwork, coupled with COVID-19 considerations for the field team and members of the community. <br /><br />The third component of the project, to determine the consequences for land-to-lake transfers on the important fisheries industry in the Winam Gulf catchment, has been restricted owing to the difficulty in operating the KMFRI research vessel with appropriate social distancing. We will return to the fieldwork on this component later in 2021 to catch-up in earnest. However, Andy Marriott (BGS) has made progress with Chris Aura (KMFRI) on the presentation of existing data from the BGS-ODA project to assist in the planning and advisory capacity to the development of aquaculture, which had a follow-up stakeholder meeting just before Christmas to consult on the co-design of data presentation and usage. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTBM0xnJzT_90iBl8HRMi7c5WZcWBT0chI5-PdOtnPR8mHKWqtMCfKqNzHVPtBcjxhFS2KP2QOSpOizUPpnOEOB8sOkx1zgVOLtfhdb_EAYofOh-otj35oWjS0QH0eAQV6L1Ddp66mJ_i/s1280/Melvine+Otieno_landscape+for+Nandi+County.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Melvine stands in front of some of Nandi County's slopes, holding her fingers in the peace sign" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTBM0xnJzT_90iBl8HRMi7c5WZcWBT0chI5-PdOtnPR8mHKWqtMCfKqNzHVPtBcjxhFS2KP2QOSpOizUPpnOEOB8sOkx1zgVOLtfhdb_EAYofOh-otj35oWjS0QH0eAQV6L1Ddp66mJ_i/w640-h480/Melvine+Otieno_landscape+for+Nandi+County.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melvine Otieno in Nandi County</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><br />Whilst the COVID-19 crisis has immensely inhibited physical contacts between the partners, it has ironically enhanced opportunities for communications via Zoom/WhatsApp and increased focus on data dissemination for practicable outcomes. It has forced the speeding up of training and transfer of responsibility for undertaking fieldwork and in-country activities, which will be hugely beneficial to the capacity strengthening goals of our partnership. All being said, as a team, we look forward to Kenyan visits to the UK once again and for those of us in the UK to experience the warmth of working alongside our colleagues in Kenya in the hopefully not too distant future. <br /><br />References: <br /><br /><a href="http://britgeopeople.blogspot.com/2018/11/geochemistry-and-health-in-kenyan-rift.html">http://britgeopeople.blogspot.com/2018/11/geochemistry-and-health-in-kenyan-rift.html</a> <br /></div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6WjW06Zpm11HfpgCBBpgBu3zVhfl9KzvCf_kZK78BYRSZX7haHND2OLDlXIa6qofXcRyUkH9llLQ9yFUe7zGnWi1XthNAnvs1J-MAPH2u_hDIjm-NiTNSmiENCAuBqUjHUnWU_f6J5WW/s1280/Nandi+County+landscape+showing+steep+slopes+experiencing+land+clearance.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A view of the slopes, with a tree in the foreground. The leaves are green and the sky is blue but somewhat cloudy." border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6WjW06Zpm11HfpgCBBpgBu3zVhfl9KzvCf_kZK78BYRSZX7haHND2OLDlXIa6qofXcRyUkH9llLQ9yFUe7zGnWi1XthNAnvs1J-MAPH2u_hDIjm-NiTNSmiENCAuBqUjHUnWU_f6J5WW/w640-h360/Nandi+County+landscape+showing+steep+slopes+experiencing+land+clearance.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steep slopes, experiencing land clearing, Nandi County</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div></div>British Geological Surveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740304547062993679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228590560998272503.post-39407723214740902172020-11-27T17:48:00.009+00:002020-12-09T16:51:33.944+00:00BGS Online Shop Christmas Gift Ideas / / by BGS CommsThe festive period is upon us, and it’s that time of year when you’d usually be planning a trip to your favourite Geology Shop. A visit to Edinburgh, Keyworth or London can set you up with a sack full of goodies for the geologist(s) and rock lovers in your life.<br /><br />Just because our physical stores are currently closed, there’s no need to worry! We also have an online shop with many niche geological goodies created using BGS data. Here we have highlighted our gneiss’ist gifts which will rock the recipient's world! <br /><br />However, if you do fancy a visit in person to see even more items like rocks, fossils and jewellery that aren’t available online, our London shop in the Natural History Museum will be reopening on Thursday 3rd December! <div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Jigsaw Puzzles</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0IeS-9p24qF3IxhShpgwMx06HBUlq5Ks-WxLOp3Tq1Q61ME5mOI89jF4yG6iYv1qDs1-nXYwFKbnuABP4h6Y_nTpdZYVgB6yQ-9PCameEuwY-zQQ6dwmR6H5XIWv0vLVwJ_IfyWJwHrs/s926/Jigsaw+puzzle.tif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="926" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0IeS-9p24qF3IxhShpgwMx06HBUlq5Ks-WxLOp3Tq1Q61ME5mOI89jF4yG6iYv1qDs1-nXYwFKbnuABP4h6Y_nTpdZYVgB6yQ-9PCameEuwY-zQQ6dwmR6H5XIWv0vLVwJ_IfyWJwHrs/w400-h348/Jigsaw+puzzle.tif" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><br />Our popular jigsaw puzzles are a piece-full activity to do as the nights draw in! There are two 1000-piece options to choose from; the modern <a href="https://shop.bgs.ac.uk/Shop/Product/BSP_VJIG02" target="_blank">Bedrock Geology</a> map of the United Kingdom and Ireland, or the <a href="https://shop.bgs.ac.uk/Shop/Product/BSP_7000000102" target="_blank">William Smith 1820</a> map. <br /><br />Test your geology and geography knowledge by piecing the geological maps together and learn as you go! </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><h3 style="text-align: left;">Bicentennial Map Mugs and Coasters</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3w4TfSVUTMCjW2HjPRDsMDTNy5Bw1d15wZzYIW1tM_DVZ8G-LEJPKAv6J-xNewfcvbuyc8LgT8h0UvD29-7xAKjmpXWHeKAG-BWX0DLir10YD82b5LtFLjzmuQ7V6QQ61KhGJzmcYvMia/s793/Mug.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="793" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3w4TfSVUTMCjW2HjPRDsMDTNy5Bw1d15wZzYIW1tM_DVZ8G-LEJPKAv6J-xNewfcvbuyc8LgT8h0UvD29-7xAKjmpXWHeKAG-BWX0DLir10YD82b5LtFLjzmuQ7V6QQ61KhGJzmcYvMia/w640-h506/Mug.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />The <a href="https://shop.bgs.ac.uk/Shop/Product/BSP_7000000023" target="_blank">bicentennial map</a> commemorates the two-hundredth anniversary of the publication of the first geological map of Britain, by William Smith (1769-1839). It depicts modern geological bedrock data in the style of Smith’s early nineteenth century cartography.<br /><br /><br />From this map, we have <a href="https://shop.bgs.ac.uk/Shop/search/text/bicentennial%20mug/searchIn/desc,code,isbn" target="_blank">colourful mugs</a> and <a href="https://shop.bgs.ac.uk/Shop/search/text/COASTER/searchIn/desc,code,isbn?page=1&sortCode=titleAsc&_ga=2.55968931.948563739.1605519505-417897653.1550482905 " target="_blank">coasters</a> that cover a wide range of areas. The coasters (23 designs) are the perfect stocking filler and prevent stains on your worktops and papers, and are the perfect resting place for a beau-tea-ful mug (16 designs). Together, they make for a great gift set! If you need help finding the area you want, check out these handy reference guides for the <a href="https://www.bgs.ac.uk/download/geology-map-mugs-a2-poster/?undefined=undefined" target="_blank">mugs</a> and <a href="https://www.bgs.ac.uk/download/geology-map-coasters-a2-poster/?undefined=undefined" target="_blank">coasters</a>. <br /> <br /><h3> British Dinosaur Posters </h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sdql7-9l3okEcFFHWQeheIhCe6w5WPo0fkLWua9AoIqBDJiycri-G3DPG-DpA_YFJa-eQqZ3ZtoRigfiSm6rK1QRXA1PMtij8rHJDSfr2QJkqiRNwwNY7vomi2TIib4y8r9-WqJlxEiL/s1039/Dinos.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="693" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sdql7-9l3okEcFFHWQeheIhCe6w5WPo0fkLWua9AoIqBDJiycri-G3DPG-DpA_YFJa-eQqZ3ZtoRigfiSm6rK1QRXA1PMtij8rHJDSfr2QJkqiRNwwNY7vomi2TIib4y8r9-WqJlxEiL/w266-h400/Dinos.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><br />We have some roar-some posters for the dinosaur fanatics! They have a diverse set of illustrated British dinosaurs from our distant past with locations of remains, information on scale and diet as well as a guide and explanation of the dinosaur’s name. There are <a href="https://shop.bgs.ac.uk/Shop/Product/BSP_VDPC" target="_blank">Cretaceous</a> and <a href="https://shop.bgs.ac.uk/Shop/Product/BSP_VDPJ" target="_blank">Jurassic & Triassic</a> versions available individually or as a <a href="https://shop.bgs.ac.uk/Shop/Product/BSP_VDPP" target="_blank">set</a>. <br /><br /><h3>Tea Towel</h3><h3><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40Qnqa8N3JtOH7ip4i-fCzwW4Gbd9W9oP-VCllo8WdmSalenhbWs-_b5S2P8LdcPAfG-XNDvuUaL6ujR1Tpgp-mkh8Ow9p4QsLjye64UnnMb5LmOAu3NfETWSvbAF5VIbr3K_12eZQc34/s1379/Tea+towel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1379" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40Qnqa8N3JtOH7ip4i-fCzwW4Gbd9W9oP-VCllo8WdmSalenhbWs-_b5S2P8LdcPAfG-XNDvuUaL6ujR1Tpgp-mkh8Ow9p4QsLjye64UnnMb5LmOAu3NfETWSvbAF5VIbr3K_12eZQc34/w640-h426/Tea+towel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></h3><br />This <a href="https://shop.bgs.ac.uk/Shop/Product/BSP_V1015" target="_blank">tea towel</a> is a great way to bring geology into your kitchen; maybe it might even make washing the dishes fun?! This geological map of the British Isles originally published in 1969 includes the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Channel Islands and a small area of France's English Channel coastline. <br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Flat Maps/Custom Maps </h3></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfvJYQ2utf_nPyac20lW85hIARWLZkrJtf8bQ7PcwTE_XVwuVHuwqmss13j14myq_BbNDq7_aaKCckLU5QvxmWS-g-vjyUD216fe7T2PfK1UvbFJjO6gu5mejomrIqp5ISNlfLH6QDHbe/s800/Bedrock+geo.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="610" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfvJYQ2utf_nPyac20lW85hIARWLZkrJtf8bQ7PcwTE_XVwuVHuwqmss13j14myq_BbNDq7_aaKCckLU5QvxmWS-g-vjyUD216fe7T2PfK1UvbFJjO6gu5mejomrIqp5ISNlfLH6QDHbe/w305-h400/Bedrock+geo.png" width="305" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Flat geological maps are a way to jazz up any wall space; whether you decide to frame them or leave them as they are, we have a large range available. If you are interested in a particular area, you can use this <a href="https://shop.bgs.ac.uk/Shop/search?type=gis" target="_blank">map browser</a> to see the options available. <br /><br />We also have custom <a href="https://shop.bgs.ac.uk/Shop/Category/50KCustomMaps" target="_blank">1:50 000</a> maps which you can centre on your area of interest! This is particularly useful when the area may be close to the edges of a map sheet on other map scales. <br /><br />If you want smaller-scale area (i.e. most of the United Kingdom or Great Britain), our favourites are the <a href="https://shop.bgs.ac.uk/Shop/Product/BSP_7000000023" target="_blank">Bicentennial Map</a> and the <a href="https://shop.bgs.ac.uk/Shop/Product/BSP_A1013" target="_blank">Bedrock Geology</a> of the UK and Ireland. <br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">William Smith 1815 Print </h3><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo67v5xgLqdYgBES_OdI4s_dHk6PHOYRmqBWATtCN-oVX2FEFQaOtolj8fLitGVkfKL6JRciTL7vbtrDUOnVc3CqEc2IM537YeLZ5yVRg-6UEYLn6C0PAeKtRSBKTCYNE5TocToDbhYM87/s2048/WS1815.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1451" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo67v5xgLqdYgBES_OdI4s_dHk6PHOYRmqBWATtCN-oVX2FEFQaOtolj8fLitGVkfKL6JRciTL7vbtrDUOnVc3CqEc2IM537YeLZ5yVRg-6UEYLn6C0PAeKtRSBKTCYNE5TocToDbhYM87/w284-h400/WS1815.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />This <a href="https://shop.bgs.ac.uk/Shop/Product/BSP_WS1815A4" target="_blank">print</a> of William Smith's 1815 geological map comes beautifully presented in an A3 mount. Smith mapped the geology of England, Wales and the south of Scotland all by himself, being the first to map the geology of an entire nation - a great accomplishment! He did so by realising that fossils appeared in the same stratigraphic order, meaning he could predict the occurrence of different rock types. You can get a copy of your own Smith map, as it was when he created it, <a href="https://shop.bgs.ac.uk/Shop/Product/BSP_WS1815" target="_blank">here</a>. <br /><br /><br />That was just a small selection of some of our favourite products, and we hope you’ve gotten some inspiration. There are lots more great gifts for those special people in your life – or even as a little treat for yourself. Simply visit the <a href="https://shop.bgs.ac.uk/Shop" target="_blank">Geology Shop</a> to browse our full selection. <br /><br />If you want to visit the London shop at the Natural History Museum, you will need to book your free timed ticket on the <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit.html" target="_blank">Natural History Museum website</a>. We are open Monday-Friday between 10:00-17:50 but please note we are <b>closed</b> on bank holidays. <br /><br />From all of us at BGS, we hope you have a great Festive Season! <br /><br /><div style="mso-element: comment-list;"><div style="mso-element: comment;"><div class="msocomtxt" id="_com_2" language="JavaScript">
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</div></div><br />British Geological Surveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740304547062993679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228590560998272503.post-51587012599927803022020-11-18T18:00:00.016+00:002020-11-25T11:50:55.552+00:00Stable Isotope Research Apprenticeship / / by Savannah Worne<div><p class="MsoListParagraph"><i>After completing a PhD researching the interaction between subarctic sea ice, oceanic nutrient upwelling and global climate over the last 1 million years at the University of Nottingham, Savannah Worne is now undertaking an apprenticeship with us here at the British Geological Survey. </i><i>Here, she tells us a little bit more about what the role entails...</i></p><div><i><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9zfd_oWA3n15Lmasmk3ZhmJVIN6tupBAlyXPGRc4Vk-PyM6NJCO8_JVYj-ZaHsdqJHEVKAnKYfQlGBOxk8v29BJzi6tVu0p7FkDGI8wdgg5KMCj3qnb9fnneyEnyM29A1mAoGecbPRSC/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Samples in glass jugs being prepared." data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9zfd_oWA3n15Lmasmk3ZhmJVIN6tupBAlyXPGRc4Vk-PyM6NJCO8_JVYj-ZaHsdqJHEVKAnKYfQlGBOxk8v29BJzi6tVu0p7FkDGI8wdgg5KMCj3qnb9fnneyEnyM29A1mAoGecbPRSC/w640-h480/Lab.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing samples<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></i></div><div><div>Hi, I’m Savannah Worne and I have just started a one year postgraduate Stable Isotope Research Apprenticeship in Keyworth, based in the geochemistry department. My key responsibilities will be preparing and analysing a range of samples for organic carbon and nitrogen isotopes (using the new Elementar precision mass spectrometer). I also hope to get involved in a whole range of light stable isotope analysis as the opportunity arises, for example analysing biogenic silica for oxygen and carbon isotopes. <br /><br />Prior to this internship, I was a PhD student at the University of Nottingham, <a href="http://britgeopeople.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-new-phd-researching-effects-of.html" target="_blank">where my thesis research centred on creating a high resolution reconstruction of sea ice, nutrient cycling and ocean-atmosphere CO2 dynamics in the Bering Sea over the last one million years</a>, using geochemical and micropalaeontological records from a deep-ocean sediment core taken by the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP). During this time, I completed some of my own sample preparation and analysis at BGS and so I was thrilled by the opportunity to come back and gain further technical experience in stable isotope analysis, using brand new equipment. <br /><br />So far, I have undergone in-depth training on how to correctly and safely run, dismantle and replace parts for both the elemental analyser and mass spectrometer, including how to operate the respective software and extract and process data from them. While the elemental analyser quantifies the organic carbon and nitrogen content of sample, the mass spectrometer analyses the stable isotope composition. Alongside my mentor Dr Jack Lacey, we have undertaken rigorous calibration and quality assurance checks for the elemental analyser, ensuring that we can accurately and precisely reproduce the organic nitrogen and carbon content of international standards and to ensure the new instrument is functioning consistently. Since then, I have now started to analyse real samples for a range of projects as part of the National Environmental Isotope Facility (a NERC Service and Facility operated out of BGS). As I had only previously been a stable isotope data user, it has been fascinating to see how much work goes on behind the scenes to ensure the data is accurate, reliable and repeatable. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmZ9DMN19xtxnAf0yEzqW6pDACNoZI1f_QzsUIfFdMV19Z_BCCkbfXtJ6eJ8-P34J0K7NOjPXxYs5x3En5ej_Xw5amjkeVyMf7rczA6ph_tAqirodLBU-ACHyc-WLPKlAk0LIzhUNsr56/s755/Savannah.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Picture of Savannah at work in front of her computer, with scientific machinery next to her" border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="755" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmZ9DMN19xtxnAf0yEzqW6pDACNoZI1f_QzsUIfFdMV19Z_BCCkbfXtJ6eJ8-P34J0K7NOjPXxYs5x3En5ej_Xw5amjkeVyMf7rczA6ph_tAqirodLBU-ACHyc-WLPKlAk0LIzhUNsr56/w640-h480/Savannah.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Savannah in one of the geochemistry labs<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br />Aside from this, I have been busy re-familiarising myself with sample preparation techniques, particularly for organic carbon analysis, including freeze-drying samples, decarbonating through acid digestion, sample homogenisation through grinding and weighing out samples to the microgram level. I have also been given an introduction to biogenic silica analysis for oxygen and silicon isotope analysis. I am excited to be involved with a large range of work completed by BGS, and am looking forward to continuing to learn and grow within my role for the rest of my year with the team.</div></div></div>British Geological Surveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740304547062993679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228590560998272503.post-11690940166915434752020-11-17T17:37:00.006+00:002020-11-18T13:11:54.084+00:00LGBTQ+ STEM Day / / by BGS LGBTQ+ Network<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbjoyc8zAO6SP6X-NyByruVdu1z8Q3_PgRskuYqivjbJPnJO4yYBQkTiCHDi8O_WUFm6IMlLET3Wv1VIDM90NPyNlJBmqJ7U1OeIipBWhTrQ8yTMTmKLX54j8X9ojl5aIrgPqJeJx00db/s1200/LGBTQ+in+STEM+day.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1200" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbjoyc8zAO6SP6X-NyByruVdu1z8Q3_PgRskuYqivjbJPnJO4yYBQkTiCHDi8O_WUFm6IMlLET3Wv1VIDM90NPyNlJBmqJ7U1OeIipBWhTrQ8yTMTmKLX54j8X9ojl5aIrgPqJeJx00db/w640-h374/LGBTQ+in+STEM+day.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">What is LGBTQ+? </h3>The acronym LGBTQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and all other members of the community who maybe don’t fit directly into these categories, for example pansexual or asexual people. <div><h3 style="text-align: left;">What is LGBTQ+ STEM day?</h3>2020 is the third LGBTQ+ people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) day. The day, started in 2018, provides an opportunity to highlight LGBTQ+ people and their work as well as sharing the barriers that remain for LGBTQ+ people in STEM. <br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">When is it held? </h3>This year LGBTQ+ STEM day will be held on Wednesday 18th November (usually it takes place in July). The date is significant as it marks the 60th anniversary of Frank Kameny's US Supreme Court fight against workplace discrimination. Kameny was an American astronomer who was fired from the US Army Map Service when they discovered he was gay, resulting in him being banned from working for the Federal Government. After unsuccessfully appealing to the judicial system, he took his lawsuit to the U.S Supreme Court. Although he lost his case, Kameny spent the rest of his life fighting for equality. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><h3><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5ZsHfnUzVUKyUZWHHYRzduFj80qk2krShb3Eo0pLSpLCYIjqrCBOhnKT61NXOtOV209I3zSGMUxYmA58b_Sbe8ABo-LCj-x_-f3ewGC_D4jqpDFXdKEg4004rPlEHv6HqaSK44N9IvzH/s2406/lgbtstemday_Logo_black.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The LGBTQ+ in STEM Logo" border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="2406" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5ZsHfnUzVUKyUZWHHYRzduFj80qk2krShb3Eo0pLSpLCYIjqrCBOhnKT61NXOtOV209I3zSGMUxYmA58b_Sbe8ABo-LCj-x_-f3ewGC_D4jqpDFXdKEg4004rPlEHv6HqaSK44N9IvzH/w640-h208/lgbtstemday_Logo_black.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></h3><h3>Do LGBTQ+ employees experience a different working environment compared to non-LBGTQ+ employees?</h3>A <a href="https://www.rsc.org/globalassets/04-campaigning-outreach/campaigning/lgbt-report/lgbt-report_web.pdf">survey</a> by the Royal Society of Chemistry was undertaken in 2018 to analyse the current working climate for their LGBT+ (this study doesn't feature Q in the title) physical scientists and to tackle the barriers they face moving forward. <br /><br />The unfriendly climate and/or discrimination that was present in the workplace meant that 28% of LGBT+ respondents and almost half of trans people said they had considered leaving their workplace. Harassment or exclusionary behaviour of LGBT+ staff was higher at 18% than non-LGBT+ members of staff at 10%. Trans and non-binary respondents experienced the highest levels of harassment. <br /><br />Almost half of respondents said there was “an overall lack of awareness of LGBT+ issues in the workplace” and 17% felt their organisations procedures and policies were “generally lacking or even discriminatory."<h3></h3><h3>What challenges do some of our BGS LGBTQ+ staff face?</h3></div><div style="text-align: left;">Overseas travel is often a large component of some of our employee’s roles due to the nature of their work. In some of the countries where this takes place, LGBTQ+ identities are legal but not LGBTQ+ friendly, not legally protected or criminalised (see map below). According to this <a href="https://www.stonewall.org.uk/system/files/engaging_with_lgbt_advocates.pdf">guide</a> from Stonewall, “currently, over 70 countries criminalise same-sex relationships and the death penalty is either 'allowed' or evidence of its existence occurs in eight of those countries.”</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwTosom5F4PwlzwsHESLNdY_wmrlcWVrK5X4MG2THbgGLCsLzsCO6h14bGoFN3F53TMBkLENUI7efqVuZU3EJTnf9WIV-eB2gyxysVlEAzhrSuiMCOyJVP4cotXcu0MY8mDhEG6bd5Nbt/s2048/ENG_ILGA_World_map_sexual_orientation_laws_dec2019_update.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A map from ILGA World showing the various sexual orientation laws." border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwTosom5F4PwlzwsHESLNdY_wmrlcWVrK5X4MG2THbgGLCsLzsCO6h14bGoFN3F53TMBkLENUI7efqVuZU3EJTnf9WIV-eB2gyxysVlEAzhrSuiMCOyJVP4cotXcu0MY8mDhEG6bd5Nbt/w640-h452/ENG_ILGA_World_map_sexual_orientation_laws_dec2019_update.png" title="https://ilga.org/maps-sexual-orientation-laws" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Credit: ILGA World</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />An LGBTQ+ member of staff commented that "conferences, workshops, meetings and fieldwork may require you to travel overseas to countries that aren't particularly safe for the LGBTQ+ community. When these opportunities arise, you must weigh up your personal safety vs. the lost opportunity of not going. You also may be travelling to a country where it is considered safe, however, the international nature of conferences means that you need to be cautious about what you say and share, and worry about how this may be perceived." <br /><br />Huw Griffiths from the British Antarctic Survey helped establish the <a href="https://twitter.com/PridePolar" target="_blank">PRIDE in Polar Research</a> network and said “coming ‘out’ is not something you do once in your life. We have to come out nearly every day and in nearly every new situation, which can be exhausting and stressful. This is particularly true when you are going to spend months in a remote location, sharing a cabin or tent with, trusting your safety to a colleague that you might be meeting for the first time.” <br /><h3>What changes do people want to see in STEM?</h3>The changes we’d like to see in STEM largely reflect the changes we want to see in wider society: more representation of minorities leading to parity for all, and an end to discrimination. We want to see STEM become a more accepting place, enabling staff to feel confident and safe in their workplace. STEM should be for everyone, and should value minority voices and contributions. