Geology Personal Statement

I have always taken Geology for granted simply because I have been involved with it from an early age. Walking in the Peak and Lake Districts gave me an insight to the landscapes and features that defined the Earth, and I started to develop a desire to know how they formed and were changed over time. A poignant memory of mine is walking over Striding Edge on Helvellyn in the Lakes; to me it was not just a mountain ridge. Instead, I would envisage scenes that I would have witnessed 450 million years ago where, in fact, I would have been standing on an active caldera.

My interest in Geology developed further once I started Year 9 at West Kirby Grammar School. In particular, there was a specific physics lesson in which we were introduced to the uses of the Earth's natural resources and how we use oil, gas, and coal to supply the world with energy. When discussing the issues and uncertainties we face as a result of relying primarilyon these sources, I was captivated, in particular by how the Earth can produce minerals that fuel an entire population. At GCSE I was introduced to the theory of plate tectonics and in further detail during my A2 Geography course. I was taught about the behaviour of different plates and how tectonic activity influences our lives. The study of the 2011 Japanese earthquake and the Fukushima nuclear disaster sparked an interest, as I couldn't believe the

impact that tectonic activity has on our lives. It was a partial influence In my decision to become a junior candidate fellow of the geological society. As a result, I partake in many fieldwork trips including the most recent outing to the North Cornwall coast, which has remarkable exposures to Carboniferous sedimentary rocks, and reveals dramatic faults and folds.

Alongside my A levels, I completed the Extended Project qualification in which I posed the question "Are lithium-ion batteries the solution for the world's need for clean energy?" My initial intention was to focus on the chemistry of batteries