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T H E M A G A Z I N E O F T H E G E O L O G I C A L S O C I E T Y O F L O N D O N
SUMMER 2021
EXPANDING HORIZONS
THE GROUND ENGINEERING INSAR REVOLUTION
CITIZEN FRESH SUBSURFACE SOCIAL
SCIENCE GROUND SCIENCE VOLCANOLOGY
Breathing fresh life Finding Earth science Subsurface research Q&A: the Saint
into geoscience in a coffee cup labs and net zero Vincent eruption
Editor’s welcome
SUMMER 2021
VOL. 31 | NO. 02
A
S I WRITE, at pace, promising news
a helicopter of a malaria vaccine
The magazine of the Geological Society of London just took off has just broken, and the
and landed on Mars. Biden administration
The Geological Society Trustees of the Geological A helicopter! On Mars! has announced that the
Burlington House Society of London Stories like this make US will work to halve
Piccadilly 2020-2021 me think of a response emissions by 2030.
London W1J 0BG Dr Michael Daly (President) I saw once – I’ve long Optimism seems to
T +44 (0)20 7434 9944 Mrs Joanna Alexander forgotten when and who from – to be in the wind – I’m writing this
enquiries@geolsoc.org.uk Mr Thomas Backhouse a complaint about a lack of wifi on outside a café, in the real world,
(Not for Editorial – Please Mr Andrew Bloodworth a long-haul flight. “You’re sitting in wearing sunglasses! Underneath
contact the Editor) Mr John Booth (Vice a chair, thousands of feet above the it, though, there remains a ripple
President) ground, travelling at hundreds of of uncertainty and unease. The
Publishing House Dr Jennie Gilbert miles an hour – and you’re unhappy pandemic continues to spread
The Geological Society Dr Joel Gill (Secretary, about the wifi?!” rapidly in many parts of the world,
Publishing House, Unit 7 Foreign & External Affairs) It’s easy to take science and its and our hesitant emergence
Brassmill Enterprise Centre Mr Graham Goffey (Treasurer) miracles – I do think we can call from months of lockdown feels
Brassmill Lane Dr Kathryn Goodenough them that, the true, real-world fraught with uncertainty, as well as
Bath BA1 3JN Prof James Griffiths miracles of the modern era – for optimism, about what lies ahead.
T +44 (0)1225 445046 (Secretary, Professional granted. Never more so than in the Fellows may well be feeling
E sales@geolsoc.org.uk Matters) past year, when we’ve witnessed a similar mix of optimism and
Dr Michael Kehinde the extraordinary development uncertainty in relation to their
Library Prof Chris King of coronavirus vaccines at vastly Society and its future. In the last
T +44 (0)20 7432 0999 Mr Andrew Moore accelerated speeds in what, to my issue, we reported news of the
E library@geolsoc.org.uk Prof Bryne Ngwenya mind, is one of the most amazing Society’s campaign to remain at
Dr John Perry scientific achievements of our age. Burlington House, where we’ve
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Mr Nicholas Reynolds (Vice been based since 1874. The
Prof. Andy Fleet President) situation remains unresolved,
DEPUTY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Mrs Sarah Scott and with it, as reported in this
Mr David Shilston Ms Gemma Sherwood We’re grateful issue, comes uncertainty over a
EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Miss Jessica Smith to all of you who’ve future home for our extensive and
Dr Amy Whitchurch (Vice President) taken the time to valuable Library collections. At the
EDITOR: Dr Helen Smyth same time a new Open Access
Ms Sarah Day Prof Robin Strachan
get in touch with us
Journal, a vibrant programme
E geoscientist@geolsoc.org.uk (Secretary, Publications) with feedback for the 2021 Year of Space, the
Dr Alexander Whittaker reopening of our Library to visitors
EDITORIAL ADVISORY (Secretary, Science) and a whole host of other good
PANEL Mrs Lucy Williams And now they’ve gone and flown a news stories in this issue speak to
Mrs Natalyn Ala Dr Keith Myers (co-opted helicopter on Mars. an optimistic future.
Mr Steve Branch – Treasurer designate) In our summer issue, Jennifer There’s been a lot of changes to
Dr Robin Cocks Scoular and colleagues report on this magazine as well – and we’re
Dr Howard Falcon-Lang The Geological Society the development and potential of grateful to all of you who’ve taken
Dr Hazel Gibson of London is a Registered InSAR – a radar technique with the the time to get in touch with us with
Prof. Tony Harris Charity, number 210161. potential to measure millimetre- feedback, from enthusiastic thumbs
Mr Edmund Nickless ISSN (print) 0961-5628 scale changes in deformation, up to constructive suggestions.
Dr Alan Roberts ISSN (online) 2045-1784 with applications ranging from Rest assured, we’re taking the latter
Prof. Peter Styles monitoring of natural hazards on board, and we’re delighted by
Dr Colin Summerhayes Subscriptions: for non- to tunnelling projects. Like the the former! In the meantime, don’t
Prof. Frances Wall member subscriptions, please figure sitting in a chair in the sky, forget an important part of our
Dr Jan Zalasiewicz contact the Publishing House. worrying about wifi, it’s incredible role as an editorially independent
to think that there are satellites magazine is to provide a forum for
Cover image: View of the London skyline beyond the Earth’s atmosphere Fellows to feedback on the Society
with the ability to detect the tiniest more broadly – if you have any
Geoscientist is published four times per year on behalf of changes, down to millimetres, on questions, concerns or comments
The Geological Society of London by the Earth’s surface. about any of the above, please do
www.jamespembrokemedia.co.uk Meanwhile, back on Earth, further get in touch.
