Talk -The Complex Geology of the Somerset Coalfield

Dorset Geologist’s Association Group (DGAG) will host a talk on the Tuesday 10^th December 2024.
Title: The Complex Geology of the Somerset Coalfield
Speaker: Andy Gordon: Born in Inverness, Scotland, gained a geology degree at Edinburgh University in 1982. Spent a few years working on oil drilling rigs, mostly in the Norwegian Arctic Circle in the glamorous role of mud-logger. In 1988 started a career in IT Networks and Data Communications in the Midlands before moving to Yeovil in 2021 and retiring in 2022. Joined the Somerset Geology Group and tagging along with Dorset Building Stones group, he has rediscovered his love of geology in this wonderful part of the world.
Time: Talk will start at 7pm; finish approximately 8pm
Venue: Activity Meeting Room: Dorford Centre, Bridport Road, Dorchester, DT1 1RR
Lecture Entry Cost: £6 (£5 for DGAG members) collected on room entry
Booking a seat: Contact DGAG events at email: cwebb48578@aol.com
Talk Description: The talk is a summary of the speakers observations on the geology of the Somerset coalfield covering the last 300 plus years of interpretations/story crammed into 45 minute talk. The Somerset Coalfield is a bit of a secret to the rest of the country when we think about coal in the UK. The last coal pit closed in 1973. Starting with a ten-thousand-foot view of the geology of Somerset / the geology of the Somerset Coalfield, we will then drill down into the fossils found in the Somerset Coalfield (the largest collection of Carboniferous insects in Britain and the largest insect ever to fly). We will then get into the geological history of the Coalfield and debate why the Somerset Coalfield is the birthplace and home of English geology; and where the father of English strata geology did not give credit to a past Somerset geologist! Finally, we will get to the coalface and delve into the Variscan and later faulting, looking at early and contemporary maps and cross-sections. From the talk, you should have hopefully found it entertaining and come away with a good understanding of the history and geology of the Somerset Coalfield and an appreciation of the geology of Somerset. There will be an opportunity to challenge Andy with any questions throughout the talk.

Photo: Courtesy of the speaker:  Section of Coal Country: John Strachey 1727

Additional Links:

1. British Upper Carboniferous Stratigraphy : https://data.jncc.gov.uk/data/93992edc-4f36-403a-af95-fe8d2927d6ae/gcr-v11-british-upper-carboniferous-stratigraphy-c6.pdf

2. A useful starter explanation: https://kids.kiddle.co/Somerset_Coalfield