GeologyRocks

Hey there. I'm a Hull Uni student too! Doing geography but something of a geology geek

I guess i find it fascinating how rocks can tell us so much about what the world used to be like. It's interesting to try to piece together the history of an area using the rocks.

I like to pick up good fossils when I see them. I wouldn't say I have a collection

Yes. A lot of the posts on this site are 'help me identify this rock/fossil/feature' type posts.

To an extent. All kids love dinosaurs don't they?

Information and tutorials, images, field trip reccomendations/reviews, reccomended reading (links and books). Pretty much everything that's already on this site.

Hi Matt,

Thanks for your reply! It will be most hopeful in the project,

 Ben

What is it, that you as Geologists find fascinating about the subject?

The awesome power involved in bending and breaking rocks, raising mountains, moving continents.

Do many geologists collect fossils or rocks?
Most do. Mine's a rockery now though.

If so, would it be useful if you could share images/information regarding the rocks/fossils from your personal collection on a website?

In theory yes, but most are not of 'museum' quality. To me, most of my collection is like photographs, mementos of places I've been rather than scientific objects. There are some good images on this site.

Is the promotion of geology within a wide range of ages important?

Extremely important. The general ignorance about our planet is staggering and not having much geology in the national curriculum doesn't help. I've just been peripherally involved in a children's day at our local museum - it is important to inspire them at a young age.

Is geology popular with younger people/children?

Yes, if it conveyed with enthusiasm. We had about 50 kids hunting for minerals - they seemed to enjoy themselves

Are there any features in particular that you would like to see on a website that would be useful to geologists? (For example, maps of good places to go, user reviews of places to visit, good walking routes?)

Maps and field guides are very useful. I've been compiling a local geotrail all summer - there is a lot of work involved in it though

What is it, that you as Geologists find fascinating about the subject?

The enormity of it all: the time it takes for things to happen, the forces involved in making mountains. I also like the fact that geology includes physcis, chemistry and biology. I often talk to my work collegues (poor gits)about geology and they are amazed at the scale of it. As geologists, we're rather nonchalant about a million years or so. But that this is an unthinkable amount of time. It just screws with your head when trying to think about it too much (so I don't).

Do many geologists collect fossils or rocks?

I know of no geologist that doesn't have an extensive rock/fossil collection. One day I want to create a "Garden of Time", starting from one end of the garden with some early land plants, through ferns, horsetails, to cycads before getting to grasses and flowers at the other end. I doubt I'll bother with pre-devonian as that would just be dirt...

If so, would it be useful if you could share images/information regarding the rocks/fossils from your personal collection on a website?

Not particularly. They don't contain anything special or particularly unique. I place the most impressive samples on this website - I doubt I would put them elsewhere

Is the promotion of geology within a wide range of ages important?

Of course. One of the reasons this site exists...To be honest there isn't that much for kids here. I find it very, very difficult to write material for young people, hence no obvious pointers exist for people to create such material and although people I know have said they would like to do something like that, they're busy and it doesn;t get done. You must promote everything to kids; get them while they're young.

Is geology popular with younger people/children?

Yes and no. Kids love volcanoes, dinosaur, earthquakes and the "cool" things about geology. However, they have no idea that they're learning about geology as such. As soon as you mention geology, their eyes glaze over: they think you mean looking at rocks. I was helping out at RockWatch (www.rockswatch.org.uk, which seems to be down at the moment) for a short time which was a lot of fun and some extremely bright kids were there. Some knew more than I did when it came to minerals! They met in the Scottish Museum every other Saturday. It was always well attended. Unfortunately, I was known as Mr. Geophysics....

Are there any features in particular that you would like to see on a website that would be useful to geologists? (For example, maps of good places to go, user reviews of places to visit, good walking routes?)

You're just stealing ideas now This site has reviews of field localities (OK, it's only 3 at the moment, but I have another 2 in the pipeline). There are other sites that have this kind of thing too, but mainly for fossil locations. Discovering Fossils and UK Fossils are the two that spring to mind. I don't remember their URLs.

Some questions for you now

So what are you studying? How did this project come about? Will you let us know what kind of "virtual community" you come up with. I'm always up for stealing ideas

Hi Jon,

Im studying BSc Internet Computing, and have been given this assignment in a module titled 'Collaborative Development'. Around 10 groups of 5 or so people have been assigned to design a virtual community (not unlike this website, really).  I'll be sure to post some screenshots of the final design when complete!

Thanks for all your help,

Ben