Through the eyes of a geologist

Last Thursday, after a long day of studying and report writing, I was invited by a friend to an MSF event happening at the library. I heard there was free pizza and as a student, I automatically said yes. Prior to the invitation, I had never heard of MSF let alone the Missing Maps project. For those of you who don’t know, the Friends of MSF are a student run society and require students help as volunteer mappers to map remote parts of the world that are most vulnerable to crisis, whether that’s natural disasters, disease-related or due to conflict. Maps are incredibly important. As a geologist I know the extent of how vital fieldwork is, as it is essential evidence to back up interpretations. Therefore to learn how to digitally map is a new skill altogether. We were assigned to identify settlements in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. This will allow NGOs such as the Red Cross to establish population estimates so that then everyone knows exactly what supplies are nee...

With term now fully underway, finding time to be sociable is hard. It’s different to switch off; you’re overcome with a feeling of guilt that my time would be better spent studying. Welcome to fourth year. However, one thing geologists definitely do full-heartedly… barcrawls! When we have time for fun, we certainly know how to have fun. Last week was the Geology PCSB Red T-Shirt barcrawl. We welcome the first-years to Leicester and we show them what it’s really like to be a student studying Geology, AMAZING. I think roughly 150-200 people attended, of whom were both undergrads and postgrads, roaming the streets of the city. This was really strange for me. The majority of people who I knew were only in my year group. Prior to studying abroad at The University of Arizona, I knew people in the years above me since I was a 2 nd  year back then. I’m now back in Leicester as a 4 th  year and I’m seeing all these fresh faces in the department. It was being like a new kid at scho...

I originally began blogging when I undertook the Leicester Award for Social Networking and now I can’t seem to stop. I blogged about this topic a few months ago… 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. 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 aspe...

As term-time is approaching, more and more MGeol students are appearing around the department eager to get ahead of the game. An MGeol project is a compulsory research module where students are fully responsible to complete independently and is worked on alongside the usual studies and commitments that comes with an academic year. When entering my third year of studies and the shortlist of projects were published, there wasn’t a project that took my fancy. Speaking to previous fourth-year students, they advised to pick a project that I knew I would enjoy. If I loved what I was doing, I’d be happier putting all my time and effort into the project and it being successful. The only thing I was certain about, was that I wanted to undertake fieldwork as part of my project as that aspect of geology is my favourite. That’s when I started emailing lecturers, speaking to professionals in industry and asking for their advice. Little did I know, I would be collecting my data whilst I was stu...

Now it may sound cliché, but you are about to embark on the best 3 or 4 years of your life so far. First years… I am majorly jealous of you. I’d love to be starting university again. The friends you’re going to make during Freshers and your induction fortnight within Geology, really do set you up for the rest of your degree, so get out there and make the most of it. Freshers fortnight only happens once a year so go wild. I’d urge you to attend all the information sessions that have been put on for you, anyway, the weekend is for sleeping! Most people spend the fortnight sleep deprived, you most likely will end up with Freshers flu, but it’s worth it for the fun you’re going to have. When I first turned up into halls, there was a girl in my flat arguing with her mum loudly. I honestly thought to myself, I hope I’m not living with her! She’s now my best friend!! (I love you Grace!) Don’t judge a book by its cover and remember you’re all in the same boat, embrace the good and bad tim...

Until the age of sixteen, I wanted to be a heart surgeon. I think it was religiously watching Holby City on a Tuesday evening that did it for me. However much I loved biology at sixth form, I wasn’t very good at it to be honest. I was lost and studying A-levels that I enjoyed rather than what I could see myself perusing in a career. It actually wasn’t until sixth form when I switched from the IB (International Baccalaureate) to standard A-levels, that I found out I could study Geology, let alone at a degree level. I sat in the office of my advisors office not knowing what subjects to take. One subject I did excel in was Geography, where my particular love for maps grew. I enjoyed understanding relationships between boarders and the social aspects, as well as getting nitty gritty with the physical aspects of volcanoes and other hazards. By understanding Geology, it lets me answer the ‘how’ questions. How did that volcano produce so much lava? Why? When will it happen again? I’ve alwa...

How’s everyone’s summer coming along? Mine has been pretty standard since arriving home from Arizona, as nothing can quite compete with that. However, one thing that many students do, including myself, is learn to drive over the summer and pass before term starts again in the Autumn. When I was 17, I did begin to learn however after 3 hours I knew I wasn’t quite ready as quite frankly, I was a wuss. At the fine age of 21 ½, I finally felt as though I had the ability to control a car without running somebody over. Consequently, the past 3 weeks have been filled with 20 hours of driving lessons alongside working nearly full-time at my (part-time) job. My instructor Alex had a personality and a half, and worked around my working hours which meant that many lessons either started at 7am or 10pm. As you can imagine I’ve had a hectic few weeks. Due to studying abroad, my theory certificate expired which meant I couldn’t book a driving test. I knew I had the ability to pass and thus ...