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Everyone has the right to feel comfortable in their workplace and to bring their whole selves to work, and BGS is committed to making our workspaces fully inclusive. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7lJFuUaMfkI" width="560"></iframe> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><h3>Does BGS have a LGBTQ+ group?</h3>Yes, we do! The group was formed in June of this year and is a space for employees to chat, discuss LGBTQ+ issues and access confidential support. <br /><br />Members of the group are already feeding in information and feedback as part of a working group that produces guidance to BGS on working overseas and protecting LGBTQ+ staff. <br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">What resources can I access if I want to learn more?</h3><div>We've compiled a list of resources below, which you may like to take a look at: </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.stonewall.org.uk/system/files/engaging_with_lgbt_advocates.pdf" target="_blank"></a><ul><a href="https://www.stonewall.org.uk/system/files/engaging_with_lgbt_advocates.pdf" target="_blank"></a><li><a href="https://www.stonewall.org.uk/system/files/engaging_with_lgbt_advocates.pdf" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://www.stonewall.org.uk/system/files/engaging_with_lgbt_advocates.pdf" target="_blank">Engaging with LGBT+ Advocates</a>: A guide for UK officials working abroad<br /><br /></li><li><a href="https://prideinstem.org/" target="_blank">Pride in STEM</a><br /><br /></li><li><a href="https://500queerscientists.com/" target="_blank">500 Queer Scientists</a>: an LGBTQ+ visibility campaign <br /><br /></li><li><a href="https://www.ukri.org/our-work/supporting-healthy-research-and-innovation-culture/equality-diversity-and-inclusion/take-pride/" target="_blank">Take PRIDE in research and innovation </a><br /><br /></li><li><a href="https://www.scicurious.co.uk/" target="_blank">SciCurious</a> Podcast <br /><br /></li><li><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02949-3" target="_blank">How LGBT+ Scientists Would Like to be Included and Welcomed in STEM Workplaces</a> <br /><br /></li><li><a href="https://www.bas.ac.uk/blogpost/carrying-the-pride-message-to-the-ends-of-the-earth/" target="_blank">Carrying the PRIDE message to the ends of the Earth</a><br /><br /></li><li><a href="https://eos.org/features/the-challenges-of-fieldwork-for-lgbtq-geoscientists" target="_blank">The Challenges of Fieldwork for LGBTQ+ Geoscientists</a> <br /><br /></li><li><a href="https://eos.org/articles/shining-a-spotlight-on-lgbtq-visibility-in-stem">Shining a Spotlight on LGBTQ+ Visibility in STEM</a><br /><br /></li><li><a href="http://ultimatehistoryproject.com/frank-kameny-gay-activist.html " target="_blank">Frank Kameny, Gay Activist</a> </li></ul><h3 style="text-align: left;">How do I support/take part in LGBTQ+ STEM Day?</h3>On social media you can share videos, images and stories about yourself or your role models using the hashtags #LGBTSTEMDay or #QueerInStem. <br /><br />You can follow the organisers of the day here: <a href="https://twitter.com/prideinstem">@PrideInSTEM</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/houseofstem">@houseofstem</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/InterEngLGBT">@InterEngLGBT</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/outinstem">@OUTinSTEM, </a><a href="https://twitter.com/lgbtstem">@LGBTSTEM</a><a href="https://twitter.com/500queersci">, </a><a href="https://twitter.com/500queersci">@500QueerSci</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/queersinstem?lang=en-gb">Queer in STEM</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/queersinscience?lang=en">Queer in Science</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/lgbt_physics?lang=en">LGBT+ Physics</a>. <br /><br /><br /> </div>British Geological Surveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740304547062993679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228590560998272503.post-15057807975646653592020-11-06T17:38:00.003+00:002020-11-06T18:00:12.320+00:00Mapping Ground Deformation from Space / / by Alessandro Novellino <i>Alessandro has been a Remote Sensing Geoscientist at the British Geological Survey since 2017. He specialises in the analysis and interpretation of spaceborne radar data for a better understanding of natural and anthropogenic hazards.</i><div><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WOPok7aV7lzBLeceZ-tiwpGmAnst80iJf_y9N9xOHzRbt8Dv0a6_qx240JXhqvlygVQ57YxjH8BeDnZOAP9T63hjzi9Uh_NcclpfbvDXW8X6x9n8_flGqwdCbkH0aipSrIG-mLaAgawe/s2048/usgs-ZvLvu1gUcYA-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Located on the Italian island of Sicily, Mt. Etna is one of the world's most active volcanoes. In this image of the volcano in 2001, a plume of steam and smoke rising from the crater drifts over some of the many dark lava flows that cover its slopes." border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WOPok7aV7lzBLeceZ-tiwpGmAnst80iJf_y9N9xOHzRbt8Dv0a6_qx240JXhqvlygVQ57YxjH8BeDnZOAP9T63hjzi9Uh_NcclpfbvDXW8X6x9n8_flGqwdCbkH0aipSrIG-mLaAgawe/w640-h640/usgs-ZvLvu1gUcYA-unsplash.jpg" title="Image courtesy of USGS via UNSPLASH" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Satellite imagery of Mount Etna<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) is nowadays a widely used technique for measuring ground deformation from space with millimetric accuracy. <br /><br />Over the last 25 years, it has been extensively used by earth scientists for mapping and modelling natural phenomena such as <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00190-020-01355-x">volcanoes</a> and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0034425720301085">landslides</a>. <br /><br />I had the opportunity to do a PhD in Italy which, unfortunately or fortunately (it depending on your point of view! For a scientist, it’s a very interesting place to be), is a natural laboratory for such phenomena and hosts institutes at the forefront of InSAR research (e.g., University of Florence, National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology - INGV).</div><div><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZ7UnPq3RfkUDez5SQPEoaEZAfeza3M2Zo6l4xf7zDQ7t3cvVjHVm5roQLiS_4CBgd76MYhQ_SgIM6Q4y_0LHQLQwHVC0VdINrlom_K4k8f8bhhRGvfPKMvE_2QK5i-ylOGZRzC62Gqd6/s1158/Ground+deformation+chart+AN+blog.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A ground deformation chart of Campi Flegrei showing uplift between 2004 - 2007" border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="1158" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZ7UnPq3RfkUDez5SQPEoaEZAfeza3M2Zo6l4xf7zDQ7t3cvVjHVm5roQLiS_4CBgd76MYhQ_SgIM6Q4y_0LHQLQwHVC0VdINrlom_K4k8f8bhhRGvfPKMvE_2QK5i-ylOGZRzC62Gqd6/w640-h508/Ground+deformation+chart+AN+blog.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ground deformation observed with InSAR and GPS over the Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy) between 2004 - 2007. (Source: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s00190-020-01355-x" target="_blank">Bevilacqua et al, 2020</a>)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal">On the other side, the UK is a country with limited experience of large <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/7/2/19" target="_blank">natural disasters related to ground motion</a> and therefore moving here has shifted my InSAR interests from natural-induced ground motion phenomena to human-induced ones such as groundwater extraction and groundwater rebound in mined areas. </p><br />BGS has decades of experience in using InSAR through several international projects, such as <a href="http://www.prothego.eu/" target="_blank">PROTHEGO</a>, <a href="https://www.eurogeosurveys.org/projects/pangeo/" target="_blank">PanGeo</a> and the upcoming <a href="https://land.copernicus.eu/user-corner/technical-library/european-ground-motion-service" target="_blank">European Ground Motion Service</a> where I am involved in the Task Force, which defines the technical requirements of the InSAR. <br /><br />These works have enabled us a better understanding of the susceptibility and hazards associated to ground motion for Great Britain. <br /><br />However, we are now in what I use to call, the ‘Golden Age’ for Earth Observation. <br /><br />Latest satellite constellations such as Sentinel-1, funded by the European Commission and managed through the European Space Agency, are paving the way for mapping ground instabilities at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. <br /><br />Such wealth of information is allowing to develop new and better solutions for building a more resilient society. <br /><br />One example can be seen in a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0034425720303916" target="_blank">work</a> recently published in the journal Remote Sensing. <br /><br />The research has developed a model for groundwater rebound in recently abandoned coalfields in Nottinghamshire using InSAR which can be used, in turn, to enable predictions of surface discharges that can support mitigation strategies. <br /><br />The work has been developed by David Gee, a PhD student funded by the GeoEnergy Research Centre of the University of Nottingham and co-supervised by myself and <a href="https://www.bgs.ac.uk/people/bateson-luke/" target="_blank">Luke Bateson</a> along with staff from the Coal Authority. <br />
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" style="height: 295.2pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 451.2pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
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</v:imagedata></v:shape></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmnZxjPCj_Oatk2OavUsvHVcCJoKNuImqUuoj6SK6pvn7xIOsciq4TokDvsKacXiuE1rPKFcp5EDjsyNpXeZUJtvAv7vSMxmsMuK-zXWBimIHJIzKmxrjcPAqPVLKKVGVy9TNXlFmZ0th/s625/Discharge+times+AN+blog.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Graph showing different discharge time in years from 0 - 5" border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="625" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmnZxjPCj_Oatk2OavUsvHVcCJoKNuImqUuoj6SK6pvn7xIOsciq4TokDvsKacXiuE1rPKFcp5EDjsyNpXeZUJtvAv7vSMxmsMuK-zXWBimIHJIzKmxrjcPAqPVLKKVGVy9TNXlFmZ0th/w640-h418/Discharge+times+AN+blog.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Predicted time until discharge out of the Coal Measures Group between Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire (<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2020.112021" target="_blank">source Gee et al, 2020</a>).<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>This work has a huge impact for a country like the UK where mining of coal dates back centuries. The extraction of large volumes of coal and adjacent rock, fracturing and collapse of in situ strata and generation of mining roadways and entry shafts has created a complex subsurface environment. Additionally, an extensive dewatering regime was required to artificially lower groundwater levels to maintain safe working conditions in working collieries. Following the decline of the mining industry and closure of deep mines, the systematic pumping of groundwater was no longer required and levels started to rebound to their assumed previous natural levels. The cessation of systematic dewatering can have a variety of detrimental impacts, including pollution of overlying aquifers and surface water, localised flooding and renewed mining subsidence and reactivation of geological faults. <br /><br />Knowledge of the time-scales (i.e. the rate) of rebound is crucial to coalfield remediation strategies. The modelling concept developed here is able to map the change in groundwater with complete coverage, to fill in the measurement gaps between the boreholes. The data can be used by national bodies such as the Environment Agency which is responsible for managing hazards such as flooding, pollution and contaminated land, and the Coal Authority which has a mandate to manage the legacy and assets of underground coal mining in terms of public safety and subsidence.
Next challenge for BGS and the wider InSAR community is to develop a (hardware and software) infrastructure system able to manage the huge volume of information (in the order of terabytes of data collected everyday over the UK only) and associated results (millions of points with ground displacement information every 6 days) needed to regularly monitor the Earth’s surface.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks to BGS ODA and IFF funding, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">Ekbal Hussain</a> and I have already developed an automatic InSAR processor able to reduce the user-interaction needed to process radar data (from weeks to days).We are now working on adapting <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">statistical</a> and <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">machine learning</a> techniques in order to quickly highlight areas characterised by anomalous patterns of ground deformation from InSAR results. These anomalies might be incipient signal of natural or anthropogenic-induced disasters. <br /><br />For more information on the BGS InSAR research, please visit our <a href="https://www.bgs.ac.uk/geology-projects/geodesy/insar-research/" target="_blank">website</a>. <br /><br /> <i></i></div>British Geological Surveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740304547062993679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228590560998272503.post-53025619798144861412020-10-30T16:11:00.007+00:002020-11-02T17:54:00.038+00:00Spooky Geology: Caves / / by BGS CommsFirst we talked about spooky water and now we're back with some super spooky geology for you in the run up to Hallowe'en. Read on and howl with fright (or is that just the wind?) as we tell you tales of some of the most well known caves around the country!<br /><br />Again, we can't claim to know the truth to these stories but when you work a lot in caves, things definitely go bump in the night - and that's not just the sound of hardhats hitting rock! <h3 style="text-align: left;">Mother Shipton's Cave, North Yorkshire </h3><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRiuGkH4jwwtMUNIX4bCySU9VLzWc_5RzFvUhyGOiZOK-bopfOGe9jMDg1M5yZ_jNrIdDIlbLDVZRLcTX_H3Ydu9cWVtzjpiU3OFYj-NBUgYNW3uvlz6X3VujCFZj4reSJkJV8XdA6nk5R/s800/800px-MotherShipton%2527sCave.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The entrance to Mother Shipton's Cave with visitor noticeboard outside and vines growing over the top of the cave entrance" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRiuGkH4jwwtMUNIX4bCySU9VLzWc_5RzFvUhyGOiZOK-bopfOGe9jMDg1M5yZ_jNrIdDIlbLDVZRLcTX_H3Ydu9cWVtzjpiU3OFYj-NBUgYNW3uvlz6X3VujCFZj4reSJkJV8XdA6nk5R/w640-h480/800px-MotherShipton%2527sCave.jpg" title="Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother Shipton's Cave<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Ursula Southeil, or Old Mother Shipton as she was
called, was a soothsayer born at this cave in the Cadeby Formation (Permian) near
Knaresborough in 1488. It is now a popular spot for tourists who wish to learn
about her fascinating life. Mother Shipton apparently looked like the
stereotypical witches made popular in fairy tales. It is said that as a teen, Ursula
could move things with her mind and imps visited the house but it was her
ability to see the future and found lost items that really brought Mother
Shipton fame. In 1641 <i>The Prophesie of
Mother Shipton in the Raigne of King Henry the Eighth </i>was published. Two
later versions of the book were published, the latter including a prediction of
cars, planes and even what could be imagined as the internet. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Besides the fascinating tale of Old Mother Shipton,
the cave site also houses the Petrifying Well – said to be the oldest visitor
attraction in England - which petrifies objects in just a few months. On
visiting many half petrified objects hang from the well, which adds another
spooky element to the already creepy caves. </span></p><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Cresswell Crags, Nottinghamshire</h3><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq86rY1YHTLh-x9v2-XOye4vDM7tzB4c2nTw-AolpKK9fdumnL5RMdaolxe50tpYovkfe9WN5-oDYwiQ8tuI-MR-fk_1xOdVDegbfZ9hqfINBPlDfGeljtydcYHhpYhaK9ilYhcTy9VgZL/s640/Caves_Creswell_Crags_-_geograph.org.uk_-_90873.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The entrance to one of the Cresswell Crag magnesian limestone caves" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq86rY1YHTLh-x9v2-XOye4vDM7tzB4c2nTw-AolpKK9fdumnL5RMdaolxe50tpYovkfe9WN5-oDYwiQ8tuI-MR-fk_1xOdVDegbfZ9hqfINBPlDfGeljtydcYHhpYhaK9ilYhcTy9VgZL/w640-h480/Caves_Creswell_Crags_-_geograph.org.uk_-_90873.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cresswell Crags © Nigel Homer<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Cresswell Crags is an impressive dolomitised limestone
gorge on the border between Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. The bedrock is the
Cadeby Formation of Permian age (~273–252 Ma), and used to be known as the Lower Magnesian
Limestone. It is a treasure trove for archaeologists who have found prehistoric
tools, cave art, carved bone and abundant remains of animals including lions,
hyenas and woolly rhinoceros.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">For our spooky blog, we are focusing on perhaps the
most terrifying discovery – Witch Marks. These marks, thought to be from the 17<sup>th</sup>
and 18th centuries were used as ‘apotropaia’, a type of magic to protect from
evildoings or black magic. There are hundreds of these marks at Robin Hood’s
cave – more than anywhere else in the UK. The marks include ‘VV’ which is
thought to stand for Virgin of the Virgin; a reference to the Virgin Mary, and
‘PM’, a reference to <i>Pace Maria</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The have been digitised to allow for online viewing.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/348358644" width="640"></iframe>
</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/348358644">Creswell Crags Witch Mark Cave</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user2783242">Jeremy Lee</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</span></p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Winnats Pass, near Castleton, Derbyshire</h3><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfXYifhr2ewTsLIN3dh-ALgY1tPxKsB91eh99cD-F2yhsWGpEFtQwHkiG9WrJu8mEaLbWkfcluQXKhWUD-jvVbV5XRcipFtBfjWkMpPrgKR1lfVHLtLzDWQPf2XmTifmEVz3G1hZjGzlo/s1920/winnats-pass-5455266_1920.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The sun sets over the steep, partially exposed limestone formations creating Winnats Pass" border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfXYifhr2ewTsLIN3dh-ALgY1tPxKsB91eh99cD-F2yhsWGpEFtQwHkiG9WrJu8mEaLbWkfcluQXKhWUD-jvVbV5XRcipFtBfjWkMpPrgKR1lfVHLtLzDWQPf2XmTifmEVz3G1hZjGzlo/w640-h426/winnats-pass-5455266_1920.jpg" title="Winnats Pass. Image from Tim Hill, via Pixabay" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winnats Pass<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Winnats Pass has many mysterious tales surrounding it, not least because of the eerie wind that howls along it night and day. One of the most famous cases is of Alan and Clara, a couple who were brutally murdered on their way to be wed. Apparently, on the night of the murder, as Alan and Clara travelled the pass they were set upon by drunken lead miners, who brutally attacked them and stole what would equate to about £35,000 in today’s money – the couples’ life savings. It is said that the lead miners all befell horrible fates after the murders, committing suicide, losing their sanity and all their money. Alan and Clara can now be found on dark, moonless nights wandering the pass, restless from the injustice done to them. <br /><br />Geologically speaking Winnats Pass, or ‘windy gates’, is a thoroughly interesting place and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), formed of Lower Carboniferous limestone which is full of marine fossils such as brachiopods, corals and crinoids. The pass was carved by erosion caused by the huge volumes of glacial meltwaters during the Ice Age. Intensive lead mining was undertaken in this area in the 17th and 18th centuries. The gemstone Blue John is unique to this area, and is still mined on a small scale to this day.<div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Wookey Hole Caves, Somerset</h3><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxazffiqHNK_rLKv0OIBtlYIcRwJ6HWbf__0ZGV3KiToATKsomR5-_y_5z2tImETO7uH3CAxMpPi4FTg0ROQ9I6AQ7h2bc-y0Hla6n8T5wxRdGO7BsSqeddP5Z41ulfYE85hkF6X8TNn-H/s800/Wookey+Hole+entrance.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxazffiqHNK_rLKv0OIBtlYIcRwJ6HWbf__0ZGV3KiToATKsomR5-_y_5z2tImETO7uH3CAxMpPi4FTg0ROQ9I6AQ7h2bc-y0Hla6n8T5wxRdGO7BsSqeddP5Z41ulfYE85hkF6X8TNn-H/w640-h480/Wookey+Hole+entrance.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance to Wookey Hole © Chris Talbot<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Our second ‘witch marked’ cave and another SSSI - is
Wookey Hole. Although other ghosts abound at the cave, by far the most
compelling legend of this iconic Somerset location is the Witch of Wookey Hole.
Wookey Hole Caves are a large complex of karst caverns formed in Triassic breccia</span>. The breccia is made up of fragments of Carboniferous limestones that were deposited as scree slopes and alluvial fans along the flank of rugged mountain range during the Triassic (bit like the mountains and wadis of northern Oman), and later cemented together.<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span>They a<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">re part of the southern escarpment of the Mendip Hills.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The witch – once a beautiful young woman – was living
in a nearby village. She took a suitor and fell deeply in love but was quickly
jilted by him in favour of another woman. Devastated, she ran away to the caves
where she hid. On the night of her disappearance she was visited by a demon,
who offered her great powers in exchange for her soul. The heartbroken woman
quickly accepted and black magic was bestowed upon her. The next morning she
cursed her ex-suitor, his new love and any other lovers in the area. This
apparently did not appease her however, as she grew increasingly evil and
caused many more problems in the village, which the villagers could no longer
handle, calling on the Abbot of Glastonbury to help them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The Abbot made an attempt to exorcise the witch, and
as the tale goes a huge fight between good and evil took place, with fire and
brimstone cascading down. Finally the Abbot prevailed by sprinkling the witch
with water, turning her to stone. To add credence to the story, in 1912 the
remains of a woman, a goat and her kid, and a round stalagmite which looked
like a stone-turned crystal ball were found, all in keeping with the legend.
The witch’s bones are currently kept in the nearby Wells and Mendip museum,
however you can still see the stalagmite which is widely believed to be the
petrified witch at the Wookey Hole Caves and exhibition centre to this day.</span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"> Sawney Bean's Cave, South Ayrshire </h3><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzSUKXOEJBt2RsfArFjS7wp1LUoveI4wn6UvW3PGaYn7qRPDVnjMHQ1Y5X0SpAXE6f9NLnPw1Q2mADRgA-TikJAyOvgZBspVZRqHnQllnHw04nPYrGAvERoX80TYRTFye2NL7y8vi8j8F/s640/Sawney+Bean%2527s+Cave.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="640" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzSUKXOEJBt2RsfArFjS7wp1LUoveI4wn6UvW3PGaYn7qRPDVnjMHQ1Y5X0SpAXE6f9NLnPw1Q2mADRgA-TikJAyOvgZBspVZRqHnQllnHw04nPYrGAvERoX80TYRTFye2NL7y8vi8j8F/w640-h418/Sawney+Bean%2527s+Cave.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sawney Bean's Cave © Mary and Angus Hogg<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />For a change of pace, this horrific tale involves
Alexander ‘Sawney’ Bean, a cannibal.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The bay around the Bennane Cave, where Bean and his
family<span style="background: white; color: #232323;"> lived, </span>is known for
some pretty wonderful geology. </span>This includes ophiolite rocks which represent a section of ocean crust and the underlying upper mantle. Serpentinite, a highly altered bit of oceanic crust which used to be deep below the sea floor is exposed around the entrance to the cave. A fault marks the entrance of the cave, which is excavated out of basalt erupted on the ocean floor.<br /><br />In the 16th century, a man called Sawn<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">ey
Bean and his partner, the witch Black Agnes, lived in one of the caves as the
head of a clan of incestuous cannibals. It is estimated that they killed and
ate up to 1,000 people. Their victims’ body parts were then kept in the cave,
although often parts were washed away during high tide and found on the shore.
The Beans were so sneaky with their killings (though we fail to see how this could
be, with body parts everywhere) search parties were dispatched, to no avail.
