March 31, 2015
by Robert Strick
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Check out the updated Gallery page that has a nice collection of pictures from the trip!
If any students would like to contribute their own pictures to be put in the gallery page of the trip, please send photos to R.J.Strick@brighton.ac.uk for processing and moderation.
March 31, 2015
by Robert Strick
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Below are the results from the water quality testing days…
Enterococci = 23/03/2015
Faecal Coliforms = 23/03/2015
Enterococci = 24/03/2015
Faecal Coliforms = 24/03/2015
March 30, 2015
by Robert Strick
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The Sicily trip introduced two new Archaeology days for the first time this year. As part of the Archaeology activities we visit two sites, Aci Castello which is a rather impressive Norman Castle built above a wave cut platform (Figure 1) and Giardini Naxos which is the site of the earliest Greek settlement on the island (c. 8th century BC – Figure 2).
Figure 1: Aci Castello
Figure 2: Naxos – first Greek Colony on Sicily
The overall aim of the Archaeology activity day is to gain an appreciation of the island’s history through an assessment of the Museum display seen in the Norman Castle of Aci Castello. Aci Castello is a strange mix of museum display (including one on Human Origins), succulent botanical garden, viewing platform and art gallery. Once we have examined the castle we head off to Giardini Naxos where the students are tasked with a practical exercise in archaeological site mapping.
On arrival in Naxos it was a pleasant surprise to find they were in the middle of updating all the museum content with bilingual (Italian and English) information boards attached to QR codes and excellent site maps. When the work is complete the site will truly be a pleasure to visit as well as being extremely informative for all levels of visitor.
In summary, the Archaeology activity day is designed to make the students think about two sides found in archaeology, how do you present the finds of the archaeological trench or site to the public in a meaningful way? Do all museums succeed in this task or are there varying degrees of success? When you work on an archaeological site and engage in archaeological activities like site planning why are such activities important and what may their relevance be to the public view of archaeology? The answers to these questions will help keep our discipline relevant in the modern day and I am looking forward to seeing what our students made of their tasks and seeing how Archaeology integrates into the Sicily fieldtrip.
Guest post: James Cole
March 30, 2015
by Robert Strick
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Today we were investigating vegetation succession on Mt Etna by stopping at four different lava flows of known ages and sampling the plants found there. The first stop was called Madonna di Monpilleri and was the oldest lava we would work on, dating from 1669. The site supported many different plant species with strange names (Soapwort, Broom, Storksbill etc) and also orchids, while some students also spotted lizards. The next stop was at two much more recent lava fields, from 1910 and 1983, near the Alberga La Nuova Quercia. Here we made the ruined house our base and scrambled the lava slopes looking for lichens and mosses. After lunch at the ski resort, we descended to our last stop at Piano del Vescovo, which has a lava field from 1792. It also had a much more recent snow cover! No matter, you cant keep a good botanist down! In between outbreaks of snowball skirmishes, we managed to find enough exposed lava to sample the plants and finish the job. A great day on the flanks of Mumma Etna – the weather was dry and clear, there were some great views, the plants were fascinating and and the snowball fight was an honorable draw!
Guest post: Chris Joyce
March 24, 2015
by Robert Strick
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We started the day with a somewhat worrying weather forecast with a possible deluge later in the day. We arrived at the site Fiumefreddo and to our surprise there were a collection of young students at the site, having a day lead on the river. Luckily Ray Ward managed to come to an agreement and we organised our own reach of the river to be secured for our work.
Today was a day of two halves. The group was split into two after Ray had given the morning lecture. One set of students with Ray and another with myself (Rob). The day consisted of using various different methods to estimate river water discharge. Ray’s group were using 3 different methods which included, the velocity float method using our specially calibrated flotation devices (oranges from the local market), velocity measurement devices, and salt dilution method. My group were using the slope area method to calculate discharge, which involved using surveying gear to measure the cross sectional area and slope as well as characterizing the sediment.
Luckily the weather was kind to us today, though not warm, the rain was kept at bay until the very end when we were packing up. Only a few oranges were KIA and no wellington boots were lost down the river and dispite my poor student counting skills no one was left behind…
March 24, 2015
by Robert Strick
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March 22, 2015
by Robert Strick
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We started the day with drizzle and fog, not the greatest weather for viewing a Volcano. We meet our leader Boris Bencke at (insert) and then ventured to our first site a 1992 lava flow. The weather may have been miserable but the lecture from Boris was inspiring and informative. The mist cleared a little to reveal the long flow of lava which had engulfed houses and very nearly destroyed a whole village. Boris talked to us about marvels of mumma Etna and how its behaviour has been changing as of late to more eruptive and pyroclastic. The importance of providing education to the population of Sicily is paramount to ensure the safety of the surrounding citizens. Predicting when Etna feels as though Sicily “needs a slap”, is still very difficult, often with little warning.
After our stirring morning lecture we had a lunch stop, scoffing down arancini and very nice coffee! Fueling up for the afternoons activities. The first stop for the afternoon took us further up Etna and into the snow line. This as you can imagine, led to numerous snow balls being lobed between students (and staff…). We climbed, with some difficulty, to a much earlier lava flow, immersed in the mist. Due to this we decided to climb higher and maybe out of the clouds.
This plan turned out to be very fruitful as we emerged out of the fog and into beautiful sunshine and amazing views! Mumma Etna put on quite a show with various cones scattered around the landscape. We arrived at 1992 metres above sea level, with extensive snow cover. At this altitude we were able to view the majesty of the mountain and climbed down into a crater for further discussion and group photos.
The weather was definitely in two halves today, misty and somewhat miserable in the morning to glorious sunshine in the afternoon with breath-taking views. It is truly a treat to hear our highly knowledgeable guide for the day inform us of the dynamics of the second most active volcano on the planet! Now it is time to descend and tuck into some lovely Sicilian food and maybe a beer or two.
March 20, 2015
by Robert Strick
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Hope everyone is packing away in anticipation for the trip tomorrow! As you can see from the weather report from the BBC below, the weather will be varied, so make sure you pack a good mixture of clothing. Layers is the key to keeping warm and are also easy to put on and take off when you’re trekking up and down Etna! But in general, shorts are a good idea. Don’t forget that for the river day you’ll need some form of protective footwear for getting into the river. See you tomorrow morning at the park and ride outside Watts building.
March 18, 2015
by Robert Strick
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Brois, who we all shall becoming more acquainted with soon, took a great shot of Etna today, now that the skies have cleared over the summit.
Splendid morning view of Etna after two days without a single ray of the sun – 18 March 2015
Final pre trip meeting today to go over last minute arrangements, its all getting a little bit exciting!
March 12, 2015
by Robert Strick
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Check out some live webcams from the slopes of mount Etna showing a combination of standard and thermal webcams.
Click for link
Click for link
For the whole collection head on over to http://www.ct.ingv.it/en/webcam-etna-en.html, where you may need to brush up on some Italian…