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Galway Geological Assoc (GGA)

@galway-geol-ass.bsky.social

35 followers 32 following 19 posts

Galway/W. Ireland based; informal connections to Earth & Ocean Sciences, Uni. of Galway & cognate associations on island of Ireland. Images: Connemara marble; Phanerotinus cristatus (from Tuam) GGA is passionate about the natural environment & esp. geology

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Galway Geological Assoc (GGA) @galway-geol-ass.bsky.social · 1d

GGA #fieldtrip on Sat 11 October: Exploring Midland #Eskers (leader: Dr John Feehan). Start point Birr, Co Offaly. For further details email: [email protected]

Knockbarron esker complex; image: lidar and OSI map. Image provided by J Feehan in the context of GGA Fieldtrip Co. Offaly, October 2022

Galway Geological Assoc (GGA) @galway-geol-ass.bsky.social · 1d

GGA Zoom lecture (Wed, 15 October 2025 at 19:00 h): Coastal boulder deposits on the #AranIslands record at least 2000 years of extreme wave events
BY Professor Rónadh Cox (WilliamsCollege Williams College, MA, USA). For Z link email: [email protected]

Megaclasts resting on bedrock near Poll na bPeist; 2025-05-28; GGA/CGA Fieldtrip, Inis Mór (photo: Michael O’Connell)

Galway Geological Assoc (GGA) @galway-geol-ass.bsky.social · 1d

GGA #fieldtrip on Sat 11 October: Exploring Midland #Eskers (leader: Dr John Feehan). Start point Birr, Co Offaly. For further details email: [email protected]

Reposted by Galway Geological Assoc (GGA)

Tom Sharpe @tomsharperocks.bsky.social · 2d

#MolluscMonday: James Sowerby's illustration of Ammonites bucklandi from the Lias of the Bath district, in vol.2 of Mineral Conchology (1818), the description brightened by the tale of William Buckland being proclaimed an 'Ammon Knight' by his friends for his mode of carrying a large specimen.

Illustration from Sowerby's Mineral Conchology of the large ammonite he named after William Buckland. It shows a large spiral shell with its inner whorls missing.

Extract from Sowerby's published description: 'Found in the Blue Lias of Bath and the neighbourhood, measuring from a foot to 21 inches or more in diameter, and rather remarkable for having frequently lost the inner whorls; which circumstance, by a sort of friendly pun, has given rise to the name given it, in honour of a meritorious and enlightened Geologist, the Rev. W. Buckland, who having found a large specimen, was induced by his ardour to carry it himself, although of considerable weight, and being on horseback it was not the less inconvenient; but the inner whorls being gone so as to allow his head and shoulder to pass through, he placed it as a French horn is sometimes carried, above one shoulder and under the other, and thus rode with his friendly companions, who amused him by dubbing him an Ammon Knight; and thus the specimen was secured, by diverting the tedious toil otherwise hardly to be borne. May his zeal for information always be rewarded: may his abilities continue to meet that attention they have hitherto so deservedly gained: may his horn be exalted with honour.'

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Reposted by Galway Geological Assoc (GGA)

Michael O'Connell @moconnell007.bsky.social · 2d

Photos from recent travels to mark #InternationalGeodiversityDay. Dalradian metamorphic rocks with quartz veins #Connemara National Park, W Ireland; sandstone, slate etc, medieval tower house, St Marys & All Saints church, Conwy, Wales; dykes & Watt, Langwarder Groden, west of Bremerhaven, Germany

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Michael O'Connell @moconnell007.bsky.social · Aug 20

Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière a landmark of #Lyon. Delighted to find an #Ireland / #Hungary / #Lyon connection within (in crypt church). Bishop Walter Lynch surely points to connections with #Galway (cf. 'Lynch justice'. Agus 'Ave Maria' as Gaeilge!

Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière from square in front of Saint Jean Cathedral in the old town of Lyon

Icon: Our Lady shedding tears of blood in Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière

Story of icon Our Lady shedding tears of blood in Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière & connection with Ireland

'Hail Mary' in Irish in crypt of Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière

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Reposted by Galway Geological Assoc (GGA)

Michael O'Connell @moconnell007.bsky.social · Aug 16

#Briançon is noted for Vauban (AD 1700) fortifications. Lifts go to 2100 m. Climbed to 2566 Prorel peak. What stupendous views for relatively little effort. This just for starters ...

At about 2300 m larch struggles to establish itself on the screen slopes

Valley of Guisane river & beyond Massif des Cerces

Small glaciers at ca. 4000 m, Massif des Ecrins

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Reposted by Galway Geological Assoc (GGA)

Tuatha @tuatha.ie · Aug 18

In today's edition of our free #MonumentMonday newsletter, we're going further back in time than we have ever done before. To around 380 million years ago, when Ireland was a radically different place!

Check your inbox to delve into Ireland's deep time.