The clan were finally spotted trying to kill a skilled swordsman returning from
a fair and a manhunt was quickly established, with the Bean’s cave being
uncovered and the extent of their crimes established. The Beans were taken to
Edinburgh where they were executed without trial. </span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The veracity of the Sawney Bean legend has long been
questioned but it makes for a spooky Halloween tale and an excuse for one of
our favourite pastimes – visiting caves!<o:p></o:p></span></p>Do you have spooky cave tales of your own? Let us know in the comments!</div></div>British Geological Surveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740304547062993679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228590560998272503.post-82782605637286231612020-10-30T10:27:00.002+00:002020-10-30T11:02:08.874+00:00World Vegan Day / / by Lynsey Clayton<i>Lynsey Clayton works in the Sales & Enquiries team at the Keyworth office. Lynsey is keen to promote environmental issues within all aspects both inside and outside of work, and is part of the Environmental Sustainability Working Group. </i><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtA6oWi6fdcmzCyE55UAccvOL1Iuejb7ejlBGVUDPV1CalS_qAPl0MKulh_tu8FJ_Z8x0ls7mo3QE1pSqfhear5JXuZG7DpqwRavtYQWncvIaVmPRXIcJUrW4BaS0-93tr-I5s_LGIAgNU/s1094/Vegan+burger+by+Rolande+PG+on+Unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A delicious looking vegan burger and fries, in an earthenware bowl, next to it" border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="1094" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtA6oWi6fdcmzCyE55UAccvOL1Iuejb7ejlBGVUDPV1CalS_qAPl0MKulh_tu8FJ_Z8x0ls7mo3QE1pSqfhear5JXuZG7DpqwRavtYQWncvIaVmPRXIcJUrW4BaS0-93tr-I5s_LGIAgNU/w640-h360/Vegan+burger+by+Rolande+PG+on+Unsplash.jpg" title="Photo by Rolande PG on Unsplash" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Walking around and seeing an ever increasing number of ‘Vegan Options Available’ signs outside cafes, bars and restaurants; being able to enter almost any supermarket and find a huge selection of vegan products; and watching as huge multinationals back worldwide bans on animal testing, there certainly is a huge change happening at the moment, and for World Vegan Day on November 1, I’d like to share a little bit with you about what it means to be vegan, and why people make the decision to ditch animal products. </div><h3>What does it mean to be vegan? </h3><br />Vegans avoid eating any and all animal products. Some vegans also avoid animal products in their clothing, footwear, accessories, toiletries, household items and avoid products tested on animals. This can be for a variety of reasons - predominantly animal welfare, but can also be for reasons of health and/or the environment. <br /><br />The Vegan Society defines veganism in this way: <br /><br /><i><b>"Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals." </b></i><br /><br />Some may follow a vegan diet purely for health or environmental reasons, and may refer to themselves as plant based. However, those who choose to do so for animal welfare and/or moral reasons, and extend the philosophy into other areas of their lives, opposing the use of animals for any purpose, are ethical vegans, and ethical veganism is now recognised under the Equality Act 2010, as a philosophical belief that is protected by law against discrimination. </div><div><br /><h3>Environmental benefits </h3><br />Concerns for the environment and climate change have been on the rise, and recent studies have shown that going vegan is the “single biggest way” to reduce our environmental impact. Researchers at the University of Oxford found that cutting meat and dairy products from your diet <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2018-06-01-new-estimates-environmental-cost-food" target="_blank">could reduce an individual’s carbon footprint from food by up to 73%.</a> <br /><br /><a href="https://science.sciencemag.org/content/360/6392/987" target="_blank">Findings published in Science magazine</a> magazine demonstrate how meat and dairy production is responsible for 60% of agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions, while the products themselves provide just 37% of protein levels around the world. The methane produced by cows, is also 20 times more damaging than carbon dioxide. <br /><br />Research shows that animal-based products are incredibly resource-intensive, especially when it comes to water. For example, it takes <a href="http://www.worldwaterweek.org/bestwaterideas/" target="_blank">15,500 litres of water to produce 1kg of beef</a>, compared to just 180 litres for 1kg tomatoes and 250 litres for 1kg potatoes. Since a large percentage of the crops fed to European farmed animals are grown in developing countries, this wasted water comes not only from European reserves but also from the very countries where drinking water is most scarce, and studies indicate that following a vegan diet could significantly reduce the world’s water requirements. <br /><br />Land use is also a major factor when farming animals. Using 0.4 hectares of land to raise cattle for meat yields only 9kg of produce, yet the same land holds the potential to produce 165kg of protein rich soya beans. <a href="https://wwf.panda.org/our_work/our_focus/food_practice/sustainable_production/soy/" target="_blank">Almost 80% of the world’s soybean crop is fed to livestock</a>, and vast swathes of the rainforest are being deforested to clear grazing land and to grow soya feed. <br /><br />Commercial fishing is another issue which is in the news on a regular basis, with severely depleted stocks of wild fish in our oceans and ongoing damage of the ecosystem, including coral reefs. As a response, the seafood industry has turned to raising fish in contained factory farms – a process known as aquaculture. These farms raise millions of fish in netted cages in coastal waters. Confining so many fish in small areas leads to a host of environmental and health hazards - many of these fish being prone to diseases. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OtAqv3zBCA2jhf0KJv9rcDmU9QiHeQq3VHFh6Ff1s4SYQfIVkqpwQ8SniL8VSTBMfRH8KM8YEpWSqJzu9FI92CwkA8cnI0M2MuRURZE5V03R6GU23_szu7fjiypek4T0wDS7xXOM0m4c/s1194/Pancakes+Mathilda+Khoo+on+Unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pancakes covered in blueberries and strawberries on a white plate, next to autumnal flowers and a cup of black coffee" border="0" data-original-height="957" data-original-width="1194" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OtAqv3zBCA2jhf0KJv9rcDmU9QiHeQq3VHFh6Ff1s4SYQfIVkqpwQ8SniL8VSTBMfRH8KM8YEpWSqJzu9FI92CwkA8cnI0M2MuRURZE5V03R6GU23_szu7fjiypek4T0wDS7xXOM0m4c/w640-h512/Pancakes+Mathilda+Khoo+on+Unsplash.jpg" title="Photo by Mathilda Khoo / Unsplash" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /><h3>Health benefits </h3><br />Going vegan encourages you to eat more fruits, vegetables, pulses and other nutrient-dense foods that are proven to boost your health. The average vegan diet contains fewer calories, less cholesterol, and more fibre than non-vegetarian diets. However, it is worth noting that it’s very easy to be a “junk food vegan” and consume lots of sugar and other types of fat. In general though, vegan diets have been associated with <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3662288/" target="_blank">lower risks of certain health problems</a>, including high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and certain cancers. <br /><br />Getting a healthy level of nutrients from a vegan diet is not difficult, and protein is in abundance. However, one common concern is vitamin B12, which is produced by bacteria that live naturally in the soil, as well as some bacteria in our guts. Unfortunately, due to certain farming methods, soil depletion and the extensive washing of produce, there is an insufficient quantity of naturally occurring B12 in the soil to be passed to us via the vegetables we eat or grazing animals. <br /><br />Animals are therefore often supplemented with B12 and, if you have been eating a non-vegan diet, your supplement has come to you second hand via another animal. This is not the most reliable form of B12 and it is therefore recommended that everyone - no matter their diet - supplement, or use fortified foods (cereal, nutritional yeast, plant milks and so on). <br /><br /><h3>It's Easy being Vegan</h3><br />It has become considerably easier to become vegan, and supermarkets are constantly launching new and exciting products. Many vegans are not vegan because they didn’t like the taste of meat, but because they want to enjoy food without contributing to animal suffering or slaughter in the meat, egg and dairy industries. Therefore replacement products are very popular, and brands are now battling for our custom. There are also lots of products you may know and love, without realising they are vegan. Co-op doughnuts and fruit pies, jelly tots, Fry’s chocolate cream, and most varieties of bacon flavoured crisps – even Pizza Hut’s bacon bits are, and have always been, vegan! <br /><br />At the risk of mentioning Christmas too early, I’m going to share a favourite recipe of mine, from our time in Denmark, the traditional dessert, Risalamande, which we have “veganised”. <br /><br />If you’d like to find out more information about the topics I’ve talked about, the <a href="https://www.viva.org.uk/" target="_blank">Viva website is a fantastic resource</a>… or, perhaps you feel prompted to give it a test run, so why not take a look at <a href="https://uk.veganuary.com/">signing up for Veganuary</a>. <div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZjsmVTPi-JR5H01lle8-G9j0OOluEe8tWYr4BRvmpq0vbKvvw4EERdMTPfXDKOD2Vl91-hHsd0LIRdNtIPq2iRhQprX6mU7NmfFkrfSG1mEdP3H8GfWERZzcrvxtWtawYL4eFkPYAqkz/s1005/Doughnuts+by+sheri+silver+-+Unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Delicious-looking doughnuts on a plate, the toppings being chocolate and sprinkles. A measuring spoon of sprinkles is perched by the side" border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1005" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZjsmVTPi-JR5H01lle8-G9j0OOluEe8tWYr4BRvmpq0vbKvvw4EERdMTPfXDKOD2Vl91-hHsd0LIRdNtIPq2iRhQprX6mU7NmfFkrfSG1mEdP3H8GfWERZzcrvxtWtawYL4eFkPYAqkz/w640-h426/Doughnuts+by+sheri+silver+-+Unsplash.jpg" title="Photo by sheri silver on Unsplash" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Vegan Risalamande Recipe</h3><div>This dish forms a staple part of the Danish Christmas dinner menu, and also incorporates a popular Christmas game in Denmark and other parts of Scandinavia; one portion of rice pudding traditionally contains a whole almond and a prize is given to the person who ‘finds’ it.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Ingredients</i></div><div><i>(Serves 4)</i></div><div><br /></div><div>200g Pudding Rice </div><div>800ml Almond Milk </div><div>70g Organic Peeled Almonds – finely chopped (leave one whole)</div><div>100g Vanilla Sugar (pre-mixed) – or make your own with sugar and vanilla essence</div><div>400ml Soya Cream Jar of Cherry Sauce (or cherries in sauce)</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Directions</i></div><div>Place rice in a pan with cold milk – bring to boil – simmer – then remove from the boil, wrap in towel and leave for 2-3hrs.</div><div>Mix in cream, vanilla sugar, and almonds.</div><div>Place in fridge to chill before serving.</div><div>Warm the cherry sauce, and pour over rice to serve. <br /><br /> </div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUreFjctWm4n2uX-KXdlg4dIzt5Y7ZKLggDznlcWEeh3odPBYKzEmlAROF78vsifh-5VV9L9nXzxCSJkneQ6iF1xbC-EUwW3hQ5e7atoAzWALeTKbLqTI8_Z8RJDAPUm_TUpIn96ofis-u/s2048/risalamande.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A bowl of risalande with a cherry sauce topping, served in a grey bowl" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1535" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUreFjctWm4n2uX-KXdlg4dIzt5Y7ZKLggDznlcWEeh3odPBYKzEmlAROF78vsifh-5VV9L9nXzxCSJkneQ6iF1xbC-EUwW3hQ5e7atoAzWALeTKbLqTI8_Z8RJDAPUm_TUpIn96ofis-u/w480-h640/risalamande.jpg" title="Risalande © Lynsey Clayton" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Risalande, image © Lynsey Clayton<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br />British Geological Surveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740304547062993679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228590560998272503.post-65282748545691194112020-10-29T11:25:00.006+00:002020-10-30T14:04:51.231+00:00Spooky Geology: Water / / by BGS Comms<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6TS77BdMXXxMTq3C8UaJig3USgeO3cqF3EGGuD9zSbnfbNjAL9o9hQMKubjYvlOmfuz_CsuJm6JK21DCVKczGv0niRnuNLP-Y1smTaK6czGqES7IOqO_G8S-qRiH7xu7fVfwnhg7RDnQ/s2048/pxfuel.com+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bare trees stand by a misty, creepy lake" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6TS77BdMXXxMTq3C8UaJig3USgeO3cqF3EGGuD9zSbnfbNjAL9o9hQMKubjYvlOmfuz_CsuJm6JK21DCVKczGv0niRnuNLP-Y1smTaK6czGqES7IOqO_G8S-qRiH7xu7fVfwnhg7RDnQ/w400-h300/pxfuel.com+%25281%2529.jpg" title="Image credit free from PXbay" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br />This week, in the run-up to Hallowe’en, BGS is offering you some SPOOOOOOOKY stories from ghastly geological spots around the UK. Read and shiver as we uncover some terrifying tales and - when you can - visit the spots yourself to find ghosts and ghouls whilst taking in the beautiful local scenery. <br /><br />Our first set of tales take in waterways, from pools to lakes via sprites and mermaids. We can’t claim to know the truth of these tales but our hydrogeologists have definitely seen a sight or two, working in remote watery spots. <br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Deil’s Cauldron, Perth & Kinross </h3><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwZFYfiLqVSW1Uus9ACzIjlD2RqzSldj8XrtVQEjbUuT0aI7mfg4tcpKQgJuhbZvkzXphZJW84SvGR2ip62Eq7YimO0GRyZlyQ6q9WEI559wG0RwW1sn8xueKZOVVKv379g_TzOOo9Xu4/s800/800px-_Deil%2527s_Cauldron_.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Image of water rushing into the Deil's Cauldron" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwZFYfiLqVSW1Uus9ACzIjlD2RqzSldj8XrtVQEjbUuT0aI7mfg4tcpKQgJuhbZvkzXphZJW84SvGR2ip62Eq7YimO0GRyZlyQ6q9WEI559wG0RwW1sn8xueKZOVVKv379g_TzOOo9Xu4/w640-h480/800px-_Deil%2527s_Cauldron_.jpg" title="Credit markintellect" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Deil's Cauldron ©markintellect<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><br />If you want to take in some spectacular views while you take in a spooky site then the 4-5 mile round trip to the Deil’s Cauldron just outside of Comrie in Perth & Kinross is a great bet. <br /><br />The Deil's Cauldron is a narrow river gorge in the Ben Ledi Grit Formation, a metamorphosed sandstone of latest Precambrian-earliest Cambrian age, located in central Scotland. The fast river flows to a group of deep, dark pools. <br /><br />Living in the pools is a water elf called Uris-chidh. The elf gets lonely, so he sets out to find a companion by playing a compelling tune on his pipe, luring people into the pools to their death. So if you’re around the pools and hear Uris-chidh’s tune, remain vigilant and remember the only ones who live to tell the tale are the ones who ignore his music. <br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Silent Pool, Surrey </h3></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGcC2t0tSajRPa8CZ21F4PqfGDX-3n8RPWpj9dWuQhGJ3RiKIKoCh_sluXMSDcFfrW6THEx-naTErRRZrrTDehJRSJlSw5tExIRHy0woFTaccApqVuZldQ6aLUZ5ScZ8wILT9jRPrJzFX/s1024/Silent+pool+2+BGS+archives.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Image of the serene looking Silent Pool, surrounded by trees, taken in 1916" border="0" data-original-height="784" data-original-width="1024" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGcC2t0tSajRPa8CZ21F4PqfGDX-3n8RPWpj9dWuQhGJ3RiKIKoCh_sluXMSDcFfrW6THEx-naTErRRZrrTDehJRSJlSw5tExIRHy0woFTaccApqVuZldQ6aLUZ5ScZ8wILT9jRPrJzFX/w640-h490/Silent+pool+2+BGS+archives.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Silent Pool, 1916 ©British Geological Survey<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Said to be the most haunted body of water in the country, this spring-fed idyllic Silent Pool in Surrey hides some spooky secrets. It is probably the remains of an old chalk quarry the spring comes from a base of chalk and creates the beautiful bluish green colour of the pool. <br /><br />The Silent Pool is purported to be haunted by Emma, the ghost of a woodcutter’s daughter, murdered by King John who approached her on horseback while she was bathing in the pool, not leaving her alone until she had to retreat so far into the water she drowned. King John did not attempt to save her, and a feather from his hat left at the scene of the crime implemented him in the murder. People still claim to see the ghost of Emma floating above the pool at midnight, or hear the beating of hooves as a rider is seen loitering nearby. <br /><br />Most interestingly, the pool is also part of the mystery surrounding Agatha Christie’s disappearance in 1926. One morning Agatha’s car was found abandoned at the pool, which was promptly dredged. No sign of Christie was found, but that was probably because she was hiding out at a nearby hotel and found safe and well eleven days later. <br /><br /><h3>The White Horse of Windermere</h3><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWOEUYnLQGvpETh4MwcKWB2dr2Nuj0g2NOElpzhwWua0msPkbSICb8GALxGOXtadCS5N0NXo5PJy1hZWQMhFhzQU5NRfRjQfwr90nOm0VsD4prZQ_LxIYghB_S0PceDtQU5hk4DFzQMWo/s1920/Lake+Windermere+Pixabay.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A view of boats on Lake Windermere, with hills in the background. It's a sunny day with some, scattered clouds." border="0" data-original-height="926" data-original-width="1920" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWOEUYnLQGvpETh4MwcKWB2dr2Nuj0g2NOElpzhwWua0msPkbSICb8GALxGOXtadCS5N0NXo5PJy1hZWQMhFhzQU5NRfRjQfwr90nOm0VsD4prZQ_LxIYghB_S0PceDtQU5hk4DFzQMWo/w640-h308/Lake+Windermere+Pixabay.jpg" title="Lake Windermere © Pixabay" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Windermere<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br />As far as hauntings are concerned, the White Horse of Windermere is actually quite nice. If trouble is about to befall the neighbourhood of Windermere then a beautiful white horse is said to wander across the lake as a sign of warning. <br /><br />The spirit is said to be the spirit of a monk, who took it upon himself to save fair maidens from peril. <br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Mermaid’s Pool, The High Peaks </h3></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kGC7qe9LhSSWvN-7J9Zdjqeqh2t9RmdALQGDm5xhVQN-zZwxGGD6dcBCAtfLxGms-2vCnYfIMOeTJQjvXFR6k8GbWu8RLYCb_DVv5ItmvP4QDfyr7N1-lmv5QQvZicalbhXEVD2Ik4q5/s2048/Mermaids-Pool-by-Neil-Theasby.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A view over the Mermaid's Pool, with the High Peaks in the distance" border="0" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="2048" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kGC7qe9LhSSWvN-7J9Zdjqeqh2t9RmdALQGDm5xhVQN-zZwxGGD6dcBCAtfLxGms-2vCnYfIMOeTJQjvXFR6k8GbWu8RLYCb_DVv5ItmvP4QDfyr7N1-lmv5QQvZicalbhXEVD2Ik4q5/w640-h470/Mermaids-Pool-by-Neil-Theasby.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mermaid's Pool © Neil Theasby<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br />You might be surprised to find that a landlocked area has mermaids but myth and magic work in mysterious ways. <br /><br />In the High Peaks between Kinder Downfall and Kinder Low, adventurers can find the small, eerie-looking Mermaid’s Pool, a salinated body of water, which is odd as it’s located inland. <br /><br />Thought to be a pre-Christian place of worship, according to more recent legend if you visit at Easter and look into the waters at sunrise you will see the mermaid. She can grant immortality, but only if she likes the look of you. If not, you’ll be lured to your death. Year-round the pool is supposed to exude a feeling of dread and foreboding. <br /><br />Another tale tells of a cursed charm, which caused chaos in the nearby village of Hayfield in 1760. A vicar was called to perform an exorcism on the charm, which flew into the pool and remains there to this day. <br /><br />Birds won’t fly over the pool, nor will animals drink from it. The latter makes sense as the pool is indeed salinated, one suggestion that it is connected to the sea by an underground tunnel – maybe that’s how the mermaid gets to the sea and back? We couldn't possibly comment. <br /><br />The views all around this location are gorgeous, though be careful when walking nearby, as it’s rather boggy. <br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Glaslyn Lake, Snowdonia </h3></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tiZYs1H65cKk75T0bF8NN5SMU7bjoZFK54RM2omBnfw8EosYngbo2csI2_kxsEMFxvU3rtbnq78Wmp7TZPMQePTL6vUQAloCi8lTPFXZ-WXogUqvamx6NRtGaIU8TopzL_FAO3YZAyTZ/s1023/Glaslyn.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="View from near the Snowdon summit, looking East to Lake Glaslyn and Llyn Llydaw" border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1023" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tiZYs1H65cKk75T0bF8NN5SMU7bjoZFK54RM2omBnfw8EosYngbo2csI2_kxsEMFxvU3rtbnq78Wmp7TZPMQePTL6vUQAloCi8lTPFXZ-WXogUqvamx6NRtGaIU8TopzL_FAO3YZAyTZ/w640-h506/Glaslyn.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from near the summit of Snowdon, looking East to Llyn Glaslyn and Llyn Llydaw © British Geological Survey<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br />Perhaps one of the most pervading UK folklore tales is that of Arthur and his knights. Glaslyn Lake – stained green from a high concentration of copper ore – in Snowdonia, Wales is the setting of one of the most exciting stories in the Arthurian legend. <br /><br />As the tale goes, when Arthur was killed at Bwlch y Saethau (The Pass of Arrows) one of his knights, Sir Bedivere threw Arthur’s legendary sword, Excalibur, into a nearby lake which was then claimed by the Lady of the Lake. The lake itself is of course believed to be Glaslyn. <br /><br />In 2017 more depth was added to the Lady of the Lake story, as a 6th century sword was found at a nearby site – Llyn Ogwen – giving credence to the story of Arthur’s lost blade. <br /><br />Another myth of Glaslyn is that the Welsh water beast Afanc was relocated underneath the lake by angry villagers, as it was causing too much trouble in its River Conwy lair. <br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">River Ribble by Waddow Hall, Lancashire </h3></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RHjDQWmv_isKRWkSinZigBjOj-UPpRbb4w-B8k8HhBeO7C7U-kFxeIg4fiFl3hqqgBcmzszlKwSc2KNwR7l7lY_eJe5bWf4gLaIRzfS339TRnmekU-tKIU29GYxBeQj5Rj3wfEyGbzq-/s640/Waddow+Hall.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The weir at Waddow Hall, covered in ice and snow" border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="640" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RHjDQWmv_isKRWkSinZigBjOj-UPpRbb4w-B8k8HhBeO7C7U-kFxeIg4fiFl3hqqgBcmzszlKwSc2KNwR7l7lY_eJe5bWf4gLaIRzfS339TRnmekU-tKIU29GYxBeQj5Rj3wfEyGbzq-/w640-h424/Waddow+Hall.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The weir at Waddow Hall ©Alexander P Kapp</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br />Peg O’Nell is Lancashire’s resident water sprite. She came to the role in a different way to most sprites however, originally being a servant girl at Waddow Hall. <br /><br />According to the tales, one day Peg fell out with her Mistress because she didn’t want to fetch any water from the nearby well. Her mistress dismissed her with a shout of ‘I hope you fall and break your neck!’ With that, Peg was never seen alive again: after slipping on some ice and falling into the River Ribble, she broke her neck and was carried away by the strong current. Peg transformed into a water sprite is said to now haunt the river, demanding a human is sacrificed to appease her once each seven years, which also prevents her incessant screaming. Peg can be assuaged by the sacrifice of an animal instead, which is benevolent of her, we’re sure you’ll agree. <br /><br />The potential ‘well’ of the story is close by in Clitheroe, and is dedicated to Peg, adorned with a statue of her. Peg’s mistress was so unhappy with the statue and continuing bad luck attributed to Peg that she chopped off the head of the statue, which remains headless to this day. <br /><br />In another version of the Peg O’Nell story, Peg was simply a sprite who caused a local preacher to fall into the river and drown. The statue of Peg lost its head as punishment. <br /><br /><i>We always love a spooky tale! Do you have any geological stories of ghosts and ghouls? If so, let us know about them in the comments! </i><br />
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><br /><br />British Geological Surveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740304547062993679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228590560998272503.post-68965751232482725412020-10-22T16:35:00.011+01:002020-12-09T16:56:57.777+00:00(A Lack of) Diversity in the Geosciences / / by Romesh Palamakumbura<i>Romesh Palamakumbura is BGS geologist, and specialises in Quaternary sediments, ranging from carbonate and fluvial systems in the Mediterranean to glacial sediments in Scotland. Recent work has involved looking at fracture networks and their impact on a broad range of processes including groundwater flow and glacial erosion. Here he tells us about diversity in geoscience, summarising recent work that has looked at reasons for a lack of diversity and some potential solutions.</i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-tPf_Rxb54pRJTJlE5y0bKDiqefJjsPyupz2FZ2M4vmNaY4D2ZY1Qh0sqdu2XLb2zhV1X5JZbaowvVBSbo9k-ZDRc7uVrhjK0qHGfoWyideI0Ts8NGj4ArrAnI7y3N4ng1zLnZ5-rcuAM/s2048/trust-tru-katsande-6q5QG8iIgRo-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-tPf_Rxb54pRJTJlE5y0bKDiqefJjsPyupz2FZ2M4vmNaY4D2ZY1Qh0sqdu2XLb2zhV1X5JZbaowvVBSbo9k-ZDRc7uVrhjK0qHGfoWyideI0Ts8NGj4ArrAnI7y3N4ng1zLnZ5-rcuAM/w400-h268/trust-tru-katsande-6q5QG8iIgRo-unsplash.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Geology spans a large range of subjects, from hydrogeology to earth observation, mathematics to inter-planetary sciences, and from volcanoes to sea-floor mapping and all the spaces in-between. As such, geoscientists work on a huge range of global problems, including monitoring and understanding our global environmental hazards, developing new ways to provide energy for a growing global society, and ensuring sustainable and secure food and water resources. Despite the global relevance of geoscience and the diversity of subjects that it covers, when it comes to people it remains one of the least diverse scientific communities.<sup style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1,2,3</span></sup><span style="text-align: justify;">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 8pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p>
