ERMSVIDEO - Essex Rock and Mineral Society's YouTube channel
All Essex Rock and Mineral Society Zoom meetings are recorded and uploaded to our own YouTube channel - ERMSVIDEO. These videos fall into two main categories:
None of these videos are visible to the general public - only members of Essex Rock and Mineral Society can view them when they click on the links that are sent out by our Secretary.
Below is the full list of the recordings that are currently available
- ERMS 'Basics' videos, which are usually given by members of the Society and cover basic topics in geology and palaeontology. They are aimed at amateurs who have no previous experience of geology, but would like to know more.
- Miscellaneous videos, which are usually given by an external speaker who is an expert in his or her chosen field. Nevertheless, these videos are still aimed at enthusiastic amateurs, rather than fellow experts.
None of these videos are visible to the general public - only members of Essex Rock and Mineral Society can view them when they click on the links that are sent out by our Secretary.
Below is the full list of the recordings that are currently available
ERMS 'Basics' videos
Title of Video Presenter Affiliation Date given
Gems - the inside story Ian Mercer ERMS 02/02/2021
Gemstones. Where do they come from and what constitutes a gem. What makes them genuine, and how to spot a fake. What makes them valuable.
Gemstones. Where do they come from and what constitutes a gem. What makes them genuine, and how to spot a fake. What makes them valuable.
The Rock Cycle Ros Mercer ERMS 18/02/2021
The talk covers the eternal cycle of volcanic magma cooling to form igneous rocks which are then converted into sedimentary rocks, which are then turned into metamorphic rocks and finally back to magma. These are the geological processes that are the basis for all of the Earth's rocks.
The talk covers the eternal cycle of volcanic magma cooling to form igneous rocks which are then converted into sedimentary rocks, which are then turned into metamorphic rocks and finally back to magma. These are the geological processes that are the basis for all of the Earth's rocks.
Sedimentary Rocks Ros Mercer ERMS 18/03/2021
An explanation of the basics of sedimentary rocks, namely clays, shales, sandstones and limestones. It explains how they were formed, and why they have the properties that they do.
An explanation of the basics of sedimentary rocks, namely clays, shales, sandstones and limestones. It explains how they were formed, and why they have the properties that they do.
Limestone Ros Mercer ERMS 15/04/2021
This talk explains the different types of limestone. It covers how they are formed, what they look like, they types of fossils that are to be found in them, and how to recognise them.
This talk explains the different types of limestone. It covers how they are formed, what they look like, they types of fossils that are to be found in them, and how to recognise them.
Moving Continents Ros Mercer ERMS 27/10/2021
The Earth's crust consists of a small number of plates, which move around on its surface. This talk explains what makes them move, what happens at the boundaries of these plates (i.e. the creation of mountain ranges, rift valleys, volcanos and earthquakes) and how we know about all this.
The Earth's crust consists of a small number of plates, which move around on its surface. This talk explains what makes them move, what happens at the boundaries of these plates (i.e. the creation of mountain ranges, rift valleys, volcanos and earthquakes) and how we know about all this.
The Rock Cycle - Mud to Granite Ros Mercer ERMS 24/11/2021
The rocks in the earths crust are subject to a never ending cycle that goes from sedimentary rock to metamorphic rock to igneous rock and back to sedimentary rock. This lecture describes the journey from mud and claystones through the various stages of metamorphosis the result in granite - which is subsequently eroded to form mud and clay.
The rocks in the earths crust are subject to a never ending cycle that goes from sedimentary rock to metamorphic rock to igneous rock and back to sedimentary rock. This lecture describes the journey from mud and claystones through the various stages of metamorphosis the result in granite - which is subsequently eroded to form mud and clay.
Metamorphic Rocks - Part 2 Ros Mercer ERMS 13/04/2022
Many of the rocks in the Earth's crust are the result of the heating and squeezing of existing sedimentary rocks - processes which often happen at great depths. This lecture tells the story of how this happens, and what chemical transformations take place to create metamorphic rocks.
Many of the rocks in the Earth's crust are the result of the heating and squeezing of existing sedimentary rocks - processes which often happen at great depths. This lecture tells the story of how this happens, and what chemical transformations take place to create metamorphic rocks.
Miscellaneous videos
The Origin of Life on Earth John Ratford ERMS 02/03/2021
An update on the recently discovered traces of a meteorite that impacted somewhere around the Isle of Skye, around 60 million years ago. Some tantalising evidence that it might have been a comet rather than a meteorite.
An update on the recently discovered traces of a meteorite that impacted somewhere around the Isle of Skye, around 60 million years ago. Some tantalising evidence that it might have been a comet rather than a meteorite.
Early Man in Britain Nick Ashton British Museum 06/04/2021
Oman has some amazing geological features, which, unlike the equivalent features in the UK are not covered in vegetation and hence are easy to view. In particular, it is the world's premier site for viewing ophiolites.
Oman has some amazing geological features, which, unlike the equivalent features in the UK are not covered in vegetation and hence are easy to view. In particular, it is the world's premier site for viewing ophiolites.
The Evolution of Birds Dennis Kell ERMS 04/05/2021
An update on the recently discovered traces of a meteorite that impacted somewhere around the Isle of Skye, around 60 million years ago. Some tantalising evidence that it might have been a comet rather than a meteorite.
