21 May 2026
The Life of Mary Anning, Fossil Collector of Lyme Regis: a Contemporary Biographical Memoir by George Roberts
Despite the modern celebrity of the fossil collector Mary Anning (1799–1847) of Lyme Regis and her frequent use as an icon in scientific education and popularization, there are few accounts of her life by her contemporaries. We report here a previously unpublished anonymous manuscript memoir of Anning's life, in the Special Collections of the University of Bristol Library. Evidence from textual analysis and handwriting corroborates its attribution to George Roberts (bap. 1804–60) of Lyme Regis, schoolmaster and historian. He wrote it at some time during 1837–47, perhaps 1839–47, by adapting a passage in his 1834 history of Lyme Regis. It was apparently intended for a new book, but was altered into an obituary after Anning's death. Evidence is presented that Roberts wrote the obituary of Anning in the Athenæum, which was widely republished in newspapers. Henry De la Beche (1796–1855) published another obituary in the Proceedings of the Geological Society. Roberts helped him to obtain information from Anning's family, but did not use this new information in his manuscript. Benjamin J.M. Donne (1831–1928), a former pupil of Roberts, painted the Society's portrait of Anning. A claim that it was commissioned by a group, mostly Fellows of the Society, remains unconfirmed.
Read more in the Journal of the Geological SocietyMary Anning Exhibition
This online exhibition highlights pioneering 19th-century fossil hunter Mary Anning, exploring her groundbreaking discoveries and scientific impact
See moreMary Anning Paper
Mary Anning’s only published scientific paper, Magazine of Natural History, vol 3 (1839)
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Debritic head formation during the Tōhoku-oki 2011 tsunami reveals enhanced risk in mud-rich coastlines
Tsunamis pose a major hazard, exaggerated by large floating debris within the flow. However, understanding of how
finer sediment (sand, silt and clay) influences the tsunami flow remains incomplete, introducing uncertainty in predictive
models of their impact.
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Unravelling the power of neural networks for flood prediction across complex hydrological systems
Read more in GeoHorizons
Volcanic rocks could store decades of captured CO2, study finds
By Angus W. Montgomery, Chris M. Holdsworth, Emma Martin-Roberts, Ian Watt and Stuart M. V. Gilfillan
Safe and permanent storage of CO2 will be required to limit global warming to 1.5–2°C above pre-industrial levels. In situ mineralisation of CO2 within igneous rock formations is a rapid and secure method of geological CO2 storage. This study uses geochemical data and novel volumetric analysis of suitable onshore mafic and ultramafic formations in the UK to determine that these rocks offer a theoretical CO2 storage capacity of 42–38 000 MtCO2 through in situ CO2 mineralisation.
Read more in Earth Science, Systems and Society
Basaltic fissure eruptions of the Mull lava field, British Paleogene Igneous Province
Linear fissure zones commonly feed modern basaltic eruptions, yet direct evidence for such fissure eruption sites within ancient large igneous provinces remains scarce. We present a detailed examination of a well-preserved sequence of vent-proximal basaltic deposits from the Isle of Mull within the British Paleogene Igneous Province.
Read more in the Journal of the Geological SocietyChemical Weathering
Applying geologic unit distribution and chemical weathering indices to evaluate potential lithologic sources of Al, As, and Pb to the San Juan River, Four Corners region, USA
In arid to semi-arid landscapes, sporadic monsoonal events, varying widely in scale and distribution, can generate overland flow resulting in streamflow in ephemeral channels. These channels may contain metal-laden sediments that are a by-product of the weathering and erosion of local geologic units. To evaluate...read more in the Lyell Collection
Energy Geoscience Conference Series
UK Central North Sea diapir fields: quantification of a previously unimaged trap via a perched roof flap model, with welded evolution, stress and hydrocarbon containment insights
By Graham Goffey
Central North Sea (CNS) Paleocene–Eocene and Late Cretaceous (P/C) reservoirs host high-relief hydrocarbon fields that flank piercing salt diapirs, and lower-relief fields where unpierced. This study aimed to predict the unimaged trap relief on a steep diapir flank...continue reading
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