As a writer as well as a geologist, one of the most pleasurable aspects of my work is the communication of things like Earth History to the public. As a taster, this text sample takes us back through time to Mid Wales in the Triassic Period, about 220 million years ago:

"It is a fine summer day and we stand on the summit of Plynlimon looking at the strange landscape through the heat-haze. To the north and the south low undulating hills stretch into the far distance. To the west the hills tail off into a great depression where Cardigan Bay ought to be. There is not a sign of life in this silent red land. The open sea lies a long distance off to the north and east, beyond the salt-lagoons of the Cheshire Plain. The seemingly endless cycle of sunrise and sunset over the red landscape will continue for another ten million years. It will take that long for the sea to return."

The text was part of an exhibition I put together in 1999. The images below are samples of things I have worked on more recently - place your mouse pointer on them for captions! And click
HERE for an exercise in interpretation - the concept of Geological Time!

Written scientific or conservation-related interpretation involves detailed subject research (where necessary) followed by creation of text, and is charged at £35 per hour. Typically, it runs hand-in-hand with graphics as the end product will often be an interpretation sign, website or booklet. Please
email me if you have a project you wish to discuss.

Guided field-trips are also available to various areas in North and Central Wales. I have guided a number of Open University parties and other geological clubs over recent years and can put together an itinerary based on the interests of the party - email me for details and prices. The trips involve the use of private cars with some short walks, the aim being to minimise travel time and maximise geological time, so to speak! Click
HERE for an example of an itinerary in Coed y Brenin (porphyry-copper mineralisation) in North Wales.

Information panel (one of five) under construction for Forest Enterprise, February 2003 - screen capture from HQ! Guide to Coed Y Brenin geology trail (Forest Enterprise), opening 2003: responsible for concept, text and image selection/editing. Cover of Mineral Treasures of Wales booklet (Countryside Council for Wales/National Museum of Wales) - responsible for text and image selection.
John S. Mason




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