Ask a Geologist

Ever wondered why so many of the southern continents point south? Dug up something odd in the garden? Ever thought that acid rain might be speeding up erosion? What is the oldest thing in the world? Can a crystal cure your bunion?

If questions like this keep buzzing around in your head, "Ask a Geologist" could be just the service for you. We have grouped the queries we have received so far into categories, you can read the answers by clicking on the category titles below:

We will try to answer any question you may have about the Earth, the planets, geological time, fossils, anything. We may not know the answer right away, but we will try to find someone who does from among our 10,000-strong Fellowship.

All you have to do is send an email to askageologist@geolsoc.org.uk stating your question. Please note, we are unable to answer highly technical questions from scientists, or help you write your homework reports! If you have found something you would like identified, please attach a photo of it to your email. Alternatively, you can send your question to:

Ask a Geologist
The Geological Society
Burlington House
Piccadilly
London W1J 0BG

The best questions and answers will be published here and in the Society's monthly colour magazine, Geoscientist *. If you want to add to any of our answers, or if you think we've got it wrong, send us an email!

( * Please note that in using this service you are agreeing to have your name, question and the answer published, and are waiving your claim to copyright in both text and images in favour of the Geological Society of London.)