#Ireland #SpéirGhorm

A faint trail of footprints in stone on the shore of Valentia Island, County Kerry

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Reposted by Galway Geological Assoc (GGA)

Michael O'Connell @moconnell007.bsky.social · Aug 19

On way from Briançon to Grenoble managed to stop briefly at La Grave to photo one of the most iconic mountains of the Haute #Alpes, La Meije (3982 m), associated glaciers & scoured rock faces. A raptor also included by sheer chance. Skyscape also dramatic. La belle #France

Haute #Alpes, La Meije (3982 m) as viewed from La Grave, 18 August 2025 (Michael O'Connell)

Haute #Alpes, La Meije (3982 m) as viewed from La Grave. Raptor nr clouds right of centre
18 August 2025 (Michael O'Connell)

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Reposted by Galway Geological Assoc (GGA)

Michael O'Connell @moconnell007.bsky.social · Aug 24

Late summer perfect time for #Connemara. On Thursday headed for the #ConnemaraNationalPark. First stop the Inagh Valley; the ice-sculptured #TwelveBens looking as spectacular as ever. Turf cutting, now largely no more, still to be seen. Connemara mountainy sheep seek out best grazing on road verges

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Reposted by Galway Geological Assoc (GGA)

Emily Mark-FitzGerald @emilymfg.bsky.social · Aug 18

also just for you -- not part of my set (by H.C. White) but a super image I came across -- Galway market women having a laugh with local constabulary
www.loc.gov/pictures/ite...

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Reposted by Galway Geological Assoc (GGA)

Geoscientist magazine @geoscientistmag.bsky.social · Sep 4

This Is Geoscience is a new campaign launched by @geolsoc.bsky.social to showcase the sector's societal value and highlight career opportunities for the geoscientists of tomorrow.

Discover more here: geoscientist.online/sections/new...

#geoscience #geology #careers

This Is Geoscience - GEOSCIENTIST

New campaign ‘This is Geoscience’ aims to showcase the discipline's value to society and highlight the opportunities a geoscience career offers.

geoscientist.online

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Reposted by Galway Geological Assoc (GGA)

British Geological Survey @bgs.ac.uk · Sep 4

BGS has combined geological data, groundwater models and UK Climate Projections (UKCP) scenarios to produce maps showing areas with varying future vulnerability to shrink–swell subsidence.

Information on our BGS GeoClimate datasets can be found on our website:

www.bgs.ac.uk/datasets/geo...

BGS GeoClimate shrink-swell subsidence dataset

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Reposted by Galway Geological Assoc (GGA)

Tom Sharpe @tomsharperocks.bsky.social · Jul 3

3 July 1824: Charles Lyell and French geologist Constant Prévost visit Lyme Regis seeking specimens for Cuvier in Paris. They were among the many visitors who descended on #MaryAnning after the @geolsoc.bsky.social Plesiosaurus meeting earlier that year.
www.researchgate.net/publication/...

(PDF) Brief encounters: Charles Lyell meets Mary Anning

PDF | The recent acquisition by the University of Edinburgh of notebooks and papers belonging to Charles Lyell contains some interesting detail about a... | Find, read and cite all the research you ne...

www.researchgate.net

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Galway Geological Assoc (GGA) @galway-geol-ass.bsky.social · Jul 1

Blanket bog peat - the youngest geological layer - contains much information on environmental change during the post-glacial period as shown by the investigations in #Kilmore Townland, south of the #Magharees, #Dingle, Co. #Kerry

Michael O'Connell @moconnell007.bsky.social · Jul 1

#Dingle reveals previously unknown features of its post-glacial vegetation & farming history. Pleased to report on strawberry tree (#Arbutus), buckwheat (#Fagopyrum) cultivation & extensive pre-bog #fields at Kilmore Td www.mdpi.com/3378528 @mdpiopenaccess.bsky.social #mdpidiversity #Kerry #Ireland

www.mdpi.com

Reposted by Galway Geological Assoc (GGA)

Richard Fallon @richardfallon.bsky.social · Jun 12

Richard Owen's really quite pleasant History of British Fossil Mammals and Birds (1846). Judging by the excellent condition of this copy, students at Mason Science College Birmingham, est. 1880, had little use for a work of palaeontology then so long out of date.

Title page of Owen's A History of British Fossil Mammals and Birds, with decorative woodcut of a Megaloceros skull.

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Galway Geological Assoc (GGA) @galway-geol-ass.bsky.social · Jun 2

The past is always present here on the beautiful Dingle Peninsula - you can certainly say that again. Corca Dhuibhne abú!

Tuatha @tuatha.ie · Jun 1

Standing Stones crown a small knoll that overlooks Wine Strand.

The past is always present here on the beautiful Dingle Peninsula!

A pair of standing stones atop a green hill under a cloudy sky

A view across the water of Wine Strand to the Dingle Peninsula

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Reposted by Galway Geological Assoc (GGA)

OUGS Social Media @ougeolsoc.bsky.social · May 31

Three weeks to go - find those photos NOW! Enter MEPC 2025!
Look out your best pictures and enter them! Two per category...
We are really looking forward to seeing them...
And I'm particularly eager to see your annotated pictures :) so don't let me down... please!

ougs.org/photo-compet...

