Glimpses of the past

The geological community in the UK has long recognised that scientifically important information revealed in temporary exposures of bedrock and superficial Quaternary deposits is frequently lost to science. This is largely due to the ephemeral nature of the exposures and the inability of the geoscience community to respond at short notice. The Geological Society Stratigraphy Commission has for many years recognised that geological information seen in temporary exposures may provide highly valuable information that is not recorded, archived and made available to all. In discussions at the Commission, we recognised that a vehicle was needed to expedite the recording and storing of information observed in pipeline trenches, shallow excavations, road cuttings and embankments.