Author Tim Robinson spent countless hours in the west of Ireland, unearthing local Irish-language place names. Some are anchored in myth and poetry, referring to miracle-working saints or Celtic Gods. Most though are prosaic, being linked to people’s names, local plants or animals and – occasionally – geological features. Fàire nan Clach Ruadha is one… Continue reading Looking out for the red rocks
Tag: geology
Earth’s layered structure
Six thousand kilometres isn’t a long way. Along the surface of the earth it’s the distance from Beijing to the Middle East. That distance above your head is still well within earth’s orbit and many satellites are much further out. The Middle East and the earth’s orbit are places we understand reasonably well and that… Continue reading Earth’s layered structure
The Holocene: from the Ice Age to the Age of Rice
Every day history is being made. This is true for geology as well. Out at sea layers of sand or mud are being laid down that will become the geological records of the future. The period of geological time that we are in right now is called the Holocene epoch, which is part of the… Continue reading The Holocene: from the Ice Age to the Age of Rice