miracles are occurring. The UK’s
© 2021 The Geological Society of London vaccination programme continues S A R A H D AY, E D I T O R
GEOSCIENTIST.ONLINE | SUMMER 2021 3
CONTENTS
VOL . 32 | NO. 02 | SUMMER 2021
19 24 3 UNEARTHED
EDITOR’S WELCOME
40
FRESH GROUND
6 Finding Earth science
in a coffee cup
NEWS
Updates from the Society
and the community
42
SAFEGUARDING RIGHTS
19 Recommendations for protecting
indigenous rights
VIEWPOINT
Physical fitness in geology,
geodiversity, testing text
44
32 and more
F E AT U R E S
SCIENCE IN THE
S U B S U R FA C E
Subsurface research laboratories
24 and net zero
E X PA N D I N G H O R I Z O N S
The InSAR revolution in ground 46
engineering S O C I A L VO L C A N O L O GY AT
SAINT VINCENT
32
Q&A with Jazmin Scarlett on
the eruption of La Soufrière
B R E AT H I N G F R E S H L I F E
INTO GEOSCIENCE
A citizen science project in Nepal REGULARS
48
38 BOOKS & ARTS
YO R K T O T E N BY Latest recommendations
The advantages of 19th century
train travel
51
O B I T UA R I E S
John R. L. Allen,
Paul Francis Worthington,
Frank Harold Trevor Rhodes
54
FIVE MINUTES WITH…
Anjana Khatwa, science
54 presenter and museum
learning professional
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GEOSCIENTIST.ONLINE | SUMMER 2021 5
NEWS
TURN
TO PAGE 32
Find out how
citizen science
projects
can benefit
researchers and communities
S O C I E T Y A N D CO M M U N I T Y U P D AT E S
(L-R):
Titan’s Kraken Mare, Mars’ Osuga
Valles, Earth’s Xingu River
(Image credit L-R: NASA/JPL-
Caltech/ASI/Cornell; NASA Earth
Observatory images by Joshua
Stevens; ESA/DLR/FU Berlin
(CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO))
Spacescapes: postcards high-definition images of the landscapes
and geological features seen around our
from our solar system The exhibition
solar system. The exhibition will open
on Friday 20 August and will run for
seven weeks, until Friday 8 October,
A free, outdoor, public exhibition is coming to will run from
20 August until with opening times of 9am until
the Burlington House Courtyard this summer! 8 October at 6pm daily.
Burlington House
Courtyard Let us take you on a journey
WE ARE INCREDIBLY EXCITED Burlington House as part through our solar system, stopping off
to announce that this summer the of our 2021 Year of Space. to visit the Perseverance rover on Mars,
Geological Society will be holding ‘Spacescapes: postcards from impact craters on the Moon, mountains on
a free, outdoor, public exhibition at our solar system’, will feature incredible, Pluto and storms on Jupiter.
6 GEOSCIENTIST | SUMMER 2021
NEWS
Curiosity’s Selfie at Mont Mercou
MORE ONLINE (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)
Keep up-to-date with the latest
news and discussion, and view
additional geoscience-related
reports, videos and more at
www.Geoscientist.Online
The exhibition will explore the ways in
which understanding Earth can help us
uncover the history of planetary bodies
across our solar system and beyond. By
comparing Earthly geological features
with similar vistas found on other planets,
we can piece together the history of the
solar system and look to answer some of
WORKSHOPS
the mysteries of our universe.
Alongside the exhibition, we will be
Many of the landscapes on other
offering an educational programme,
planets appear alien compared to the
featuring workshops for school
environments we are familiar with on
students, free resources on our website
Earth. But if we look closely, we can and loan boxes of items to facilitate
recognise Earth-like features that we can learning. Workshops will focus on
study and interpret. Just like on Earth, the comparative geomorphology
rivers run into seas, mountains rise up of Earth and planets in our solar
from horizons, and vast plains are dotted system, linking to curriculum topics in
with volcanoes or meteorite craters. Yet, Geology, Geography and Science.
as we travel further into space, mountains
The exhibition will
are composed of ice; rivers flow with PUBLIC LECTURES
liquid methane, rather than water; and We continue to run our free virtual
explore the ways in which
volcanoes reach heights of 25 km, public lectures on ‘The Geology of understanding Earth
dwarfing Earth’s tallest volcano. Other Planets’ throughout 2021. Talks can help us uncover
Throughout the history of space on the Moon, meteorites, Titan, Pluto the history of planetary
and more are still to come! You can
exploration, we have sent missions and bodies across our solar
probes to a staggering eight planets in find information about all of our Year
of Space activities on our website: system and beyond
our solar system, as well as numerous
missions to the asteroid belt and other www.geolsoc.org.uk/space21.
planetary bodies. Today, our ability
PARTNERS
to send automated rovers to Mars
The exhibition wouldn’t have been
has ushered in an exciting new era volcanoes on Venus, storms on Jupiter
possible without our collaborative
for space exploration. The ability to or ice caps on Mars, prepare to be
partners. Our main partner is
collect and analyse Martian air and soil spellbound by the images in this unique
Bluewater, with design support from
samples remotely from Earth, or on display. We invite you to come along, take
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners
Earth in the future, is the true frontier of a selfie with NASA’s Perseverance Mars
architectural practice and additional
space science. These ground-breaking funding support from SRK Consulting, rover and learn about the fascinating
missions help us observe and understand Michael Davies Charitable Settlement, features of our planetary neighbours.
processes on distant planets like Imperial College London’s Department Flo Bullough (Head of Policy and
never before. of Earth Science and Engineering, Engagement), Megan O’Donnell
The similarities and differences and the Open University. We would (Communications and Policy Officer),
between our world and others are also like to thank our neighbours in Rose Want (Education Officer),
what enable planetary geologists to the Burlington House Courtyard for Alicia Newton (Director of Science &
understand how other planets formed agreeing to the use of space. Communications) & Jenny Boland
and have changed over time. Whether it’s (Head of Development)
GEOSCIENTIST.ONLINE | SUMMER 2021 7
NEWS
Fabian Wadsworth (William
Annual General Smith Fund); Dr Finnigan
Illsley-Kemp (President’s
Meeting Award); and Dr Jazmin
THE AGM will be conducted Scarlett (President’s Award).
virtually again this year The Awards will be
on Friday 25 June 2021. presented at President’s
In line with bye-law 9.2, Day on 25 June 2021 in
the agenda for the AGM is a virtual ceremony. The
presented as follows: presentations will be
AGM agenda
President’s Day update followed by talks from
some of the medallists (see
• Apologies
THE SOCIETY (Dewey Medal); Prof Chris information box below).
• Minutes of the Annual
ANNOUNCED the Jackson (Coke Medal); All Fellows are welcome
General Meeting held
winners of its medals Dr Helen Reeves (Coke to attend the events of
on 4 June 2020
and funds for 2021 in Medal); Dr Sheila Peacock President’s Day, in whole
• Appointment of
the Spring edition: Prof (Distinguished Service or part.
