Update on Icelandic volcanism
2025-09-11 19:45 - 21:30 UTC | Oaklands College, Sapsed Room (SR), Oaklands College, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL4 0XS, United Kingdom
Talk by Emeritus Professor Hazel Rymer, The Open University
Abstract
Volcanism on Iceland is both a source of geothermal & tourism revenue but also a hazard. Geophysical data can be used to explore the origin of the island of Iceland, the ongoing volcanic activity and to predict its future. Here we’ll look at the latest news and measurements from the land of ice and fire.

Angiosperms: pollen, evolution and ecosystems
2025-10-09 19:45 - 21:30 | Oaklands College, Sapsed Room (SR), Oaklands College, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL4 0XS, United Kingdom
Talk by Dr Luke Mander, Senior Lecturer, The Open University
Abstract
Luke’s works with both living plants and material from the plant fossil record, which represents a vast archive of morphological novelties and natural design solutions that have been produced over the course of evolutionary time. In this context, he is particularly interested in the evolution of tropical rainforests, which are among the most complex ecosytems on Earth. He has worked mostly with pollen grains, which are morphologically fascinating objects with an outstanding fossil record, but also work with the leaves of vascular plants.
His current research activities are focused on plant palaeobiology and morphology.
He is interested in quantifying the morphology of plants, classifying plants on thebasis of their morphological characteristics, and investigating the biogeographical evolution of plant diversity.
Biography
Luke received a PhD in 2010 from University College Dublin for a thesis that investigated 200 million-year-old fossil plant remains in East Greenland. He then spent two years as a postdoc in the Department of Plant Biology at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. I returned to the UK with a two-year EU Marie Curie fellowship in the Earth System Science group at the University of Exeter. He has been a lecturer at The Open University since 2015.
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The Onset of Modern-Style Plate Tectonic
2025-11-13 19:30 - 21:00 | Zoom Talk
Talk by Professor Craig Storey, University of Portsmouth
Abstract
Since the 1960s we have accepted the plate tectonic paradigm as being central to how our planet operates at the present day. However, there is much ongoing debate as to when plate tectonics began and how similar it was to the current observable mode. Hypotheses range from the Hadean to the Neoproterozoic and therefore span across profound changes in the Earth system, including atmospheric oxygenation and the proliferation of life. In this talk I will review (some of) the “hallmarks” of plate tectonics, their first appearance and secular evolution, and speculate on when it all began and how it evolved.
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The value & potential of the UK’s dinosaur track sites
2025-12-11 19:30 - 21:00 | Zoom Talk
Talk by Richard Butler, Professor of Palaeobiology, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham
Due to unforeseen circumstances Richard was unable to give this talk so it will be rescheduled to a future date.
Abstract:
Dinosaur tracks provide important data on the distribution of dinosaurs through time and space and unique information on palaeobiology and behaviour, such as dinosaur locomotion, herding behaviour and species interactions. Dinosaur tracks and trackways are typically not collected and generally are left in the field: as such they have significant realised and potential value for tourism and education. In our recent work, we have comprehensively reviewed the distribution of dinosaur track sites in the UK and their scientific and cultural ‘value’. Fourteen dinosaur track sites are present in situ in the UK today, distributed across England, Wales and Scotland, and spanning from the Late Triassic to the Early Cretaceous. UK sites with considerable national and international scientific value include the Late Triassic dinosaur track site Bendrick Rock, in South Wales, and the Middle Jurassic site at Ardley and Dewars Farm quarries in Oxfordshire, parts of the latter having been excavated by our research team in 2024 and 2025. By contrast, the Early Cretaceous dinosaur track sites at Hanover Point, Isle of Wight, and Spyway Quarry, Dorset have relatively high cultural value due to their accessibility and visitor appeal, but modest scientific value. Our work helps identify threats and opportunities for UK dinosaur track sites, potentially helping to guide future conservation, scientific research, and public engagement efforts.

