Anyone interested in their local geology

Highlander71 · #1 (**permalink**) 19-10-2008, 06:31 PM

Is anyone interested in their local geology? Having studied geology I found living in Hertfordshire quite boring (chalk and clay doesn't keep one interested for very long). Now we live in NW Scotland we have the best geology in Britain to play with

What do other members think/know about what's under their feet?

Wild-Woman · #2 (**permalink**) 19-10-2008, 06:44 PM

Yes- I like geology and find limestone landscapes the most interesting.

Susie · #3 (**permalink**) 19-10-2008, 06:46 PM

I don't know very much about geology but am very interested in learning more.

My local area is fascinating and very varied; I am on the edge of the high weald, which is next to the low weald, and that is between the Surrey Hills and the South Downs. It's a great landscape and I am trying to read up on it when I get time. We've got chalk downland, acid heaths and clay and all the varied flora and fauna that goes with it.

Dogghound · #4 (**permalink**) 19-10-2008, 06:48 PM

Yes I like it too, im surprised their isnt a sub forum on it. Its quite interesting around here with the remains of a large lake as well as a glacial formed landscape.

Cheryl · #5 (**permalink**) 19-10-2008, 06:52 PM

We're on London Clay and have suffered from subsidence because of it

My husband is/was a geologist and worked for many years in the Middle East - he dosn't work in that field any more but when we're out walking he still constantly picks up bits of rock and stuff, I suppose that once it's in your blood ................ but it drives me mad ...............

Paul mabbott · #6 (**permalink**) 19-10-2008, 07:04 PM

Yes, this has been suggested before and I'd be in favour of a forum but nothing has come of it. Anything like this I put in 'Wildplaces and Geography' .... There is overlap bewteen landscape and th geology of the landscape, at one end; and mineralogy, palaeontology at the other ...
We could start a thread on geology but that might become enormous! I wanted to be a geologist when I was at school but my teachers warned me against it as having 'no future'

I was a bit peed off later but really I suppose I've enjoyed living organisms more ....

Highlander71 · #7 (**permalink**) 19-10-2008, 07:49 PM

I'm surprised there isn't a forum on here for geology related things. Perhaps with enough interest one can be started? (wouldn't know how to go about it though!).
Glad to hear i'm not the only one that goes around picking up rocks. My other half has become quite interested through following me around and having rocks shown to her! We had her sister stay a couple of weeks ago and she started looking for rocks/minerals at the local quarry. Obviously i'm a bad influence!

Hedge Witch · #8 (**permalink**) 19-10-2008, 07:55 PM

Jolly good idea - I loved 'O' level geology (OMG - does that show my age

).

Edit - possibly threads can be posted in the Geography forum for now?

LynM · #9 (**permalink**) 19-10-2008, 08:27 PM

As a former Geography teacher and geological bore, I would welcome anywhere to talk about it! So many of the serious sites for geology are far too complex and scare me off. It would be good to chat to like minded, interested amateurs at a slightly less highbrow level.

In answer to the original question....yes, I'm very interested in my local geology! Like you say, Highlander.....chalk and clay get a bit boring after a while...I lived in the Chilterns until 10 years ago, now I have the Jurassic coast at my disposal...much more fun!

Highlander71 · #10 (**permalink**) 19-10-2008, 08:38 PM

As Lyn says some of the geological sites are far too complex even if I did study it at degree level. It takes the fun out of it if you go too deeply (no pun intended). Non geologicaly minded people are often fascinated when you can identify rocks off hand and point out different mountains and what they are made of. Perhaps I should have been a teacher?...........nah, I like kids but couldn't eat a whole one!