Scrutineers for the ballots
David Pollard (Wollaston Award); Dr Anjana Khatwa (R
for Council and Officers REGISTRATION:
Medal); Prof Nicholas H Worth Award); Prof Marie
• Ballot for Council The link for registration is
White (Lyell Medal); Edmonds (Bigsby Medal); Dr available on the Awards
• Annual Report and
Prof Graham Pearson Caroline Gill (Aberconway pages of the Geological
Accounts for 2020
(Murchison Medal); Dr Medal); Dr Emma Liu Society website and
• President’s Report in our newsletters.
Philip Christie (William (Wollaston Fund); Dr
• Secretaries’ Reports Alternatively, please
Smith Medal); Prof Sanjeev Luke Parry (Lyell Fund);
• Treasurer’s Report email christina.marron@
Gupta (Prestwich Medal); Dr Andrew Thomson geolsoc.org.uk
• Comments from Fellows
Prof Kenneth McCaffrey (Murchison Fund); Dr
• Report of Scrutineers on
the ballot for Council P R E S I D E N T ’ S D AY 2 5 J U N E 2 0 2 1
• Ballot for Officers 3.30pm-4.45pm BST – Awards Ceremony
• Revised Fellowship 5pm-6.30pm BST – Senior medalists talks: Prof Graham Pearson
category and fee (University of Alberta, Canada); Prof Nicholas White (University of Cambridge, UK);
structure proposals and Prof David Pollard (Stanford University, USA)
• Deaths
• Appointment of Auditors
• Report of Scrutineers on
the ballot for Officers
• Any other business
FUTURE N O T I F I C AT I O N
Provisional date of next MEETING OF OFFICERS
Annual General Meeting: D AT E S FOR 2021/2022
7 June 2022
ORDINARY GENERAL At the AGM, Fellows will be asked to elect
Information on how to MEETINGS: 30 June the following members of Council as
register to attend the AGM 2021, 22 September Officers for 2021/22:
will be sent to all Fellows 2021, 24 November 2021, President: Dr Michael Daly
for whom we have a 2 February 2022, 20 April Vice-President: Jessica Smith
registered email address. 2022, Secretaries: Prof James Griffiths
If you do not receive an 8 June 2022 Prof Robin Strachan
email or if you would like COUNCIL: 30 June 2021, Dr Alexander Whittaker
further information on how 22 and 23 September 2021 Secretary,
to register, please email (residential), 24 November Foreign &
christina.marron@geolsoc. 2021, 2 February 2022, 20 External Affairs: Dr Joel Gill
org.uk April 2022, 8 June 2022 Treasurer: Dr Keith Myers
8 GEOSCIENTIST | SUMMER 2021
NEWS
E L E C T I O N R E S U LT S
THE ADVISORY BALLOT for Council, conducted by Civica Election
Services, closed on 31 March 2021. The turnout was 20.4%.
A total of 2,173 valid votes were cast in favour of Ruth Allington
for the role of President and her name will now go forward for
election at the Annual General Meeting on 25 June 2021.
SOCIETY’S AWARDS A total of 2,132 valid votes were cast for the other seven
2022: INVITATION vacancies on Council. Of the 14 candidates who took part, the
seven who received the most votes will go forward to the Annual
TO NOMINATE General Meeting for election as Council members. These are:
FELLOWS OF THE all of our awards with CANDIDATES NO OF VOTES % OF TOTAL VOTES
SOCIETY are invited the exception of the Lucy Thomas 1,587 74.4%
to submit nominations President’s Award, which Amanda Owen 1,195 56.1%
for the Society’s awards has its own form. Please Martin Griffin 1,028 48.2%
for 2022. visit: www.geolsoc. Mark Allen 952 44.7%
We are committed to org.uk/About/Awards- Keith Myers 920 43.1%
ensuring diversity of our Grants-and-Bursaries/ Pete Loader 900 42.2%
awardees and expanding Society-Awards Neil Frewin 749 35.1%
the demographics of The guidance
those put forward for documents and PDF Andrew Dobrzanski, Tim Good, Benjamin Lepley, David
our medals and funds. booklet give the criteria McNamara, Stuart Mills, David Neave and Paul Winrow were
We are particularly keen and explain how to unfortunately unsuccessful in this year’s Council ballot. We
to receive nominations go about nominating thank them for their interest in serving on Council and hope
for the funds that a person you feel is that they will consider reapplying on a future date.
recognise excellent deserving of a Society We also warmly thank the Council members standing
contributions by early award. If you have down at the next AGM: Tom Backhouse, Dr Andrew
career scientists. any further questions, Bloodworth, John Booth, Graham Goffey, Prof Chris King,
There is one standard please contact christina. Prof Bryne Ngwenya, Mr Nik Reynolds and Dr Helen Smyth.
nomination form for marron@geolsoc.org.uk *Full results available on request
ANNUAL FELLOWSHIP RESEARCH GRANTS 2021
SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR 2022 THE RESEARCH GRANTS Jeremy Ingham Fund and the
AT ITS MEETING ON 7 APRIL, Council agreed a Committee met on 25 March and Robert Scott Memorial Award.
new Fellowship category and fee structure to considered 12 applications from The Committee also
be recommended for approval at the AGM. The Fellows and non-Fellows. The considered the shortlisted
details of the fee structure will be provided in the committee agreed the applications from Fellows for
AGM papers that will be available in early June. A award of 10 Society the Zeiss-GSL scholarship
separate email communication will also go out to grants totalling with the 2021 scholarship
Fellows. £17,510, including being awarded to Kelsey
Since 2015 the annual increase in Fellowship the Robert Scott Archer Barnhill. The
Fees has been set with reference to the prevailing Memorial Award Society is very grateful
annual rate of Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation to one applicant. for the sponsorship of
when proposals are considered for the following The Society is Zeiss GmbH.
year in March and April. The Consumer Prices Index very grateful for A full list of winners
(CPI) rose 0.7% in the 12 months to January 2021, the contributions is available online. The
but Council has recommended that there be no made by the Society offers its warmest
increase in 2022 in recognition of the challenging Jeremy Willson congratulations to all the
year and financial circumstances for many. Charitable Trust, the recipients.
