Abstract Some significant geological sites are inaccessible. Among the most inaccessible sites are the hydrothermal vents and their associated biological communities located deep in the ocean. These prime geoheritage sites, hosting what may be the most primordial life on Earth, are vulnerable to mineral and fishing exploitation. Many lie in international waters, protected only by non-binding agreements with no clearly defined means of enforcement. The discovery of these vents in 1977 fundamentally altered scientists’ view of basic Earth processes and the extreme conditions under which life can exist. The discovery of the vents was a group effort and required technological accomplishments not available to previous generations of researchers. Often overlooked in the credits for this discovery was the persistence and determination of Kathleen Crane, a graduate student at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Many women of her era faced significant challenges as they attempted to break into an often-unwelcoming field, marine geology. The challenges were not unique to geology; women were not welcomed in many other disciplines, both scientific and non-scientific. In spite of the obstacles, few people have made as remarkable a geoscience discovery as Dr Crane.

ABSTRACT The Fernow Experimental Forest (the “Fernow”) is an 1860-ha (4600-acre) research forested watershed in Parsons, West Virginia, USA. The Fernow has been in operation since 1934 and has historically been the site of timbering and silvicultural research programs. Beginning in the 1950s, a water quality research program was established in the Fernow to assess the effects of different forestry management techniques on water quantity and quality. As a result, most peer-reviewed research from the Fernow has focused on water quality data directly related to forestry efforts with little mention of the effects of geology, hydrogeology, or climate on water resources in the Fernow. Further, the Fernow is representative of Appalachian headwater mountain watersheds and is a protected and secure research site in the greater Monongahela National Forest. This, in combination with the long-term data records from the water research program, make the Fernow an ideal location for further geologic and hydrologic investigations in forested mountain watersheds. The geology of the Fernow is dominated by moderately dipping Paleozoic-aged strata with local karst features (e.g., springs) occurring in one unit. The hydrology of the Fernow consists of intermittent and perennial streams that are reactive to seasonal weather patterns. This field guide serves as an overview of the geology and hydrology of the Fernow and surrounding region to be used as a teaching and recruitment tool to advance the geologic understanding of Allegheny Mountain headwaters.

Abstract The Chalk is an unusual karst aquifer with limited cave development, but extensive networks of smaller solutional conduits and fissures enabling rapid groundwater flow. Small-scale karst features (stream sinks, dolines, dissolution pipes, and springs) are common, with hundreds of stream sinks recorded. Tracer velocities from 27 connections between stream sinks and springs have median and mean velocities of 4700 and 4600 m d −1 . Tests to abstraction boreholes also demonstrate very rapid velocities of thousands of metres per day. Natural gradient tests from observation boreholes have rapid velocities of hundreds of metres per day. There is strong geological control on karst with dissolution focused on stratigraphical inception horizons. Surface karst features are concentrated near the Paleogene boundary, or where thin superficial cover occurs, but rapid groundwater flow is also common in other areas. The Chalk has higher storage and contaminant attenuation than classical karst, but recharge, storage and flow are influenced by karst. Point recharge through stream sinks, dolines, losing rivers, vertical solutional fissures, and soakaways enables rapid unsaturated zone flow. Saturated zone networks of solutional fissures and conduits create vulnerability to subsurface activities, and enable long distance transport of point source and diffuse pollutants, which may be derived from outside modelled catchment areas and source protection zones.