After studying ‘Applied Environmental Sciences’ I decided to go with a friend for six months to New Zealand for the southern hemisphere winter. Leaving as soon as my diploma thesis (on epiphytic lichens) was written, we set off into the distance to work and travel. We chose New Zealand as our dream destination because these two islands have so many different landscapes to offer – and this is how I ...[Read More]
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GeoSphere
Fun with PHREEQ at Red Creek
Most freshwater on earth is not that highly saturated with dissolved metals or minerals. However, there are exceptions to be found all over the world from natural acid rock drainage to the alkali springs of Jordan. If the concentrations of dissolved metals are high enough the water can be toxic. For example, water draining from gold mines is often very high in arsenic and must be contained and cle ...[Read More]
GeoLog
GeoTalk: Jane Robb
GeoTalk, featuring short interviews with geoscientists about their research, continues this month with a Q&A with Jane Robb from University College London (UCL), who tells us about the excitement of geo-outreach and importance of conserving heritage collections. First, could you introduce yourself and let us know a bit about your current work at UCL? Hi, I am Jane Robb and I currently work as ...[Read More]
Geology for Global Development
GfGD Easter Placement Opportunity with CAFOD
Geology for Global Development is offering an opportunity to spend one week in the humanitarian department of an international NGO, CAFOD, working with Dr Kate Crowley. Tasks during the week could involve a number of things, all designed to give the student a useful insight into how a geoscientist could contribute in the development sector. It is likely that one task will involve producing hazard ...[Read More]
Green Tea and Velociraptors
Dinosaur cells identified with possible dino-DNA!
The discovery of extractable dinosaur DNA is many a scientist’s dream. The idea of finding DNA within extinct animals has an air of mystery and discovery that is just ridiculously appealing, whether you’re 5, 50, a teacher, palaeontologist, or cab driver. I think this is part of human nature, where we always seem to have a longing for what we can’t have, and one thing we’ll never ...[Read More]
Green Tea and Velociraptors
Theropod dinosaurs were waaay more diverse than previously thought
Dinosaurs! What image sprang to your mind then? There’s a reasonable chance, I’d hazard, that your brain just conjured an image of ferocious Tyrannosaurus rex, a nimble and intelligent Velociraptor mongoliensis, or any one of the other meat-eating theropods, notoriously infamous thanks to a certain eccentric millionaire with a passion for splicing genes. These two species of dinosaur a ...[Read More]
GeoSphere
Geology Photo of the Week # 21
The photo of the week today is of a Canadian National Heritage Site. It is located just outside of Dawson City, Yukon and is unassumingly called Dredge 4. Those of you who read this blog regularly will know that I am a huge fan of the Yukon, which is the site of my field work, and love talking about the gold rush history of the region. Very few things embody this history better than Dredge 4̷ ...[Read More]
GeoLog
Imaggeo on Mondays: Scorching the soil
This week’s Imaggeo on Mondays is brought to you by the photographer himself, Antonio Jordán (Univerity of Sevilla, Spain), who describes the impact of forest fires on soil properties. This photo was taken while planning some field experiments: in the image, several water drops are resting on a surface soil layer without infiltrating. This process is known as water repellency. Water repellency is ...[Read More]
Geology for Global Development
Job Opportunities – Some Inspiration!
Geology for Global Development’s Education and Careers Officer, Marc Leach, highlights some top job opportunities for February. Even if you are not able to apply for these particular jobs right now, it can be helpful to learn more about the many career paths that are open to you as a geoscientist. Looking at job adverts can be a big inspiration and might just give you some motivational fuel ...[Read More]
VolcanicDegassing
Professor John Barry Dawson, 1932-2013
I learnt this week the sad news of the death of Barry Dawson, Emeritus Professor in the School of Geosciences at the University of Edinburgh. I had the great fortune to accompany Barry into the field in 1988, while I was still studying for a PhD, and had the pleasure of spending many enjoyable moments with him subsequently, whether in the field, at meetings, or just in passing. This seems like an ...[Read More]