IGA Excursion to Visit the National Centre for Isotope Geochemistry at Science Centre East, UCD

Date and Time: Wednesday, March 26th 2025 at 7pm

Developments in the field of geochemistry have been transformative for our understanding of processes that have shaped our planet over geological time. This visit is a chance to see some of the new kit at UCD in its new home laboratory. You will be guided through the methods and instrumentation used in generating evidence to support our understanding of the timing and order of Earth processes.

The National Centre for Isotope Geochemistry at UCD (NCIG) is a world-class analytical facility that was established by Prof. Stephen Daly in 2009. The facility currently comprises two high-resolution multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers (Thermo Scientific Neptune and Thermo Scientific Neoma), a thermal ionisation mass spectrometer (Thermo Scientific Triton) and two Thermo Scientific iCAP Q-ICP-MS instruments. The laboratory is also equipped with an Analyte G2 193nm Excimer laser (Teledyne Technologies) that can be coupled with one of the iCAPs, the Neptune or the Neoma instruments for laser ablation in-situ analyses. Total investment in capital equipment and lab facilities, to date, amounts to more than €3M. 

The two iCAP Q-ICP-MS instruments are used respectively for solution-based trace element analyses of waters and acid digested geological and archaeological materials and for trace element measurements (spot and mapping) and U-Pb dating of minerals such as zircon, apatite and rutile by laser ablation. 

The laboratories have recently moved to a state-of-the-art facility in UCD’s Science South building that includes new clean labs for sample dissolution and ion-exchange separations as well as mineral separation and other sample preparation methods.  Isotope ratio measurements are routinely made in the U-Pb, U-Th, Pb-Pb, Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd, Re-Os systems, in a wide range of geological materials. The recently installed Neoma instrument will extend the range of isotope systems that can be investigated and will allow in-situ laser ablation dating of Rb-rich minerals.

The visit will be led by Prof. Frank McDermott, who was appointed to the full-time lecturing staff in the UCD Dept. of Geology in 1999. He is currently Professor of Geochemistry at UCD and has been Director of the National Centre for Isotope Geochemistry since 2021. His research spans aqueous and low-temperature geochemistry, mineral weathering, isotope geology and U-series dating methods, palaeoclimatology and related atmospheric processes. He served as a Member of the Editorial Board for the international geochemistry journal Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta from 2014-2023.  He was elected as a Member of the Royal Irish Academy (MRIA) May 2020.

To register for this event please CLICK HERE. Numbers are restricted to 20 participants.

Meeting Place: Participants should assemble at 6.45 for 7pm on March 26th 2025 at Science Centre East at University College Dublin (Belfield site) in room E0.61 (ground floor), near the Pi Restaurant).

Location link = https://maps.app.goo.gl/jNrfYFp7Tib81p1j6

The layers of zircon crystals are analogous to tree rings. They are commonly utilised for isotope dating of geological specimens using laser ablation and mass spectroscopy.

The NCIG supports research across the Geosciences, including in Geochemistry, Petrology, Geochronology, Earth Resources, Marine & Earth Surface Processes, Palaeoclimatology and Quaternary Geology. 

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on IGA Excursion to Visit the National Centre for Isotope Geochemistry at Science Centre East, UCD

Fin Whale Song in Seismic Land Data

IGA Lecture on Wednesday 19th March, M4, TCD at 7.30pm

(In-person event only, all are welcome)

Title:“Fin Whale Song in Seismic Land Data: New Opportunities for Coastal Cetacean Monitoring”

Speaker: Dr. Martin Möllhoff (Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies)

Venue: Lecture at M4, The Museum Building, Trinity College Dublin


Abstract: Fin whales, the second-largest creatures on Earth, produce some of the most powerful vocalizations in the animal kingdom. While these sounds are traditionally captured using underwater hydrophones, we uncover that fin whale songs can also be detected from land. This discovery, made in Ireland, reveals that these vocalizations generate vibrations in coastal areas that are strong enough to be recorded by affordable, land-based seismometers used for citizen science projects. This new approach provides a cost-effective method for monitoring near-coastal fin whale activity, while also empowering the public to engage in marine science research. Our findings hold the potential to enhance our understanding of fin whale migration patterns and social behaviours, which are currently limited.

Biography: Dr. Martin Möllhoff studied Geophysics in Cologne, Germany, and Galway. In 1999, he commenced his career as a Technical Officer with the Geophysics Group at University College Dublin (UCD), where he also completed a PhD in seismology. In 2015, he joined the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) and was appointed Director of Seismic Networks in 2018.
Throughout his career, Martin has garnered extensive expertise in the installation and management of seismic networks, often in remote and challenging environments. His primary research interests lie in environmental seismology, with a particular focus on ocean waves, water flow, volcanic activity and more recently the intriguing phenomenon of whale vocalizations.

Posted in Events, Lectures | Comments Off on Fin Whale Song in Seismic Land Data

MINE LANDS with Artist Judy Carrol Deeley

©Artist Judy Carroll Deeley
©Artist Judy Carroll Deeley

IGA – GEOLOGY IN ART on 22nd March 2025 at 12.00 mid-day.

Exhibition/Excursion: MINE LANDS with Artist Judy Carrol Deeley followed by an Excursion to the Summit of Bray Head, Co. Wicklow

Venue: Mermaid Art Gallery, Bray Co. Wicklow and an Excursion to Bray Head

IGA Leader:  Dr. Bill Sheppard

The IGA is delighted to have been cordially invited by the Mermaid Art Gallery and by artist Judy Carroll Deeley to visit the Mine Lands Exhibition and to enjoy and discuss Judy’s art works focussed on the mine areas of Glendasan and Glendalough.  In addition to these areas Judy has exhibited, or will soon, exhibit works based on visits to mine areas in South Africa, East Europe and Tynagh in Ireland.  Judy will join us and discuss her works and inspirations. Bill Sheppard will discuss landscape as perceived by Geologists in particular in the East Wicklow area.  Interesting geologist-artist interactions are assured.

MEETING POINT: The foyer of the Mermaid Art Centre Gallery, Main Street, Bray, Co. Wicklow A98 N5P1 

There is free car parking in the Centre.

BOOKING/INFORMATION

CONTACT: Bill Sheppard

Email: billsheppard.liamin@gmail.com 

Mobile Number 087 212 6677

Please book with Bill at the earliest convenience if you intend to attend this Bray event, so that the Gallery can be informed of the numbers expected

Biography: Artist Judy Carroll Deeley graduated from NCAD in 2008.  In 2021 and 2022 she received Irish Arts Council Awards to continue her research into the effects on the environment of human commercial activities. From 2022 to 2024 she collaborated with the UCD Humanities Institute for their international study ‘Post-Extractivist Legacies and Landscapes’.  Influences seen the works exhibited include recollections from Judy’s childhood experiences during visits to the of Glendalough and Glendasan areas

NOTE: Refer to: www.judycarrolldeeley.com

Refer to www.mermaidartsentre.ie/whats-on/exhibitions

Following the exhibition there will be an opportunity to continue discussion on a walk to the summit of Bray Head  A notice of a field trip to the Glendasan and Glendalough mine areas with Judy Carrol Deeley, Martin Critchley and Sharron Schwartz in April will be circulated in the near future.

Posted in Events, Fieldtrips, Other Events | Comments Off on MINE LANDS with Artist Judy Carrol Deeley