Welcome to our new Discovering Geology group!Geology is defined as the scientific study of the origin, history and structure of the earth! So that is what we will be doing in its widest sense.
However the intention is to focus on how this all affects us here in North Yorkshire and initially at least, will try and keep things as non technical as we can in order to accommodate everyone. No prior knowledge is needed - just your interest! Even so, there will be lots to learn - we are a u3a group after all!
Our group will look at a various aspects of Geology to offer a flexible range of topics for our meetings or outings. You will find that a knowledge of geology is very useful when out walking or even looking for wild flowers to name two of our existing groups.
We will find out more about the science of Geology, the basic types of rocks we have, which of these rocks we have in North Yorkshire and how they got here in the first place.
We will investigate how our rocks are responsible for, and indeed control not just our iconic North Yorkshire landscape - but also our local economy!
Fundamental to appreciating all of this will be looking at the history of our earth over its past 4.5 billion years, and how our various rocks were formed and indeed significantly affected by other happenings during that time leading to an understanding of how we got to where we are today!
Members are encouraged to bring in rocks or fossils you have collected (rather than purchased!) to show each other. Please also include the location where you found them as this can be crucial for identification - and of course it helps our other members to be aware of what can be found and where.
The group will be looking at the different types of rock in North Yorkshire and indeed further afield - and hopefully will be going go out to see them in their natural setting. To do so we will visit a variety of sites in our county (so some travel will be involved) to see first hand the different types of rocks and rock structures we have around us which will include visiting some sites where we can hunt for fossils!
But a group such as this is still a group of Easingwold area based u3a members and what we do will depend on your own participation - and for everyone to enjoy being a member going forwards.
Don't forget, it would be great to bring along any samples of rocks that you have collected to show one another and indeed any photos you have taken. Join our WhatsApp group to more easily share articles and photos with each other. Look for "Easingwold u3a Discovering Geology"
If you have missed our early sessions, here are summaries of what we have learned.... click on the links to download the slides as a reference!
2024 - December - Introduction & Continental Drift or Plate Tectonics
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Pj8AlX1NT6CDOnXilOJfTWLDHS08pmam/view?usp=sharing2025 - January - Igneous Rocks
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YSZqliMWIokTzvIgOf7g2yzNlGtjgD0G/view?usp=sharing2025 - February - Sedimentary Rocks
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AqUa6ttUR_o0NcAA7Y4R9f3XLWdM5DHV/view?usp=sharing2025 - March - Metamorphic Rocks & an introduction to Geological Maps
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qx0rHYjUW17HT_Ynk1_YNjvJpbx2klY3/view?usp=sharing2025 - April - An introduction to the rocks in North Yorkshire - and all about Fossils!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11jG-sNp27nwynHFcAxsVtVXxPH9pvtxI/view?usp=sharing2025 - May - Faults and Geological Structures (or why North Yorkshire isnt flat!)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/103F5-f9PGk6-RjuTqRih8ppqVVxT90x8/view?usp=sharing