Have you ever been on holiday, looking at the local geology, and wished that you
had a professional geologist and local expert by your side to explain the geology
to you?
For those of you who visit South Wales, that wish has now been granted by the
publication of a new book (see photograph left) by Dr Gareth George; a Welshman,
a former lecturer in Geology at the University of Greenwich, and a member of the
Kent RIGS Committee.
To summarise the geological content of the book, and Gareth's qualification to
write it, we can do no better than to quote verbatim from the precis on the rear cover.
"The Geology of South Wales provides up-to-date field itineraries to
five regions noted for their beautiful scenery and outstanding geology:-
Vale of glamorgan (6 itineraries)
Gower (4 itineraries)
Headwaters of the River Neath and River Tawe (3 itineraries)
South Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen Bay (16 itineraries)
North Pembrokeshire and Cardigan Bay (9 itineraries)
The itineraries are well-illustrated with line figures (120), including location
and geology maps, cross sections, stratigraphic columns, graphic logs and depositional/facies
models;black & white (56) and colour (21) photographs.
The field guide is user-friendly and suitable for a range of Earth scientists,
enthusiastic amateurs, schoolteachers, under graduates, Open University students
and professionals. Most of the main disciplines of the Earth sciences are covered,
including stratigraphy, sedimentology, palaeontology, structural and igneous geology,
and geomorphology. The extremely important concepts, principles and applications
of the relatively new discipline of sequence stratigraphy are introduced and explained
by reference to many excellent field examples and case studies of Upper Carboniferous
strata. Key stratigraphic surfaces, present within these sequences, record significant
changes in relative sea level, which were driven by both glacio-eustatic and basinal
processes
Return to Top
Gareth George is a retired academic who began his teaching career in 1969 at
Sir John Cass College (London) and retired in 2004 while at the University of
Greenwich. He was also a part-time tutor for the Open University and a consultant
to the oil industry. During his geological career he ran innumerable field trips
to South Wales for undergraduates, postgraduates and oil company personnel. His
main research interests are clastic sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy, with
particular emphasis on Upper Carboniferous successions."
Clearly, this book offers much more than the itineries for 38 geological field trips
listed in the precis above.
A ten page 'Introduction' addresses South Wales and covers the following topics:-
Transport, Accommodation and food, Landscape and scenery, Prehistory and historic
buildings, Cultural attractions, Exploring on foot, Wildlife, Sports and leisure
activities.
Chapter 2, 'Overview of the geology of South Wales' is 23 pages long and covers
in some detail the following geological periods as they are represented in South Wales:-
Precambrian (Neoproterozoic), Early Palaeozoic (542 - 416Ma), Caledonian (Acadian)
orogeny, Old Red Sandstone, Carboniferous (Dinantian and Silesian), Variscan orogeny,
Mesozoic and Palaeogene - Neogene (Tertiary), Quaternary (Pleistocene and Holocene)
and concludes with a section on field itineries and safety guidelines.
Chapters 3 through 7 give very detailed guide information for the 38 itineries.
Eight appendices, a seven page glossary and nine pages of useful references complete
this most comprehensive guide book.
Twenty one coloured photographs highlight the beauty of the varied South Wales geology.
The photographs are copyrighted but the four photographs below were supplied by
the author and are reproduced with his permission.
Return to Top
 |
 |
Skrinkle Haven with the prominent Church Doors and Horseback limestones.
|
The Green Bridge of Wales, a magnificent natural arch with a span of approximately 25m.
|
 |
 |
Late Namurian-early Westphalian strata at Henrhyd Falls, north crop of the South Wales Coalfield.
|
Impressive chevron anticline in turbidites and mudstones, at Newport Sands.
|
Finally, this is a guide that you will carry with you on your field trips; and,
recognising this, it comes with a plastic wallet to protect it.
If you are interested in geology and visit South Wales you really must buy this book.
Copies, price £17.95 (plus postage & packing), are obtainable from:-
G. T. George
17, Aviemore Gardens,
Bearsted,
Kent.
ME14 4BA.
Email: gareth@geoserv.co.uk
Return to Top
|