• Question: How do you choose which areas to go on field studies, and ensure minimal disruption to those living in the area?

    Asked by bebebleu to Angus, Christian, Hannah, Laura, Simon on 24 Jun 2013. This question was also asked by mrhicks.
    • Photo: Laura Roberts Artal

      Laura Roberts Artal answered on 24 Jun 2013:


      Usually a field area is chosen because there is something about it that we don’t fully understand or because the rocks there have a particular quality we are interested in, their age for example, or the minerals that are in them.

      I think most Earth Scientists plan their field work very carefully so as not to disrupt those living in the area. Because we study the planet it’s fair to say we care about it also. One of the most common things we have to do is seek permission to work in an area and that can take quite some time. It’s important to do this properly, so that good relationships are established and we are allowed to go back to a place if we need to!

      I make a lot of holes in rock faces for my work and in the past these were left empty and looked really ugly. Now, most palaeomagnetist try to collect samples from places that won’t easily be seen by anyone walking by and we fill them with cement and local sand/rocks were possible.

    • Photo: Hannah Bentham

      Hannah Bentham answered on 24 Jun 2013:


      Great question!

      We always chose field areas based on the question we want to answer. Depending on the type of field work will depend on how disruptive it will be to the locals.

      For example, for our lastest trip to Turkey our task was to learn more about the North Anatolian Fault and whether the crust is just moving or whether the crust and mantle are connected in the movement of the 2 sides of the fault. To do this we wanted to detect regional and global earthquakes using seismometers. We had to dig holes in the ground and bury the instruments to reduce the noise. We needed solar panels for power and sometimes a fence to keep out animals. Where possible we liked to do this in people’s gardens as they will look after it for us (In the past we have had equipment stolen or eaten! ) therefore we need people’s permission and most of them were so willing to help. We only have the seismometers installed for 18 months but we do make sure we reduce the amount of space we take up and try to keep the grassy turf as a whole piece so it will grow back.

      Good communication with landowners is always important…though sometimes this is pretty tough in different languages!

    • Photo: Christian Maerz

      Christian Maerz answered on 25 Jun 2013:


      Well, as a marine scientist, I mostly go out to sea to do my field studies. As no humans are living at sea, there is nobody we could disturb. However, we take great care that marine mammals like wales or dolphins are not affected by our research activities.

    • Photo: Simon Holyoake

      Simon Holyoake answered on 25 Jun 2013:


      nothing to add here, the others have covered it all really well!

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