GEOSCIENTIST.ONLINE | SUMMER 2021 9
NEWS
Discovering
forgotten histories
Cynthia Burek and Bettie Higgs, editors of the Society’s latest Special
Publication, chat with Bethan Phillips, Commissioning Editor, and
Lucy Pullen, Marketing Executive
THE GEOLOGICAL Cynthia and Bettie
SOCIETY was founded discuss how inspirational
in 1807, but sadly physical geology
female geologists teachers, as well as AUTHOR
wouldn’t be welcome as childhood holidays
NAME CHANGE
Fellows for 112 years. In collecting ‘stones’ on
May 1919, the first eight the beach and school
POLICY
female Fellows were field trips motivated their The Geological Society is pleased
elected and in 2019, we interest in geology. They to announce a new policy covering
celebrated 100 Years of also note how several key requests to change author names
Female Fellows. societal changes, such on published works. An author may
The Society’s as the introduction of choose to change their name for
newest Special compulsory education reasons that include (but are not
Publication, number for children, facilitated limited to) gender identity, marriage
506, Celebrating 100 by the Education Act or divorce, religious conversion, and
Years of Female Fellows of 1870, were key other personal reasons. For authors
of the Geological moments for women in making this choice, the Society now
Society: Discovering Forgotten Histories, geology. But there is still work to do, and offers a route to updating published
presents the often untold stories of Cynthia and Bettie highlight the importance works and the relevant supporting
pioneering female geoscientists from of building resources that document the systems and services.
across the world — women who stories, achievements and contributions of The introduction of this policy
navigated male-dominated academia and women in geology — which is one of the is part of the Society’s broader
learned societies, experienced the harsh objectives of the new Special Publication. commitment to supporting author
realities of Siberian field-exploration, or Read the full discussion with Cynthia inclusion, respecting the rights of
responded to the strategic necessity of and Bettie on the Geological Society’s authors to their own identities, and
the ‘petroleum girls’ in early American oil blog page here: https://blog.geolsoc.org. ensuring that authors receive credit
exploration and production. uk/2021/03/18/celebrating-a-centenary/ for all their work.
Lucy Pullen and Bethan Phillips interviewed Special Publication 506, Celebrating To find out more and for details of
the editors of the volume, Cynthia Burek 100 Years of Female Fellows of the the policy, please visit the Society’s
(Professor of Geoconservation, University of Geological Society: Discovering Forgotten website: www.geolsoc.org.uk/
Chester) and Bettie Higgs (Senior Lecturer in Histories, is available to purchase here: Publications/Publishing-policies/
Geology, University College Cork) and asked https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SP506 and Author-name-change-policy
them about their experiences in geology, can be accessed via the Lyell Collection
raising awareness of female geoscientists, at: https://sp.lyellcollection.org/ David Boyt (Head of Editorial
editing the volume and future plans. content/506/1 Development)
US honour for Brian Williams
Professor Brian P J Williams has been awarded the Grover E. Murray Memorial Distinguished
Educator Award by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), in recognition
of his ‘distinguished and outstanding contributions to geological education’.
Congratulations to Brian for this prestigious award.
10 GEOSCIENTIST | SUMMER 2021NEWS
J O I N T H E D E B AT E
Has a news item got you thinking?
We welcome readers’ letters and
feedback. Share your views by
emailing geoscientist@geolsoc.org.uk
Geological
mapping of our
world and others
The Society welcomes oral and poster
abstract submissions to the 2021 William
Geoscience and the
Smith Meeting ‘Geological mapping:
of our worlds and others’, which will
hydrogen economy
be held as a virtual event on 19 – 21 THE DECARBONISATION of knowledge are particularly relevant to
October 2021. electricity production, industry, the use of hydrogen as a low-carbon
This conference is an international transport and heating to meet both alternative fuel, with the potential to
celebration of geological mapping, UK and international climate change reduce emissions from heavy industry,
its historical importance and future targets is a major challenge, and domestic heating, and transportation.
directions, and its use to deduce Earth geoscience has an important role to We also recently hosted an
and planetary evolution and processes. play. We are working to understand – online webinar about the storage of
The programme seeks to explore Earth’s and raise awareness of – the various hydrogen in caverns in collaboration
surface to subsurface realms, and beyond ways that geoscience will underpin the with Supergen and Energy Research
to extra-terrestrial bodies. energy transition. The Society does this Accelerator. If you missed this, you
Email: conference@geolsoc.org.uk work in collaboration with an advisory can catch up in your own time at
Website: www.geolsoc.org.uk/wsmith21 group of experts who make up our www.era.ac.uk/Hydrogen-Storage-in-
Abstract submission deadline: 18 June 2021 Decarbonisation Working Group. Caverns-2021.
As part of this work we are pleased Read more at www.geolsoc.org.uk/
to announce the publication of our hydrogen-economy
The Geological latest policy and technology explainer Megan O’Donnell (Communications
Society Library ‘Geoscience and the hydrogen & Policy Officer) & Flo Bullough (Head
economy’. Geological skills and of Policy and Engagement)
It is now possible to visit
the Library at Burlington
House, however visits
are by appointment only, REOPENING OF be considered before Burlington House
can be reopened. The situation remains
due to the ongoing Covid BURLINGTON HOUSE
uncertain and it is not yet possible to
guidance. To book an appointment, please
We are eager to reopen Burlington fix a firm date for reopening.
email library@geolsoc.org.uk or call us on
House at the earliest opportunity to Please refer to the Society webpage
+44 (0)20 7432 0999. staff, Fellows, Friends and visitors, and for the latest updates: www.geolsoc.
For the latest updates on services visit to see a steady resumption of ‘in- org.uk/About/Press-Office/Press-
www.geolsoc.org.uk/library person’ services. Many factors have to Releases/covid-19-closure
GEOSCIENTIST.ONLINE | SUMMER 2021 11NEWS
THE 2020
LIBRARY
REVIEW
At the end of 2019, Council
commissioned a review of
the Society’s Library and
Information Services, and
one year later approved
a wide-ranging report
on the future of those
services. Neal Marriott,
who served on the
Library Review Working
Group, explains
the background
to the review and
outlines some of its
recommendations.
