Through the eyes of a geologist

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...

Having only just realised the importance of a personal brand online, it was fair to say when I searched for myself on www.123people.com that I did not have an effective digital footprint. I was disappointed with this and so here is my blog – the beginning of my digital footprint. My first ever fieldwork experience in Geology was at Colchester Sixth Form College. I was 17 and visited the Isle of Arran for a week. This was not a compulsory trip, but felt it was necessary to get out in the field, and see real formations for myself. It allowed me to practice my strike and dip in the field, which I am now completely happy with calculating by myself.  This took place at Easter in 2011, where we worked in small groups during the day, getting to know what it feels like to be a geological mapper, followed by one days’ worth of independently mapping. Easter 2013, I returned to the Isle of Arran and completed another ten days of fieldwork but in a different area of the island. Not only...

Today isn't going to be totally wasted. We've used Google Maps to look at the expected drift geology and this afternoon we're going to confirm it. The rest of the day is going to be spent catching up and reviewing what we've done so far and planning the rest of the trip now that we've only got seven mapping days left. Best get cracking on with it then... Jo

Mapping is taking it's toll, so we're going to the pub tonight, in need of a drink or three. Today the weather was pleasant, making mapping much more enjoyable. As you can see though, my mapping colleagues are not the photogenic types:   "What is going on here?"   Having a heated debate Conglomerate in the distance, mudrock by Zeinab

Day 2 of Fieldwork Today it was a comfortable temperature of 19 degrees Celsius - more days like this please! We thanked the fairies as we crossed the Fairy Bridge on the way home for the lovely weather, fingers crossed for more. This was our view at lunchtime: Today we focused primarily on the limestone, of which is only visible at low tide, so we had to cherish the few hours we had with today's outcrop.  Working hard as usual:  Zeinab for scale, on the bedded limestone outcrop Grace (left) and myself locating ourselves using bearings Unfortunately this blog is going to be short and sweet due to the amount of work I need to do tonight, in preparation for another 8 hours in the field tomorrow. Wish me luck! Jo

Currently blogging from the Isle of Man. Today was day one of fieldwork, what I like to call the 'Reckie Day' (Reconnaissance Day). We walked around the area, got the feel of the place, and have planned the rest of the two weeks here. It rained all day, but I like to think we got as much as we could done, powering through 9-4pm in constant rain! I'm going to write a daily blog while I'm here, going through the ups and lows, my group and I experience whilst we independently map for the first time as Leicester undergraduates. Meet the Isle of Man mapping group: