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A talk presented by Prof. Patrick De Dekker for the NSW Department of Resources and Energy
William Smith’s geological map of England, Wales and southern Scotland was the first national-scale geology map ever produced. Published in 1815, the map not only revolutionalised geological thinking, mapping and visualization, but also led to the development of coal, water, mineral and other resources across the southern United Kingdom.
The importance of Smith’s map was not appreciated and recognized until later, and he has been referred to as the Father of English Geology.
2015 is the bicentenary of the publication of Smith’s famous map, and the story of the development and implications of his map is befitting of the 2015 Earth Science Week theme of Visualizing Earth Systems.
This public talk has been organised to celebrate the International Map Year.
About the speaker:
Prof. Patrick De Dekker joined ANU in 1988, and is currently Professor – Earth Environment. He completed his PhD in 1981, and in 2002 was awarded a DSc for his Australian Quaternary Studies – both at the University of Adelaide. Patrick’s primary research skills and expertise are in Cainozoic palaeoenvironments, including palaeoceanography, micropalaeontology, and fingerprinting Aeolian dust in Australia. He was awarded the Mawson Medal by the Australian Academy of Science in May 2010 for outstanding contribution to Earth Science in Australia.
For further information regarding this event email geosurvey.events@industry.nsw.gov.au
