Earth Sciences collection curated by UCL graduate students goes on display in May

The students have taken the existing collection and presented it in a new and exciting light, exploring the broad field of geology through history and into the future, while examining the pioneering research activity of UCL's Department of Earth Sciences. The collection is open to staff, students and the public.

Major themes investigated by the exhibition include planetary science - featuring the regional NASA archive held at UCL, one of only two in Europe containing wonderful images - and volcanoes, focusing on Mount Vesuvius and the work of UCL's Benfield Greig Hazard Research Centre. One of the first geological maps of England was made by a UCL scholar, and the display examines what these maps show us and how they were made, in the past and today.

Micropaleantology is also featured - beautiful creatures that live in the sea and can inform us about climate, flora and fauna of the planet - plus, the origins of building material found in the Bloomsbury area and a geological trail. Images retrieved from other planets by remote sensing are also on display, from space missions that explore other planets and our own.

The exhibition forms part of the MA in Museum Studies programme, and has been funded by the Institute of Archaeology, the Mineralogical Society, Lynx Information Systems and by former staff and students giving through the UCL Friends Programme. The publicity officer for the display said: "The display will be modern and colourful, with images and objects. We also have our own geologist, a cartoon character who will answer 'did you know?' questions for visitors."

Images: Top - Discoaster Kuepperi. Bottom - An aerial photograph, taken by satellite, of Mount Vesuvius.

To find out more about the exhibition use the link below.

Link: Department of Earth Sciences