https://www.bathgeoenvironmental.co.uk/

Bath Geo-Environmental, Bath (2026)

12/06/2026

🌍 Geology Throwback – Edition 15 | Knossos Palace, Crete 🇬🇷
Stone, civilisation & geological foundations

🪨 Geology & building materials The Palace of Knossos was built using a combination of local limestone, gypsum and sandstone.

⚪ Limestone – widely available and used for structural elements
🧊 Gypsum – softer, easily carved, giving the palace its distinctive light colour
🟤 Sandstone – used in foundations and supporting structures

These materials were sourced from nearby quarries, showing a strong link between local geology and construction.

🏗️ Geological influence on construction The palace sits on a tectonically active island, meaning builders had to consider earthquake resilience. Flexible materials and timber elements were incorporated to absorb seismic activity — an early example of earthquake-aware engineering.

📜 History Built around 2000 BC by the Minoan civilisation, Knossos is considered one of the earliest advanced urban centres in Europe. Its architecture reflects both natural resources and geological constraints, shaping how this ancient society developed.

⚡ Why is it important? Knossos demonstrates how geology directly influenced materials, design and durability in early civilisations.

✨ Where geology meets one of Europe’s oldest cultural landscapes.

❓ How do you think local geology influences ancient construction techniques?

🏛️🌍

08/06/2026

🌟 The Art of Logging: Translating Ground Information into Engineering Insight 📜🌍

At the core of any geotechnical or geo-environmental project is accurate and well-structured logging—a skill I have honed over many years working as an , , and !

🔎 Following British Standard BS 5930, I’ve developed expertise in:
🔹 Describing soils and rocks systematically based on primary and secondary constituents.
🔹 Defining key engineering properties—strength, plasticity, structure, and weathering grades.
🔹 Ensuring consistency between field observations and laboratory results for robust geotechnical interpretation.
🔹 Preparing borehole, trial pit, and core logs with precise stratigraphy details.

But technical accuracy is important for…
✔ Clear and standardized logs, which are essential for effective communication between engineers, contractors, and designers.
✔ Accurate interpretation, as cross-referencing site logs with lab data refines the understanding of ground conditions.
✔ Collaboration with drillers and field teams, ensuring logs reflect real-world site conditions accurately.

Logging isn’t just about recording data—it’s about telling the true story of the ground. 🏗🌱

If you’d like to discuss best practices in logging or geotechnical data interpretation, feel free to reach out!

📧 [email protected]

07/06/2026

🌍 What a Geologist does on a weekend – Edition 62: Leaving Senegal

As my time in Senegal comes to an end, I could talk about the incredible geology of Dindefelo 🇸🇳⛰️. I could talk about ancient rocks between 2,300 - 1,200m, remarkably well preserved and extraordinary sedimentary structures and evidence of some of the earliest forms of life on Earth, bacterial mats.

Being part of a Geoheritage and Geopark project has undoubtedly been one of the highlights of my professional career. 🪨🌍
The path has not always been easy but people make it easier.

From my coordinator Dr Muriel Basile, whose dedication has helped this project grow over many years, to the local community members who welcomed me with open arms and to my Senegalese family❤️

I will never forget how my father prepared omelette breakfasts, how he brought me in hospital when I was ill, and the evenings after dinner learning Pulaar and talking about life.

I will never forget my mother. The first time she gave me a hug and a kiss. How she made my bed next to hers outdoors during the hot nights. How she woke me during violent storms to bring me safely inside and stay close to her and my little sister. And I will never forget what happened when it was time to leave she told me: "You are leaving, but you will always be my daughter." Then she gave me a silver bracelet that had belonged to her mother and her grandmother before her.

To all my brothers and sisters in Dindefelo, thank you for the laughter, the dancing, the conversations and the memories. You will never be forgotten.

This experience has reminded me that international cooperation is not only about projects, reports, maps or research. It is about people, relationships and understanding one another across cultures.
I did not intend for this post to be so emotional, but I believe this community, this project and my Senegalese family deserve this recognition.

I hope I will have the opportunity to return in the future and continue contributing until then as my father says "Rosa c'est la vie. The important part is the people"

Until next time, Senegal. 🇸🇳❤️ Jarama buy

03/06/2026

🗺️⛰️ What Does a Geologist Do When Mapping an Area? ⛰️🗺️
People often imagine geology as simply “looking at rocks”, but geological mapping and cartography involve much more than that. Before even stepping into the field, there is a huge amount of preparation behind every geological map.
A geologist first studies: 📚 Existing geological information and previous research 🛰️ Aerial photographs and satellite imagery 🧭 Geomorphology and landscape features 🪨 Rock samples and hand specimen identification 📍 Access routes, logistics and safety considerations
In remote or difficult areas, working with local guides is essential — not only for safety, but also for understanding the territory, the environment and the local knowledge connected to the landscape.
Here in the Réserve Naturelle Communautaire de Dindefelo (Senegal), some mornings start very early climbing up towards the plateau before the heat becomes too intense. Along the route, we cross different weathering horizons including: 🟠 Saprolites 🔴 Laterites 🟤 Pisolites
before reaching villages such as Affia and continuing towards the waterfalls and outcrops for field observations.
One of the formations currently being mapped is the Dindefelo Formation, mainly composed of: 🪨 Fine red sandstones 🟣 Thin purple slate/mudstone layers
In the field, the work consists of: 📏 Measuring geological sections 🧭 Recording orientations and structures ✏️ Describing lithology and sedimentary features 🗺️ Correlating observations across the landscape
All these observations are later integrated to help reconstruct the geological history of the area and produce geological cartography.
Sometimes a geological map starts with simply walking for hours, observing carefully and asking questions about why the landscape looks the way it does. 🌍
🪨🌍

01/06/2026

🌟 Reflecting on my journey as an engineer, I began my career in the laboratory — which laid the foundation for my technical expertise! 🧪🔬

During those early years, I gained invaluable experience in:
🔹 Sampling, preparation, and testing of soils, rocks, and materials in the lab, following British Standards (BS).
🔹 Conducting tests like Plastic Limits, Liquid Limits, Wet & Dry Sieve, Particle Density, Triaxials, Vicakits, Flow Channels, Bud Balance, Bleed Tests… you name it!

