David Litchfield completed a second undergraduate degree in Geosciences with the Open University and is currently studying part-time for an MSc in Geophysical Hazards at UCL. He has a broad interest in hazard monitoring methods and how geoscientists communicate their findings with those who need it, and retains a strong connection with the Andean highlands …[Read More]
Latest posts
A momentous discovery deep below: Earth’s inner core
For the Accretionary Wedge blog festival with the theme of ‘Momentous Discoveries in Geology’, Marion Ferrat discusses how a pioneering lady discovered what lies deepest inside our planet. We know a lot about our planet today: its position in the solar system, its age, its composition and its internal workings and structure. Many laborious experiments, …[Read More]
Imaggeo on Mondays: Eddy covariance
This week’s Imaggeo on Mondays is brought to you by Jean-Daniel Paris, a meteorologist from the Climate and Environmental Sciences Laboratory (LSCE), France. He describes how new techniques like eddy covariance tell us about the flux of greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere… This picture was taken during a visit to the Hyytiälä research station in …[Read More]
Negative results, have no fear!
KT Cooper is a PhD student in the School of Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol. A carbonate geochemist by training, she is currently on a three-month secondment to Houston, Texas, USA working with Exxon Mobil. Not all research is successful and not all experiments have a positive outcome or even the outcome you first …[Read More]
Blog Competition (Highly Commended) – Omeye Chimaobi Kenechukwu: Floods in Nigeria
For our Blog Competition 2013, we asked people to submit articles addressing one of two topics. Omeye’s article discusses a recent flooding event that resulted in disaster in Nigeria, and his entry was highly commended by our judging panel. Omeye is a second year geology student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. When he graduates, …[Read More]
Pioneers of aerosol science: John Aitken
One fundamental point on which we have at present little information of anything like a definite character is as to the number of solid particles present in our atmosphere. We know that they are very numerous, and it seems probable the number varies under different conditions of weather; but how many particles are really present …[Read More]
Momentous Discoveries in Geology – The World of Nano!
I first came across the intriguing world of nanoparticles when I saw an awe-inspiring talk by nano-extraordinaire Professor Michael Hochella from Virginia Tech at the Geological Society. He wove a fascinating tale about the world at nanoscale, the special properties, the infinite uses and the potential environmental impacts as well as outlining the need for caution, …[Read More]
10 Minute Interview – Life as a Museum Curator
Fridays are hard enough, so we thought we’d help you get through the day with a really interesting 10 minute interview, all you need now is a spare 10 minutes and your favourite hot drink! This week, we speak to Gillian McCay, assistant curator at the Cockburn Geological Museum at the University of Edinburgh. The …[Read More]
Geosciences column: Playing back the Antarctic ice records
Satellites are keeping tabs on the state of Arctic and Antarctic sea ice, and have observed considerable declines in ice extent in many areas since records began, but what do we know of past sea ice extent? Ice cores keep an excellent record of climate change, but until recently, ice cores have not been used …[Read More]
Friday Photo (98) – Hydroelectric Energy in Ladakh
Hydroelectric power plants are being developed across the Himalayas. Here, a small-scale system is used to store energy during times of peak supply from other sources, and deliver energy during times of peak demand. This system relies on the shuttling of river water (seen in the background) between different elevations. (c) Geology for Global …[Read More]