Whilst there are diversity and inclusivity issues across the board, there have been a number of recent publications that have highlighted particular issues that surround race and ethnicity, and the under-representation of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) staff and students within geosciences:<br /><h3 style="margin-top: 8pt; text-align: left;">The underrepresentation of BAME students studying at undergraduate and postgraduate level<b><sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3</span></sup></b> </h3><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-top: 8pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-top: 8pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1;">This blog post<sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3</span></sup> highlights the disparity between the BAME UK population and the number of BAME students that engage with geoscience at undergraduate level study; a gap that increases into postgraduate study. There are several proposed reasons for this including, rural environments being more challenging to access for children growing up in urban settings – disproportionately affecting potential students from BAME communities<sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">4</span></sup> , a lack of diverse and visible role models in academia and industry, the link between geosciences and imperialist or colonialist attitudes and history, and a perception that a career in geosciences is not financially viable<sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3</span></sup>.</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: 8pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7gKYvERZUslYn42jfdU0ipMXJeaZI_mwxNUCWbh6A4QVSsZJ1cO6RZTtRiZiQPZiMCJpNpW4reN12tM3GwYE-KQQbiUx84_R62u1w0A6dUfwLwWgrXQu-FKziu7RaJu3Pl5vbl3eyz0c/s1168/Romeshblog1.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Graph showing representation of BAME in Physical Sciences and Geosciences" border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1168" height="421" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7gKYvERZUslYn42jfdU0ipMXJeaZI_mwxNUCWbh6A4QVSsZJ1cO6RZTtRiZiQPZiMCJpNpW4reN12tM3GwYE-KQQbiUx84_R62u1w0A6dUfwLwWgrXQu-FKziu7RaJu3Pl5vbl3eyz0c/w640-h421/Romeshblog1.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Representation of BAME (Black, Asian, Mixed and Other ethnic minorities) in physical sciences and geosciences from High Educations Statistics Agency data, alongside ethnicity data from the 2011 UK Government census<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: 8pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h3 style="margin-top: 8pt; text-align: left;">A hostile climate that limits diversity in geoscience<b><sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2</span></sup></b> </h3><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: 8pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: 8pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1;">The authors of this study<sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2</span></sup> looked at geosciences in the United States and demonstrated that bias, discrimination and harassment are ongoing issues and major hurdles to diversifying geosciences. Bias and discrimination affect people at all levels in geoscience, from early-career scientists, with regards to gender and racial bias when evaluating postdocs in physics and biology<sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">5</span></sup> to senior academics, where fewer geoscientists from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds are invited to give talks at conferences<sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">6,7</span></sup>.</p>
<h3 style="margin-top: 8pt;">Limited representation of minority groups across all levels of geoscience<b><sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">8</span></sup></b></h3><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: 8pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: 8pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1;">A recent study<sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">8</span></sup> looked at diversity within a major geoscience society, the Society for Sedimentary Geology (SEPM), and particularly at diversity in positions of leadership. This work showed a significant under-representation of people of colour in senior positions such as editors of journals and special publications.</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: 8pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnhi6tVl9h9Fn3izpw5sHDQqxcCClap9gp0Vlkz5ItxjrqUQYVl-DTt-76rlkh5W-e0SGVuWaRfaemD3ss18tkPgCxePMV98oxUFcKa2qDa4y5-_YQzwg4_BondFaRGf_O9AleY0OvVLQ/s922/Romeshblog2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Box chart showing the small number of women and BAME editors in two society SEPM journals" border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="922" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnhi6tVl9h9Fn3izpw5sHDQqxcCClap9gp0Vlkz5ItxjrqUQYVl-DTt-76rlkh5W-e0SGVuWaRfaemD3ss18tkPgCxePMV98oxUFcKa2qDa4y5-_YQzwg4_BondFaRGf_O9AleY0OvVLQ/w640-h480/Romeshblog2.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recent demographies of editors on the two society (SEPM) journals, the Journal of Sedimentary Research and PALAOIS in 2020, and SEPM Special Publication between 2009 and 2019<b><sup><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">8</span></span></sup></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>
<h3 style="margin-top: 8pt; text-align: left;">Communication of diversity issues and activities<b><sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">9</span></sup></b></h3><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: 8pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p>The Volcanic and Magmatic Study Group (VMSG) 2020 survey of its members looked at whether sub-groups (i.e. students, early career researchers and senior academics) thought that VMSG was doing enough to address equality, diversity and inclusivity (EDI) issues. Broadly the survey showed that early career researchers thought the organisation wasn’t doing enough on diversity issues. In contrast the senior membership thought that VMSG was doing enough. The survey sheds light on the major gap in the perspectives of people at different career-stages in terms of how well an organisation is perceived to be promoting EDI values.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEito9jgVyfwRKUmrWzuhoHB2Wip1OCeJRkRCkAGQaYJh2MlfUHosM_tuk_6Z8Y3P1uWMSRK_kHpMrQNMu5BKkFWCVs2cnU-z-31JYepCXrBnyGuGD9-DcFyw5hQPuWY5Wkvw3RxtG5f8Ke1/s939/Romeshblog3.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Graph showing sub groups' responses to the question 'how much do you think VMSG is doing in terms of promoting equality & diversity in the community. Responses: don't know / too little or about right / about right / too much / too little" border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="939" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEito9jgVyfwRKUmrWzuhoHB2Wip1OCeJRkRCkAGQaYJh2MlfUHosM_tuk_6Z8Y3P1uWMSRK_kHpMrQNMu5BKkFWCVs2cnU-z-31JYepCXrBnyGuGD9-DcFyw5hQPuWY5Wkvw3RxtG5f8Ke1/w640-h328/Romeshblog3.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Percentages of response per 'career-stage' to the question, 'how much do you think VMSG is doing in terms of promoting equality and diversity in the community?<sup><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">9</span></span></sup></td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br />The diversity-innovation paradox<b><sup><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">10</span></span></sup></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 8pt;">Whereby diversity leads to innovation but people from diverse groups tend to have less successful careers. This research showed that under-represented groups produce a high rate of scientific novelty however these contributions are taken up at a much lower rate than those from majority racial and gender groups. It is suggested that this is because novel work by racial and gender minority groups have a unique vantage point and therefore tend to produce innovations that are less mainstream and hence are less likely to be taken up. <br /><br />These studies highlight some of the systemic issues that impact minority groups and limit their potential in STEM careers. From limited exposure to career opportunities in geoscience, the experience of being a minority in the geoscience community, to bias and discrimination of the work and contributions of minorities in science. Major changes are needed at every level of geoscience from exposure to experiences that will ignite passion and excitement in studying the Earth and applying for a degree, to improving the experience of early career minority geoscientists, and finally to established minority scientists being fairly acknowledged for their contributions to the field. <br /><br />Professional bodies have a major role to play in improving diversity and experience of minorities in geoscience. These bodies can gather essential diversity data within our community<sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">11</span></sup>, and to bring the geoscience community together to collectively push for change, such as making grant applications processes and outcomes transparent12 and to work towards the modernisation of geoscience – changing perceptions and pro-actively addressing issues surrounding colonialism and the history of geoscience<sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2</span></sup>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 8pt; text-align: justify;">But we all have
our role to play, and people in positions of responsibility and professional
bodies need to consider and embed:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-top: 8pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Transparency in the application process to
remove bias and to show accountability<sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">12</span></sup><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: 8pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Adaption around fieldwork requirements to allow
flexibility for different cultural backgrounds<sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3</span></sup><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: 8pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Summer school opportunities<sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3</span></sup><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: 8pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Ring-fenced internships and fellowships<sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3</span></sup><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: 8pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Develop a more open approach to assessing
academic ability<sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">11</span></sup><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: 8pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Diverse interview panels<sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">11</span></sup><o:p></o:p></p>
<h3 style="margin-top: 8pt; text-align: left;">Annual surveys of organisation membership and feedback on experiences of all individuals<sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">8</span></sup></h3><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-top: 8pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 8pt;">To monitor the success or failures of these actions we need to collect data. The studies discussed here are excellent examples of how to use data to understand EDI issues in depth and to develop more focussed and successful policies. Open and anonymous data needs to be collected from across the geosciences and the wider scientific community, to understand changes in diversity and experiences of all communities in geoscience<sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">8</span></sup>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 8pt;">BGS has
acknowledged its responsibility to not only its staff but to the wider
scientific community and its stakeholders. As part of this BGS has set targets
for improving its diversity, introduced policies to improve the working
experience for its minority staff through support and training and being open
and taking responsibility for this change<sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;">13</span></sup>. <o:p></o:p>Some examples of this work include:</p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-top: 8pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: super;">1. Increased BAME representation from 2.6 % of staff in 2011 to nearly 5% in 2020 <br /><br />2. Annual surveys that provide staff the opportunity to give anonymous feedback <br /><br />3. Training and seminars for all staff to bring awareness of EDI issues <br /><br />4. Open publishing of staff statistics to improve accountability</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="vertical-align: super;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">14</span></span></p>5. Established a Working Group to reflect on our long colonial history and to understand how this history impacts and influences the way we undertake research<br /><br />6. Established an EDI committee comprising BGS staff, union colleagues and UKRI-NERC representatives that aims to help oversee and monitor the implementation of EDI related policies<br /><br />At BGS we have started, but we still have a long way to go. Likewise, this review only scratches the surface of the ideas presented in the current publications on diversity in geoscience. The list below provides links to several excellent publications that discuss these ideas further.<div><br /></div><div><i>Reference list <br /><br />1. Dutt, K., Pfaff, D.L., Bernstein, A.F., Dillard, J.S. and Block, C.J., 2016. Gender differences in recommendation letters for postdoctoral fellowships in geoscience. Nature Geoscience, 9(11), pp.805-808. <br /><br />2. Marín-Spiotta, E., Barnes, R.T., Berhe, A.A., Hastings, M.G., Mattheis, A., Schneider, B. and Williams, B.M., 2020. Hostile climates are barriers to diversifying the geosciences. Advances in Geosciences, 53, pp.117-127. <br /><br />3. Dowey, N.J., Barclay, J., Fernando, B., Giles, S., Houghton, J., Jackson, C.A.L., Mills, K., Newton, A., Rogers, S.L. and Williams, R., 2020. Diversity Crisis in UK Geoscience Research Training. <br /><br />4. GOV.UK. Rural Population and Migration. (2018) <br /><br />5. Eaton, A.A., Saunders, J.F., Jacobson, R.K. and West, K., 2020. How gender and race stereotypes impact the advancement of scholars in STEM: Professors’ biased evaluations of physics and biology post-doctoral candidates. Sex Roles, 82(3-4), pp.127-141. <br /><br />6. King, L., MacKenzie, L., Tadaki, M., Cannon, S., McFarlane, K., Reid, D. and Koppes, M., 2018. Diversity in geoscience: Participation, behaviour, and the division of scientific labour at a Canadian geoscience conference. Facets, 3(1), pp.415-440. <br /><br />7. Ford, H.L., Brick, C., Azmitia, M., Blaufuss, K. and Dekens, P., 2019. Women from some under-represented minorities are given too few talks at world’s largest Earth-science conference. <br /><br />8. Fernandes, A.M., Abeyta, A., Mahon, R.C., Martindale, R., Bergmann, K.D., Jackson, C.A.L., Present, T.M., Reano, D., Swanson, T. and Butler, K., 2020. “Enriching Lives within Sedimentary Geology”: Actionable Recommendations for Making SEPM a Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive Society for All Sedimentary Geologists. <br /><br />9. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">https://vmsg.org.uk/2020/07/vmsg-website-newsletter-46/</a> <br /><br />10. Hofstra, B., Kulkarni, V.V., Galvez, S.M.N., He, B., Jurafsky, D. and McFarland, D.A., 2020. The Diversity–Innovation Paradox in Science. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(17), pp.9284-9291. <br /><br />11. Williams, P., Bath, S., Arday, J. and Lewis, C., 2019. The Broken Pipeline–Barriers to Black PhD Students Accessing Research Council Funding. Leading Routes. <br /><br />12. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">https://www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-views-of-the-uk-2020-8-knowledge-is-power-an-open-letter-to-ukri/</a> <br /><br />13. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">https://www.bgs.ac.uk/about-bgs/working-with-us/equality-diversity-and-inclusion-edi/</a> <br /><br />14. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">https://www.bgs.ac.uk/download/bgs-demographics-2019-2020/</a></i></div>British Geological Surveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740304547062993679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228590560998272503.post-37993320199321908712020-10-05T12:40:00.051+01:002021-09-10T16:58:35.260+01:00Breaking Ground: A non-exhaustive list of Black scientists within geology / / by the BGS EDI Group<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVDaigo86-3iQ87M7PBXpqoGb7D5x62VEEIgHbYee7JbA7KFXV-dRtpddofv2x-j__qnlQON5Q-po6bix2uHQkV2VAG1cWD03MtaB1pj1zVRu_4qk1hSXzo2kJIjZT_Xof63UjR7RVK-L/s1920/Black+History+Month.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVDaigo86-3iQ87M7PBXpqoGb7D5x62VEEIgHbYee7JbA7KFXV-dRtpddofv2x-j__qnlQON5Q-po6bix2uHQkV2VAG1cWD03MtaB1pj1zVRu_4qk1hSXzo2kJIjZT_Xof63UjR7RVK-L/w640-h360/Black+History+Month.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>October marks Black History Month in the UK. This national celebration provides an opportunity to honour the accomplishments of Black people. It also gives us time to pause and reflect on the challenges that people within our society encounter in their day-to-day lives because of their skin colour, be it direct discrimination or systematic racism. <br /><br />We wanted to mark the occasion by sharing with you some of the most prominent Black scientists in the field of geology during the 20th century. From the first Black scientist to achieve degrees in geology to the wide range of research achievements that have had major impacts on industry and modern society. <div><br /></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="780" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirU3o4hZpa3NCYYtADtljEAY8DpLtLFz00b1JFHw0KOehie47CE2ArCoWLuYZYrDZFEITDjY_kpas79c2uSOqKyV73eloE2kFNOY_uqBdo_gtDfGRfR55JHydN6MW58_KEQazYO-ehPfo6/w400-h266/Dr_Gladys_West_Hall_of_Fame.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr West being inducted into the Air Force Hall of Fame, December 2018<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h3>Gladys West (1930 - ) </h3>Dr Gladys Mae West developed the mathematics behind GPS, one of the most important technologies of the present day. <br /><br />Beginning her scientific career at the Naval Surface Warfare Centre in the US, Dr West was a ‘human computer’, working on long, complex mathematical equations based on the collection and processing of data from satellites. These equations, plus her contributions to modelling of the irregular shape of Earth (the geoid) became the basis for GPS. <br /><br />Dr West was inducted into the Air Force Hall of Fame in 2018. <div><br /></div><div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPXBvWPdzJ65UpXs03VelNTkeQd4GcooH3W2QtkLKvjzuM76QjO-UdB2fr9ZQ1QevFGjvORTcaKND6OjPKSWM2xpfJSjWBJApg5s1P0D1XMp0949vnFDK0YtkcQdRQLJuPe3Y8gZEbIZg/s800/800px-Philip_Emeagwali_in_Monkton%252C_Maryland..jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="800" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPXBvWPdzJ65UpXs03VelNTkeQd4GcooH3W2QtkLKvjzuM76QjO-UdB2fr9ZQ1QevFGjvORTcaKND6OjPKSWM2xpfJSjWBJApg5s1P0D1XMp0949vnFDK0YtkcQdRQLJuPe3Y8gZEbIZg/w400-h260/800px-Philip_Emeagwali_in_Monkton%252C_Maryland..jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Philip Emeagwali in Monkton, Maryland © P Emeagwali</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h3>Philip Emeagwali (1954 - )</h3>Dr Philip Emeagwali is probably best known for designing the program and formula for the Connection Machine, the fastest computer on Earth, and is widely credited as one of the ‘inventors’ of the internet. <br /><br />There was also a geological aspect to Dr Emeagwali’s work with the Connection Machine, in that he created parallel processing simulations which led to better understanding of the subsurface and better informed oil well placement. This modelling has highly influenced how geophysicists search for and recover crude oil and natural gas. <br /><br />For his work using the Connection Machine for oil-reservoir monitoring he received the 1989 Gordon Bell Prize. <br /><br />Dr Emeagwali also designed the Hyperball computer, which forecasts long-term global warming patterns. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="438" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9D2NV6LmCsF65gdNpfPf5aIMRj20pO2N1He5gcvLxXtyfGhkvX01yWgXLvbvYs5G3NndgTylUga4EPlP2qV6Q8AHDL0k2llIbzcH9oKaBgzhCURj0ePvbFHPAdFOE0KbZXnMTlTZoc5M/w293-h400/Grave_Marker_Matthew_Henson_Arlington_National_Cemetery.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="293" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matthew Henson's grave in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virgina © Wikimedia Commons<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Matthew Alexander Henson (1866 - 1955)</h3></div>Matthew Alexander Henson is the very definition of an intrepid explorer, having spent around 18 years on expeditions, including seven voyages to the Arctic. It is said he was the first person to reach the North Pole. Henson worked as an assistant, translator (he spoke Inuit, and also studied their way of life to help enable his team to survive the Arctic conditions), craftsman and hunter. Prior to his visits to the Arctic, Henson worked as assistant to explorer Robert Edwin Peary to survey the jungles of Nicaragua for a proposed canal route. This expedition cemented the pair’s friendship and led to a long working relationship together. <br /><br />In 2000 Henson was posthumously awarded the National Geographic Society’s Hubbard Medal for exploration, discovery and research. <div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ofcAMLxyptSMg_7UjblEebjekJj-xC4GNo2bMBfWUN7dTV0mKqqFAScqXjhQ0ll-gAVKDj43k6EKmlNBe-JjWGHDH0XzqzJ9kpRgusKg8zvnqkMCfLHzXd6BaswjsFdGZ65TCBuapcQ1/s911/Randolph+Bromery.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="729" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ofcAMLxyptSMg_7UjblEebjekJj-xC4GNo2bMBfWUN7dTV0mKqqFAScqXjhQ0ll-gAVKDj43k6EKmlNBe-JjWGHDH0XzqzJ9kpRgusKg8zvnqkMCfLHzXd6BaswjsFdGZ65TCBuapcQ1/w320-h400/Randolph+Bromery.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr Bromery, courtesy of Springfield College, Babson Library, Archives and Special Collections</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><h3>Randolph Wilson Bromery (1926 - 2013)</h3>Dr Randolph Wilson Bromery was one of the US’s first geophysicists and was the first Black professional geophysicist within the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Beginning his career in the US Airforce and fighting in World War II, he later found work as an airborne exploration geophysicist with the US Geological Survey, where he worked across the world. <br /><br />Dr Bromery was recognised for his work on the Earth’s magnetic field, especially in relation to the location of minerals, a subject on which he has authored over 150 research papers. <br /><br />In 1989 he was elected President of the Geological Society of America. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="580" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPg5-5Eh_5QfBj_FLOg5fg9CDZeIGlP4R2qP-VBUwB-_CT2-WfnpjJPgla1GckkXMUEy4MlqriUWx7bFMekQ7yPKuMOWyo8B9yiEprfGQVU8YEobx5L7CUDS0Ea2GexpJjX8VVGnkJIv0d/w314-h400/Marguerite-T-Williams1-580x739.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="314" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr Williams, image courtesy of the University District of Columbia<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><em style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Museo Sans", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 18px;">Image courtesy the University of District of Columbia</em><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Marguerite Thomas Williams (1895 – 1991) </h3>In 1942 Dr Marguerite Williams became the first African-American to receive a PhD in Geology in the US, with a dissertation entitled: <i>A History of Erosion in the Anacostia Drainage Basin</i>. This work focused on understanding of impact of human activities such as deforestation, agriculture and urbanisation on flooding of the Anacostia River. <br /><br />Dr Williams became a professor at Miner University and also taught at Howard, helping to inspire a new generation of geologists. </div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="250" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeRdGfJD0O9fNgSOQJz2zQapES0u8rrquwwYzbrgZsqljS0puIINGX_dgkz8Z99rl4GX1MefCo-ChyphenhyphenSFwEzI0XQtuEouidYL1JasPWLOPLn8UrQiJmvV8LyBQB1xHSZBnx7jM1T2bbl0b/w400-h371/Mack_Gipson.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr Mack Gipson © Wikimedia Commons</td></tr></tbody></table><h3>Mack Gipson Jr (1931 - 1995) </h3>In 1963 Dr Mack Gipson Jr became the first African-American man to be awarded a PhD in Geology, from the University of Chicago. <br /><br />Dr Gipson also founded the National Association of Black Geologists and Geophysicists (NABGG). The NABGG was set up in 1981 to inform Black geologists and geophysicists of jobs in the discipline while also provide financial support and opportunities for students to gain valuable on-the-job experience. Dr Gipson was also a member of the National Petroleum Council. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="260" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcE3W0kwSWLA5K6R6K64waqnZ0pRSYcj08RozwMpmBBiXupyGCjmTasT5bHDCQ1DDOkmszr3oNht_V8aHKAiF9GVczwUBZw7Rhwlsf6t0_1Orpycg-JTdsmHNBqCqPHAbTh_DzkplAsWX/w400-h389/Dawn_Wright.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr Dawn Wright<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><h3>Dawn Wright (1961 - ) </h3>Dr Dawn Jeannine Wright is an American geographer and credited as creating the first GIS data model for oceans. She is at the forefront of marine geology and ocean exploration. Dr Wright was the first African American woman to dive in the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution's National Deep Submergence Facility, becoming one of the first observers of the East Pacific Rise’s seafloor, post volcanic eruption. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Dr Wright is the Chief Scientist at the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI). She goes by the nickname ‘Deepsea Dawn’. Currently Dr Wright is working to help create the world’s first 3D ocean map.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvd1rvCDe9ct0SD1S-1BNAXLBa1VTRxAEYNZzJ0bB_WN3fsnUKlC0pDw1LBZuq0viU5VnwWdcmEsPuNBQCvNtDMUFKv_zifbjpRm5A3wOQmnnrZODWHj7Ea0iJDS5GoI9oSXeUBClnP9z/s1062/Christopher-Aiden-Lee-Jackson--tojpeg_1548677511485_x2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="630" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvd1rvCDe9ct0SD1S-1BNAXLBa1VTRxAEYNZzJ0bB_WN3fsnUKlC0pDw1LBZuq0viU5VnwWdcmEsPuNBQCvNtDMUFKv_zifbjpRm5A3wOQmnnrZODWHj7Ea0iJDS5GoI9oSXeUBClnP9z/s320/Christopher-Aiden-Lee-Jackson--tojpeg_1548677511485_x2.jpg" width="190" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr Christopher Jackson. Photo: Dave Gutteridge @ The Photo Unit</td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Dr Christopher Jackson (1977 - )</h3><div>Dr Christopher Aiden-Lee Jackson is Chair in Sustainable Geoscience at the University of Manchester. His PhD was undertaken at the University of Manchester and concerned the tectono-stratigraphic evolution of sedimentary basins. </div><div><br /></div><div>Noted by The Times as "one of the UK's best-known geology professors, Dr Jackson is a passionate science communicator. In 2020, he gave a lecture for the prestigious Royal Institution Christmas Lectures entitled the Planet Earth: a User's Guide, this meant Dr Jackson was the first Black scientist to present at the Royal Institution of Science lectures. Dr Jackson has also appeared on various other TV programmes shown on stations including BBC2, BBC4 and National Geographic.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dr Jackson is noted as saying he wants to "create opportunities for Black geoscientists", which is reflected in his activism for minority geoscientists, especially young and early career geoscience students. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br />This prestigious list features just a few of the world’s pioneering Black geoscientists, yet we recognise that geoscience is a long way from racial parity. We will add to this list over the coming year, highlighting the work of many others from past and present. <br /><br />If you want to find out more about the contribution of Black geoscientists, why not look up #BlackInGeoscience on Twitter or follow <a href="https://twitter.com/BlkinGeoscience" target="_blank">@BlkinGeoscience</a>.<br /><br />Do you have more suggestions of Black geoscientists we should be celebrating? Please let us know in the comments! </div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /></div>British Geological Surveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740304547062993679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228590560998272503.post-824455396230015862020-09-23T13:09:00.000+01:002020-09-23T13:09:34.028+01:00New Book: Geosciences and the Sustainable Development Goals / / by Joel Gill and Martin Smith<i>Science Director Martin Smith and international development geoscientist Joel Gill have worked together to edit ‘Geosciences and the Sustainable Development Goals’: a collection of reflections and recommendations to help work towards reshaping geoscience to help deliver the Sustainable Development Goals. </i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJR5HuUMMUxxVPQiyUI2oxh_4dOT7uMQRRjc2bpi71rdRelScPMEHaBFl2qP7jtv3PgLpu6K7LFLEfmuAqOuR_Koq0aifjfvWjctbK1FdVeU5qXjPzcZC5GA3zvE7LQnUQoeDFWh01GtW/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1325" data-original-width="2048" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJR5HuUMMUxxVPQiyUI2oxh_4dOT7uMQRRjc2bpi71rdRelScPMEHaBFl2qP7jtv3PgLpu6K7LFLEfmuAqOuR_Koq0aifjfvWjctbK1FdVeU5qXjPzcZC5GA3zvE7LQnUQoeDFWh01GtW/w640-h414/the-global-goals-grid-color.png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;">In 2015,
