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The Oxford Geology Group
Although you don't have to join OGG to enjoy most of our amazing activities, we would love for you to take membership as it supports our important education and outreach work.
Belonging is good for you! Membership has its benefits and we would be happy to talk to you more...
LEARNING LANDFORMS
[GEOMORPHOLOGY] This is an esker. Eskers are long, winding ridges of layered /stratified sand and gravel. They are formed under glacial ice, in ice-walled tunnels in which meltwater streams flowed. Eskers can run for many kilometres. The direction and composition of the esker is very much associated with the pressure exerted by the overlying ice. They sometimes bifurcate.
When the ice retreats the esker remains as a sinuous ridge running along the valley floor, similar to a rail or highway embankment.
This image was captured at Fulufjället, western Sweden and taken by Hanna Lokrantz in 2004
MONTHLY MINI QUIZ
Mini
QUIZ
January 2022
A nice simple question to help kick start the year.
Which of the three diagrams represents a graben?
It's not difficult as you may think. Examples of a graben are: The Central North Sea, The Rhine Valley and the Baikal Rift Zone.
The Rima Aridaeus on the Moon is also considered to be a Graben.
Enough of the chit chat - answer the question!!
ROCK OF THE MONTH
Hampen Formation
The rocks that built Oxfordshire
The Hampen Formation can be found in the northern half of the county. Famous for Cetiosaurus fossils.
The Hampen Formation are interpreted as a carbonate facies deposited in a marine environment with some siliciclastic terrigenous input.
Formerly known as the Hampen Marls or the Hampen Marly Beds.
Image: This is a Royal Mail (UK) stamp published in October 2013. Cetiosaurus was the first sauropod known to science. The fossilised bones were so large that they were originally considered to be that of a whale. Cetiosaurus translates into English as 'whale lizard'. You can read more about this dinosaur by visiting the dinosaurs page of this website.
The holotype fossil is on display in the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.
GETTING ACTIVE
OGG's unrivalled, wide-ranging package of events and activities
OGG delivers a super programme of affordable events and activities throughout the year - open to all. We organise conferences, lectures, field trips, guided walks, training and educational workshops.
FEATURED MINERAL
[MINERALOGY] Mimetite (variety Campylite - From the Greek 'kampylos' translated as 'bent', due to the barrel-shaped bend of the crystals). The mineral isplays a very fine burnt orange colouration and a vitreous lustre, with the light reflecting from the many faces of the barrel-shaped, hexagonal twinned crystals on white quartz
This image of a specimen from the Drygill Mine, Caldbeck fells. Mimetite, variety Campylite.. Size of specimen: 79mm x 19mm. Specimen collected: 1981. Image: © NERC
SERENDIPITY
Ⓒ The Oxford Geology Group 2010-2022. All Rights Reserved.
Registered with The Charity Commission as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in England & Wales 1175367.
Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs recognise The Oxford Geology Group as a charity for tax purposes.
Registered address:
Department of Earth Sciences,
South Parks Road,
Oxford, OX1 3AN