PRESS RELEASE
27th September 2013
Dive into the British Geological Survey’s Open Day TOMORROW
Scientists at the British Geological Survey (BGS) in Edinburgh will be opening the
doors and manning their exhibits, experiments and displays at an open day on
Saturday 28th September 2013. Murchison House, the Scottish HQ of the BGS, will be
open to the public from 10am to 5pm as part of this year’s Doors Open Day in
Edinburgh.
The interactive exhibits include a 3D augmented reality sandbox, tsunami safety demonstrations
and a 2708 gallon pool that will allow visitors to pilot an underwater ‘Remotely Operated
Vehicle’ (ROV). All visitors are encouraged to engage with our scientists, they’re keen to share
knowledge and inspire excitement for the Earth Sciences. They also promise there’s no such
thing as a stupid question!
Left: Underwater ROV BGS©NERC
Right: Press officer Lauren Noakes volunteers to test the pool BGS©NERC
Also on display will be a collection of 400 million year old fossil fish rescued from paving slabs
on East Market Street, Edinburgh. These fish would have thrived in sub-equatorial lakes (at
about the same latitude that South Africa occupies today). Some of our pavement specimens
are up to 60cm in size. The operation to preserve and study these fossils highlights the exciting
treasures that lie beneath our feet in the city of Edinburgh. Geologist Dr Tom Challands says
“There’s almost an entire Devonian food chain buried in the streets of Edinburgh!”.
Left: Consolidating fossil material prior to lifting of paving slabs (Dr Tom Challands, Dr Jeff Liston, Sally Wild, Eileen
Callaghan) BGS©NERC Right: Visible scales of a fossil fish - to be on display at Murchison House BGS©NERC
Murchison House will be packed with BGS scientists and staff illustrating their work at home and
abroad, with lots of hands-on activities for even the youngest enthusiasts. For example, visitors
will be able to pan for gold, make their own earthquake, examine precious minerals and fossils,
and learn about Scottish geology and the rocks used in Edinburgh’s buildings. Many aspects of
Earth Science will be demonstrated from ‘What’s Beneath Our Feet’ to ‘Space Weather and the
Northern Lights’. Visitors will learn how geologists find natural resources such as oil, water and
sand and gravel and see exciting volcano demonstrations. A series of short talks from scientists
will also highlight current research topics. Questions from the public are greatly encouraged at
these sessions.
No dinosaurs will be harmed during Open Day preparation
(Marcus Mulcahy) BGS©NERC
*Ends*
For further details or to arrange media interviews please contact:
Lauren Noakes, BGS Press Office, Murchison House, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3LA 5GG
Office
+44 (0)131 667 1000
Mobile:
+ 44 (0)7772 043180
Email:
lnoakes@bgs.ac.uk
Ted Harris, Deputy Head of Outreach, Murchison House, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3LA
Office:
+44 (0)131 667 1000
Mobile:
+44 (0)7752 794679
Email:
tjh@bgs.ac.uk
Notes for Editors
The BGS Open Day will take place in Edinburgh at the British Geological Survey, Murchison
House, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3LA on Saturday 22nd September and is open to the
general public from 10.00 to 17.00.
BGS Open Day 2013 flyer: http://www.bgs.ac.uk/news/DIARY/MHOpenDay2013.pdf
The British Geological Survey
The British Geological Survey (BGS), a component body of the Natural Environment Research
Council (NERC), is the nation's principal supplier of objective, impartial and up-to-date
geological expertise and information for decision making for governmental, commercial and
individual users. The BGS maintains and develops the nation's understanding of its geology to
improve policy making, enhance national wealth and reduce risk. It also collaborates with the
national and international scientific community in carrying out research in strategic areas,
including energy and natural resources, our vulnerability to environmental change and hazards,
and our general knowledge of the Earth system. More about the BGS can be found at
www.bgs.ac.uk.
The Natural Environment Research Council
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is the UK's main agency for funding and
managing world-class research, training and knowledge exchange in the environmental
sciences. It coordinates some of the world's most exciting research projects, tackling major
issues such as climate change, food security, environmental influences on human health, the
genetic make-up of life on earth, and much more. NERC receives around £300 million a year
from the government's science budget, which it uses to fund research and training in
universities and its own research centres. www.nerc.ac.uk