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Issue 62 of the Rockwatch Magazine – published December 2012

ROCKWATCH NEWS

A review of just some of our exciting Events and activities over the past few months.

SPARKLING ROCKSTARS

See some of the fantastic entries to this year’s competition displayed at the HQ of the competition sponsor Anglo American Group Foundation during the wonderful prize-winners’ celebration event.

STUDYING A MAJOR LANDSLIDE

Learn how Emily Frankish our 2012 Rockstar, decided the topic for her competition entry and how she planned and executed it. An edited version of her entry explains how she made a 3-D model of the Bournville landslip near Abertillery in South Wales, her study area. She also included a geological report of this landslide and others in the South Wales area and she even developed a game to help understand the issues, which was great fun to play.

DOWN THE SALT MINES

This is another winning entry from our annual competition. Fureya Nelson Riggott’s entry has been edited to tell the story of salt mining in Cheshire, mainly around Middlewich. This is a small town peopled since pre-Roman times, as settlers discovered the presence of highly salt water in springs scattered through the area. Fureya’s article tells the fascinating history of this important industry.

MONGOLIA – A GREAT PLACE FOR GOLD

Matt Loader tells us about the exciting time he had mining for gold and copper deep in the Gobi desert. He explains how these mineral are formed (deep in dying volcanos since you ask!) and how extensively they are used in our everyday lives.

THE ROMAN STONE AGE

From Susanna van Rose we learn how the Romans used building stones from the whole of the Roman Empire to expand their use of many exotic coloured and decorative stones, rather than local ‘stuff from round the corner’! They were out to impress; read all about it.

THE ENCHANTED CITY

Matias Tugores tells us about an enchanted city (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site) east of Madrid, formed from Cretaceous age limestones. These weathered into karstic landforms of weird and wonderful shapes, so extraordinary that the area has featured in many notable films. Clearly a ‘must visit’ place as Matias’ article shows.

INSIDE SCOTT’S HUT

Tom Sharpe, a frequent visitor to the frozen shores of Antarctica, explores Scott’s hut on this great continent. He shares his amazement at finding it just as it was left by the men on Scott’s  expedition as they began their, unfinished, journey home. Tom explains how the men surveyed & mapped the area, collecting many rocks & fossils, from which they learnt that Antarctica was not always a frozen desert.