A lizard basks on top of a very uncomfortable looking dolomitised grainstone. This dolomitised layer is part of a sequence of platform carbonates that formed 550 million years ago. Only some of the layers are dolomitised, and it is unclear whether the dolomite is primary, or formed secondarily, possibly as a result of Mg-rich fluids flowing along small faults. (c) Geology for Global Development 20 ...[Read More]
Geology for Global Development
Guest Blog: An Economist’s Perspective on Natural Resources
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. Jim Cust, a graduate student in economics, presented this term’s Oxford University Group GfGD seminar. In addition to his research Jim is also a directo ...[Read More]
Geology for Global Development
New Placement Opportunities – Deadline Midday 2nd June 2013
Placements give students a valuable opportunity to get an insight into the international development sector, consider what key skills they need to develop to contribute to such work, and better understand the role of geoscience in fighting poverty. Following successful placements with the NGO CAFOD, GfGD are delighted to announce two new placement opportunities for UK-based geoscience students ...[Read More]
Geology for Global Development
Friday Photo (79): Wildlife in the Field – the Underside of a Cricket
The underside of a cricket in focus against a blurred carbonate ramp succession in the background. Taken in Namibia in 2012. Send us your favourite photos of wild encounters whilst out in the field! Blog[at]gfgd.org (c) Geology for Global Development 2013
Geology for Global Development
GfGD Recommends: Other Good Blogs!
A new generation of scientists are embracing the chance to interact with each other and the public through social media (twitter, facebook pages and blogs). We’ve looked around and picked out some of our favourite geoscience blogs. Why not consider starting a blog for yourself or your research group? You could write about your own research, the best bits from your lectures or items in the ne ...[Read More]
Geology for Global Development
Chinese-African Partnerships: Impact in the Mining Industry
China has boosted its aid contribution to the African continent. Whilst the total is still low compared with the US aid budget, the trend signifies a wider partnership between the two giants. In the UK, international aid is mainly spent on protecting our national interests. China is emerging as an economic superpower and as a major aid donor, and this raises the question – what interest does ...[Read More]
VolcanicDegassing
Timelapse volcanoes in Google’s Earth Engine
With the marvels of technology and the generosity of Google and NASA, we can now sit back and watch the back catalogue of volcanic eruptions using the magnificent Google Earth Timelapse of Landsat images. Here are just a few that I have picked out.. Enjoy, and do send more suggestions! Anatahan, Marianas, erupted in 2005. Anatahan Timelapse Chaiten, Chile. Erupted in May 2008: look for the splash ...[Read More]
Geology for Global Development
Friday Photo (78): Wildlife in the Field – Baboons Clinging to Carbonates
Baboons cling onto a steep cliff face on the Hoogland member, Nama group, southern Namibia. Our new Friday Photo series will take a look at some of the wildlife you’ve come across whilst out in the field. Submit your favourite photos, along with a sentence or two about the photo, to blog@gfgd.org (c) Geology for Global Development 2013
VolcanicDegassing
Who should set the research agenda in Universities?
Universities are complex, organic institutions. Their heart is the academic hub of scholarship and research, sustained by the ever-changing life-blood of students who come through to learn, to challenge, to grow, and ultimately to leave, having left their mark on those who have taught them. The excitement of working in a University environment is the daily experience of being challenged to think ...[Read More]
Geology for Global Development
Who is Reading the GfGD Blog?
The GfGD blog moved to its current home, hosted on the EGU blog network, in September. Since this move our readership has been recorded in detail by ‘google analytics’, telling us the nationality of visitors, the website that referred them (mainly twitter and facebook) and the length of time they spent on the site (averaging one and a half minutes – looks like people are staying ...[Read More]