Geology for Global Development

Fieldwork

Is geological mapping becoming obsolete?

March 19, 2019
Is Geological Mapping Becoming Obsolete?
The first geological map of Britain, published by William Smith in 1815. Via Wikimedia Commons

Geology students typically experience some form of mapping education as part of their course and attitudes towards this baptism into the geosciences vary from adoration to utter hatred. Whatever the opinions of the students, however, it is widely recognised that performing mapping exercises is an excellent way to learn the basics of structural geology which underpins aspects of both further geolog ...[Read More]

Speleology and local development

March 21, 2018
Križna jama cave, in Slovenia
Križna jama cave, in Slovenia . Credit: Peter Huber (distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu).

Many of us seek adventures, new experiences and sights in far flung places, but very often there are beautiful wonders right on our doorstep. In today’s post, Barbara Zambelli Azevedo highlights how the promotion of local geological regions can be a valuable and effective way to encourage development and instil a sense of pride in local communities.  Plato said in the Allegory of the Cave th ...[Read More]

The Case Against Fieldwork – How can we internalise the carbon cost of fieldwork, as scientists who investigate the earth system?

January 18, 2018

There are few, if any, fields of human study for which fieldwork is more fundamental than geology. For many geologists, the solid earth itself is their subject, and this means observations can be made at any given location on the planet. Moreover, the local quirks of different environments almost necessitate a diverse range of study sites for us to fully comprehend the differing processes that gov ...[Read More]