12 GEOSCIENTIST | SUMMER 2021NEWS
VI S I TORS W HO S PE N D In exploring
any amount of time in the challenges
Burlington House will find it
of running the
hard not to be struck by the
Society’s Library collections.
service, we have
Both the first floor Main Library also identified
and the ground floor Lower opportunities:
Library are impressive in their to digitise and
extent and presentation, promote the best
and those setting foot in the
of our heritage
Map Room may feel they
have entered an Aladdin’s
collections; to
cave of geological treasures. increase digital
Largely behind the scenes are access for all
extensive archive and special
collections, and many more
books and journals are held on the brink of the 2020s, it
in storerooms, with material was clear to Council that the
incapable of being stored in- Society faced a range of new
house being securely retained and significant challenges (and,
offsite. Supporting all of this perhaps, opportunities) that
is a professional staff who force us to question how we
provide the experience and can best deliver these services
expertise required to enable to Fellows in the future.
users to get the very most
from the Library. Challenges
Library collections comprise In common with many
over 300,000 volumes of learned and professional
books and serials, 40,000 societies, the Geological
map sheets and a wide range Society is undergoing a
of historical and archival period of financial pressure
material. Operating such and uncertainty. Since 2017
extensive collections, and our membership numbers
associated services, brings its have fallen slightly with a
own challenges and comes at consequent loss of revenue;
considerable cost, so in 2010 a our established and profitable
wide-ranging review of Library publishing model is facing the
services was undertaken, with challenge of Open Access; and
the resulting recommendations we have entered a period of
for change having largely been escalating rent demands.
implemented in the intervening The challenges, however,
years. However, as we stood are not solely financial.
GEOSCIENTIST.ONLINE | SUMMER 2021 13NEWS
We are seeking to extend Library access
Scarcity, value and usage
and usage by exploiting technology The Library’s holdings are
extensive and complex,
ranging all the way from rare
or unique physical items on
the one hand to cutting-
edge electronic content on
the other. Copies of William
Smith’s maps are an obvious
example of valued historical
material, but there is much
else besides: rare books dating
as far back as the 16th century;
special collections of prints,
drawings and illustrations;
geological maps from all areas
of the world, many of which
would be difficult or impossible
to source elsewhere; and an
extensive range of deposited
For well over a century undetermined, a new review context of the Society’s papers from dozens of
the Geological Society has was an urgent requirement. charitable activities. notable individuals. At the
occupied its apartments in Work commenced other end of the spectrum is
Burlington House and has The brief from Council early in 2020, examining current content, published
enjoyed the space within At the end of 2019, Council existing evidence (relating electronically and delivered
which its Library collections commissioned a new review to cost, usage, visitors etc.), online to libraries across
can grow and be readily of Library and Information interviewing expert witnesses the world – where, in many
accessed by anyone visiting Services, which was announced and conducting a survey of the instances, subscribers do not
London. Now, our future to Fellows early in 2020. Fellowship. Council was kept even receive print copies of
occupation of Burlington A Library Review Working informed of progress and the the published content.
House is in question and we Group was assembled and report and recommendations What is equally evident is
must plan for the possibility approved by Council, and were received at its final the difference in usage levels
of relocating to alternative comprised eight members meeting of 2020. The report of the Library collections,
accommodation elsewhere. As drawn from both within and was not considered in isolation, especially in relation to
the Library currently occupies outside the Geological Society. however, but in the context journals. Of the 600 or
47% of Burlington House Members were chosen from of a range of issues and so journal titles listed as
floor space, and the size and learned society, university and new Society initiatives: the received by the Library,
location of possible future commercial backgrounds, evolving financial situation 30 or so titles accounted for
accommodation is as yet and were selected for their and consequent redundancies around 80 percent of 2019
experience and expertise in late in 2020, including two usage, while over half of
library use, management and members of Library staff; the titles received no usage at all
development, publishing, the emerging impact of COVID-19 in that year. While many of
Many users have
geosciences and finance. on the Society and its Fellows; our little-used titles incur no
already made the The emphasis of the review the review of the Society’s direct subscription charge
shift to accessing was on considering future strategic priorities; and the (being received by exchange
content online, service provision, both in the ongoing review of Fellowship or as gifts), they do incur an
but there are many case of remaining at Burlington categories and benefits. It was overhead to receive, process,
other possible House and of moving to a new in the context of these many manage and store. Similarly,
location; the development of challenges and opportunities many of our older (though not
applications of
cost-effective services in light of that Council considered necessarily rare) stored books
technology that we changing Fellowship needs; and the review findings and and journals receive little
have not yet taken on future financial sustainability recommendations and gave its or no use while occupying
advantage of and affordability in the wider approval on 25 November 2020. considerable space.
GEOSCIENTIST.ONLINE | SUMMER 2021 15NEWS
patterns and seek to extend Our Library staff are already
access and usage by current offering support on this front
non-users by exploiting the and we should carefully
opportunities afforded by new consider how this can be
and emerging technologies. further developed.
Digital opportunities The journey to change
Many users have already made The full report of the
the shift to accessing content Library Review Working
online, but there are many Group contains a very wide
other possible applications range of observations and
of technology that we have recommendations, only a few
not yet taken advantage of which are reflected in this
of. Increased digitisation brief article. The Society should
of valuable and historical take great pride in its Library
material may not only assist and the expertise of its staff.
with their preservation, but In exploring the challenges of
would enhance opportunities running the service, we have
The Society’s Library
is a geological for education and outreach, also identified opportunities:
treasure trove as well as being potentially to digitise and promote
revenue generating. the best of our heritage
These issues of scarcity, Burlington House bookshop. Digitisation can be costly collections; to increase digital
value and usage present us However, the number of visits but might be an area where access for all; and to enhance
with significant challenges by Fellows is in decline and Fellows’ bequests could make Fellows’ experience of online
to be addressed both in those visits are very unevenly a real difference. Similarly, Society services.
the context of financial spread – in 2019 visits were systematic digital capture of The report, however, is not a
sustainability and the made by approximately modern records would secure blueprint for action and further
management of any move 600 unique Fellows (~5% of these records for the future work is required to create
out of Burlington House. membership), but with only a and reduce the need for a detailed implementation
The number of journals tenth of this number visiting physical filing and storage. plan. At the time of writing,
subscribed to has already been five or more times. There is evidence of some recruitment of a new Head
appreciably reduced in line However, the decline in frustration from Fellows in of Library and Information
with the review’s findings of physical visits does not tell their interaction with Society Services is underway and, once
limited usage and in relation the full story. For many years information systems, and it in post, a priority will be the
to a challenging 2021 budget. the Library has been operating is recommended that single development of such a plan,
Recommendations have also the OpenAthens system, sign-on is implemented to building on the report and
been made to review the entire enabling remote access to simplify Fellows’ access across drawing on the expert views
Library and archive collection online journals. Not only the website, Lyell collection of staff.
to prioritise all materials held has the number of Fellows and Library services, reducing Importantly, the Library is
should the Society move from registering for this system the need to establish multiple a service for Fellows and the
Burlington House to smaller been increasing steadily, logins for accessing these views of Fellows are important.
premises where the space but the number of articles various online services. So, please do take the time
available for our collections accessed is climbing, too. As technologies develop to read the report and send
may be substantially reduced. These trends in remote (especially some of those your comments to the email
versus in-person use of the applied by content publishers), address given below.
