Ian Jackson | Northeast Rocks: The history of the northeast in 20 stones

Ian Jackson
Northeast Rocks: The history of the northeast in 20 stones

Saltpan Rocks | Image provided by promoter

The Director of the British Museum, Neil MacGregor needed 100 objects to describe just 300,000 years of human history. Is it possible to describe 425 million years of the evolution of the landscape of northeast England in two books about 100 rocky places, or in this talk about 20 stones in 40 short minutes?

Steel Rigg | Image provided by promoter

This talk will journey across the northeast and beneath it to explore the rocks that not only produced our region’s stunning scenery, but are the foundation of its history, economy, wildlife and culture. Discover remnants of old volcanoes and deep oceans, walk across ancient coral reefs; visit mining villages that were once tropical swamps; or see the evidence for the awesome force of the last Ice Age. We hope the talk will inspire you to visit many of these places and better understand our spectacular landscape. The talk uses the latest research to explain why geology is relevant to our lives today: from the challenges presented by old mines, to climate change and future flood risk.

Biography

Ian Jackson, author | Image provided by promoter

Ian Jackson was born and raised in Carlisle. He has a degree in geology and geography from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and is a Chartered Geologist and Fellow of the Geological Society. He spent 18 years surveying the geology of parts of the north of England, including Northumberland and Tyneside, for the British Geological Survey. Later he was responsible for national and international programmes that produced the first UK, European and global digital geological maps and made them web accessible. He retired from the position of BGS Operations Director in 2011 and moved to Bardon Mill. Ian hikes in Northumberland, Durham or Cumbria every week and in addition to many scientific maps, articles and reports, he is the author of the best-selling Rock book series: Northumberland Rocks, Cumbria Rocks, Durham Rocks and The Rocks at the Edge of the Empire.

(If you would prefer to book directly over the phone, please call the Library Desk team on 0191 232 0192 and they will be happy to help)