Lectures are open to all and there is no charge for admission. However regular in person attendees are expected to be members of the society.
Lectures
Lectures are open to all and there is no charge for admission. However regular in person attendees are expected to be members of the society.
Time:
7:45pm for 8:00pm
Venue:
In Person: Sorby Room, Wager Building, (formerly Geoscience),
The University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading.
Use Car Park 8 (OS: SU 7336 7159, W3W: ///herbs.clap.type, Lat,Long: 51.4385775,-0.9459335)
Via Zoom: Members are sent the joining link by email.
Non-members wishing to join a zoom lecture can request this using the registration link when shown. Requests should always be made before 6pm on the previous day.
This lecture will be both in the Sorby room and via Zoom.
The University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading.
Use Car Park 8 (OS: SU 7336 7159, W3W: ///herbs.clap.type, Lat,Long: 51.4385775,-0.9459335)
Via Zoom: Members are sent the joining link by email.
Non-members wishing to join a zoom lecture can request this using the registration link when shown. Requests should always be made before 6pm on the previous day.
This lecture will be both in the Sorby room and via Zoom.
Monday 2 March 2026
Presidential Address – Tracing the trace elements from rocks and minerals
Dr Stuart Black, University of Reading
Non Members Registration
We routinely use trace elements as a ‘fingerprint’ for many processes in geology, whether that be in volcanic, metamorphic or sedimentary rock systems. However, these elements are increasingly being used in other areas of science, for example, ecology, geography, biology and environmental science to fingerprint processes or pollutants. The lecture will explore some of these. One good example is wine…that incorporates a lot of trace elements from the vines. A hypothesis I would like to test with you is that wine grown on volcanic soils tastes better than wine grown on other geologies…The lecture will include a practical demonstration for those attending in person!
Stuart Black is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Science in the School of Archeology, Geography and Environmental Science (SAGES)
His areas of interest are:-
Isotope Geochemistry and its applications to past and present climate and environments
Geochronology (U-Series isotopes)
Isotopes ecology to source and provenance plants and animals for interpretation of past environments
Isotopes in forensic science
Image: A vineyard near to Mt Etna, Sicily receiving vital trace elements and ash. Stuart Black