Hi I'm Derren Cresswell, a third year PhD
student in structural geology. My chosen object
is this collection of field sketches and maps
produced by Charles Lapworth. My interest
in these stemmed from my undergraduate studies
in the early 1990s where, during field trips
to North Yorkshire and the Isle of Arran,
much of the theory I'd been taught in lectures
and laboratories was put into practice and
began to take deeper significance. How small
observations made in the field can provide
insight into geological processes and help
us develop a three-dimensional understanding
of the rocks and structures that lie beneath
our feet.
Lapworth, who initially trained as an art
teacher, was an amateur geologist living in
the southern uplands of Scotland where he
undertook field studies. By detailed field
mapping and careful observations with fossil
graptolites he managed to provide a new interpretation
not only of the structure of the rocks that
form the area but also provide the detail
in understanding how the sequence in evolution
of the animals preserved as fossils allow
us to understand the relative ages of the
rocks formed 540-420 million years ago. It
was this work that led to his appointment
as Professor of Geology at Mason College,
the forerunner of the University of Birmingham.
Lapworth’s maps and notes show very clearly
how he came about this understanding. Simple
maps are used to evolve ideas into much more
detailed three-dimensional understanding of
the geological structure. By nature, I'm not
a very neat writer or drawer so I’ve had
to develop techniques that allow me to record
observations accurately. It is reassuring
to see that Lapworth’s notes and maps are
a mix of beautifully drawn cross-sections
and maps, and quickly drawn conceptual ideas
and rapidly written, very brief notes and
annotations. The latter being more akin to
my own scruffy notebooks.
Despite advanced techniques for looking at
the earth, all geological ideas should be
observed in the rocks. The skill of making
and recording observations and interpretations
is still essential for modern geologists.
Lapworth’s field books are both a reminder
how our understanding has developed and of
the key skills that make good scientists;
making observations and recording them. [Music]