global leaders came together at the United Nations to agree the 17 Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) - an ambitious and transformational vision of ‘<a href="https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015/transformingourworld"><i>a
world free of poverty, hunger, disease and want, where all life can thrive</i></a>’. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;">Tackling the complex challenges to realise this vision requires
interdisciplinary solutions, inclusive engagement, and participation by diverse
groups from across different sectors and disciplines. This includes
geoscientists. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;">Responding to
and supporting the SDGs, we are delighted to announce the publication of a new
book on <i>‘Geosciences and the Sustainable Development Goals’</i>, coming in
December 2020. This book aims to catalyse engagement of the geoscience
community in implementing the SDGs, describing the role of the geosciences in each
of them. We hope this book demonstrates, to others engaged in development
initiatives, how geoscientists’ understanding of Earth systems, dynamics and
resources can support sustainable growth and decent jobs, resilient cities and
infrastructure, access to basic services, food and water security, and
effective environmental management.<o:p></o:p></p><h3 style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><b>What does our
book include?</b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><i>This book
includes 17 chapters, corresponding to the 17 SDGs, and a synthesis chapter</i>
which integrates reflections and recommendations from across these chapters to
consider how we reshape geoscience to help deliver the SDGs. The book was
delivered by a team of international experts, involving 42 authors, from six
continents, and at least 15 countries (including Ecuador, Kenya, Malaysia,
Mongolia, Morocco, South Korea, and Zambia). </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLNil00g33oW7BfVJRGKTGcOqRDjF_qkkNhT7y1LJJUvrKedOR224kphbVBI5zNI789fuUzCgSpAgSNEWg3YMfzPTWd-Bv__yHN_PHR8_x8Fehygiur11jqfvpJbpVKQeed1NKh3ucmQM/s1280/SDG+scientists+edit+%25282%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLNil00g33oW7BfVJRGKTGcOqRDjF_qkkNhT7y1LJJUvrKedOR224kphbVBI5zNI789fuUzCgSpAgSNEWg3YMfzPTWd-Bv__yHN_PHR8_x8Fehygiur11jqfvpJbpVKQeed1NKh3ucmQM/w518-h291/SDG+scientists+edit+%25282%2529.png" width="518" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Contributors to <i>Geosciences and the Sustainable Development Goals<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><i>This book
is about both science and the professional practice of science.</i> We cover
themes linked to ethics, equity, conduct, and partnerships, as well as water,
minerals, engineering geology and geological hazards. Ensuring lasting and
positive change not only depends on what we as geoscientists do, but also how
we do this work and engage in sustainable development. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><i>While we
focus on the role of geoscientists in delivering the SDGs, we also include
relevant context (political, economic, social, technological, legal and
environmental)</i> to help readers understand how geoscience sits within the
bigger picture of sustainable development and build bridges with other
disciplines.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><i>Each
chapter includes educational resources to help those with teaching
responsibilities support students to contextualise and apply the substance of
this book.</i> Sustainability concepts are notably lacking from the traditional
education of many geoscientists, limiting their ability to engage in the SDGs. Our
desire is that this book will enhance teaching on the societal relevance of
geoscience.<o:p></o:p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><i>We include
examples from across the Global South to illustrate the book’s themes. </i>Central
to the SDGs agenda is the call to ‘leave no one behind’. Actions to deliver the
SDGs require actions by all countries and regions, but extra support may be
needed to help the world’s least developed countries and those with
geographical challenges (e.g., small island developing states and landlocked
African countries). <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;">The SDGs are both
science and geoscience intensive. Our book, and the diverse perspectives and
examples of the global authorship included, demonstrate that geoscientists in
all sectors and specialisms can play their part in securing a sustainable and equitable
future for all.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><i>Geosciences
and the Sustainable Development Goals (Edited by Joel C. Gill and Martin Smith)
is due for publication on 21 December 2020, </i><a href="https://www.springer.com/gb/book/9783030388140"><i>by Springer International</i></a><i>.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><i>This book is
a joint project of the British Geological Survey (</i><a href="http://www.bgs.ac.uk/"><i>www.bgs.ac.uk/</i></a><i>) and Geology for
Global Development (</i><a href="http://www.gfgd.org/"><i>www.gfgd.org</i></a><i>),
and an output of the British Geological Survey NC-ODA grant NE/R000069/1: </i><a href="https://www.bgs.ac.uk/research/international/oda/home.html#:~:text=The%20SFDRR%20aims%20to%20reduce,persons%2C%20businesses%2C%20communities%20and%20countries"><i>Geoscience
for Sustainable Futures</i></a><i>.</i></p><i><br /> Dr Joel Gill is international development geoscientist at the British Geological Survey, joining in 2016. His research interests focus on sustainable development and disaster risk reduction, with a particular focus on the Global South. Joel plays a leading role internationally in championing the role of geoscience in delivering the UN Sustainable Development Goals. <br /><br />Dr Martin Smith is a Science Director with the British Geological Survey and Principle Investigator for the BGS ODA Programme Geoscience for Sustainable Futures (2017-2021). A survey geologist by training Martin has spent a career studying geology both in the UK and across Africa and India. Martin is a Chartered Geologist and was awarded an MBE for services to geology in 2016. </i><br /><p></p><p></p>British Geological Surveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740304547062993679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228590560998272503.post-17886254370301106612020-09-17T15:28:00.011+01:002020-09-22T11:27:03.875+01:00Seismology in the UK / / by the Comms Team <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUoP0KrOS_ynyL_SsZkqYqw_1WeBMk3C5JvcAxts9pzvUIuHKthcsTxwXGx5ZugVrJjVqIezzxlV03d4lbLYOo5fWnKAPx4FZ91KI2Nm43SPrul8px5r67poQK2swtahG7Zgj2dx0Bg3S/s1920/earthquake.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUoP0KrOS_ynyL_SsZkqYqw_1WeBMk3C5JvcAxts9pzvUIuHKthcsTxwXGx5ZugVrJjVqIezzxlV03d4lbLYOo5fWnKAPx4FZ91KI2Nm43SPrul8px5r67poQK2swtahG7Zgj2dx0Bg3S/w640-h360/earthquake.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Last Tuesday the National Seismic Network, operated by BGS, detected a 3.5ML earthquake, which took place near Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire at 8:45AM. <br /><br />Soon after, BGS started getting reports of the earthquake via our website, social media and via email. The press team put up a holding statement to let interested parties know we were looking into the matter as our seismologists got to work. <br /><br />Data from the monitoring stations located around the UK was used to pinpoint the precise location and size of the earthquake. This preliminary data was then published on our website, and uploaded to our social media feeds. <br /><br />Our results take slightly longer to upload to our channels than automatic seismology feeds, as a BGS seismologist manually checks and approves all the data before it is released. Once our data was approved, we spent much of the day responding to the press and questions from social media. <div><br /></div><div>Any UK earthquake - especially a relatively big one, in UK terms - tends to draw attention. With the addition of a 2.1ML earthquake in the same area on Sunday night, we've had a lot of interest in UK seismology in the past couple of weeks. With that in mind, we decided that it would be a good time to share with you some of the most common earthquake questions, and answers: </div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">What does a seismograph look like, and what do the lines show? </h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbIpvEUxm70uuXiplRWdOmOQ7_GmMOIlQFKA0DKvAhtGQVijabd7F_aWcMsA-jzIC2wWY6Gysk7Ll935qjJ5Vo1zMbA0cHPSFjhnTQzjmdQ7qS4KpDGPvskIR2RAy4ze48glc51C7Vf3P/s1379/LB+seismo.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="946" data-original-width="1379" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbIpvEUxm70uuXiplRWdOmOQ7_GmMOIlQFKA0DKvAhtGQVijabd7F_aWcMsA-jzIC2wWY6Gysk7Ll935qjJ5Vo1zMbA0cHPSFjhnTQzjmdQ7qS4KpDGPvskIR2RAy4ze48glc51C7Vf3P/w625-h430/LB+seismo.png" width="625" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div> The lines show the movement of the earth up and down at six different seismometers over time. The movements are very small – of the order of micrometres. </div><div><br /><h3>What's the difference between an earthquake and seismic activity?</h3><div><br /></div>An earthquake is an occurrence of seismic activity. When someone uses the phrase ‘seismic activity’, it might be used to describe several earthquakes happening in one go, or just a single quake. </div><div><br /></div><div><h3>Why are there magnitude discrepancies?</h3>Sometimes our ML (or local magnitude) is slightly different to that reported elsewhere, which is most often due to us estimating the magnitude of the quake using different stations to other agencies. <br /><br /><h3>Why is depth important? </h3><br />The depth of an earthquake makes a difference to how strongly it is felt and how widely. A shallow earthquake will, in general, be felt more strongly nearby, but be felt over a smaller area, than a deeper earthquake of the same magnitude. </div><div><br /></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Why do earthquakes happen in the UK?</b></h3><div><br /></div>Although distant from the nearest plate boundary, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, earthquakes occur as crustal stresses within the tectonic plates are relieved by movement occurring on pre-existing fault planes. </div><div><br /><h3>How often do earthquakes happen in the UK? </h3><br />Between 200 and 300 earthquakes are detected and located in the UK annually. Whilst the magnitude 3.5 Leighton Buzzard earthquake is small by world standards, it does attract public attention as it’s a large quake for the UK – the last of a similar size being the 3.8 Grimsby event in June 2018.<br /> Earthquakes of such minor magnitude are unlikely to cause any damage but can make house shudder slightly, much like if a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) passes close to a house. Some small property damage can occur but this is rare. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="439" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKofFCVxdHom5jJlI3hsIZtoMU_PrFkmS-Apw_thtrxfp_ERfhLBL9WaiTCEqYmAgowUkx6QJeWuxsjOa21AU_06gYLSRThyphenhyphenyW0nXsPc8Dx2z8jvc6B-v15sVc0wnJSn0tHWjRvrrOUy6S/w781-h439/Seismic+Alert.png" width="781" /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Why is it important to alert BGS about your experience of the earthquake? </h3>As it mentions on our earthquakes webpage, this helps our seismologists gauge the intensity of an earthquake:<div><br /></div><div><blockquote>" ...assigning an intensity requires a sample of the felt responses of the population. This is then graded according to the EMS intensity scale. For example, Intensity 1 - not felt; 2 - scarcely perceptible; 3 - weak and felt only by a few, up to 12 which is assigned for total devastation. Study of intensity and the production of isoseismal maps, contouring areas of equal intensity, is particularly important for the study of earthquakes which occurred prior to instrumental monitoring."</blockquote> We often get reports from the public about what they felt, or didn’t feel, during an earthquake. You may have seen us asking local people who felt the earthquake to fill out a ‘<a href="https://earthquakes.bgs.ac.uk/questionnaire/EqQuestIntro.html" target="_blank">felt report</a>’, which is our system of getting updates from the local area. The Leighton Buzzard quake was awarded an intensity of 6. </div><div><br /></div><div>These intensity reports also help us to compare recent earthquakes of known magnitude with historical 'felt' earthquakes that were not recorded with modern instruments. <br /><br />At any point, if an earthquake happens near you, it would really help our seismologists if you fill out our online <a href="http://earthquakes.bgs.ac.uk/questionnaire/EqQuestIntro.html">felt report</a>, even if you didn’t feel the quake.<br /><br />We hope you find this information helpful. For more information on UK-based seismic activity, please visit our <a href="http://earthquakes.bgs.ac.uk/earthquakes/home.html">website</a>. <br /><br /> </div><br /></div>British Geological Surveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740304547062993679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228590560998272503.post-12341082142861112662020-09-10T16:54:00.005+01:002020-09-10T17:21:22.235+01:00Glaciers retreat, soils emerge: first steps in an Arctic research campaign / / by Mihai Cimpoiasu<div class="separator"><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Originally from Romania, Mihai Cimpoiasu is a postdoctoral researcher and part of the Geophysical Tomography team at the British Geological Survey. <br /></i></span></p><i>Mihai and the team have joined an exciting project called SUN SPEARS, which looks at the physicochemical properties of arctic soils from a glacier forefield in Svalbard, Norway. Here, Mihai goes into detail about what the project entails… </i></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtCR_v-vTRTopTZs3sGdtDPtekg52wbn5K7FaoaVOgXm6Wi1vHYAJLLzZ4Vn7IzZ0Y7GP8qcjdO7lrrA8anosDarHaB8hM9nY8l0PNZaqlOchILWFiec9Dg3sjLOaL02v1GWpCNBEm-uv/s1920/PRIME.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1920" height="467" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtCR_v-vTRTopTZs3sGdtDPtekg52wbn5K7FaoaVOgXm6Wi1vHYAJLLzZ4Vn7IzZ0Y7GP8qcjdO7lrrA8anosDarHaB8hM9nY8l0PNZaqlOchILWFiec9Dg3sjLOaL02v1GWpCNBEm-uv/w640-h467/PRIME.png" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An example of a PRIME installation, this one in Alaska. © Sebastian Uhlemann, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories, USA</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br />Earlier this year, BGS’s Geophysical Tomography team embarked on a very exciting project called SUN SPEARS, which stands for “Sensors under snow − Seasonal processes in the evolution of Arctic soils”. At the start of this summer, I was fortunate enough to officially become part of its international team of researchers from the UK (BGS and Queen Mary University London) and USA (CU Boulder, University of Utah and Montana Tech). <br /><br />Climate change has definitely left its mark on the Arctic regions, these warming twice as fast as the global average. One of the consequences is the retreat of glaciers, which exposes terrestrial ecosystems trapped under the ice for thousands of years. This gives us the unique opportunity to study soil formation and how this is colonised by microorganisms and plants. Therefore, SUN SPEARS is looking to analyse a sequence of soils as they develop in time on the forefield of the Midtre Lovenbreen Glacier.<br /><br />BGS will contribute to this project with the deployment of two PRIME (Proactive Infrastructure Monitoring and Evaluation) systems. Through an array of sensors, this instrument measures the ground’s electrical resistivity which is in turn converted into a 3D map of soil moisture. The set of measurements is performed twice a day and the sequence of images shows us the changes in soil moisture caused by fluctuations in temperature, snowmelt and other precipitations. Because this is a year-round monitoring system, its data will be able to fill the gaps in knowledge caused indirectly by the harsh Arctic weather conditions, which restrict data collection only to a few months during summer. Ultimately, this will help us understand how seasonal processes contribute to long-term development of Arctic soils. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFwLI6hlZhnPISL6KQ_5eF9ZGEUDvDoQI69iN6SorruncOLEeRr7XMtaqyteOLc2cTafO_GrGJ9VXF6mi8Yw9urC4-EmpRYBY55D7TNYYW1RU5aMpqI7kcsJhKuZn298w9yfNpi-lyWXr/w625-h491/Mihai1.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">Top left: Midtre Lovenbreen Glacier forefront (© James Bradley, Queen Mary University, London). Top right: Chronosequence of sampling locations. Bottom: Schematic of sensor deployment</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><b>Do we need to polar bear proof PRIME? </b><div><br />Although successful in other places around the world, our monitoring system PRIME will face perhaps one of his greatest challenges with the not so friendly weather conditions in Svalbard. The absence of sun during the polar winter, the -20° C temperatures, the remote location and the high winds of the Arctic are a few problems we need to deal with in this deployment. <br /><br />The system is regularly powered by a solar panel and a wind turbine. This time, because the sun is dim and absent for a big part of the year, the wind turbine will do the heavy lifting. More like Olympic weightlifting when you are dealing with 65 mph winds. However, we can use the wind to our advantage. The system uses fairly low power, so any excess energy we get from the vicious winds we can use to warm the instrument chamber. This extra heat together with the chamber’s insulation should ensure stable working temperatures above 0° C. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMvuuQyf5qpIl58Onex0yy1MYX0bedPxBZqO0cA3u0Avlyx0dRsd51YWMaFL40TtFbslVtcrzJvupaxr9SeLWcHMH0Ew4s69RfD2KzwNsHr4nevCRkeYNxshY2HZP3KNBfg3-g1O_MpTy/s1280/Mihai2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMvuuQyf5qpIl58Onex0yy1MYX0bedPxBZqO0cA3u0Avlyx0dRsd51YWMaFL40TtFbslVtcrzJvupaxr9SeLWcHMH0Ew4s69RfD2KzwNsHr4nevCRkeYNxshY2HZP3KNBfg3-g1O_MpTy/w625-h351/Mihai2.png" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The PRIME system's workflow, adapted for remote locations<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>As I said before, another issue will be the remote location of the fieldsite. Given the absence of daylight and weather conditions, during winter time the system is barely accessible, so we will have to rely mostly on its initial resilience capability. What we can do is to establish a communication stream with the system via satellite connection. We will receive daily health logs from PRIME under the form of short text messages and all the data it collects will be deposited in a storage unit which we can access after snow melt. <br /><br />COVID-19 made sure that we have enough time to prepare for all of this as it delayed our first fieldwork, originally scheduled for this summer, to late spring 2021. Until then we will continue to develop the instrumentation and have a peak at how the Arctic soils look like. To by-bass travel restrictions we have asked a team of researchers based in Svalbard to send us a few samples from our field site. From these, we will derive some of the soil’s physicochemical properties (e.g. porosity, hydraulic conductivity, pore solution ionic concentration) essential for the understanding and interpretation of future data. <br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>British Geological Surveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740304547062993679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228590560998272503.post-87463813215344995102020-08-31T15:13:00.004+01:002020-09-01T14:58:20.821+01:00Wilding at BGS // by Melanie Leng<p><i style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Melanie Leng is chief scientist for environmental change, adaptation and resilience at the British Geological Survey. Here, she tells us about the BGS wilding group...</i></p><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTrCESiMArbos6xeo-CgBlzsgXLIRDxqwkmOb4x6Z7hH4fi4ArX6iXJptGjDZ2c_8bl7doITi4y1GLcQSP6ed1l1ywGm8DQnaBsM478KOgO1qdDTlAEpU7IF2QuDna-0oCUqPM5WaGWuu/s2048/5.+Wild+flowers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTrCESiMArbos6xeo-CgBlzsgXLIRDxqwkmOb4x6Z7hH4fi4ArX6iXJptGjDZ2c_8bl7doITi4y1GLcQSP6ed1l1ywGm8DQnaBsM478KOgO1qdDTlAEpU7IF2QuDna-0oCUqPM5WaGWuu/s640/5.+Wild+flowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wild flower meadow earlier in the year<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We are experiencing a period of unprecedented environmental change and positive action is needed across the board to address environmental sustainability. This includes tackling climate change and loss of biodiversity as a result of human impact. One small way in which BGS is aiming to help reduce our own impact is by supporting wildlife on our campuses. It is especially important to maintain a wildlife sanctuary in our Keyworth site as the surrounding village increases in size and by increasing our local biodiversity we will also help create a more environmentally and ecologically friendly place to be. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Although the outdoor space is maintained by our Estates team we have a small group of staff volunteers (the Wilding Group) who undertake small projects. The group have been focussing their attention on several key areas:</span></p><p><span face=""><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Trees</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Planting trees and shrubs in the more remote parts of site helps sequester carbon emissions, and by planting native broad leaf species we will help preserve the environment and biodiversity, creating an island for wildlife in an increasingly urbanised village. We aim to increase out tree numbers each year. Currently we have several hundred trees including many native trees such as poplar, birch, rowan, sweet chestnut, willows and hornbeam. We have also established fruit and nut trees on site and hope to plant more in the future. </span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin: 0cm -3pt 0cm 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="" style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoF0_VUc5uUrmbPkKXgFb4yaG4uqpUagmTRFdWlTTATqIS24maXk25IdPM97yaIHtq777NWIkeuQrF9Z86qvpNafhDjCzhF89qgCG6rxOeIw_m6N0zSNGfiepaPb0sYNvuawvZBKYzZ5QE/s2048/1.+mirabel+plum.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoF0_VUc5uUrmbPkKXgFb4yaG4uqpUagmTRFdWlTTATqIS24maXk25IdPM97yaIHtq777NWIkeuQrF9Z86qvpNafhDjCzhF89qgCG6rxOeIw_m6N0zSNGfiepaPb0sYNvuawvZBKYzZ5QE/s640/1.+mirabel+plum.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our beautiful plum trees flowering earlier in the year<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="paragraph" style="margin: 0cm -3pt 0cm 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="" style="font-size: 11pt;">
<span class="scxw138823731"> </span><br /></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin: 0cm -3pt 0cm 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Wildflower / meadow areas </span></b></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin: 0cm -3pt 0cm 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin: 0cm -3pt 0cm 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We have significantly reduced our grass cutting programme to protect areas of wild orchids and allow wild flower meadows to propagate. Currently about half of our lawned areas are left unmown between April and October. We are fortunate enough to have Bee Orchids flourishing on site and these flower in the no-mow areas. One of the main reasons for providing areas for wild flowers to thrive through the summer months is to support bee populations. Bees have fared quite badly over recent years - through both pesticide (over) use and disease (varroa mite). We have local residents close by who have beehives, and we hope that by instigating a no-mow policy we are enabling both these hives and wild bees to thrive. Bees are not the only species that we are trying to support, the wild flower meadow areas and insect hotels create great habitats for butterflies, moths and insects too. We also leave some parts of our site completely wild (no planned gardening), logs from felled (dead and dying) trees are placed in these areas and left to decay naturally. Woody debris (old bramble, wood chipping etc) provide great refuge for small animals. </span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin: 0cm -3pt 0cm 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin: 0cm -3pt 0cm 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzG-D-CujITzcodxhDP6ugcZq92VQ9jJ-NZ5Jf47LMqVYjK9iTdrtDy0y78R2EOG0WnHbHwUGQgoTiH8Tah-TYq0xUvUCBwasIkeMwX_D_ZIZ3AFuaY2-goqpVpx32vGr2NCEeL3W-CC9/s2048/4.+Refugia.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzG-D-CujITzcodxhDP6ugcZq92VQ9jJ-NZ5Jf47LMqVYjK9iTdrtDy0y78R2EOG0WnHbHwUGQgoTiH8Tah-TYq0xUvUCBwasIkeMwX_D_ZIZ3AFuaY2-goqpVpx32vGr2NCEeL3W-CC9/s640/4.+Refugia.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staff building a small mammal refuge in a remote part of site<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="paragraph" style="margin: 0cm -3pt 0cm 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin: 0cm -3pt 0cm 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Birds and animals</span></b></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin: 0cm -3pt 0cm 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14.6667px;"> </span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin: 0cm -3pt 0cm 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="" style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><span class="normaltextrun" style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin: 0cm -3pt 0cm 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Our Keyworth site is also home to various birds and bat species. During the recent site closure due to Covid-19 some staff made bird and bat boxes from home which will be erected over the winter and added to the habitats we already have in place. The Wilding Group have also started developing a wildlife database where we will record all animal species found on site to monitor biodiversity progress, and we hope to make this available through the BGS website in the near future. We have seen a huge variety of animals including hedgehogs, squirrels, foxes, badgers, and most recently a juvenile hare.</span></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin: 0cm -3pt 0cm 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span class="normaltextrun"><br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin: 0cm -3pt 0cm 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span class="normaltextrun"><br /></span></span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7tQkq-MTK4erqSFdU1yPgFIYHO-vOjSJNpPoipph0isIELk5gsfh40qD40NzH3C40ZjlaL98M8jJQrU-1tTzWybNzTgWbT82STzBCqhe-EkrZxNMiH4yF441IAl5sWwF74535sbUuxV-/s2000/3.+House+sparrow.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1349" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7tQkq-MTK4erqSFdU1yPgFIYHO-vOjSJNpPoipph0isIELk5gsfh40qD40NzH3C40ZjlaL98M8jJQrU-1tTzWybNzTgWbT82STzBCqhe-EkrZxNMiH4yF441IAl5sWwF74535sbUuxV-/s640/3.+House+sparrow.