Library visitors and users Library are in opposition user behaviour will continue
The Library is visited around to each other, but when to evolve, too. In particular,
3,000 times each year. While combined it is thought that content users are on a The report to Fellows was
published on March 11 2020 in
many of these visits are to around 10% of the Fellowship trajectory of increasing both full and concise forms and
consult collections, others are make use of the Library. independence in their research can be accessed at www.geolsoc.
in search of a workspace to The final balance of service behaviour and should be org.uk/Library-and-Information-
Services/review. Fellows can
catch up on emails, prepare provision will need to take supported in this journey submit comments to library.review
for meetings or to consult the into account this shift in user by training and education. @geolsoc.org.uk.
GEOSCIENTIST.ONLINE | SUMMER 2021 17VIEWPOINT
S EN D YO U R L E T T ER S TO G EO S C I E N T I S T@ G EO L S O C .O RG .U K A N D T W EE T U S AT @ G EO S C I E N T I S TM AG .
F O R G U I DA N CE O N S U B M I T T I N G A CO LU M N , S EE G EO S C I E N T I S T.O N L I N E
Want to join
COLUMN the debate?
Email
“Physical fitness in
geoscientist
@geolsoc.org.uk
geology is rarely discussed” Geoscientist is
now plastic free
Since moving to
Switzerland , Simran is
more confident in her
physical fitness in the field
LET TER
We need more open discourse on the physical challenges of fieldwork, aiming
for greater inclusivity for aspiring geoscientists, suggests Simran Johal
The
little
T here has been a lot of
important discussion
recently around inclusivity
the tough Hebridean conditions
on Cape Wrath in October led
me to pass up that project for
field excursions require it. It
took me years to build my
strength, agility, mobility
things
in fieldwork, in particular my independent geological and, most importantly, DEAR EDITORS,
highlighting the barriers field-mapping component. mental confidence. To help Can I take a moment
faced by LBGTQ+ and After a few more field trips, provide a more welcoming to congratulate you
disabled geoscientists. Even I gained confidence in my and supportive environment for sending across my
for those who do not face physical abilities, but I regretted for students new to the magazine in a paper
such barriers, it can be hard to not taking that mapping geosciences, there should be envelope and ditching
adapt to the fieldwork element opportunity and knew I’d more open discussion of the the old plastic covers
of many courses. missed out on a fundamental physical challenges associated that the magazines
When I first began my degree geological experience. with fieldwork, tips on how to used to come in. It
in geology, I was stepping into For my Master’s degree, prepare and reassurances that is little things like
the unknown, but felt I was I moved to Switzerland – a no student will be left behind. this that will make a
up for the physical challenge. country where exercise is great difference to
However, while I was able embraced and where I had free sustainability in the
to scrape through my first- access to every sports facility long run, and cutting
year fieldwork on unforgiving imaginable. I took up strength out unnecessary
Cornish cliffs unharmed, I training and swimming, and plastic waste.
struggled to keep up. finally felt like I was making
The next hurdle – a rite of progress. For the first time, DAVI D H U L L
passage for almost every UK the physical element of field SIMRAN JOHAL Chartered Senior
Simran is currently completing
geology student – was facing excursions didn’t faze me and Engineer at
her MSc in Engineering Geology
Scotland. I walked the escalators I was eager to take part. at ETH Zurich Card Geotechnics
on the London underground in Physical fitness in geology simran0589@hotmail.com Limited
an attempt to train, but my fear of is rarely discussed, yet most @girlTravertine
GEOSCIENTIST.ONLINE | SUMMER 2021 19VIEWPOINT
Visit Geoscientist.
Online to read
the latest
discussions
in full
LET TER
Testing
text?
DEAR EDITORS,
The new quarterly
Geoscientist is superficially
attractive, but causes us eye
strain. We were unable to
Geikie uses the geology of Scotland to appreciate the interesting
show how geology determined the cultural
articles up to page 18,
differences between that country and England
where the main narratives
COLUMN
are in unusually faint print.
This is somewhat ironic,
“Geodiversity defines human too, as two articles were
interesting and important:
and cultural diversity” about minorities and
discrimination in geology.
Those who are visually
Geodiversity is the foundation upon which biodiversity and society were
impaired, or just elderly, are
and continue to be built, argues Andrew Abraham certainly disadvantaged in
this new print magazine.
T he other day, I went to my
bookshelf and pulled out a
small book, with a simple dark
was way ahead of today’s
proponents of geodiversity:
“Probably few readers
civilisation, to maintain them
down to the present day.”
Whilst Geikie did not coin
The faint print on the
opening pages is too
difficult to attempt for one
green cover. The gold lettering realise to how large an the phrase geodiversity, he of us, and caused eyestrain
read, Geological Sketches; its extent the events of history recognised that geology in the better-sighted other.
author was Archibald Geikie. have been influenced by the played a huge part in the Do please use more ink
The copy I have was published geological structure of the development of nations and next time, or you’ll be
in 1892, almost 130 years ago. ground whereon they have not just from a resource accused of discriminating
The first edition was published been enacted.” perspective. If we read his against older readers and
ten years before. He uses the geology of statements, geodiversity is the sight-impaired.
