Folded schists

Founded in 1914, the De La Beche Society (DLB) is named after the leading 19th century Geologist, Sir Henry de la Beche, founder of the Royal School of Mines. The DLB has always been a social club with Geology at its heart. It was part of the original RSM and is today open to anyone at Imperial College who wants an insight into, and promote the spirit of, Geology. Members are offered the chance to learn more about this fascinating subject in a relaxed and social environment, far away from the pressures of Imperial life.

Talks

With recent talks covering everything from mountain building, adventures across Antartica, the importance of Geology when it comes to creating a fine wine, and the reconstruction of fossils in full 3D, the DLB organises regular talks on a wide range of subjects! The aim is simple: to develop your interest beyond the lecture room and, hopefully, give you an insight into other sides of Geology that you might not have previously known anything about! External guest speakers, lecturers and postgraduates are invited to give the talks. There is at least one evening talk a month, taking place immediately after lectures. The talks are followed by the traditional 'Gooma Looma'.

On the hunt for fossil sharks teeth, Bournemouth Bay

Fieldtrips

The DLB takes at least one or two fieldtrips a year. These are weekend excursions to an area of outstanding Geology, usually somewhere in the UK. Recent trips have been to Isle of Wight, Snowdonia, and Bude. There are even plans for a trip to Europe in the near future. Our fieldtrips are led by members of staff or postgraduates from the department, who have a particular expertise in the areas we visit. The trips offer an excellent opportunity to get yourself out of London for a weekend, and experience some real Geology. They're also a great opportunity for you to develop your field skills and expose yourself to some of the best outcrops that the country offers, whilst sampling some of the local nightlife too. All this, of course, without the need to spend hours inking in a notebook or worrying about what mark you'll get at the end of the trip ...

Symposium

Every February, the DLB hosts a one day Symposium whereby external guest speakers are invited to speak on a certain theme. At the end of the day, a formal dinner is held to celebrate. The theme for June 2008 was 'Geological Wonders of the World', which explored some of the most fascinating and wierd geological places in the world today!

	Introduction to box folding at Bude, Cornwall

Gooma Looma

Dating back several decades, the Gooma Looma is a social event whereby Geologists and anyone else who wants gather over a bowl of the DLB's own special punch. Often, a Gooma Looma follows one of our evening talks.

Sponsorship

Many of the DLB events - particularly the Symposium and our fieldtrips - are only possible thanks to the generous industrial sponsorship which we receive. Most recently, Shell have sponsored our fieldtrips and Anglo American the Symposium. If you or your company are interesting in helping us, we would be very interested in hearing from you! Please contact us (address above).