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A house sparrow on the Keyworth campus<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="paragraph" style="margin: 0cm -3pt 0cm 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin: 0cm -3pt 0cm 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We have lots of exciting plans for the future, including planting more native fruit and nut trees, for both staff and animals, and creating small plots of ground where staff groups can grow their own produce. The benefits of growing your own food, no matter how small the amount, are well documented and should be encouraged especially for those who don’t have access to a garden of their own at home. </span></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin: 0cm -3pt 0cm 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin: 0cm -3pt 0cm 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14.6667px;">I look forward to updating you on our progress in the months ahead.</span></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin: 0cm -3pt 0cm 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="" style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin: 0cm -3pt 0cm 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="scxw138823731"><span face="" style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin: 0cm -3pt 0cm 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="scxw138823731"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9-cE72GSBk-jr2FjYg50IkZpmdko60Ma9qO6labd7O5Vp_TWAKSbHt3GloN2TOVXKbd6wKj46h5N3XGPi_UYWl3TsMzbx2drSVVArdYrw65_V2LnFdxwKI-kI7NlOBrI0pVyV7KDn_Ng/s1800/2.+Long+tailed+tit.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="1800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9-cE72GSBk-jr2FjYg50IkZpmdko60Ma9qO6labd7O5Vp_TWAKSbHt3GloN2TOVXKbd6wKj46h5N3XGPi_UYWl3TsMzbx2drSVVArdYrw65_V2LnFdxwKI-kI7NlOBrI0pVyV7KDn_Ng/s640/2.+Long+tailed+tit.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A long tailed tit on the Keyworth campus<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>British Geological Surveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740304547062993679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228590560998272503.post-58782830385156489542020-08-19T09:54:00.002+01:002020-08-19T10:19:39.726+01:00EUROVOLC: bringing the European volcano community together / / by Julia Crummy<p><i>Dr Julia Crummy has a been volcanologist at the British Geological Survey since 2013. Her research interests range from field mapping of tephra fall deposits from explosive eruptions to volcanic hazard, impact and vulnerability analysis. One of Julia's roles in the team is the communication of volcano-related activities within BGS. Here she tells us about BGS' involvement in the EUROVOLC project... </i></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFOSQEtKVhKc1COB72THwPHjdotesEW7yYjT3cjjoLkDcTs3MamKPv257c_lgxoPSB_RgOy1CatJwWjIYgSPFlD_ErCZe95Zjb4JB_7r6Wdk3TDeB9yGTg5_wrV8iETAA4-jK2Ck2NTzh/s2048/3.josef-faustmann-151nS8pCCo0-unsplash_Naples+with+Vesuvius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFOSQEtKVhKc1COB72THwPHjdotesEW7yYjT3cjjoLkDcTs3MamKPv257c_lgxoPSB_RgOy1CatJwWjIYgSPFlD_ErCZe95Zjb4JB_7r6Wdk3TDeB9yGTg5_wrV8iETAA4-jK2Ck2NTzh/w800-h600/3.josef-faustmann-151nS8pCCo0-unsplash_Naples+with+Vesuvius.jpg" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt Vesuvius overlooking the Bay of Naples. Much of the area is built up with over two million people potentially exposed to volcanic hazards from a future Mt Vesuvius eruption. Photo © Josef Faustmann<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><i><br /></i></p><p>There are over 60 active volcanic systems in Europe and European overseas territories including the UK territories of Montserrat, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. However, because of increased globalisation and international supply chains, Europe is also vulnerable to eruptions worldwide. Therefore, there is a need for the European volcanological community to provide a coordinated response to global volcanic events. <br /><br />In February 2018, BGS attended the inaugural meeting of the European Network of Observatories and Research Infrastructures for Volcanology (<a href="https://eurovolc.eu/">EUROVOLC</a>) project in Keflavik, Iceland. The principle focus of EUROVOLC is to encourage integration of the European volcanological community by linking scientists and stakeholders and connecting still isolated volcanological infrastructures located at in-situ volcano observatories and volcanological research institutions. The three-year project is funded by the European Commission Horizon 2020 involving over 190 researchers across 19 institutions. </p>
<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pOXtcARm4r_T4Ll1m13i6PepxgmrLbygKVncvdxnfXtGvouxxjFPoJwvL4r4FrCynl_SzjzpERx4_VOrf38FMXFKXqQW77RT52zvX5tZH2KshjKTGmzZ97daJWpGkoeYfIuHJm5eOCmP/s2048/1.Eurovolc_kickoff_meeting_group_photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="826" data-original-width="2048" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pOXtcARm4r_T4Ll1m13i6PepxgmrLbygKVncvdxnfXtGvouxxjFPoJwvL4r4FrCynl_SzjzpERx4_VOrf38FMXFKXqQW77RT52zvX5tZH2KshjKTGmzZ97daJWpGkoeYfIuHJm5eOCmP/w640-h258/1.Eurovolc_kickoff_meeting_group_photo.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EUROVOLC kick-off meeting, Iceland, February 2018<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />As the project enters its final few months, we’re in full flow, with BGS leading research in, and contributing to, nine of the twelve joint research and networking work packages. Our work is centred on Sub-Surface processes, Volcano-Atmosphere Interaction, Community Building and Volcanic Crisis Preparedness and Risk Management themes. <br /><br /><a href="https://eurovolc.eu/?page_id=19">Community building</a> is an overarching theme of EUROVOLC with initiatives to build resilient, sustained connections within the European volcanological community that will exist beyond the timeline of this project. This includes the provision of training through summer schools in Italy and Iceland to predominantly early career scientists, and free access to volcano observatories and volcano infrastructure to promote best practises in volcano monitoring and transnational research. <br /><br />We’re also focusing on three other themes: <div><br /></div><div><a href="https://eurovolc.eu/?page_id=23">Sub-Surface Processes</a> <br /><br />This theme addresses the detection and interpretation of volcano monitoring data including seismic, deformation, gas geochemistry and petrological data. Early detection of signs that magma is moving towards the surface, the timing of eruption onset, possible transitions in eruptive style, and eruption end are all key for hazard monitoring and management. This theme is investigating integrated and automated modelling approaches for interpreting monitoring data (including petrological) together in near-real time to gain a better understanding of the sub-surface processes. </div><div><br /><a href="https://eurovolc.eu/?page_id=52">Volcano-Atmosphere Interaction</a> <br /><br />During volcanic eruptions an urgent priority is to characterise the plume characteristics, such as mass flux, plume height, particle and gas characteristics. These eruption source parameter data are used to drive operational volcanic ash transport and dispersal models such as those used by VAACs and agencies responsible for civil hazard warnings. BGS is leading research in the Volcano-Atmosphere Interaction theme on characterising eruption source parameters using data from past eruptions and developing probability density functions for improved ash dispersal modelling. We are also developing tools for the real-time application of observations during an ongoing eruption. Part of our research also focuses on pre-eruptive unrest detection with the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoGYl0TCTtwFa8ds9C4Ra8WsrdF5GVpchjaLnP63wA2qGvZ6HZ1GGPF3Rp6lzZmCh2SfbFGqZjviKACa5HBHw_pY1uqFguU8Um4rMWqHz9r5IDjDMHL58aABk5YunHuvjxAfUymxo94yR/s640/2.Eyjafjallajokull.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volcanic ash plume rising from Eyjafjallajokull in Iceland, April 2010. Volcanic ash is being transported into the atmosphere away from the volcano. Ash can also be seen falling from the plume.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://eurovolc.eu/?page_id=25">Volcanic Crisis-Preparedness and Risk Management</a> <br /><br />The final theme aims to bring together volcano monitoring institutions, civil protection agencies and volcanological research institutions to better prepare for and respond to volcanic crises. Activities include the development and compilation of tools for hazard assessment and risk management and the development of a complete European Catalogue of European Volcanoes and related volcanic hazards, for which BGS provided information and data on Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha.<br /><br />Within this theme, BGS is leading a work package on collaboration between volcano monitoring institutions and European Civil Protection agencies for management of volcanic risk. We aim to build a European capability and capacity to plan for and respond to volcanic unrest and eruption through the development of new methods to facilitate sharing and promotion of good practices in communication of hazard, including communication between scientists and authorities on topics of scenarios, probabilistic vs. deterministic methods and uncertainty. <br /><br />The EUROVOLC project has created a citizen science web-service tool for which BGS led the development. BGS digital carried out a design sprint and two one-week development sprints to produce a web-service tool that brings together data collected by volcano citizen science tools from across Europe (including the BGS <a href="https://www.bgs.ac.uk/myVolcano/" target="_blank">myVolcano</a> app) and enables new observations of volcanic activity to be uploaded. It is envisaged that this tool will integrate citizen science data and provide a single tool for volcano researchers and enthusiasts in Europe to explore observations across Europe. <div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XZnsYjJ8k3g9i0juCQsS_BDEfsjC8CL465BbHnTqZuMwq0hbgL0UQzp1h2dHHbiQqHdfsmHysWOlOeyVHSjvij0m7e7OAqj3H8erc95JYXq96z6xkkqUI_2VdGQYTwXeQcnY04MKlwoE/s1570/5.Screen+Shot+2020-08-13+at+08.54.05.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="1570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XZnsYjJ8k3g9i0juCQsS_BDEfsjC8CL465BbHnTqZuMwq0hbgL0UQzp1h2dHHbiQqHdfsmHysWOlOeyVHSjvij0m7e7OAqj3H8erc95JYXq96z6xkkqUI_2VdGQYTwXeQcnY04MKlwoE/s640/5.Screen+Shot+2020-08-13+at+08.54.05.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The map interface of the EUROVOLC citizen science web-service tool, developed by BGS Digital. It will be live in December 2020.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br />The EUROVOLC project has enabled new research, new collaborations between researchers, researchers and stakeholders, and the sharing and development of best or ‘good’ practises between scientists and stakeholders. We’re excited for the final outputs and the ongoing collaborations for new research beyond the funding of this project. <br /><br /><div>For more information, please visit the <a href="https://eurovolc.eu/">EuroVolc</a> website.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>British Geological Surveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740304547062993679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228590560998272503.post-58569939642095650412020-07-21T15:42:00.005+01:002020-07-28T16:34:15.624+01:00Geomagnetism Builds a Space Weather Forecasting Capability / / by Alan Thomson <br /><i>Alan Thomson is Head of Geomagnetism at BGS. He specialises in geomagnetic hazards to ground-based infrastructure (such as power transmission and pipeline networks), caused by space weather. Alan has also carried out research into global geomagnetic field models to understand better the various sources of the Earth’s magnetic field. Vice-president of the International Association for Geomagnetism and Aeronomy and Chair of the Executive Council of INTERMAGNET, Alan currently leads two NERC-funded consortia on space weather hazard to technology (SWIGS and SAGE.) Here, he tells us about the government's new investment in space weather forecasting... </i><div><i><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="2048" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLdN4GTeaOz7VJX-ZGaKGtpFTf_R5BN5ezpbHktfAFftX9h3dskZvFaPoXxDPFlh-g7FdbmJdDgBUNFt94sEQwc1FM4cY79zW2j9xxNOYZT2HNUdvWAhYWkLO3FvtcWKbInjImHlx2Ahs/w625-h416/aurora-borealis-photo-1933317.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="625" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), which is caused by geomagnetic storms</td></tr></tbody></table></i><br />Geomagnetic storms and the Northern Lights have been known about for centuries, even if the science behind them wasn’t understood, for instance, that the Sun’s magnetism was the culprit. Another thing that wasn’t clear until the 1850s, was that geomagnetic storms have an impact on technologies that society relies on. Back in the 1850s, this was just the telegraph, sometimes referred to as the ‘Victorian Internet’. Nowadays, a wide spectrum of things that we rely on can be affected by the more general phenomenon ‘space weather’, of which geomagnetic storms are a part. These include the National Grid, satellite communications, radio, TV, and applications relying on precise satellite global positioning, like GPS. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HvX-VFNseB5tvIhsDtw_EB9FLcM6P7sHiW4E2devLRdiCIqSBS5mc_6mIhrdudtBNpPrIHb0tvnUYuMUjM0DoHXe2b4TWjk0-aNHtKvjcA6jAyVmH7OMgh7R-rCjJPt5e8JB4xsgP22q/s1140/Magentometer.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1140" height="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HvX-VFNseB5tvIhsDtw_EB9FLcM6P7sHiW4E2devLRdiCIqSBS5mc_6mIhrdudtBNpPrIHb0tvnUYuMUjM0DoHXe2b4TWjk0-aNHtKvjcA6jAyVmH7OMgh7R-rCjJPt5e8JB4xsgP22q/w500-h419/Magentometer.png" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plans for magnetometer sites (green) and existing installations (blue)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br />The Geomagnetism Capability, over several decades, has developed increasingly sophisticated models of space weather impact on power grids and metal pipeline networks. In this time, we have provided real-time data products and services for National Grid, EDF Energy, Scottish Power, ESA, the Met Office and others. We have also influenced government policy and planning in this area through membership of the BEIS-sponsored ‘Space Environment Impact Expert Group’. <br /><br />Space weather has sat for a decade on the government’s National Risk Register, as a 'once in two to 20-year risk of severe space weather with moderate impact'. It actually ranks just two steps lower on the scale, in terms of potential impact on our society, than an influenza pandemic. Understandably - even more so following recent events - this means the government takes it seriously! <br /><br />Earlier this year, the Geomagnetism Capability bid for, and won, funding for a landmark project to develop space weather services in the area of ‘ground effects’. The UKRI Strategic Priorities Fund has invested £20M in a range of projects for academic institutes to provide the Met Office (and by extension the government), with data, products and tools to forecast space weather and its impact on the various technologies that the country relies on. This is an ambitious and certainly world-leading programme, whose influence beyond these shores is likely to be significant over time. <br /><br />The National Environment Research Council (NERC) and Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) came together to propose eleven projects on all aspects of space weather, from the Sun to the Earth. The programme is collectively known as ‘Space Weather Instrumentation, Measurement, Modelling and Risk’, or SWIMMR, and our project is known as SAGE, or ‘SWIMMR Activities in Ground Effects’. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUjzGVFWu8cSElkZk21zKNLRSguSg4lu34a6TxdkNeB3F9b4e94_9XL2XMiQsOQDxYkH0e9EULZ9t01CUaqVSpNhHYzYuWKaL1MuMA19XRiSxvr-GgrIZzeF_BSe8FhTCTTAa5I1bjgb7/s2048/Field+model.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1865" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUjzGVFWu8cSElkZk21zKNLRSguSg4lu34a6TxdkNeB3F9b4e94_9XL2XMiQsOQDxYkH0e9EULZ9t01CUaqVSpNhHYzYuWKaL1MuMA19XRiSxvr-GgrIZzeF_BSe8FhTCTTAa5I1bjgb7/w364-h400/Field+model.jpg" width="364" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surface electric field model during severe space weather (2013)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br />SAGE will run until 2023 and I will lead a small, focussed group of scientists from BGS, the British Antarctic Survey, Imperial College and the Mullard Space Science Laboratory (University College London). SAGE follows on from our leadership of SWIGS (Space Weather Impacts on Ground-based Systems), a NERC ‘Highlight Topic’. Beginning in 2017 and running to 2021, SWIGS comprised of nine UK universities and institutes and more than twenty researchers. Whereas SAGE is a directed research programme and concentrates on delivering an operational system for space weather forecasts, SWIGS was (and still is) about the underpinning blue-sky science. </div><div><br />But what are ‘ground effects’ and why is BGS uniquely placed to lead SAGE? <br /><br />‘Ground effects’ refers to the impact from space weather on large-scale technologies that are electrically grounded in the Earth. This therefore includes the power grid, the high-pressure gas transmission pipeline network and potentially the UK rail network. Geomagnetic storms are associated with electrical currents that flow in the ionosphere, at above 80-90 km. These currents are enhanced during significant space weather, growing and diminishing over seconds to minutes. These time scales are quite similar to the light flickering you see when watching the Northern Lights, as these are also caused by changing currents refreshed from space and driven by solar magnetism. <br /><br />Faraday’s Law of electromagnetism tells us that such changing electrical currents will induce a changing magnetic field in a conducting body, which is exactly what the Earth is. In turn, because of magneto-telluric (MT) principles, this changing magnetic field produces a surface electric field on the conductor. Slightly simplifying the physics, this electric (or telluric) field then acts somewhat like a battery between the Earthing points in any large network. Emphasis on ‘large’ is important here: the electric field is normally much less than one Volt per kilometre, so the voltage needs to scale up over many kilometres. During the most severe space weather, we might measure 1-10 Volts/km in the UK. This battery causes currents to flow in the network that can trigger, for example, power transformers to mis-operate, or metal pipelines to corrode over time. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="547" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpRrzHvCC2VnwA4GhZEyPwhSWd69Op6h6NrLHCzC4tW7jzCxWqydNh68E6BUASSaJND7ZKlj-qWebgqASBmt4JLV7W4TtbQwbZMhJyWN99rZpXE3068SDpVeAsX-b6hmCfSKLg6M5xfPm/w430-h500/EC+model+%25282%2529.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="430" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BGS UK Earth electrical conductivity model (pink is more conductive, blue is less conductive) <br /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>The Geomagnetism Capability and BGS is therefore the natural home of this science and these applications. We have unique UK understanding and skills in geomagnetic storms and real-time data and we understand the geophysics. This was what was rewarded when we won the SAGE grant. <br />What is really novel about SAGE is the emphasis on forecasting. This has never been possible before, whether in the UK or elsewhere. The reason we can do this now is that Imperial and BAS have new models that describe how the magnetic changes on the ground are driven by conditions in near-Earth space. There are spacecraft out there that continuously measure solar wind conditions and because of the propagation lags through the Sun-Earth system, we can develop forecasting of effects on the ground up to one hour ahead, based on the spacecraft measurements. Our forecasts will therefore be based on what is happening right now, but a million miles or more upstream towards the Sun; a new frontier for BGS science! SAGE will also bring Machine Learning to some tricky forecasting issues and Mullard Space Science Laboratory will lead this, with some input from us. <br /><br />BGS will undertake a countrywide magnetotellurics<span style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> (</span>MT) survey to improve our sub-surface conductivity model. Scotland was surveyed during SWIGS; now it is England and Wales’ turn. This will allow us to more accurately ‘nowcast’ and forecast telluric fields across Great Britain based on magnetic measurements and MT principles, and now/forecast the damaging currents that might flow in the grounded networks. It will also, in a neat pure science offshoot, provide major new datasets for solid Earth geophysics research. Juliane Hübert is our MT expert and will coordinate our fieldwork and we will employ a couple of fieldworkers for the project’s duration. We also plan to deploy simpler magnetometer systems at Herstmonceux (thanks for your support), Fermanagh (thanks GSNI), and possibly Keyworth (watch this space). This would give us an unprecedented monitoring of magnetic storms during the life of SAGE. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXIUnpVV9zVKm18Moh_tLpZaScaJIaSvEsQN5GQ3A7O4pabw6sjbnKE7GTjwbprg970hHpN2nu7ZIT5mMVwdVMMS0qWHe0HCk6SfhHLU2xJWmm8FdmQxwXpaEqk7f4AE2UZt-49kRuXDf/s679/Power+grid.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="632" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXIUnpVV9zVKm18Moh_tLpZaScaJIaSvEsQN5GQ3A7O4pabw6sjbnKE7GTjwbprg970hHpN2nu7ZIT5mMVwdVMMS0qWHe0HCk6SfhHLU2xJWmm8FdmQxwXpaEqk7f4AE2UZt-49kRuXDf/w464-h500/Power+grid.jpg" width="464" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BGS power grid network model</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br />Ciaran Beggan and Gemma Richardson will lead developments in power grid and pipeline network modelling. We will collectively work on developing a warning system for the UK rail network. Real-time data from the UK magnetic observing network is essential to make our forecasting system work. Ellen Clarke will therefore coordinate our activities in this area. Our model development and data visualisation will also likely tap into skills in the Informatics area. </div><div><br />As lead PI, I am really excited about SAGE. For me, it promises to be the culmination of years of investment in Geomagnetism science, measurements and IT. It will take space weather forecasting, rudimentary to date, and place it alongside the physics-based discipline that is modern meteorology and numerical weather forecasting. However, don't expect me to be presenting our space weather forecast at the end of the BBC News every night. That can be someone else’s aspiration!</div><div><br /></div><div>For more information please visit the <a href="https://geomag.bgs.ac.uk/" target="_blank">BGS Geomagnetism site</a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>British Geological Surveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740304547062993679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228590560998272503.post-18228470080786464532020-07-16T15:03:00.003+01:002020-07-16T15:41:10.215+01:00Our first visit to the BGS Coastal Landslide Observatory since Lockdown / / by Lee Jones and Matt Kirkham<p class="MsoNormal"><i>The Corona virus pandemic has affected our work in lots of different ways. Until recently, because of lockdown, all fieldwork was suspended, meaning much of our site-based science research was put on hold. Happily, and with various measures in place
to protect our staff, some field activities have restarted. One site we have been able to visit is our Coastal Landslide
Observatory on the Holderness coast. Here, Lee Jones</i><i> and Matt Kirkham</i><i> describe
their new day out-of-the-office... </i></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJT5Z-7s3CsAv71hGEJNJA9RyU_SA55_4Zu-sO5TKRTSptnhNx4YCETB8How40z26uj0G8cQPcRRETW7kEGmgQyD-Hlm_zv8Vr7vIOI0RlSQLcpM3kh4Qm9qGWkHtb_ZrsYwnOWnSo-0im/s1280/Aldbrough.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJT5Z-7s3CsAv71hGEJNJA9RyU_SA55_4Zu-sO5TKRTSptnhNx4YCETB8How40z26uj0G8cQPcRRETW7kEGmgQyD-Hlm_zv8Vr7vIOI0RlSQLcpM3kh4Qm9qGWkHtb_ZrsYwnOWnSo-0im/w500-h281/Aldbrough.png" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cliffs at Aldbrough are at constant risk of landslide, and monitored by the BGS team</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 49.65pt; text-indent: -49.65pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 49.65pt; text-indent: -49.65pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 49.65pt; text-indent: -49.65pt;">Location: BGS Coastal Landslide Observatory, Aldbrough,
East Riding of Yorkshire<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 49.65pt; text-indent: -49.65pt;">Date: 24<sup>th</sup> June 2020<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 49.65pt; text-indent: -49.65pt;">Activities: Routine quarterly site visit - LiDAR scanning,
data collection from boreholes and weather station, beach and cliff
observations<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 49.65pt; text-indent: -49.65pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Usually we would travel
together to our Coastal Landslide Observatory in Aldbrough, East Riding of Yorkshire, but current COVID-19 health and safety regulations mean it's recommended that we both arrive at our destination separately. We turned up to a glorious sunny day, with a slight onshore breeze. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One of the main purposes of our quarterly visits is to carry
out a series of LiDAR surveys of the beach and cliffs. LiDAR is short for Light Determination and Ranging and is a laser scanning device that accurately models the 3D geomorphology (physical features and relation to geological structures) of the beach, landslide, cliff and foreland of the coastal section at Aldbrough. This work allows us to measure and quantify (in
terms of volume) how much the cliffs have changed since our last visit as well
as identifying processes on the beach that contribute to these changes. If you want to find out more about this,
there are details at the end of this blog post.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEsuBatwlBwroWziac_W9v6vZsMK8nl2kEHk_FjLZJ5hYLlHDvbnp1taDyPaifhZZvDKPkzkGEjmNCaylWpQqMG7HPJ2xUsf-XLpyeQVcSGpW8HeHRokNyFkcdbeuD3TaNpe1NwFMH7U4/s1989/IMG20200624144130%255B1519%255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1813" data-original-width="1989" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEsuBatwlBwroWziac_W9v6vZsMK8nl2kEHk_FjLZJ5hYLlHDvbnp1taDyPaifhZZvDKPkzkGEjmNCaylWpQqMG7HPJ2xUsf-XLpyeQVcSGpW8HeHRokNyFkcdbeuD3TaNpe1NwFMH7U4/w500-h456/IMG20200624144130%255B1519%255D.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lee taking GNSS measurements of the cliff top at our Coastal Landslide Observatory near Aldborough<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />We started work around 9:30AM by beginning the LiDAR surveys, setting up the GNSS base station and connecting it to the real time network (internet). This involves setting up a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) on a temporary bench mark, 30 m back from the cliff edge, and assembling the Pegasus Backpack Mobile Mapping System (one of the LiDAR). GNSS is how we determine exactly where we are on the earth’s surface, to an accuracy of <2 cm. This allows us to return to the same site time after time, and be certain that we are measuring ‘real’ change as opposed to ‘perceived’ change. <div><br /></div><div>We began the process of aligning the Pegasus before the first signs of people on their daily dog walks, and started the first part of the LiDAR survey along the cliff top.<br /><br />By the time I had completed the 3 km cliff-top walk and also the equivalent length at the cliff toe and the beach walk, the first of around 100 holidaymakers turned up.
