OUGS Social Media
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ougeolsoc.bsky.social
OUGS Social Media
@ougeolsoc.bsky.social
The Open University Geological Society, #OUGS, is the student association for (mainly) the UK's OU Earth science/geology students though anyone is welcome! Website: ougs.org. Social Media admin: Linda Fowler. Affiliated to Open SU @oustudents.bsky.social
Super new video from Rob Butler, about the area south of the Col de Joly (nr Beaufortain) that we visited with Gilles de Broucker on the OUGS Mainland Europe trip to the French Alps in 2018.
Video link youtu.be/8Sklt_qITrI?...
And some photos from our trip
November 10, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Something for the weekend ... the latest Wessex branch NL
With some great write ups, including lots about that super symposium in Nancy.
- and they would love more branch members to join them on the branch committee!
November 7, 2025 at 5:49 PM
North West England OUGS Branch newsletter
Now ready to read!
Remember that all our branch newsletters are available to Members on the website ougs.org
November 5, 2025 at 6:58 PM
OUGS Severnside Branch Newsletter is out
- Reports + photos from exhibition visits.
- Branch AGM info
- a plea for newsletter articles and field trip facilitators
... see below
November 5, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Reposted by OUGS Social Media
We've lost Dugie Ross, truly one of the best people I have ever known.

He reported the first Scottish dinosaurs, made the Isle of Skye into Scotland's Dinosaur Island, welcomed so many of us onto his island, into his home and family.
October 29, 2025 at 11:50 AM
A full day of lectures - Lewes, Sussex - Saturday 29 November
For details of talks, speakers, and how to register, see image below
October 30, 2025 at 4:33 AM
OUGS Scotland newsletter is out!
Scotland needs a new Branch Organiser! Stuart Swales has done a great job but now, as OUGS Chair, someone is needed to look after the branch.
- What about you?
- Or do you know someone who could?
Branch newsletters available in the website Members Area ougs.otg
October 24, 2025 at 4:48 AM
University Challenge applications now open until 2 Nov!
A fantastic opportunity for current students to represent the OU on national TV: show how talented our OU Earth and environmental science students are!
Keen quizzers please consider applying. www.oustudents.com/get-involved...
How to apply
Find out how you could be on University Challenge.
www.oustudents.com
October 20, 2025 at 10:37 AM
This weekend...
Two events to look forward to, in Suffolk and Chester
(sadly the planned Rochester trip is postponed)
For links to details and contacts, and to see what is on further ahead, go to ougs.org/events/
Non-members welcome but do check there's space available and no last minute changes!
October 17, 2025 at 12:47 PM
And of course we had a lecture by Professor David Rothery (who knew Ian well) at this year's AGM in Coventry. OUGS Members can find it our website.
And as a bonus, here is that "nice young Dr Rothery" on the aforementioned ophiolite some 30+ years ago!
October 8, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Missed the Open SU Welcome Week event? There's another opportunity on Friday ...
The Open University Geological Society in hosting an online Welcome Week event this Friday evening, 3rd October: join Pauline Kirtley and Charles Forrester there and find out what the OUGS can do for you!
September 28, 2025 at 5:33 AM
Our Open University Geological Society team at the OU Library in Milton Keynes today. Welcoming new students and offering support in Earth &Plannetary science degree pathways.
We will be online on Friday evening as well
Want to know more?
www.oustudents.com/welcome-week...
And ougs.org
September 27, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Meet our OUGS team in person tomorrow, Saturday 27 September in the Library on campus!
Charles Forrester, Helen Coombs, Mike Hermolle and Louise Robinson can tell you all about the OU Geological Society and how it can help your Earth science studies!
See www.oustudents.com/welcome-week...
September 26, 2025 at 3:00 PM
OUGS Mainland Europe Newsletter is being sent out.
Branch members should get notification shortly, other OUGS members can access the newsletter in the Members Area of our website ougs.org
Lots to read, including reports on Symposium trips!
September 21, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Northumbria OUGS Branch Newsletter is ready!
Newsletter 3/2025 is being sent out, and will be available to all OUGS members in the Members Area of our website ougs.org
September 20, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Latest issue of Mercia Rocks, OUGS West Midlands Branch newsletter
This should be with branch members soon, and other OUGS members can access it on our website ougs.org
September 16, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Last night OUGS SE branch organiser Yvonne Cutt introduced a zoomed talk about Mercury (the planet, not the silvery, liquid stuff) craters,eruptions, core,flybys,Bepi Colombo etc by our own expert Professor David Rothery. Interesting Q&A too! The talk should be on our OUGS YouTube channel shortly
September 5, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Modelling the Martian interior using InSight seismic data
Mars has a solid inner core, resolving a longstanding planetary mystery — new study
theconversation.com/mars-has-a-s...
Mars has a solid inner core, resolving a longstanding planetary mystery — new study
It turns out that Mars has a similar interior structure to Earth.
theconversation.com
September 4, 2025 at 8:31 AM
It's September and OUGS Events are looking good!
To keep up to date with these great trips and talks, and other events ...
(All welcome if there is space available)
For live links to details and organisers...
Go to ougs.org/events/
September 3, 2025 at 5:54 AM
The latest "Crag Rock Times" - East Anglia OUGS newsletter
All our branch newsletters are available to OUGS members on our website, ougs.org
It was super to meet a few East Anglia branch members at Nancy Symposium!
August 19, 2025 at 10:51 AM
OUGS September Events - plan now!
An online talk, a day out studying rocks, hands on mapping, OUGS helps you widen your geology knowledge and skills.
- All welcome, non-members included, provided there's space.
- For live links to contacts and booking details go to ougs.org/events/
August 17, 2025 at 5:33 AM
OUGS NW England branch - latest newsletter
Branch newsletters for all our branches are available to OUGS members in the Members area of our website ougs.org
August 13, 2025 at 5:44 AM
I am busy looking at my Italian black sand from the Baratti black sand beach where slag from working Elba iron ore wound up.
One grain type that puzzles me is the dark grey platy grains which might have 60° cleavage.
Natural or a smelting product?
These grains were caught in 0.5 and 025 mm seives
August 10, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Reposted by OUGS Social Media
@ougeolsoc.bsky.social
Hi, even though the EA event on the 17th August is 'waiting list ' only, a couple of places have come available due to people dropping out. If you are interested please contact Andrew Fleming at east.anglia@ougs.org to register your interest.
August 6, 2025 at 8:06 AM