“Women and children first” went the call from the deck of the titanic. And then of course Jack sacrificed his own life to save Rose, who was afloat on what admittedly looked like a raft with more than enough space for two. Chivalrous though this picture is, the reality is very different – in most disasters women seem to suffer a disproportionate number of injuries and deaths. Mos ...[Read More]
Geology for Global Development
Friday Photo (70): Geologists in the Field – Debrief on the Beach
Undergraduates have a debriefing session on the beach in Dorset to discuss the geological history of the cliff face in the background. (c) Geology for Global Development 2013
Geology for Global Development
Resources: Free Online Training on Responsible Mining
Impactmin offer free online training courses where you can learn more about the impact of mining. Here Peter Gyuris, the project manager of Impactmin, writes to tell us more about what the courses have to offer. In its strictest sense, the term “Mining” refers directly to the activity of extraction of metallic or non-metallic resources from the Earth’s crust (Merriam-Webster). More commonly ...[Read More]
GeoSphere
Geology Photo of the Week #24
The photo of the week is one that I took in November on my glacial sedimentology class trip to the Buckingham sand pit and at first glance it looks pretty boring. Nothing could be further from the truth though when you consider the implications of this lonely old block sitting al by itself in these sand beds. Also, my apologies for not including a scale. You’ll just have to take my word for ...[Read More]
Geology for Global Development
Women and Water
March the 8th is International Women’s Day. There are many problems that solely or disproportionately affect women, particularly in developing countries where many women are still fighting for basic gender equality. In honour of International Women’s day, we look at the importance of access to clean water for women and girls. It is vital that both rural and urban communities have access to a relia ...[Read More]
Geology for Global Development
Friday Photo (69): Geologists in the Field – on Top of the Fault
These two geologists are standing at the top of a fault in Greece. The large elevation has built up over successive earthquakes, each moving the right hand side a few meters higher than the downthrow side of the fault on the left. (c) Geology for Global Development 2013
Geology for Global Development
King’s College London Summer School: Natural Hazards and Society
The study of natural hazards, such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, are an important part of geoscience courses. However a thorough understanding of how and why they impact society requires the study of a much broader range of topics. Similarly, the study of social sciences gives us an understanding of the origins and development of vulnerability, but this knowledge must be combined with an ...[Read More]
GeoSphere
Geology Photo of the Week #23
The incredibly colourful photo of the week is a picture that I took at the Canadian Museum of Nature. It shows what has to be one of the most spectacular pieces of ammolite that I have ever seen. Ammolite is a bit of a mysterious substance and it is found in only a few places on Earth, notably in the Canadian Rockies. Ammolite is actually considered a gemstone and it is one of the few official gem ...[Read More]
Geology for Global Development
Guest Blog: Career Focus – Kate Crowley
Helen Ashcroft is currently a DPhil student at the University of Oxford. She blogs for the Bang! Science Magazine (Planet Blog) and is also a STEMNET Ambassador, working to promote science, technology, maths and engineering to young people. Helen attended the second meeting of her GfGD University group, to hear a talk by Kate Crowley. Here she gives us an insight into the career a geoscientist cou ...[Read More]
GeoSphere
The Truth about Radon
There are few things on Earth that evoke more fear than radioactivity. Most people’s response to radioactivity is one of immediate fear and confusion and I can’t say I blame them. There is something very frightening about a substance that shoots off invisible rays that can kill you if you’re exposed to enough of them. However, most people really don’t need to worry about be ...[Read More]