Evidence for water on Mars is growing, with new research presented at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly demonstrating novel ways we can evaluate the presence of groundwater and surface water on Mars by looking at key geomorphic features and using Earth and laboratory analogues. Also at the General Assembly, the latest results from the landing of Philae on Comet 67P//Churyumov–G ...[Read More]
Education empowers communities and enables effective accountability between individuals, scientists, government, business and the charity sector. Geo-education is no exception, and while natural hazards education is only one area of this, it demonstrates well the importance of knowledge exchange. In this first blog, from the EGU Press Office, I explore this theme further, reflecting on the role of ...[Read More]
How can an understanding of geology support and strengthen international development? #7 – Identifying, extracting and managing natural resources, including appropriate environmental protection and post-mining restoration. Minerals and other natural resources are used in every sphere of society – every mobile phone, every computer, every wind-turbine. The income these can raise, also ...[Read More]
Next week I’ll be heading to Vienna for the European Geosciences Union General Assembly (12-17th April). This annual gathering of thousands of geoscientists from all over the world, has been a regular feature of my research calendar since 2012 and a great opportunity for GfGD to talk with experts from around Europe and beyond. This year I’ll be based in the Press Office, combining rese ...[Read More]
Luke Maxfield is an undergraduate student and GfGD Ambassador at Oxford University. Today he writes about a recent visit to a photography exhibition at Somerset House (London, UK) on the theme of Scarcity-Waste: Upon entering the Syngenta Photography Award exhibition visitors are greeted with one of those worrying statistics: “In the past 50 years, the world’s demand for natural resour ...[Read More]
How can an understanding of geology support and strengthen international development? #4 – Geotourism. Many geological features carry enormous value, not just in terms of their scientific importance, but also as an attraction to domestic and international visitors. Unusual rock formations, key geomorphic features, volcanic landscapes etc are all destinations that may help countries generate ...[Read More]
How can an understanding of geology support and strengthen international development? #1 – Through the provision of clean water, dignified safe sanitation and hygiene training (WASH). The expert knowledge of hydrogeologists is essential if effective, sustainable projects are to be completed. Effective and sustainable WASH projects can improve education, health, income generation, the qualit ...[Read More]
Clare Sweeney is the latest recruit to the GfGD Blog team – focusing her columns on all things related to geohazards and disaster risk reduction. Clare is a recent graduate of Bristol University’s Masters Programme in Volcanology, through which she spent time in both Guatemala and Japan. Today Clare reflects on the recent World Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction. Here are her thoug ...[Read More]
This article was originally published online by Geoscientist, the independent fellowship magazine of the Geological Society of London. Afghanistan has been in the news for as long as I can remember, normally as a place of conflict and almost never as a place of diverse landscapes, resources and culture. In 2011, however, I was invited to join a workshop in Leicester on higher education in Afghanis ...[Read More]
Today is World Water Day, with a special focus on water and sustainable development. Water is a fundamental human need, used for drinking, washing, cooking and sanitation. Yet it is estimated that nearly 800 million people lack access to clean water. More people on the planet own mobile phones than have access to flushing toilets. In the past I’ve seen many places where people have to colle ...[Read More]