I was searching for whether England and Scotland as more than the cradle for
Geikie said anything about an example to show how biodiversity and far more than DR JACK TREAGUS
geodiversity. I was not geology determined the geoheritage. Geodiversity has, DR SUSAN TREAGUS
disappointed. The title of the cultural differences between and still does, define human Jack and Susan worked at
last chapter is The Geological the two countries: and cultural diversity. the University of Manchester
Influences that have affected “But we should find that and are now retired.
the course of British History. fundamentally the differences
A statement in the chapter’s have arisen from the originally DEAR EDITORS,
first paragraph tells us Geikie utterly distinct geological I agree that the new
structures of the region.” Geoscientist is extremely
Geology played He concludes the hard to read, and not only
paragraph with: by those who are visually
a huge part in the
“This diversity of structure impaired. The faint grey is
development of initiated the divergences in difficult to parse from the
nations and not just human characteristics even
D R A N D R E W P. G . A B R A H A M
white background, the sans
An independent consultant who
from a resource in far prehistoric times, and serves as volunteer Director External serif font does not lead the
perspective it continues, even in spite of Engagement for the Canadian eye, and the print size is
blending influences of modern Federation of Earth Sciences
20 GEOSCIENTIST | SUMMER 2021VIEWPOINT
Follow us @geoscientistmag
YOUR TWEETS
Birkbeck Earth and Planetary Sciences
@BBKEPS: Fantastic cover for the new
look @geolsoc @geoscientistmag featuring
Birkbeck’s @joshammond and colleagues research
on #paektu #volcano. Where #geoscience and
#diplomacy meet.
@BirkbeckScience @BirkbeckUoL
Gareth Farr
@GarethFarr1: Pippin says, “I
really like the look of the new
@geoscientistmag – very
professional, looking forward
to reading this.”
Dr Anjana Khatwa
@jurassicg1rl: Some really
great reading in @geoscientistmag
concerning #Equality #Diversity #Inclusion this
month. Many issues raised in these articles translate
too small – leaving too much structure affords accessibility.
and link to issues of BAME disenfranchisement with
white area around leading to Serifs, the small decorative natural heritage and #Geography. Please see links
headaches. lines used on letters in below, Happy Friday!
Serif font is acknowledged fonts such as Times New
to better connect letters into Roman, can distract the eye Digital Civics
words. Sans serif is useful for and are overly complex. Replying to @geoscientistmag
non-English speakers who Additionally, serif fonts can @DigitalCivics: Congratulations @geoscientistmag
might not recognise the odd be problematic in digital A terrific issue, and the new website is a fantastic
complement to the work you’re doing. Looking
constructions of ‘a’ and ‘g’, publications because the
forward to more of your future successes!
etc. It is also clean and so pixilation on screen can distort
is preferred for maps. But, the edges of letters.
Fiona Connor
please, if you want us to read Specifically, we opted to use Replying to @seis_matters @geolsoc
your articles, then give us the the ‘Museo Sans’ font because and @geoscientistmag
educationally best, not the it is considered a highly legible @WorkingFiiOut: Loving this edition of
avant-garde aesthetic, font. typeface, well suited for GeoScientist though.... Of late there’s been alot
any display and text use. In less things I’m not able to engage with/aren’t
GINA BARNES particular, this font has good relevant and a lot more interesting and accessible
content. I approve.
Emeritus Professor at character recognition, in that
Durham University the upper-case ‘I’ (eye), lower-
case ‘i’ (lower-eye), lower-case
Prof. Andy Fleet, ‘l’ (el) and number 1 (one) can
LET TER
Editor-in-Chief; be distinguished from one
David Shilston, Deputy Editor-
in-Chief; Dr Amy Whitchurch,
another with relative ease, as
can the lower-case ‘a’ (aye), ‘C’
Thought-provoking
Executive Editor; Sarah Day,
Editor, Geoscientist magazine,
(see) and ‘O’ (owe).
However, the weight of
content
write in response: font used on some of the DEAR EDITORS,
Thank you for your feedback printed pages in the Spring I really enjoyed both the new look and the new content
and for flagging these issues issue was unnecessarily of the Spring issue. Well done on including some really
with some of the text in the faint. We have corrected this challenging and thought-provoking material.
printed magazine. for the Summer 2021 issue
We opted for a sans-serif and hope the problems are JASON CANNING
font because their simplified now resolved. Geoscience advisor at RPS Energy
and Chartered Geologist
GEOSCIENTIST.ONLINE | SUMMER 2021 21VIEWPOINT
LET TER
The name British Geological British Geological Survey
Survey (BGS) was introduced
in 1984 and that of its
and the Royal School of
Mines (now part of Imperial
The
predecessor the Institute of College London). It seems impossibility
Geological Sciences (IGS)
in 1965. By the 1980s, the
De la Beche’s mistake was
to have inherited a slave
of undoing
BGS was a very different plantation in Jamaica, and, the past
organisation from that ironically, when he lost its
started by De La Beche 150 income, he made himself the DEAR EDITORS,
years earlier, wide-ranging first paid geologist, essentially I found the title of the
in its activities, both onshore establishing our profession as article Decolonising
and offshore, and of global we know it today: no more a Geoscience in the
extent. Let us be clear that hobby of the ‘idle rich’. Spring 2021 issue to be
LET TER
De la Beche began officially Ironic too, in the ongoing problematic because
Of their colouring in Ordnance maps
of Devonshire for the Board
battle against misogyny, is the
role played by our ‘toppled
you can’t decolonise the
past! As a white Pakeha
time
of Ordnance in 1835, thus heroes’ in the Mary Anning New Zealander living in
initiating the Geological story, shortly to be portrayed Europe, I come from a
Survey of the United in the film Ammonite. In country that is still tackling
DEAR EDITORS, Kingdom. Subsequently the that early 19th century problems resulting from
In the informative article Geological Survey Act of 1845 society, where women were colonisation and I have
‘Decolonising Geoscience’ was passed to “facilitate the essentially either adornments worked in a number of
(Geoscientist, Spring 2021), Completion of a Geological or drudges depending on their countries that have been
the piece rightly concludes: Survey of Great Britain social standing, Henry De la colonised, dealing with
“All people are products of and Ireland”. Sir Roderick Beche was a true friend from indigenous and vulnerable
their time.” To this statement, Murchison was appointed Mary’s youth, encouraging her people. My first thought
one might add ‘organisations’, Director in 1855. in the science and helping her on reading the article was
since these are the institutions All this might seem financially with the proceeds ‘this is not enough’.
