Through the eyes of a geologist

With temperatures nearly reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celcuis), fieldwork is becoming more strenuous in the changing conditions. Even the simplest of tasks such as walking to the study site require motivation in the heat. With no shade nearby, I knew that this would likely be my hardest challenge whilst studying abroad in Arizona. Regardless of fitness ability, everyone is dripping in sweat having looked like they have just showered. Over Spring Break, the heat changed from the evenings when you'd need an accompanying jacket, to high temperatures rapidly. The team I've just began a seven-week intensive Geomorphology course and requires attendance on Saturday fieldtrips for the next five or so weekends. The days are the standard 8-5pm schedule. I was nervous at first at I thought I would be the pastey English girl fainting in the heat, however I can now say it's not too bad! The lecturer is really relaxed which is great. We have a briefing when we arriv...

Something which has certainly sparked my interest since it was announced in October 2014, was the launch of 100 Great Geosites spanning the UK and Ireland by the Geological Society . As a keen field geologist, I am excited to hear that there is finally an interactive map to find sites of geological importance on your doorstep. Categories vary from economic perspectives such as mines, to spectacular structures and extinct super-volcanoes all within a drivable distance. Millook Haven - chevron folds in the cliff face Photographed by Chris Hill The launch of the Geosites will be incredibly educational to all ages and backgrounds. It is important to learn about your geological surroundings and to understand events of the past to truly appreciate the unknowns of the future such as earthquakes and volcanoes which can be applied to a global scale. These sites also encompass other aspects such as biology as fossils can be great indicators of palaeoenvironments of the geological p...

Not too long ago, I received an email with regards to the Sustainable Futures online short course available to the University of Leicester students. Having studied World Development in great depth at A-level, I thought it would be a great opportunity to update my knowledge on new developments and statistics with regards to sustainability. I definitely have not been left disappointed. Not only does the lecturer have a David Attenborough-like voice, the course is really stimulating and allows you to completely reflect upon the causes and effects human pressure puts on the Earth. I do think this is an incredibly important issue that not enough people understand and many use climate change as a scapegoat for many of the problems the world currently faces. However this course allows you to look at the larger picture as I think the problems that we face and may face in the future are incredibly complex, and one that doesn't have a simple solution. The course is still available to regis...

As part of my Surface Mine Planning class at the UofA, I made a visit to Mission Mine which is just south of Tucson in order to review the operations and processes occurring at the open-pit. It was an eye-opener in terms of the size of the pit - the mine occupies 20,000 acres of land and the pit is 2 miles by 2.5 miles, and nearing 1500ft deep. The mining at Mission was dominantly underground until 2003 however open-pit mining did begin in 1959. The Cu is at great depths which meant it actually took two years of mining before they reached the copper in 1961. One thing I certainly was intrigued about was the reclamation plans for this site. Current projections show the expected costs of filling the open pit to be near one million dollars per day and is expected to continue for fifty years in twentysix years time, which is when production is expected to cease. However, as this is not economically viable, it will not be filled. Instead the waste rock is used at proving grounds in order ...

Class cancellations allowed me make a spontaneous booking to Las Vegas for four nights b&b at the Flamingo, including flights for £180 - bargain! How could I possibly say no? I had heard from friends that two days wasn't enough and a week was too long to stay in the city, and I agreed that four nights were perfect. Knowing that I had limited time in the city, I had undertaken a great deal of research to ensure maximum checked boxes on our Vegas bucket list.  As we descended on the plane, the Strip stands out so clearly among the Vegas skyline. It has the tallest and most extravagant buildings, alongside helicopters with tourist passengers close by. Even though we stayed on the Strip which is only a few miles from the airport, not once did I hear any aircraft.  We stayed in the Flamingo Hotel which is currently the oldest standing hotel on the Strip. Our top-floor room overlooked the Bellagio fountains and the southern section of the Strip. With the curtains open ...