An update on the recently discovered traces of a meteorite that impacted somewhere around the Isle of Skye, around 60 million years ago. Some tantalising evidence that it might have been a comet rather than a meteorite.
Understanding Fossils Ken Brooks Hastings Geological Society 17/06/2021
This is a comprehensive review of fossils, covering what constitutes a fossil, how fossils are created and why they are important. A well illustrated talk suitable for beginners and experienced fossil hunters alike..
This is a comprehensive review of fossils, covering what constitutes a fossil, how fossils are created and why they are important. A well illustrated talk suitable for beginners and experienced fossil hunters alike..
The Geology of Oman James Creswell Geoworld Tours 06/07/2021
Oman has some amazing geological features, which, unlike the equivalent features in the UK are not covered in vegetation and hence are easy to view. In particular, it is the world's premier site for viewing ophiolites.
Oman has some amazing geological features, which, unlike the equivalent features in the UK are not covered in vegetation and hence are easy to view. In particular, it is the world's premier site for viewing ophiolites.
Update on Skye Meteorites Andy Beard Birkbeck College, London 15/07/2021
An update on the recently discovered traces of a meteorite that impacted somewhere around the Isle of Skye, around 60 million years ago. Some tantalising evidence that it might have been a comet rather than a meteorite.
An update on the recently discovered traces of a meteorite that impacted somewhere around the Isle of Skye, around 60 million years ago. Some tantalising evidence that it might have been a comet rather than a meteorite.
Dinosaurs: New visions of a lost world Prof Mike Benton Bristol University 26/01/2022
This is the story of how the discovery of the first feathered dinosaurs in China, starting in 1996, has completely revolutionised our view of dinosaurs. In particular, the determination of the colours of these feathers has given us new insights into how the animals lived.
This is the story of how the discovery of the first feathered dinosaurs in China, starting in 1996, has completely revolutionised our view of dinosaurs. In particular, the determination of the colours of these feathers has given us new insights into how the animals lived.
Trees at the North Pole Neil Davis Cambridge University 09/02/2022
A facinating insite into the plantlife of the high arctic during the Devonian and Pliocene. Much of Pliocene specimens are so well preserved that they have not yet become fossilised. The difficulties of collecting specimens from this harsh environment are also well illustrated.
A facinating insite into the plantlife of the high arctic during the Devonian and Pliocene. Much of Pliocene specimens are so well preserved that they have not yet become fossilised. The difficulties of collecting specimens from this harsh environment are also well illustrated.
The Geology of Bedfordshire Bev Fowlston Bedfordshire Geology Group 14/03/2022
A comprehensive introduction to the geology of Bedfordshire, as well as the local industries (especially brickmaking) which were based on this geology.
A comprehensive introduction to the geology of Bedfordshire, as well as the local industries (especially brickmaking) which were based on this geology.
Clay - Mineralogy and Uses Prof Peter Scott Camborne School of Mines 10/05/2022
This is an excellent introduction to the main types of clay, their mineralogy, where they are found, and what they are used for. As an overview, it is first class, being both simple enough but also comprehensive enough to act as a grounding for the non-specialist.
This is an excellent introduction to the main types of clay, their mineralogy, where they are found, and what they are used for. As an overview, it is first class, being both simple enough but also comprehensive enough to act as a grounding for the non-specialist.
Geohazards in the UK Martin Culshaw British Geological Survey 22/06/2022
A good overview of the different types of Geohazards that are encountered by engineers in the UK. This includes things like earthquakes, landslips, cliff erosion, mining subsidence etc.
A good overview of the different types of Geohazards that are encountered by engineers in the UK. This includes things like earthquakes, landslips, cliff erosion, mining subsidence etc.
Tunnel Valleys in the North Sea Margaret Stewart British Geological Survey 21/09/2022
This intriguing video delves into the alien world of the ice rivers that once ran beneath the ice sheets that previously covered the land area which has now become the North Sea.
This intriguing video delves into the alien world of the ice rivers that once ran beneath the ice sheets that previously covered the land area which has now become the North Sea.
Millions of Years Ian Mercer ERMS 26/10/2022
The concept of a millions years is extremely difficult for the average mind to comprehend. This video tackles exactly this problem - and discusses how difficult it was for nineteenth century geologists to arrive at an agreed view of the age of the Earth.
The concept of a millions years is extremely difficult for the average mind to comprehend. This video tackles exactly this problem - and discusses how difficult it was for nineteenth century geologists to arrive at an agreed view of the age of the Earth.
Ice Age Mammals in Mendips Danielle Shreve Royal Holloway, London 23/11/2022
This talk tells the story of a multi-decade excavation in a cave in the Mendips, which has revealed astonishing details of the mammal fauna that inhabited the area during the late Pleistocene
This talk tells the story of a multi-decade excavation in a cave in the Mendips, which has revealed astonishing details of the mammal fauna that inhabited the area during the late Pleistocene
Volcanoes - Past and Present Ros Mercer ERMS 11/01/2023
This extremely informative overview of UK volcanoes starts with the oldest known, and progresses to the youngest. Excellent diagrams and pictures
This extremely informative overview of UK volcanoes starts with the oldest known, and progresses to the youngest. Excellent diagrams and pictures