in which people carry out irrelevant or simply a matter of Duria Antiquior, his all- After discussion with
their work. of semantics, but in the action painting – the first Society staff, it seems
Clearly, organisations context of exploring past ‘palaeoart’ – which brought that the intention of the
like the Geological Society patronage and practice it Mary’s fossils to life. article was well founded,
of London and the British is wise not to conflate, by Roderick Murchison but more context should
Geological Survey have implication, the culture introduced Mary to his wife have been provided for
evolved over their long and actions of a modern Charlotte and they formed the reader.
histories. In the case of the organisation with those of its a close friendship based In addition to the
Survey, it has had many 19th century predecessors. on geologising – apparently ‘decolonial approach’
different masters and changes even closer in the film; and taken with regard to their
of name. ANDREW MCMILLAN Louis Agassiz, realising collections, perhaps the
I believe it is useful to Andrew was a Principal that Mary would not be Geological Society could
refer to contemporary Geologist with the BGS for 36 acknowledged academically, consider forming an
organisational terminology years and retired in 2010. named two species of fossil educational scholarship
when discussing the past. The fish after her. of some type for
article notes that Sir Henry De DEAR EDITORS, indigenous students from
la Beche, who had holdings I notice that ‘the winds’ are MART I N LI T HE RL AN D colonised countries?
in the West Indies, later finally blowing through OB E
became the first director of our Society resulting in the Martin was a field geologist B RYC E L AWR E N CE
the British Geological Survey. ‘toppling’ of De la Beche, for the British Geological Managing Director, Global
More accurately this should Murchison and Agassiz. This Survey in Botswana, Bolivia Risk Management GmbH
read: “… the Geological follows hot on the heels of and Ecuador, before returning The full version of this
Survey of the United Kingdom the removal of De la Beche’s to the Keyworth office to letter is available on
(presently the British name from those great launch a series of popular Geoscientist.Online
Geological Survey)”. institutions he founded: the publications.
22 GEOSCIENTIST | SUMMER 2021ENGINEERING InSAR has gained recognition in civil engineering as a powerful tool for projects that involve tunnelling, such as London’s Crossrail 24 GEOSCIENTIST | SUMMER 2021
EN G IN EERIN G | T ECH N O LO GY
Expanding horizons
Jennifer Scoular and colleagues report on
the InSAR revolution in geoengineering,
which is transforming detection of ground
deformations in both urban and rural areas
GEOSCIENTIST.ONLINE | SUMMER 2021 25ENGINEERING
G
ROUND SURFACE troughs were revealed. In the case of
deformation is now Crossrail, this was as a roughly east-west Figure 1: Sketch illustrating multi-interferogram
techniques. The black line indicates pre-movement
routinely measured to oriented ‘string’ of subsiding areas across
ground level and the red line post-movement.
millimetric precision central London (Bischoff et al. 2019). The phase shift is ∆R and θ is the incidence angle
using a family of InSAR can also be a valuable tool for
1
remote sensing techniques known as engineering geologists to interpret ground
Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar conditions during the desk study phase
(InSAR; see boxes ‘What is InSAR’ and of a project. After a decade of research,
‘What is interferometry’). The possibilities largely enabled by the British Geological
of InSAR first came to the attention of Survey OpenGeoscience service (www.bgs.
the wider scientific community when an ac.uk/geological-data/opengeoscience/)
interferogram showing ground movement and supported by major infrastructure
caused by the 1992 earthquake in Landers, projects, it has been shown that London’s
California, appeared on the front cover subsurface is far more complex than
of Nature (Massonnet et al. 1993). That previously recognised and contains multiple
image was made using data from ERS- geotechnical hazards, which can cause
1, the first European Space Agency SAR significant risks for engineering projects.
satellite. Since then, multiple generations These hazards include faulting, sand
of SAR satellites have followed, offering channels, drift filled hollows (DFH) and
improvements in temporal and spatial shrink-swell behaviour within the London
resolution, and opening a diverse range Clay (Scoular et al. 2019). DFHs or ‘buried WHAT IS SAR?
of applications. Here, we discuss some hollows’ are steep-sided depressions in the SAR satellites use microwave radiation
of those applications, using case studies rockhead surface, caused by a complex that can penetrate through clouds and
ranging from central London, to rural interplay of natural processes (e.g. Toms operate day or night, irrespective of
Wales and the south coast. et al. 2016). Up to 75 m deep and 90 to weather conditions. The satellite emits a
pulse of radar energy, which is reflected
475 m wide, they are typically infilled with
by Earth’s surface and the satellite records
London’s geology revealed sand and gravel. London’s dense urban the amplitude and phase of the returned
Over the last decade or so, InSAR has fabric makes investigation and mapping signal. The amplitude is the strength of
gained recognition within the civil of geohazards very challenging and thus the reflected pulse and is influenced by
engineering community as a powerful new (previously unknown) DHFs are often the physical properties of Earth’s surface.
The phase change between transmitted
and cost-effective tool for detecting revealed by site investigations or, in worst-
and received signals is proportional to the
and monitoring ground deformation case, are encountered during tunnelling two-way travel distance divided by the
above tunnelling projects, particularly in and construction. transmitted wavelength, and it contains
urban areas. In London, its use gained information from topography plus any
recognition following the construction of Spotting geohazards change in the ground surface elevation.
Satellite radar sensors have a side-looking
the Jubilee Line Extension (1993 to 1999) InSAR could potentially be used to identify
geometry and the radar pulse intersects
and later during the Crossrail project, these geohazards prior to construction. Earth’s surface at an angle known as the
where tunnelling took place between May For example, the presence of a DFH was incidence angle (Fig. 1).
2012 and May 2015, when clear settlement confirmed through the use of InSAR SAR sensors can operate at a variety
of wavelengths, often referred to as
Table 1: SAR satellite bands bands, in the microwave portion of the
electromagnetic spectrum used in each
BAND FREQUENCY WAVELENGTH PENETRATION RESOLUTION EXAMPLE SATELLITES case. The wavelength determines how
the radar signal interacts with the surface,
X-band 8 – 12 GHz 3.8 – 2.4 cm Low High TerraSAR-X, COSMO SkyMed
how far it penetrates a medium (such as
C-band 4 – 8 GHz 7.5 – 3.8 cm Medium Medium Sentinel-1, Radarsat-2 vegetation, soil and ice) and the spatial
resolution of its imaging capability
L-band 1 – 2 GHz 30 – 15 cm High Low ALOS-2, SAOCOM (Table 1: SAR satellite bands, left).
26 GEOSCIENTIST | SUMMER 2021You can also read