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Reposted by Galway Geological Assoc (GGA)

Architectural Conservation / Galway City Council @conservationgalway.bsky.social · May 30

Galway City Building of the Month for May is Swan House (RPS. 4201); sitting with a quiet heftiness on the corner of Flood Street & Spanish Parade for over 400 years, it is one of the best surviving late medieval houses in the city. 1/3

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Reposted by Galway Geological Assoc (GGA)

Tuatha @tuatha.ie · May 30

This weekend is the perfect time to explore Ireland's rich heritage.

Come and join us and enjoy a deeper connection with Ireland's story-filled landscapes!
www.tuatha.ie/join/

Become a Member of Tuatha, Join Today

Discover Become a member of Tuatha todevelop a deeper connection with Irelandand really get to know the Old Place.

www.tuatha.ie

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Galway Geological Assoc (GGA) @galway-geol-ass.bsky.social · May 29

#Árainn #geology fieldtrip, book-ended by gales & rain which made the sunshine of Tue & Wed all the more appreciated, ended too soon last evening with CGA taking ferry to Doolin while GGA headed for Rossaveel. Thanks Bettie, Ken, James et al. for bringing such Cork joy & enthusiasm to the event.

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Galway Geological Assoc (GGA) @galway-geol-ass.bsky.social · May 29

#GGA / @corkgeological.bsky.social joint 2025 3-day #geology field trip ended last afternoon on the quay at Kilronan, #InisMór
Carboniferous limestone geology (karst) shown in a new light by Prof John Walsh #EarthScience @ucddublin.bsky.social. A once in a life time experience!

Exploring Carboniferous geology as exposed on the shore at/near Poll na bPéist. The main features (strata, calcite veins, modern-day erosion, etc.) expertly explained by Professor John Walsh. Míle buíochas, John

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Galway Geological Assoc (GGA) @galway-geol-ass.bsky.social · May 20

Thanks to GGA members and friends (esp those who travelled from afar @corkgeological.bsky.social) who participated so enthusiastically on the day. @burrenbeotrust.bsky.social @geolsurvie.bsky.social

Michael O'Connell @moconnell007.bsky.social · May 20

Mullach Mór on Saturday was as I have never experienced it. Blue skies without even a wisp of cloud; temp in the mid/high 20s. Firstly #landscape photos, then #fossils & finally #flora. Thanks Eamon Doyle of #CliffsOfMoherBurrenGeopark for guidance to karstic geology of this & #Burren generally

Mullach Mór, Sliabh Rua and Knockanes. In the foreground, Loch Gealáin - the white lake - a turlough but with no water!

View to NE with Mullach Mór and Knockanes in distance. Low water table level in Loch Gealáin (the permanent lake part) of the turlough system. Geranium sanguineum in the foreground. Clumps of Potentialla fruticosa (woody cinquefoil) and Calluna (ling)

View of karstic landscape to SE from S side of Mullach Mór. Stratified and gently folded Carboniferous limestone gives an amphitheatre effect.

View to the SE towards Loch Gealáin from lower slopes of Loch Gealáin. Whitethorn (Crataegus) bushes in the foreground

Galway Geological Assoc (GGA) @galway-geol-ass.bsky.social · May 13

A fieldtrip not to be missed, especially given the glorious weather we are having and that we are promised will continue (perhaps forever!). We hope you can join us. Galway Geological Association (#GGA)

Michael O'Connell @moconnell007.bsky.social · May 13

Fieldtrip to Mullach Mór, #Burren on Saturday, 17 May run by @galway-geol-ass.bsky.social. Guides Dr Eamon Doyle of Burren & Cliffs-of-Moher Geopark & myself. Meet at Gortlecka X at 10am (52.9967981N, 9.0373889). Details at www.galwaygeology.net
Fáilte roimh cách! @burrenbeotrust.bsky.social

Michael O'Connell @moconnell007.bsky.social · Apr 7

Last but not least there is #geology & #archaeology! Fine examples of coral, mushroom stones and wedge tombs, as well as the ubiquitous erratics 6/7

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Geoscientist magazine @geoscientistmag.bsky.social · Mar 12

Unearthed | Draw them in

Lucía Pérez-Díaz (@drlperezdiaz.bsky.social) discusses the art of geoscience communication through illustration:
geoscientist.online/sections/une...

#Geoscience #SciComm

Draw them in - GEOSCIENTIST

They say a picture speaks louder than a thousand words, and it might… but what if it is speaking in a foreign language? When communicating geoscience through graphics, are we favouring our own needs t...

geoscientist.online

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Galway Geological Assoc (GGA) @galway-geol-ass.bsky.social · Mar 11

Looking forward to this evenings (Tue) #GGA lecture by Gordon Bromley @universityofgalway.bsky.social & insights into paper (hot off the presses) Thinning and retreat of the temperate Connemara ice centre, Ireland, d... www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...