PRESS RELEASE

27th September 2013

Dive into the British Geological Survey’s Open Day TOMORROW

Scientists at the British Geological Survey (BGS) in Edinburghwill be opening the doors and manning their exhibits, experiments and displays at anopen day on Saturday 28th September 2013. Murchison House, the Scottish HQ of the BGS, will be open to the public from 10am to 5pm as part of this year’s Doors Open Day in Edinburgh.

The interactive exhibitsinclude a3D augmented reality sandbox, tsunami safety demonstrations and a 2708 gallon pool that will allow visitors to pilot an underwater ‘Remotely Operated Vehicle’ (ROV).All visitors are encouraged to engage with our scientists, they’re keen to share knowledge and inspire excitement for the Earth Sciences. They also promise there’s no such thing as a stupid question!

Left: Underwater ROV BGS©NERC Right: Press officer Lauren Noakes volunteers to test the pool BGS©NERC

Also on display will be a collection of 400 million year old fossil fish rescued from paving slabs on East Market Street, Edinburgh. These fish would have thrived in sub-equatorial lakes (at about the same latitude that South Africa occupies today). Some of our pavement specimens are up to 60cm in size. The operation to preserve and study these fossils highlights the exciting treasures that lie beneath our feet in the city of Edinburgh. Geologist Dr Tom Challands says “There’s almost an entire Devonian food chain buried in the streets of Edinburgh!”.

Left: Consolidating fossil material prior to lifting of paving slabs (Dr Tom Challands, Dr Jeff Liston, Sally Wild, Eileen Callaghan) BGS©NERC Right: Visible scales of a fossil fish - to be on display at Murchison House BGS©NERC

Murchison House will be packed with BGS scientists and staff illustrating their work at home and abroad, with lots of hands-on activities for even the youngest enthusiasts. For example, visitors will be able to pan for gold, make their own earthquake, examine precious minerals and fossils, and learn about Scottish geology and the rocks used in Edinburgh’s buildings. Many aspects of Earth Science will be demonstrated from ‘What’s Beneath Our Feet’ to ‘Space Weather and the Northern Lights’. Visitors will learn how geologists find natural resources such as oil, water and sand and gravel and see exciting volcano demonstrations. A series of short talks from scientists will also highlight current research topics. Questions from the public are greatly encouraged at these sessions.

No dinosaurs will be harmed during Open Day preparation
(Marcus Mulcahy) BGS©NERC

*Ends*

For further details or to arrange media interviews please contact:

Lauren Noakes, BGS Press Office, Murchison House, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3LA 5GG

Office+44 (0)131 667 1000

Mobile:+ 44 (0)7772 043180

Email:

Ted Harris, Deputy Head of Outreach, Murchison House, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3LA

Office:+44 (0)131 667 1000

Mobile:+44 (0)7752 794679

Email:

Notes for Editors

The BGS Open Day will take place in Edinburgh at the British Geological Survey, Murchison House, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3LA on Saturday 22nd September and is open to the general public from 10.00 to 17.00.

BGS Open Day 2013 flyer:

The British Geological Survey

The British Geological Survey (BGS), a component body of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), is the nation's principal supplier of objective, impartial and up-to-date geological expertise and information for decision making for governmental, commercial and individual users. The BGS maintains and develops the nation's understanding of its geology to improve policy making, enhance national wealth and reduce risk. It also collaborates with the national and international scientific community in carrying out research in strategic areas, including energy and natural resources, our vulnerability to environmental change and hazards, and our general knowledge of the Earth system. More about the BGS can be found at

The Natural Environment Research Council

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is the UK's main agency for funding and managing world-class research, training and knowledge exchange in the environmental sciences. It coordinates some of the world's most exciting research projects, tackling major issues such as climate change, food security, environmental influences on human health, the genetic make-up of life on earth, and much more. NERC receives around £300 million a year from the government's science budget, which it uses to fund research and training in universities and its own research centres.