NORTH EASTERN GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Newsletter January 2012
Dear Member,
Our thanks go to John Smith who resigned as chair in December. He took on the post
of Chairman following the stepping down of Gordon Wilkinson in 2008. John stepped into the post
even though he is not a geologist as an interim measure to ensure the continuation of the Society.
Over a number of years he stoically carried on as chair until a new appointment could be made.
We are extremely grateful to John for all he has done for the Society through the years, both as Secretary of
the Society and latterly as Chair. John has many outside interests, and we would like to thank him for all the
time he has loyally given to NEGS in spite of a busy life.
1. NEGS AUTUMN/WINTER LECTURE PROGRAMME.
2. NEGS SPRING/SUMMER FIELD TRIPS
3. OTHER NEWS.
Foundations of the Northern Pennines: Rookhope – 50 years on.
Herdman Symposium Liverpool, Saturday 18th February 2012
3. ADMINISTRATION
1. NEGS AUTUMN/WINTER LECTURE PROGRAMME
The December lecture was given by Prof. Richard Davies, Univ. Durham: The Lusi mud volcano
disaster, Indonesia: Why and what next?
Gordon Liddle has kindly produced this summary of the lecture.
Professor Davies delivered an articulate review of the 2006 Lusi eruption of mud in Java for the
NEGS members. Using the example, he developed our awareness of the risks associated with the
recovery of fossil energy. The ongoing Lusi eruption now covers 7 sq.kms and has been responsible
for death, displacement of thousands of local inhabitants and the loss of their homes.
The cause of the eruption might be due to the drilling process. The area sits on Pliocence deposits of
mud and volcanoclastic material; this lies above a limestone aquifer. Sedimentation of the near
surface rocks was rapid limiting normal lithification / diagenetic processes; this allowed water to
remain in the sediments. It is possible that the aquifer was breached by the drilling and water
pressure increased, exceeded that of the confining rocks, leading to their fracture and eventual
eruption of the mud. One projection proposes a 26 year life for the eruption.
Prof Davies summarised the possible factors that may have played a part in the disaster and
highlighted the global effort of individuals to monitor and interpret the disaster.
Discussion and questions explored how the understanding of Lusi might inform the present
‘Fracking’ (i.e. hydraulic fracturing of rock to aid recovery of gas) proposals in NW England
Images and additional information are available at the following web sites:
Lusi Mud Volcano, Indonesia :
Image of the Day
earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/vi
ew.php?id=42526CachedSimilar
Mud Volcano In Java May
Continue To Erupt For Months
And ...
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20
07/01/070123181953.htm
If you don't have a computer, go and check it out at your local library.
OUR NEXT LECTURE IS
20th January, 2012 Dr Lisa Baldini. Univ. Durham: Cave calcite deposits as recorders of
palaeoclimate
17th February, 2012 Prof. Philip Gibbard, Univ. Cambridge: The last glacial cycle in lowland
England
16th March, 2012 Dr. Mike Norry, Univ. Leicester: Shetland; the evolution of geology, language
and people
Please remember Professor Gillian Foulger, our Lecture Coordinator, has a website which gives
details about the lectures, lecturers and their websites. To access it, click here.
She also has her own website which members might like to view: click here.
2. NEGS SPRING/SUMMER FIELD TRIPS
Our field trip organiser John Waring is hard at work sorting out some interesting trips for us in the
new year, please make a note in your diary/calendar now of the dates below
12th May - 12th. May: Ryhope Dene, Seaham and Blast Beach. Durham Permian. Leader: Andy
Lane, Univ. of Sunderland. (More details later).
June – tba.
July - tba.
4th. August: One of the tributary valleys of Swaledale or Wensleydale. Leader: Jon Barber, Univ.
of Leeds. (More details later).
September – tba.
3. OTHER NEWS
Saturday 28th January 2012. - No Tickets required, just turn up
FOUNDATIONS OF THE NORTHERN PENNINES: ROOKHOPE – 50 YEARS ON
‘THE SIR KINGSLEY DUNHAM MEETING’
Joint meeting of the Natural History Society of Northumbria, the Yorkshire Geological
Society and Friends of Killhope
2.00pm -5.00pm Great North Museum:Hancock
Please see October Newsletter for details.
Herdman Symposium Liverpool, Saturday 18th February 2012
University of Liverpool
The full programme with abstracts, times, location of the Sherrington Lecture Theatre and ticket
charge will be circulated in December. The charge to non-students will, subject to sponsorship,
probably be ~£10, which includes programme, buffet lunch, tea/coffee and wine reception.
Persons interested in attending should contact Helen Kokelaar, e-mail:
herdman@liverpool.ac.uk
3. ADMINISTRATION
If you receive this newsletter by post and have an email address, then please let me have it.
negssecretary@btinternet.com
The AGM will be held just before the March lecture at 7.30pm in the Arthur Holmes Lecture
Theatre.
Attached is a PDF copy of an article which appeared in the Magazine of the Geologists' Association
on Geology of Churches in the North East.
Best Wishes,
Judy Harrison
NEGS Secretary