New prize launched at Hull University

The YPS is delighted to announce the launch of the  “John and Anne Phillips Prize” for the best final year undergraduate geology mapping dissertation at the University of Hull.

Members will be familiar with the distinguished career of the geologist John Phillips, first keeper of the Yorkshire Museum, We have recently learned that his sister, Anne, made her own contribution to the subject, so it is fitting that both names should be recognised in the name of this prize, which is initiated as a side-project of the Geological Map Project.

Twenty YPS members attended a very successful launch event in Hull on Thursday 14 April. We first toured the geology facilities in the Department of Geography, Environment & Earth Science, and enjoyed interacting with their newest educational tool- an “augmented reality geomorphology sandbox”. We then visited the Total Environment Simulator (TES)- a world class pilot plant housed at The Deep aquarium. The TES consists of a large flume tank in which the movement of water is controlled above, below and within sediment beds, generating waves, rainfall and water flows. The effects of macro-algae, fallen trees, and organic slimes can all be simulated. The TES has high-resolution laser and acoustic monitoring equipment to measure processes, rates of process, and the shapes of evolving landforms.

The formal launch of the prize was in the evening. We were joined by University staff and students for  an informal reception, followed by two fascinating talks on John and Anne Phillips -“The Time Lord & The Trowel-blazer” by Liam Herringshaw, and “John Phillips in Hull” by Martyn Pedley.