Not too long ago, I used to be lucky to signify the Smithsonian Establishment’s journey program, Smithsonian Journeys, as a geologic lecturer for 145 visitors. We sailed from Glasgow Scotland to Bergen Norway, stopping at six pleasant and really scenic locations. What an honor it’s to signify the Smithsonian on this method and to additional a wider understanding of earth historical past and modern-day earth processes to the touring public! This put up simply covers the primary two stops in Scotland – I’ll put up the remainder of Scotland and Norway in subsequent posts.These are the three formal lectures I gave onboard:
1. Landscapes and Geology of Scotland: The Birthplace of Trendy Geology
2. By Time within the Orkney and Shetland Islands
2. Fjords and Glaciers of Norway and Earth’s Altering Climates (plus – Quick Historical past of the Smithsonian)Â
There was additionally the chance to go to with visitors individually whereas onshore with observations and insights. The voyage traveled by landscapes containing rocks as outdated as 3 billion years (the Lewis Gneiss) to Paleogene lava’s (about 60 million years outdated). A spotlight for me was studying extra concerning the Caledonian Orogeny, when North America collided with Baltica (historic Scandinavia) and Avalonia (historic France and Iberia). This mountain constructing occasion commenced about 430 million years in the past.
Glasgow
I barely made the ship’s departure! My flight to the UK from Phoenix was delayed 21 hours (not cancelled) and different delays brought about me to reach on the ship terminal simply earlier than the gangway was lifted. It was fairly the journey.
| From the desert of Arizona to inexperienced, inexperienced Scotland – that is Glasgow |
 |
| Crusing down the River Clyde from Glasgow – I missed seeing this most attention-grabbing metropolis |
Isle of Skye
Skye is the northernmost and largest island of the Inside Hebrides chain. It has a wealthy human historical past courting again to the Mesolithic (in Scotland this dates to about 14,000 to about 5,500 years in the past). The surroundings is rugged with deep bays and distinguished peninsula’s.
 |
| Our go to started anchored off of Portree, the biggest city on Skye at about 2,200 residents. It’s recognized for its colorfully painted pier buildings. |
 |
| As we toured the sting of the island, we might see cliffs of layered basalt |
 |
| The hummocky terrane seen behind the white homes is a big landslide with blocks of rotated rock sliding from left to proper (west to east) |
 |
| As we drove across the island, we encountered sheer basalt-lined cliffs, this one with a waterfall |
 |
| Turning to the south, intensive cliffs have been seen. The lava’s erupted within the Paleogene, about 60 Ma. |
My subsequent posting will cowl the Orkney and Shetland Island teams. Keep tuned!