<p class="MsoNormal">In the 20 years we have been studying the erosion at the
site, and despite the advice from government about social distancing, this was
by far the most people I have ever seen here, probably as many as I have seen
in all the previous visits combined. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Apparently, the town of Mappleton further up the coast was
so busy that there was nowhere to park and the late arrivals had decided to
descend on Aldbrough. There is no access
to the beach here; the only way down is to navigate the 17 metre-high
cliffs. These cliffs are very active
with landslide processes going on continuously, and an <a href="https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/beach-explosives-warning-ignore-cowden-4263566">unexploded ordnance was found very recently in this area</a>. It didn’t seem to stop the day's visitors though with one person even deciding to set up camp on top of a landslide block. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uZ26pLLCAfswLnkQ-yy7Sz6m7OYoi4r29ToKq5cR7ttz2OY5V3uVikN7t4iCoilqUkO7IoUU2qkea3MsKc6tRMe4AyN4IpxpgIDmG4VrHbsk5Gy72CiPdeYG6XiVcHFyILx9in5a88Nk/s2580/IMG20200624141516%255B1522%255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="2580" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uZ26pLLCAfswLnkQ-yy7Sz6m7OYoi4r29ToKq5cR7ttz2OY5V3uVikN7t4iCoilqUkO7IoUU2qkea3MsKc6tRMe4AyN4IpxpgIDmG4VrHbsk5Gy72CiPdeYG6XiVcHFyILx9in5a88Nk/w625-h295/IMG20200624141516%255B1522%255D.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here, the public has set up a tent on the landslide itself, while people stand below, in the landslide's direct path<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our health and safety measures are stringent. We are trained in understanding landslides
and the risks of working in this environment. It is always shocking when we see the public putting themselves in
danger in this way. This is an <a href="https://twitter.com/BGSLandslides/status/1267196429929451522">ongoing
problem</a> faced by many coastal communities and local authorities around the
country. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Matt and I continued
to carry out our work as socially distanced as possible (with mask in hand just
in case). We downloaded the data from
the piezometers in the boreholes and carried out the inclinometer survey. We also collected the data from the weather station
and completed the Terrestrial LiDAR Scanning and GNSS survey. After this, we carried out some visual
inspections of the beach and cliffs.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Compared with our last monitoring visit, in December 2019,
the slumped section of the landslide has dropped by approximately 1 metre, with
tension cracks extending north across the collapsed road. On the cliff top
itself, the ground towards the cliff has dropped 12m back from the edge. To the
north and south of the road the cliff remains active with regular slumps and
falls prevalent.<o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCpvTiJ9Ui9MQfhZhyZsIP9dCaXMiat8X2w-AoEfhPflKJ7yGgnB4gCQ9YK70-IA2IAuCQQDa-8DvnO7tzwkenN0WFX56WJsV8DA5s7iC8-KLeQgNYGNQHhsrBjQrGhZkENZePmA0BAGq/s6016/DSC_0020.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCpvTiJ9Ui9MQfhZhyZsIP9dCaXMiat8X2w-AoEfhPflKJ7yGgnB4gCQ9YK70-IA2IAuCQQDa-8DvnO7tzwkenN0WFX56WJsV8DA5s7iC8-KLeQgNYGNQHhsrBjQrGhZkENZePmA0BAGq/w266-h400/DSC_0020.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt, carrying out the inclinometer survey<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal">We completed our work and set off
for home. The following day, the vehicles
were unpacked, the equipment cleaned and the data downloaded back in the
Keyworth office ready for analysis and comparison with previous visits. The next time we'll be on site for our quarterly monitoring will be September. It will be interesting, as always, to monitor any changes once more. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.bgs.ac.uk/landslides/LandslideObservatory/aldbroughCLO.html">Click here for more information on the project</a><br /></p><br /></div>British Geological Surveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740304547062993679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228590560998272503.post-79355659158429264232020-07-10T17:36:00.001+01:002020-07-10T17:36:43.212+01:00An Introduction to BGS Volcanology / / by Julia Crummy<i>Dr Julia Crummy has a been volcanologist at the British Geological Survey since 2013. Her research interests range from field mapping of tephra fall deposits from explosive eruptions to volcanic hazard, impact and vulnerability analysis. One of Julia's roles in the team is the communication of volcano-related activities within BGS. Here, she provides an introduction to the varied nature of research in volcanic environments and the research activities being carried out by BGS Volcanology.</i>..<i> </i><div><i><br /></i><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnVwqmuUNemOB2_oWEIOot3tJpFQLOQiCNMDIlplivfOZoqbKVO5RIIXJYj0Dw7nS6IANaZvOB6c2Crpyi4LsUUriiKww04hbm1xhIoYKx_jgv7QzQkdiH6t3cY5WeE_23ASNQ_rxy61G/s3163/Ascension.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="994" data-original-width="3163" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnVwqmuUNemOB2_oWEIOot3tJpFQLOQiCNMDIlplivfOZoqbKVO5RIIXJYj0Dw7nS6IANaZvOB6c2Crpyi4LsUUriiKww04hbm1xhIoYKx_jgv7QzQkdiH6t3cY5WeE_23ASNQ_rxy61G/w625-h198/Ascension.JPG" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ascension Island in the South Atlantic<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />BGS has had a dedicated Volcanology Team since 2008, but we have been doing volcanology research for a lot longer. Prior to the creation of our dedicated team, scientists from research areas across BGS including geology, geophysics, remote sensing, geochemistry and informatics research were carrying out research on volcanic environments. BGS scientists responded to the Soufrière Hills Volcano eruption on the island of Montserrat from 1995-2008 and mapped volcanic areas around the world at different scales to identify various resources. In 2008, BGS set up a dedicated Volcanology Team (of one!) which has since grown to nine staff and we continue to work with researchers from different disciplines across BGS and beyond.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01wGJzXO2BgXlM00Pg4d4GYfbxGDQ_ccJDgs9SeKsc76ACLkA0LpBFQ1DsIQaLwjlZ_oS1BXe8X3L0zpc-zMVZp0SjUTGfX7mZu1yxAZMtWQ0SYkpI_2mxt9_DI8wUfhGe8_Y0Izhd7MF/s1023/P063643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="1023" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01wGJzXO2BgXlM00Pg4d4GYfbxGDQ_ccJDgs9SeKsc76ACLkA0LpBFQ1DsIQaLwjlZ_oS1BXe8X3L0zpc-zMVZp0SjUTGfX7mZu1yxAZMtWQ0SYkpI_2mxt9_DI8wUfhGe8_Y0Izhd7MF/w500-h324/P063643.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tar River Estate House, Soufri<span style="text-align: left;">è</span>re Hills Volcano, Montserrat<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br />By nature, volcanic research is multi-disciplinary. For example, in order to understand how a volcano works, what it may do in future and to ensure effective actions to reduce risk, we need to understand:<br /><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Past behaviour over hundreds to thousands of years through analysis of eruption deposits (e.g. geology, geochemistry, geochronology, petrology, physical volcanology, numerical, experimental and statistical modelling)<br /><br /></li><li>Recent and current behaviour through monitoring (e.g. geophysics, geochemistry, petrology, remote sensing, visual observations)<br /><br /></li><li>Future behaviour through short-term and long-term forecasting (e.g. data analysis, physical and statistical modelling, deterministic and probabilistic hazard and risk analyses)<br /><br /></li><li>How this science can support effective decision-making and actions by individuals, institutions, civil protection agencies, civil society, government departments, NGOs and the private sector etc.<br /><br /></li></ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1MaDyXC3RwieqWTT70JR56Wwnl3b42w8neqMtOGxlPWcvkoBtlvmeQzizD8O-LGoFyIxhhdZqFPjrHqjdUVEWoY7F0WTFdHrkget9Or6KJIOkGOqiYGozsY4yBYLUxHFPsxGBz0h6YPJ/s2048/Volc+Charlotte.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1MaDyXC3RwieqWTT70JR56Wwnl3b42w8neqMtOGxlPWcvkoBtlvmeQzizD8O-LGoFyIxhhdZqFPjrHqjdUVEWoY7F0WTFdHrkget9Or6KJIOkGOqiYGozsY4yBYLUxHFPsxGBz0h6YPJ/w500-h375/Volc+Charlotte.JPG" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting up Raspberry Shake seismographs to monitor activity on Ascension Island<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div></div><div>Volcanoes bring many benefits including good water resources, rich soils, beautiful landscapes, tourism, geothermal energy and mineral resources. However, living with volcanoes and sustaining these benefits requires an understanding of potential hazards and the likely impacts of these hazards on society and the environment from local to global scales (e.g. the Eyjafjallajökull 2010 eruption). <br /><br />Any single volcano can erupt both effusively and explosively. Volcanic eruptions can last for hours, days, weeks, months or years, with variability in the character of activity (effusive and explosive episodes, fluctuations in column heights, etc.) and varying combinations of hazards and impacts. Volcanic hazards include ash clouds (for aviation), tephra (volcanic material) fall, ballistics, pyroclastic density currents (e.g. hot, fast-moving flows of volcanic particles and gas), gas and aerosol emissions, lava flows, volcanic earthquakes, tsunamis, lahars (volcanic mudflows) and acid rain. Some of these hazards occur at the time of the eruption, while others can occur many years to hundreds of years after eruptive activity. For example, lahars can occur for years after an eruption when intense rainfall mobilises loose volcanic debris in voluminous flows, as happened following the 1991 Pinatubo eruption in the Philippines. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOK1m07V0eJDXH992SmS8YkddPZWqAoMQUzUOZHHUzAYw_6sZiODBGOjmAr_ygRcKWi-MRJVc1dAMEDz7Prcm_MhxDG9xrVu7J4MHGl6pQSLxz37PhycVNg7PUxZQCSzWxyNjks_Q3H3qL/s2048/Volc+sampling.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOK1m07V0eJDXH992SmS8YkddPZWqAoMQUzUOZHHUzAYw_6sZiODBGOjmAr_ygRcKWi-MRJVc1dAMEDz7Prcm_MhxDG9xrVu7J4MHGl6pQSLxz37PhycVNg7PUxZQCSzWxyNjks_Q3H3qL/w375-h500/Volc+sampling.JPG" width="375" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sampling tephra deposits from Meru Volcano in Northern Tanzania<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Volcanic unrest and eruptions can lead to the displacement of populations, the long-term use of emergency shelters, loss of livelihoods and ultimately to public health emergencies. Our research aims to provide evidence to support both disaster risk reduction and development, so communities worldwide can live with and benefit from volcanoes.<br /><br />Current BGS volcanology collaborative research and activities include:</div><div><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Understanding volcanism and volcanic hazards in the UK Overseas Territories<br /><br /></li><li>Understanding volcanic processes through field mapping, deposit characteristic analysis, geochronology, petrological & geochemical analysis, laboratory experiments, and numerical & experimental modelling<br /><br /></li><li>Volcanic hazard analysis through deterministic and probabilistic modelling of ash fall, gas dispersal, pyroclastic density currents and lahars; probabilistic event trees, statistical emulators, expert elicitation, use of global databases<br /><br /></li><li>Volcanic risk analysis including hazard, exposure, vulnerability and impact analyses<br /><br /></li><li>Effective risk communication through story-telling and collaborative film making<br /><br /></li><li>Citizen science and its contribution to disaster risk reduction, both in the UK and overseas (which we have been doing with both the myVolcano and myHaz apps)<br /><br /></li><li>Integrating the arts and science to support landscape decision making<br /><br /></li><li>Global reporting of volcanic activity including providing scientific advice to the UK government on risks to the UK, including the Overseas Territories</li></ul>We work in partnership with national to local civil protection agencies, government departments, research institutions, civil society, NGOs and the private sector both in the UK and overseas. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFObQMucpt7MlvO0Sw3MBDQJT54t9GsP-QYWKnkteN9qq45xHhvgc82nHwX9ugTylXinGfRFrItvATMVGHjAS2qCznGOsbcKBgJ6tTi_j3BWlOL5cnsUqsPP9ungj8oQ79UeWkpZaRxxbi/s2048/Volc+Outreach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFObQMucpt7MlvO0Sw3MBDQJT54t9GsP-QYWKnkteN9qq45xHhvgc82nHwX9ugTylXinGfRFrItvATMVGHjAS2qCznGOsbcKBgJ6tTi_j3BWlOL5cnsUqsPP9ungj8oQ79UeWkpZaRxxbi/w500-h281/Volc+Outreach.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outreach work as part of the NERC Large Grant, Rift Volcanism: Past, Present and Future<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We'll be expanding on our research and work in further blogs but in the meantime, if you'd like to talk about our work, please contact <a href="mailto:juli@bgs.ac.uk" target="_blank">me</a>. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>British Geological Surveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740304547062993679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228590560998272503.post-41385951430679787002020-07-01T11:12:00.014+01:002020-07-07T12:48:05.390+01:00Unearthing the Brand: a New Logo for Understanding our Earth / / by the Comms Team <p class="MsoNormal">Our blog post today is rather special, as we unveil our
brand new visual identity which will reflect and support our refreshed
five-year science strategy ‘<i><a href="https://www.bgs.ac.uk/about/strategy.html" target="_blank">Gateway to the Earth</a></i>’. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3z9wdKaCnWyW8qY_EP2U_syO7yV4UEbl6v69qX1o8Wxz2_kTJsbXYxERz2cOW-mp5SjHX5PgS448THOFSBYus5A8EJHDt1poWT5a-2_CxtQyKtX3VcrQ4dTeBwceQKyHdHn6YSm9eD1xA/s1200/New+logo.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1200" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3z9wdKaCnWyW8qY_EP2U_syO7yV4UEbl6v69qX1o8Wxz2_kTJsbXYxERz2cOW-mp5SjHX5PgS448THOFSBYus5A8EJHDt1poWT5a-2_CxtQyKtX3VcrQ4dTeBwceQKyHdHn6YSm9eD1xA/w625-h313/New+logo.png" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">The British Geological Survey was founded in 1835, as was
the world’s first national geological survey, originally named simply the
Ordnance Geological Survey and part of the <a href="https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/" target="_blank">Ordnance Survey</a> In 1845 we moved away from the Ordnance Survey and were merged with the Geological
Museum in London (today part of the Natural History Museum). At this point we were renamed the Geological Survey of United Kingdom (Great Britain and Ireland), a name which changed again in 1905 when we became the Geological Survey of Great Britain. In 1965 we came to sit for the first time under the <a href="https://nerc.ukri.org/" target="_blank">National Environment Research Council (NERC)</a> - a partnership we continue today and were renamed the Institute of Geological Sciences. In 1984 the organisation once more changed names to become the
British Geological Survey.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqRzlb5c7JQ0uW4wzzAqFIpuRgAv01BCgifHQuIfcwG-SUQmeEVrPELajOXZSok_jtwPNAuVcfxHG5376A-a-y8Uxr-yUxcVa0NUlVGx2y74YTD0mT3scwVQqybuAjnwrcl31HBkiO6ge/s881/first+logo.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="660" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqRzlb5c7JQ0uW4wzzAqFIpuRgAv01BCgifHQuIfcwG-SUQmeEVrPELajOXZSok_jtwPNAuVcfxHG5376A-a-y8Uxr-yUxcVa0NUlVGx2y74YTD0mT3scwVQqybuAjnwrcl31HBkiO6ge/s320/first+logo.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first recorded logo<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Our logo has followed a similarly long transition. Our 1846 crest,
when we were named the Geological Survey of the United Kingdom, can be seen
above. In 1965 as the Institute of Geological Sciences we began to use the NERC
logo, pictured in one of its forms below.
In January in 1984, the newly named British Geological Survey ran a staff
competition to design our new logo. The competition – and £70! – was won by Rodney
Walshaw, whose logo was used until December of 1984, when it was simplified. In
1988 the logo was changed once more to its most recent iteration, although
originally in black and white, which later changed to the recognisable purple
of the logo we used until today. You can
see examples of these logos in orange, which was the internal colour we used
for noticeboards and other internal communications.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGBGOLAX9Nlsch7DH5YKd8MTCLM14pRl45prQzcmxLTrxnekk_y-n2RgQ6QN0x_FTWH2YfjzLN66hP245K2P_coq8SJXzBbNXuDLI2Gc1z58C_16ZYbFiRVmL5hlAxMFi-U5UF1Rijh5u/s1920/Old+logos+%25281%2529.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGBGOLAX9Nlsch7DH5YKd8MTCLM14pRl45prQzcmxLTrxnekk_y-n2RgQ6QN0x_FTWH2YfjzLN66hP245K2P_coq8SJXzBbNXuDLI2Gc1z58C_16ZYbFiRVmL5hlAxMFi-U5UF1Rijh5u/w625-h351/Old+logos+%25281%2529.png" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 1988 logos<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifd-GYShVoMJRwVfPcO7s5h47j9XyzJwf-syU09H-uCkD6dlkcIowtINb997yke9bSbWDIndSEScK_mtI-AbWdJ4ux-0l01OxDxtpdeAPqztyI0dD_0max0AlhSh0tqV02_zrsTiKpoki_/s461/download.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="109" data-original-width="461" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifd-GYShVoMJRwVfPcO7s5h47j9XyzJwf-syU09H-uCkD6dlkcIowtINb997yke9bSbWDIndSEScK_mtI-AbWdJ4ux-0l01OxDxtpdeAPqztyI0dD_0max0AlhSh0tqV02_zrsTiKpoki_/w625-h149/download.png" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our most recent logo<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;">Now, with BGS being taking in a bold new direction by our
recently appointed Executive Director, Karen Hanghoj, coupled with our new
science-strategy comes a brand new look, which takes inspiration from both our
rich geoscientific history and the Earth itself.</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">The British Geological Survey in 2020 is a world-leading, impartial
and independent organisation providing objective, expert geoscientific data,
information and knowledge to understand our earth and help society flourish.
We’re a modern, progressive organisation looking to the future and we want our
brand to reflect that.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Earth is made up of beautiful, natural colours, which we
wanted to echo in our branding. While our initial colour palette is made up of
stone and earthy grey, our supporting colours feature eleven more hues that
take inspiration from the land, sea and sky. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAj5zRnLdDD2a7JzL3Ws313puIiVh5PB9h5XeGBqLGOlyGvMwdICadeDQj3jR0rZNC3Yv8-5DSMvRF47G1r2cSwj_M3v1vlKx3HlUb7wscMwsjJSD6jYELGiyhMFwtCWSm6oL6_5Q4Pl0/s4707/BGS_Header.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3713" data-original-width="4707" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAj5zRnLdDD2a7JzL3Ws313puIiVh5PB9h5XeGBqLGOlyGvMwdICadeDQj3jR0rZNC3Yv8-5DSMvRF47G1r2cSwj_M3v1vlKx3HlUb7wscMwsjJSD6jYELGiyhMFwtCWSm6oL6_5Q4Pl0/w500-h394/BGS_Header.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our brand ‘strata’ is based around the surface and the
subsurface as BGS strives to increase the understanding of our Earth. Our new
logo features this strata, which gives equal status to both above and below
ground, while the strata’s circle also represents the work we do globally. The
strata will be used throughout our branding to highlight points of interest,
while always maintaining focus on our science. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We hope that our new branding will align BGS as a
world-class geoscientific institution that conveys its science in an accessible
and easy-to-understand manner. As we move forward in implementing our Science
Strategy we aim to ensure that the brand supports us and reflects the
challenges that BGS aims to help solve. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our thanks go to Nottingham-based creative agency <a href="https://threerooms.com/" target="_blank">ThreeRooms</a>
who we worked with extensively during all phases of the rebrand. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="background: white; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "segoe ui", sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>British Geological Surveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740304547062993679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228590560998272503.post-29948527428809866412020-06-24T11:19:00.000+01:002020-06-24T11:19:58.858+01:00Critical raw materials for decarbonisation: the geological potential of the UK / / by Paul Lusty<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Paul Lusty leads the </i><i>Critical Raw Materials </i><i>research
area, within the Decarbonisation and Resource Management Challenge at the
British Geological Survey. He is a Chartered Geologist with more than 19 years’
experience in the international natural resources sector, where his work has focused
on minerals exploration, resource assessment and ore deposit science, with a
particular focus on orogenic gold, platinum-group metals, volcanic-associated
sulfide mineralisation and critical metals in granitic terranes. His most
recent interests are in the formation of modern seafloor hydrothermal systems
and deep ocean ferromanganese crusts.</i></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTLusieVl-RBnhbVDObaDM6TsHhCn1KTd7nZvRXMPXvcIL9xa3qdy08O8s5pMNeVaWRFrGql8FYWBm4iEs31tcLOyWwjoRvCC6gJgrGq5rfagvGrpNX-YQHk5LnqaGlv-HmE11Dns3LbQ/s500/PaulLBlog1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A wind farm" border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTLusieVl-RBnhbVDObaDM6TsHhCn1KTd7nZvRXMPXvcIL9xa3qdy08O8s5pMNeVaWRFrGql8FYWBm4iEs31tcLOyWwjoRvCC6gJgrGq5rfagvGrpNX-YQHk5LnqaGlv-HmE11Dns3LbQ/d/PaulLBlog1.jpg" title="The manufacture of renewable energy technologies, such as wind turbines will require a wide range of minerals in large quantities © UKRI" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The manufacture of renewable energy technologies, such as wind turbines will require a wide range of minerals in large quantities. © UKRI<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><i><br /></i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #19161a;">Action on climate change and the transition to a
low- or zero-carbon economy are strategic priorities for many countries around
the world including the UK. Among many other measures, this will require
large-scale deployment of decarbonisation technologies for transport and industry,
as well as for energy conversion and storage. This transformative roll-out will
consume relatively large quantities of key minerals and metals, often known
collectively as ‘critical raw materials’.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #19161a; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Manufacturing contributes about 10 per cent to the
UK economy. This sector is dependent on </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the global mining industry and
associated supply chains for the majority of its raw material needs. <span style="color: #19161a;">This dependence, and ‘just-in-time’ supply chains, mean
that UK manufacturing is potentially vulnerable to supply disruption from
events such as mine closures, strikes in producing countries and export quotas.
Alongside recovery and recycling, domestic mining of minerals and metals is one
option for improving security of supply. This is a strategy that many other
countries, along with trading blocs such as the European Union, are pursuing.
Domestic production could also enhance the transparency of supply chains,
facilitating more responsible sourcing of raw materials.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #19161a; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZDB3l-a1dJV6a_fI-1iGiymWPQvw3Xn7JNJp0uDLug8J38wYOZNftJ0mKU4LhKMo-_vWWvyNV-vVHnN3Ga_pPxFYuX9EV4LPC6FU_yCskGLBPyJzDrIQICS512CBo9K5nqVLa7yx4JZi/s4000/PaulLblog2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Stainless steel production line" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZDB3l-a1dJV6a_fI-1iGiymWPQvw3Xn7JNJp0uDLug8J38wYOZNftJ0mKU4LhKMo-_vWWvyNV-vVHnN3Ga_pPxFYuX9EV4LPC6FU_yCskGLBPyJzDrIQICS512CBo9K5nqVLa7yx4JZi/w500-h375/PaulLblog2.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In addition to iron and chromium, the production of stainless steel uses a range of alloying elements, including nickel. ©UKRI</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #19161a;"><br />BGS undertakes research to monitor global production
of raw materials, assess risks to the disruption of supplies from overseas and
improve understanding of the Earth processes that produce mineral deposits. We
have recently reviewed the geological potential for the occurrence of selected
metals and minerals in the UK, based on publicly-available data and
information: this is presented in a new series of <a href="https://www.bgs.ac.uk/mineralsuk/statistics/rawMaterialsForALowCarbonFuture.html#RMP" target="_blank">BGS profiles on cobalt, graphite, lithium, platinum-group metals and nickel, and the rare earth elements</a>.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #19161a; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The UK has a long history of mineral exploration and
mining, which is summarised in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.bgs.ac.uk/mineralsuk/exploration/guide.html" target="_blank">UK Exploration Guide</a></i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. In
relation to its size, the UK is remarkably well-endowed with mineral resources;
the type and distribution of which are related to the wide range of geological
environments represented. Mining has been an industry here for at least 3000
years and ongoing mineral exploration demonstrates that significant resource
potential remains. During the industrial revolution iron, copper, tin and lead
were all produced in large quantities in the UK. Since the end of World War II
many other metals, such as gold, platinum, uranium and tungsten, have been the
focus of government-funded and commercial exploration programmes. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-SYoqfp6sHVg0D58KG2nQmX2w1PwDc9ldjAhOxvn5R6dce54k4WCP38UiRUJsP7l3XvahG0MQQejvLAdW8ot97qJIPne0QKHSqNw4spigA-GYDEHwEpLWNTcAuFLcPHalUvfX9Njn3Sz/s3504/PaulLBlog3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3504" data-original-width="2336" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-SYoqfp6sHVg0D58KG2nQmX2w1PwDc9ldjAhOxvn5R6dce54k4WCP38UiRUJsP7l3XvahG0MQQejvLAdW8ot97qJIPne0QKHSqNw4spigA-GYDEHwEpLWNTcAuFLcPHalUvfX9Njn3Sz/w333-h500/PaulLBlog3.jpg" width="333" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mineral exploration drilling for copper-molybdenum-gold mineralisation in Scotland. ©UKRI<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />The new BGS profiles show that there are many known occurrences in
the UK of the minerals and metals used in decarbonisation technologies.
However, the profiles also demonstrate that modern, systematic exploration for critical
raw materials has been very limited<span style="color: #19161b;"> and few modern
resource estimates are available. By analogy with areas </span><span style="color: #19161a;">of similar geology elsewhere in the world there is
potential for future discoveries of these commodities in the UK.</span> Accordingly,
<span style="color: #19161b;">the application of new exploration techniques based
on modern conceptual models is warranted for many deposits types in the UK.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxG-9PXlDHblDThwDBqntidAfBwXCknaDnbZowQITi9gpJRNPnhE1EK1axBEa7FO73WtvtT5diaf0vHNJnuzhQxat6C3vmh27aikfklwGk2et0xmaCUBRKYNQiWdbWci9TB24zRELVLv-/s3504/PaulLBlog4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A digger creates a trench in a rural area of Scotland" border="0" data-original-height="3504" data-original-width="2336" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxG-9PXlDHblDThwDBqntidAfBwXCknaDnbZowQITi9gpJRNPnhE1EK1axBEa7FO73WtvtT5diaf0vHNJnuzhQxat6C3vmh27aikfklwGk2et0xmaCUBRKYNQiWdbWci9TB24zRELVLv-/w333-h500/PaulLBlog4.jpg" width="333" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creating a trench to expose the bedrock during mineral exploration in Scotland. ©UKRI<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #19161a; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />The prospects for UK production of most critical raw
materials are currently constrained by the limited potential of identified occurrences
or a lack of data to assess their potential, and restricted domestic capacity
for the processing and refining of these materials. These and other issues
related to UK metal supply are discussed in the<i> <a href="https://www.bgs.ac.uk/mineralsuk/planning/mineralPlanningFactsheets.html" target="_blank">BGS <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Metals</span> </a></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.bgs.ac.uk/mineralsuk/planning/mineralPlanningFactsheets.html" target="_blank"><i>Mineral Planning
Factsheet.</i></a><i> </i></span></span></p><br />British Geological Surveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740304547062993679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228590560998272503.post-50004609819482053662020-06-23T15:09:00.010+01:002020-06-23T16:32:46.948+01:00#INWED2020 Could we do better when it comes to EDI / / by Cath Pennington<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Cath Pennington is an engineering geologist at the British Geological Survey. Here, she discusses women in the BGS workplace in honour of International Women in Engineering Day 2020. </i></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8D5Ezlsy5rVYhLCrjV-_sJM5Fo4ZJsxDIlswcjviK__Jl4OKwhA4RkGdLhjOiDbWe8uVGHD5H_GBL9eelW950oYnQSeKDewEIyhxzLnpdVeo2SMwvpEEK2KJKKY6UeAlk0d9lLUA0JZS/s1022/P992450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="1022" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8D5Ezlsy5rVYhLCrjV-_sJM5Fo4ZJsxDIlswcjviK__Jl4OKwhA4RkGdLhjOiDbWe8uVGHD5H_GBL9eelW950oYnQSeKDewEIyhxzLnpdVeo2SMwvpEEK2KJKKY6UeAlk0d9lLUA0JZS/w625-h311/P992450.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">International Women's Day 2020 at BGS ©UKRI</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><br />We have plenty of engineers at BGS who bring with them a
variety of backgrounds and experience.