🧱 These hands-on experiences taught me not only the technical aspects but also the importance of:
✔ Accurate data collection to avoid NCR (Non-Conformance Reports).
✔ Training and mentoring others in these methodologies.
✔ Better soil description techniques based on primary and secondary constituents.
✔ Amending field logs to align with lab results.
✔ Scheduling chemical and geotechnical samples and comparing them against field data for solid geotechnical interpretation.

What many don’t see? The coordination between departments and subcontractors to meet tight deadlines, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

This early stage shaped my understanding of the complexities of geotechnical work, and I’m proud of the foundation it gave me to contribute effectively to larger projects.

🔧🌍If you’re ever in need of advice or want to chat more about this journey, feel free to reach out! Let’s keep building the future — safely and effectively.

🏗📧 Contact: [email protected]

31/05/2026

🌍 What a Geologist does on a weekend – Edition 61
This weekend was a more relaxing one in the local market of Dindefelo 🇸🇳🧺✨ helping my Senegalese mother with some errands and preparations for the great fête of Tabaski 🐑🌙
After weeks of intense fieldwork, mapping and hiking, it was beautiful to slow down a little and experience everyday life within the community 🤍
The local market is full of colours, fabrics, spices, vegetables and smiles 🌶️🧅🧵 One of my favourite parts was seeing all the incredible traditional fabrics and patterns — every colour combination tells a story and reflects such a vibrant culture 🎨✨
Being part of daily life here is teaching me that geology projects are not only about maps and rocks. They are also about understanding communities, traditions and people 🌍⛏️
Tabaski preparations bring families together, and the atmosphere in Dindefelo is full of energy, kindness and excitement 🙌🏾
I feel incredibly grateful for how welcomed I have been here. Little by little, Dindefelo feels like a second home 🏡🤍
❓ Question: What is your favourite way to experience a new culture when travelling or working abroad?
Jarama buy (thank you in Pulaar) to everyone who continues supporting my journey in Senegal 🤍🌍
🌍🧺✨

29/05/2026

🌍 Geology Throwback – Edition 14 | Thrihnukagigur Volcano, Iceland 🇮🇸
Inside a volcano: exploring the magma chamber

🌋 A unique geological experience Did you know that in Iceland you can go inside a volcano? Thrihnukagigur is the only place in the world where the magma chamber can be safely explored from the inside.

🪨 Geological setting This volcano is part of Iceland’s hotspot and rift system, where magma rises due to mantle upwelling and plate separation. Most volcanoes collapse after eruptions, but here the magma drained away, leaving the chamber intact and accessible.

⬇️ Descending into the Earth Visitors are lowered by an open elevator ~120 m down into the chamber. Inside, you can observe:
🎨 Oxidised colours (reds, yellows, blues) from mineral-rich gases
🧱 Volcanic walls formed by cooling magma
🕳️ The empty conduit where magma once flowed

⚡ Why is it special? Instead of collapsing, this volcano preserved its internal structure, offering a rare glimpse into the plumbing system of a volcano — something we usually only infer from surface geology.

✨ A journey into the heart of the Earth, where geology becomes a real, immersive experience.

❓ What do you think happens to most magma chambers after an eruption?

🌋🌍

26/05/2026

📚🌍 Supporting the Next Generation of Geologists 🌍📚
This week in Senegal, besides continuing with fieldwork and remote reporting for my UK clients, I have also been helping my little sister Maria prepare for her geology exams. 😊
The topics included: 🪨 Tectonic plates 📏 Geological faults 🌋 Geological processes ⏳ Geological chronology of events 📚 Principles such as superposition of strata and relative dating
She worked incredibly hard and did very well in her exam — very proud teacher/sister moment! ☺️
Sometimes people think geology is only about rocks in the field, but a big part of being a geologist is understanding how to reconstruct Earth’s history from clues preserved in the ground. From tectonic activity to sedimentary sequences, every structure tells part of the story.
For me, it is also important to encourage the next generation, share knowledge and make geology accessible and interesting for younger students. 🌍✨
Alongside the international collaboration work here in Senegal, I continue assisting clients remotely and will be back in the UK in mid-June for site-based projects and contracting work.
Bath Geo-Environmental can assist with:
📑 Phase 1 Desk Studies 📊 Phase 2 Geo-Environmental Reports 🪓 Site Investigation Supervision & Logging 📏 In-situ Testing & Soakaway Testing 🧪 Laboratory Testing Coordination 📋 Ground Investigation Scoping 🛠️ RAMS Preparation 🌍 Environmental Site Audits ♻️ Remediation Support & Strategies
📩 [email protected]
🌍🪨

Bath Geo-Environmental

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