Stratigraphy & Sedimentology of Northern European Chalks
2026-01-08 19:30 - 21:00 | over Zoom
given by Dr Haydon Bailey, HGS Chairman, Past GA president & geological advisor to the Chiltern Society
Abstract:

The Upper Cretaceous Chalks of Northern Europe appear, on the face of it, to represent sedimentation during an extended period of relative tectonic and environmental stability. Nothing could be further from the truth. These uniform, white, fine grained carbonates are the sediments resulting from constant change in water temperature, oxygen content, dynamic water currents both at the sea surface and at depth.
Back in 1994 I presented a talk at a European conference entitled “Chalk, white, as above!”, because that was the comment frequently seen on core logs, geologists’ description sheets and engineering geologists’ well logs. Just how much information were we losing because of this phrase? Over the last 30 years our understanding of chalk deposition, and the environmental conditions which control it, have fundamentally shifted. Hopefully I can convince you that this might be the case.
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This replaced the scheduled talk on Critical Minerals from Geology to circular economy: A matter of national security planned to be given by Professor Kathryn Moore, University of Exeter. This was due to bad weather. Kathryn’s talk will be rescheduled to a later date.

Critical minerals from geology to circular economy: a matter of national security
2026-01-08 19:30 - 21:30 | over Zoom
talk given by Associate Professor Kathryn Moore, University of Exeter
Abstract:
With the imminent release of a new Critical Minerals Strategy, the UK is updating its approach to national security. In this lecture, I will highlight the security issues that threaten critical mineral supply chains into the UK and into most countries. I will explain how mitigation of the risks requires ground – truthing, based on an understanding of geology and material properties, as well as wider socioenvironmental and political considerations. I will discuss how the needs of critical minerals production is a challenge in terms of skills requirement, and why the discipline of geology has never been more important.
Unfortunately this talk had to be cancelled due to communication issues caused by Storm Goretti. The talk will be rescheduled for a later date.

The end-Triassic mass extinction and its aftermath
2026-02-12 19:30 - 21:30 | over Zoom
talk given by Professor Paul Wignall, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds
The end-Triassic marks one of the big 5 mass extinctions of the fossil record and is also probably one of the least understand. It has many things in common with the preceding mass extinction at the end of the Permian. Both are associated with the eruptions of vast flows of basalt lava and both occurred whilst the world’s continents were united into a supercontinent. The talk will focus on some of the latest discoveries and ideas regarding both the mass extinction event and its aftermath. Unlike some other crises, the recovery from the crisis was remarkably quick in a geological sense and it of course paved the way for dinosaur to dominate the planet for 135 million years.
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49th Percy Evans Lecture: The Geology of the Lower Chess Valley & where does all that water go?
2026-04-09 19:45 - 21:45 | Redbourne Parish Centre, The Park, Redbourne, Hertfordshire, AL3 7LR, United Kingdom
given by Dr. Haydon Bailey, HGS Chairman
now postponed to a later date.

Geology of Stonehenge and the bluestone controversy
2026-05-14 19:45 - 21:45 | Redbourne Parish Centre, The Park, Redbourne, Hertfordshire, AL3 7LR, United Kingdom
talk given by Prof. Peter Worsley, Emeritus Professor of Quaternary Geology, University of Reading

The Chalk Sea Ecosystem Project
2026-06-11 19:45 - 21:45 | Redbourne Parish Centre, The Park, Redbourne, Hertfordshire, AL3 7LR, United Kingdom
talk given by Dr James Witts, Senior Post Doctoral Researcher, Natural History Museum London

Researching the Puddingstone Book
2026-07-09 21:45 | Redbourne Parish Centre, The Park, Redbourne, Hertfordshire, AL3 7LR, United Kingdom
talk given by Gerald Lucy, Essex Rock & Mineral Society & Mike Howgate, AGS & HGS

The Deep Geology beneath southern England (TBC)
2026-09-10 21:45 | Redbourne Parish Centre, The Park, Redbourne, Hertfordshire, AL3 7LR, United Kingdom
talk given by Dr. Chris Pullen, Director, CP Exploration

Book Presentation - The Meteorites
2026-10-08 19:45 - 21:45 | Redbourne Parish Centre, The Park, Redbourne, Hertfordshire, AL3 7LR, United Kingdom
given by Helen Gordon, Hertfordshire University & Author

Alpine peaks and salt intrusions - Geological windows into Earth's mantle
2026-11-12 19:45 - 21:45 | over Zoom
given by Dr. Jonathan Turner, Geologists’ Association Field Guide Editor

The history of geological thought and exploration of the geology of the Himalaya
2026-12-10 19:45 - 21:45 | over Zoom
given by Dr. Danny Clarke-Lowes, Director, Nubian Consulting
