Geology literally means 'study of the earth'. It is a study that has affected
the lives of all of us.
It has enabled us to calculate the age of the earth, to understand the causes of
earthquakes and volcanic erruptions and to predict their occurrence.
It is the fundamental science of mining and quarrying.
Mining has privided metals used in the manufacture of cars, ships and aircraft,
our domestic appliances and the electronic equipment that so dominates modern
life. Mining is also the source of the fuels, coal, oil and gas, which have powered
our industries for over two hundred years.
For centuries quarrying has provided stone for buildings, bridges and roads;
and chemicals for fertilisers and countless other applications.
Much of our geological knowledge has come from the study of exposed rock faces
and the fossil remains found in the rock strata. Such sites are a vital part of
our historical heritage. Sadly, many are being lost through neglect or vandalism,
necessitating an active geo-conservation policy to protect them for the benefit
of future generations.