Our engineers carry out science research into a wide range of topics. These include understanding, modelling and
forecasting geohazards (landslides, sinkholes, tsunamis, earthquakes and
volcanoes), evaluating the properties of the subsurface and modelling future
landscape scenarios under a changing climate (e.g. coastal erosion, flooding
and subsidence). This work is done in
our offices or from home, in our labs or out on site in locations all over the
world.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you can tolerate the binary nature of the rest of my
sentence* then you will see that, in terms of overall numbers, the BGS is doing
quite well with roughly 55:45 men/women on the books, having moved from a 60/40 split just five years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dig a little deeper, however, and you will
find some interesting but not entirely surprising trends. While the numbers are becoming slowly more
equitable, men still occupy more of the engineering and technical roles and
have, <a href="https://www.bgs.ac.uk/news/docs/Press_release_newdirector.pdf" target="_blank">until recently</a>, dominated the most senior positions. Women still dominate administration and operational support roles <o:p></o:p><span style="text-indent: 36pt;">and two thirds of part-time staff
are women who have reduced their hours to give their unpaid time to other
commitments.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLWYrBnvJffNuXb4WuFCHeZ_5i0Dwdkkgw8tKMn8tPHNkUAhrYDX0XZOhHg8pjVsYSNBc2K-IqXTsT3TUk3zSqsjWi3Pp2Zr6W3r67ZgbOJvj6DEUhZQn8GfiWOTjxseIMYShSx_y08zv/s1024/P993515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLWYrBnvJffNuXb4WuFCHeZ_5i0Dwdkkgw8tKMn8tPHNkUAhrYDX0XZOhHg8pjVsYSNBc2K-IqXTsT3TUk3zSqsjWi3Pp2Zr6W3r67ZgbOJvj6DEUhZQn8GfiWOTjxseIMYShSx_y08zv/w500-h360/P993515.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BGS staff at the Lyell Centre © UKRI<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What about
recruitment?</b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we employ someone, our priority is our business
needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want to employ the best person
for the job regardless of their background and lived experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s how well they can do the job and
what they will bring to the organisation that’s the thing we are looking for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For engineering roles however, the problem has always been
that there are very few women applicants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is a trend seen across the Science, Technology, Engineering and
Maths (STEM) fields and the reasons behind this are complex and societal and it
starts from a very young age. All you
have to do is find yourself trying to buy a two year old a birthday present and
the gendered division of toys is STILL markedly pointing boys to engineering
and girls to the (pink) kitchen sink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But lack of female applicants is slowly changing and we are
committed to promoting equality and diversity across our organisation as well
as across all areas of our science community. We aim to have a workforce with
employees from all backgrounds with people who are passionate about earth
science and who share our commitment to work for the good of the environment
and the benefit of society. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We actively seek to avoid discrimination on the grounds of
age, gender identity, marital status, being pregnant or on maternity leave, disability, sexual orientation or race
(including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Last year, our Athena Swan Bronze institutional status was
renewed in recognition of our continued commitment to advancing gender
equality, including representation, progression, and success for all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9KLcEizc6Ks4hLDUNKHu3VDjx7k91Z4x5BjVqJPl6jWBr1IWewoKCU-ghPduR9IX3CgtgEk9q8joJm2FZx18ZAiPQjDTQjUMrC97oyAAkZkPqEtAZ3cuHAozxxJC1cthzOoGzo80kV3O/s999/P718073.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="669" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9KLcEizc6Ks4hLDUNKHu3VDjx7k91Z4x5BjVqJPl6jWBr1IWewoKCU-ghPduR9IX3CgtgEk9q8joJm2FZx18ZAiPQjDTQjUMrC97oyAAkZkPqEtAZ3cuHAozxxJC1cthzOoGzo80kV3O/w335-h500/P718073.jpg" width="335" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">International Women
in Engineering Day 2020 #INWED20</b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">National Women in Engineering Day was started in 2014 by the
<a href="https://www.wes.org.uk/">Women’s Engineering Society</a> to celebrate
its 95th anniversary. Since then, the day has grown to the point where it
received UNESCO patronage in 2016 and become International Day in 2017 due to
the global audience it attracts.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are various virtual events happening today and you can
find out more about these on their website: <a href="http://www.inwed.org.uk/">http://www.inwed.org.uk/</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">*sorry about that – I have limited data to work with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The good news is that the BGS has a dedicated
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Group who are working hard to address this issue
even as I type.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br />British Geological Surveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740304547062993679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228590560998272503.post-22962083633400764562020-06-03T17:37:00.004+01:002020-07-21T17:11:08.770+01:00UNESCO in the UK / / by Kirstin Lemon <div><br /></div><i>Kirstin Lemon is the Team Leader for Information and Infrastructure at the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland with a specific role to promote and communicate the skills, services and values of GSNI and geoscience in general. Kirstin spends a significant amount of her time working with UNESCO Global Geoparks in the UK, Europe and internationally to promote sustainable development through geoscience and provides advice and guidance to organisations in the UK and Ireland on sustainable geological tourism and the promotion of geological heritage. Here she explains what Global Geoparks are, and where in the UK you can find them... </i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img 1em="" auseway.jpg="" border="0" h448="" height="446" iant_s="" margin-left:="" margin-right:=" " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6VNgyyk03s4xH1kwp4wI-thhYNjqTpslF2pY8GN_Lv0edtcmUOd0TUylZBGA9unuGp9IPmygr3K1Y-NR84fJ7hd8EwtAMH29SQ66EcxkKM9_PP06vpAe6weF8f83B32o7VSo-ha26m_fu/w638-h446/w640-" title="© Tourism NI" width="638" /></div><br /><br />A UNESCO Global Geopark is an area with internationally important rocks and landscapes, all of which are managed responsibly for tourism, conservation and education. Whilst geology may be their foundation, UNESCO Global Geoparks build upon that by bringing it together with other aspects of heritage such as archaeology, history, culture and biodiversity, all of which are intricately linked with the ground beneath our feet. All of this achieved in collaboration with local communities who help drive forward sustainable economic development and conservation to make UNESCO Global Geoparks better places to work, live and visit.<div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgk2oBVGNC9CXx-o9bF-S-S806hEj7-g2Dku7UBuq1BeFfOINFqwecGPWOFhTkHK8FvNDkwBRi2baFimMgYHkzklR34FmcOO6DX_rpKg0xQYsX01ORTYiUYPKL50Behhd4DyTLaXqAAhss/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgk2oBVGNC9CXx-o9bF-S-S806hEj7-g2Dku7UBuq1BeFfOINFqwecGPWOFhTkHK8FvNDkwBRi2baFimMgYHkzklR34FmcOO6DX_rpKg0xQYsX01ORTYiUYPKL50Behhd4DyTLaXqAAhss/w640-h360/EnglishRiviera.jpg" title="© English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /><br />Situated within the stunning, rolling hills of South Devon, the <a href="http://www.englishrivierageopark.org.uk/">English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark</a> can be found in Torbay, and includes the resort towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixton. Torbay's geology has created a beautiful coastline, linking the rich diversity of the landscape with its wildlife, people and culture. <br /><br />The Geopark's outstanding historical contribution, both in terms of the development of geological and archaeological sciences is astounding: from the Huttonian Theory, to the naming of the Devonian Period by Sedgwick and Murchison, and even Pengelly's cave exploration discoveries revealing what is possibly the earliest anatomically modern human fossil so far discovered in northwestern Europe. <br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Fforest Fawr UNESCO Global Geopark</h2></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6fN14GwfcVUC6jRr88JrERDOC5NotlPqvUUpi_5y_xQ7qXuEBozL6vdILw49fFVC-i439BbrWhLQIOgxpZsgCPLO_Q6m3jkR6rKyvMR22qrZziFl9zH011vHStZz-wDbq_PYtekVZWW-/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6fN14GwfcVUC6jRr88JrERDOC5NotlPqvUUpi_5y_xQ7qXuEBozL6vdILw49fFVC-i439BbrWhLQIOgxpZsgCPLO_Q6m3jkR6rKyvMR22qrZziFl9zH011vHStZz-wDbq_PYtekVZWW-/w640-h480/Fforest+Fawr.jpg" title="© Visit Wales" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://www.fforestfawrgeopark.org.uk/">Fforest Fawr, or ‘great forest’</a> in English, is a swathe of upland country that comprises the western half of the Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales in a landscape that sees the transition from rural mid-Wales to the industrial valleys of south Wales. <br /><br />The rocks and landscapes of Fforest Fawr Geopark record significant events in the Earth’s history and help us to understand the geological evolution of Wales, the rest of the UK and Europe. Spanning a period of 480 million years, the Geopark plays host to rocks from the Ordovician to Carboniferous period and a stunning array of glaciated landscapes. It’s importance in geological history is highlighted in the globally recognized terms Llandovery and Silurian named respectively after a local town and the Celtic Silures tribe who inhabited the area during Roman times.<br /><br />The Geopark is also known for its industrial heritage from the past 200 years with quarries, limekilns, canals, coal and silica mines all present. The legacy of when the area was exploited for metal production and its industrial past is now an integral part of the dramatic landscape. <br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">GeoMon UNESCO Global Geopark</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirON4r0IhtbvftGeYn9jWX8KorPG5bK6kXkeLdIQ0cQKHJ0J4_yb_pwu-EPE5DY5wnhxb2tb4l76MyLRIwkox25AOjgQ9EOWO-2EydV43NeAdZwd58bODXAVZ8gz1nNlw1V55AsVp5o-UW/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirON4r0IhtbvftGeYn9jWX8KorPG5bK6kXkeLdIQ0cQKHJ0J4_yb_pwu-EPE5DY5wnhxb2tb4l76MyLRIwkox25AOjgQ9EOWO-2EydV43NeAdZwd58bODXAVZ8gz1nNlw1V55AsVp5o-UW/w640-h480/Gwna+melange%252C+GeoMon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.geomon.co.uk/">GeoMôn</a> gets its name from Ynys Môn, Welsh for the isle of Anglesey, the largest of the Welsh islands, and located off the north west coast of Wales. The entire island is part of the Geopark with its spectacular geological history that spans four eras, 12 geological time periods and 1800 million years. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.geomon.co.uk/">GeoMôn</a> tells of the opening and closing of ancient oceans, the growth and eventual death of volcanoes, the blossoming of life in shallow tropical seas, through to the formation of huge ice sheets that grew and then eventually melted away in response to recent changes in our climate. <br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Marble Arch Caves UNESCO Global Geopark</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEx9iYO4MXTCJYxlp4WWduN21x8of-1pZq72wrfsIMPI2LKkrlF3bKLLCDG9Y5en716uTmEP-ATqtQQifKFnvS7FFk5sCZSTjX_Z2EMZFodaFNE0-VRTAyud54kgQfWvLGUKPHhrU5pdZf/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="© Fermanagh & Omagh District Council" border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1277" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEx9iYO4MXTCJYxlp4WWduN21x8of-1pZq72wrfsIMPI2LKkrlF3bKLLCDG9Y5en716uTmEP-ATqtQQifKFnvS7FFk5sCZSTjX_Z2EMZFodaFNE0-VRTAyud54kgQfWvLGUKPHhrU5pdZf/w640-h426/Cuilcagh%252C+Marble+Arch+Caves+Geopark.jpg" title="© Fermanagh & Omagh District Council" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br />Straddling the border between Co. Fermanagh in Northern Ireland and Co. Cavan in the Republic of Ireland, the <a href="http://www.marblearchcavesgeopark.com/">Marble Arch Caves UNESCO Global Geopark</a> was the first area in the UK to be recognised as a Geopark in 2001, and became the first transnational Geopark in the world in 2008. The geology of the Geopark covers a vast array of geological time starting with the oldest Precambrian rocks and continuing to the present day with the active formation of cave and karst features. <br /><br />By far the most dominant geological features are Carboniferous sedimentary rocks. This is best seen at Cuilcagh Mountain, that literally straddles the border, where a complete sequence of rocks covering 8 million years (from 337 to 329 million years ago) is preserved and is one of the most important places internationally to witness the evolution of a sedimentary basin from this time. <br /><br />Glacial landforms make up a significant part of the geodiversity of the Geopark. The vast tract of glacial ribbed moraines (or ‘rogen’ moraines) that extend across Mid-Cavan are internationally important in terms of their unique size and with regard to glacial research.<br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">North Pennines UNESCO Global Geopark</h2></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhGzO5q-Ge7XxejIHpsU6aEXcOPcy0dcPk0vFp11KoGgeQsLJzlgQB5_STg2bs3n9bq3k4JsONncs-jo6s0DCLilTcLY8njB7ULueFm8TIjm1vt2Sbxk5iX14XFOcUhsw90EBZ6JpO9vS/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhGzO5q-Ge7XxejIHpsU6aEXcOPcy0dcPk0vFp11KoGgeQsLJzlgQB5_STg2bs3n9bq3k4JsONncs-jo6s0DCLilTcLY8njB7ULueFm8TIjm1vt2Sbxk5iX14XFOcUhsw90EBZ6JpO9vS/w640-h480/HighForce%252C+North+Pennines.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br />Located in the uplands in the north of England, the <a href="http://www.northpennines.org.uk/">North Pennines UNESCO Global Geopark</a> stretches across the counties of Durham, Northumberland and Cumbria and shares its boundary with the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). <br /><br />The landscape reflects nearly 500 million years of geological heritage with layers of Carboniferous sedimentary rocks forming terraced hillsides and the famous Whin Sill, an igneous intrusion from around 300 million years ago that forms distinctive scarps and dramatic waterfalls. <br /><br />However, the Geopark is most famous for its mineral veins where over the centuries lead ore and other minerals have been mined leaving behind a rich industrial and cultural heritage with ruins and spoil heaps dotting the spectacular and varied landscape. <h2>North West Highlands UNESCO Global Geopark</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADNP7fUKBkeJ8ls_54E9lBtDythQcxyBvJa9DaZjsV1ynbYQoeEnhwLs3e9vGb3XwSLdQ2oCdvM9cInLr2ASV8T1tvcHaGHqF-ICkP76XHIyHCx0SsaPTJQNy5SfLYOxxXuXkB6tgKBlF/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADNP7fUKBkeJ8ls_54E9lBtDythQcxyBvJa9DaZjsV1ynbYQoeEnhwLs3e9vGb3XwSLdQ2oCdvM9cInLr2ASV8T1tvcHaGHqF-ICkP76XHIyHCx0SsaPTJQNy5SfLYOxxXuXkB6tgKBlF/w640-h480/NW+Highlands.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Seen by many as the cradle of modern geology, the <a href="http://www.nwhgeopark.com/">North West Highlands UNESCO Global Geopark</a> is located in the far north west of Scotland and encompasses some of the finest mountains and coastal landscapes in the UK. <br /><br />The Geopark was a key area in the history of geology incuding the ‘Highlands Controversy’ which ended in the recognition of the Moine Thrust Zone and the first thrust belt ever to be scientifically documented. The area is home to the Lewisian Gneiss, the oldest rocks in Europe at 3 billion years old. It is also home to the earliest evidence of life to be found in Europe: simple-celled algal life (stromatolites) occurring in the Torridian Sandstone dated at 1.2 billion years old. <br /><br />The Geopark hosts a vast geodiversity and covers two-thirds of the Earth’s history. Its landscapes are famous the world over all of which are as a direct result of the underlying geology leading to the phrase “The landscape is the Geology; the Geology is the landscape”.<br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">UNESCO Global Geopark Shetland</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDLFxh8WXau6DlyNLarLPY5NUUXgV4WU2HGohkcxWTq4kMt7vlRUkcZqXEG7qSzbVMNoPW6WOtISkbaEdnOdMKU2QhEAhsKbO23sHUYu7cut60GYRt5QJJXhGWTaHDEq3vaMu-jkU4bSu/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2980" data-original-width="5504" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDLFxh8WXau6DlyNLarLPY5NUUXgV4WU2HGohkcxWTq4kMt7vlRUkcZqXEG7qSzbVMNoPW6WOtISkbaEdnOdMKU2QhEAhsKbO23sHUYu7cut60GYRt5QJJXhGWTaHDEq3vaMu-jkU4bSu/w640-h346/Eshaness+Coast%252C+Shetland.jpg" title="© Geopark Shetland" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />The most northerly of the UK UNESCO Global Geoparks, and taking in all of the islands that make up the Shetland archipelago, the <a href="http://www.shetlandamenity.org/geopark-shetland">UNESCO Global Geopark Shetland</a> contains rocks from every geological period from the Precambrian to the Carboniferous. <br /><br />Its rocks tell an amazing story of how the world has formed and changed, with oceans closing and opening, as well as mountains forming and eroding. Its northerly location also means that it is a haven for wildlife, especially birds, as well as having a strong Norse heritage all of which are intricately linked with the landscape. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><h2>The Black Country UNESCO Global Geopark </h2><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPRhaCbL1aJlDpLBElfbm_ch_9puP43wi439zuKSd4IV_tqM8NY1fzSq4B5slPvmwv18_tGrLcgd1ylqwpHuqeGh5ATJvDKtRMzuJYm3FQ2BQNZhL9lyFmCCvdoeGH99bca4oJf6xMzgU/s2508/50094096597_b4084664e7_5k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Credit: © Phil Riley" border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="2508" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPRhaCbL1aJlDpLBElfbm_ch_9puP43wi439zuKSd4IV_tqM8NY1fzSq4B5slPvmwv18_tGrLcgd1ylqwpHuqeGh5ATJvDKtRMzuJYm3FQ2BQNZhL9lyFmCCvdoeGH99bca4oJf6xMzgU/w625-h313/50094096597_b4084664e7_5k.jpg" title="Credit: © Phil Riley" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Recently appointed the UK’s eighth Geopark, the <a href="https://blackcountrygeopark.dudley.gov.uk/" target="_blank">Black Country Geopark</a> is steeped in industrial history, as well as stunning geology which stretches 428 million years into the past. <br /><br />During the 1830s the Industrial Revolution began in the Black Country (in fact, the name itself was inspired by the pollution arising from industry) and the area was covered with mines, factories and mills thanks to its rich coal seam and abundance of iron ore. <br /><br />The geopark encompasses geosites across the Black Country, which incorporates Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton. Features stretch over 256 square kilometres and include Blue Rock Quarry, which has superb instances of dark crystalline igneous rocks and ‘onion weathering’, and Saltwells, which is one of the UK’s largest urban nature reserves.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><h1>World Heritage Sites</h1><div><br /></div>A World Heritage Site is a cultural or natural landmark recognised by UNESCO as having Outstanding Universal Value (OUV). These sites are deemed worthy of protection, both in the present and for future generations. To be included on the World Heritage List sites must meet at least one out of 10 criteria; six cultural heritage and four natural heritage. Out of the four natural heritage criteria, only one is specific to geological heritage meaning that there are a limited number of geological World Heritage Sites around the globe. Out of the 32 World Heritage Sites in the UK, two have been inscribed because of their geology. <br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Dorset and East Devon Coast</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWrOVuSpEOFvK3mQpNQQWlTAxXA7iWEGF3STqHUn5xG_RNndmxfrib3K8wSK9vD0EFh5hkTLzeAgQVV-8ZywkqG-LhuWip58ysiH0tVWKkRlN_G6FtyRjN4x-iUyKnBFKasUd0ZpClsWN/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1023" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWrOVuSpEOFvK3mQpNQQWlTAxXA7iWEGF3STqHUn5xG_RNndmxfrib3K8wSK9vD0EFh5hkTLzeAgQVV-8ZywkqG-LhuWip58ysiH0tVWKkRlN_G6FtyRjN4x-iUyKnBFKasUd0ZpClsWN/w640-h508/P030749.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br />More commonly referred to as the Jurassic Coast, the Dorset and East Devon Coast WHS provides an almost continuous sequence of rock formations spanning the Mesozoic Era. Despite the common name, the coastline tells the story of the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods and includes a number of internationally important fossil localities. <br /><br />Mary Anning, the famous 19th century palaeontologist, made some of the most famous fossil finds in the 19th century discovering the first ichthyosaur fossil anywhere in the world and the first complete plesiosaur fossil. She also discovered the first pterosaur fossil outside of Germany. Her finds sparked scientific debate around the world and are regarded as some of the most significant palaeontological discoveries ever made. <br /><br />Due to its coastal location the Jurassic Coast also demonstrates some classic coastal geomorphologic features making this one of the most important teaching and research sites in the world. <br /><h2>Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast </h2><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpByuy_u3_ofhHwqVo1MqB5f3cCH3tsgLVbpEGK9ifkSepKMa5_W9b4eVE9UMuZassqwW4sVg_yAO1UxMN6alsFFXEhlacq4F3untP0y4Mt3B0PBDEBqbgjXeOqQomp0HRneJ0c1vwv8k/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="1203" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpByuy_u3_ofhHwqVo1MqB5f3cCH3tsgLVbpEGK9ifkSepKMa5_W9b4eVE9UMuZassqwW4sVg_yAO1UxMN6alsFFXEhlacq4F3untP0y4Mt3B0PBDEBqbgjXeOqQomp0HRneJ0c1vwv8k/w640-h426/Giant%2527s+Causeway.jpg" title="© Tourism NI" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><br />The Giant’s Causeway is located on the edge of the Antrim Plateau in Northern Ireland. It is famous the world over for its enigmatic basalt columns that jut out into the sea, of which there are an estimated 40,000 in total. The polygonal columns form a type of pavement that inspired the legend from where the location gets its name. The story tells of a causeway built so that local giant Finn McCool could stride across and fight a Scottish giant on the other side of the sea. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />The real story is much more impressive and geological studies show this dramatic landscape formed by volcanic activity during the Paleogene period around 60 million years ago. But it’s not just the basalt columns that tell a story, the cliffs along the sea coast, together with the columns have been key to shaping the understanding of the sequence of events at the start of the Palaeogene period associated with the opening of the Atlantic Ocean. <br /><br />The Giant’s Causeway has inspired artists and scientists over the past 300 years. It is one of the UK’s most iconic landscapes attracting visitors from all around the world and is widely used as a symbol of Northern Ireland. *<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>British Geological Surveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740304547062993679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228590560998272503.post-28271815230006189752020-05-28T19:31:00.002+01:002020-05-29T10:58:16.550+01:00Observing Coastal Erosion from Space / / by Andres Payo<br /><i>Dr Andres Payo is a coastal geomorphologist working on the Environmental Change, Adaptation and Resilience Challenge area at Keyworth, focusing on better understanding how to make our coast and estuaries more resilient to a changing human-natural environment. Here, in part one of a two-part blog, Andres explains what aspects of coastal erosion are feasible to be monitored from space and how this information is being used in BGS to build more resilient coasts and estuaries in the UK and internationally. </i><div><i><br /></i></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsbXvJeFvlEFOwrmLq1p2GuZknD0QtBnktQKJNt6QE6f1UHuQAOXZKdje6xXpz9bMvh6RdW6cAULYt24Vxxl6-eWgF-s2HZjeZh3sAMnMgTSVjnwoA_ZNdmhsWpOttSL5hMtugzycfA01/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Happisburgh, North Norfolk, as seen on Google Maps © Google" border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="1110" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsbXvJeFvlEFOwrmLq1p2GuZknD0QtBnktQKJNt6QE6f1UHuQAOXZKdje6xXpz9bMvh6RdW6cAULYt24Vxxl6-eWgF-s2HZjeZh3sAMnMgTSVjnwoA_ZNdmhsWpOttSL5hMtugzycfA01/w640-h378/Happisburgh.png" title="Happisburgh, North Norfolk, as seen on Google Maps © Google" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happisburgh, North Norfolk, as seen on Google Maps © Google<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Here at the British Geological Survey we are pretty good analysing the processes that drive coastal erosion and coastal flooding (<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#">see here how our scientists quantified the level of protection provided by beaches against cliff erosion</a>), simulating what might happen under different human-natural future scenarios (<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#">see here how we simulated the quick erosion after defences were removed in Happisburgh</a>) and communicating our understanding to specialist and non-specialists (<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#">see here how we use 3D and 4D model to communicate our understanding</a>). </div><div><br /></div><div>This matters because a clear conclusion from the recent <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#">Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing climate</a> shows that adaptation to Sea Level Rise (SLR) will be needed, as no matter what emission reducing scenario is followed sea level will still rise. Globally, adaptation to coastal flooding and coastal erosion has the potential to reduce by a factor of 10 if we compare the expected impacts of SLR to the alternative of no adaptation. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the UK, the latest UK Climate Change Risk Assessment has announced flooding and coastal change risk to communities, businesses and infrastructure as the top priority needing attention over the next five years. </div><div><br />Along with industry and <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/4228590560998272503/2827181523000618975#">governmental partners from the UK, Spain, Republic of Ireland and Quebec</a>, me and my team have been successful in winning a €1.5M grant from the European Space Agency (ESA) in the form of a two-phase project (feasibility and demonstration) to monitor coastal erosion from space. BGS, as part of the Coastal Erosion Project, has the ability to add great value in managing the risk of, and preventing, coastal erosion. </div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Wait. Coastal erosion can be seen from space? </h3><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8n6p6NUnqLEWMo-IJlhXH_bRLyss-aEHh6azwTsLRX82FuNbDFW1TqTnG9LklXnt7VOfAwLK4Uu4nPiDIDY2OgagEi7vwS1rpVpO1zbcurTWYee9DxBMd29Uh7U1lBt-26hiV1ES2-B92/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1024" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8n6p6NUnqLEWMo-IJlhXH_bRLyss-aEHh6azwTsLRX82FuNbDFW1TqTnG9LklXnt7VOfAwLK4Uu4nPiDIDY2OgagEi7vwS1rpVpO1zbcurTWYee9DxBMd29Uh7U1lBt-26hiV1ES2-B92/w640-h564/Happisburgh_2015_2017_01perCloud.gif" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sequence
of images shows the red, green and blue, cloud-free satellite images from 2015 until Dec
2017</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Well, yes! You will certainly be impressed by what we can see from space. For instance, the image above illustrates how the Village of Happisburgh in North Norfolk is seen from space in 10 metre resolution by the Sentinel 2 mission. </div><div><div><br /></div><div>The Coastal Change from Space Consortium brings together a group of professional satellite service providers with government bodies with an interest in monitoring coastal change. I'm leading the end-user group which is trying to answer what end users need and what is feasible to observe from space (<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#">Payo et al. 2019</a>). End-Users enrolled in this project are either government agencies in charge of providing geoscientific advice, like the British and Republic of Ireland Geological Surveys, or ministries like the Ministry of Environment and Ecological Transition in Spain. The broader end-user community is made up of institutions in charge of monitoring coastal change, like the Regional Coastal Program in England and Wales, engineering consultant and coastal district managers. Although we are still working on the production and validation of the different products (waterlines, shorelines, bathymetries, submerged features mapping) this project has already been picked up by ESA as a success story. See <a href="https://sentinels.copernicus.eu/web/sentinel/news/-/article/copernicus-sentinels-to-improve-coastal-management-systems" target="_blank">here</a> for more details on the project. </div><div><br /></div>In part two of this blog I will explain how BGS is using Earth Observation, combined with innovative non-intrusive ground observation survey methods and 4D modelling to better understand and ultimately inform how to build more resilient coastal human-natural systems in the UK and globally.<div><br /></div><div><b><i>Further reading: </i></b><br /><br /><a href=" https://www.icevirtuallibrary.com/doi/abs/10.1680/cm.65147.213" target="_blank">Monitoring Coastal Change from space; what end users need and what is feasible. Coastal Management 2019: 213-228. </a><br /><br /></div></div></div>British Geological Surveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13740304547062993679noreply@blogger.com0