GeoSphere

Update on Geodyssey and related activities:

• Data

  • LG is assisting with packaging of data for app developers

  • This includes a review of data and recommendations for data management going forward

  • Meeting was held between CP-C and LG to discuss what needs to be done.

  • LG received data on 2 February 2026. Review in progress.

As some of you already know, I joined the University of the Western Cape (UWC) Virtual Geological Field Trips (VFTs) team in early 2024 to develop a series of VFTs, primarily to prepare students for field-based learning and to support geoscience education.

These interactive tours, which showcase key geological features of the Western Cape, are hosted by the UWC and continue to be refined, with improved video sound quality and expanded content.

Our current VFTs (which, unfortunately are very data-heavy, so best viewed with strong internet connectivity), listed by date, with No. 6 being the-most recent, include:

1. Southwestern Cape – focused on the Cape Granite and Malmesbury Group exposures, including several sites of academic and geohistorical significance (e.g. Paarl Rock and the VOC "silver mines" on the slopes of Simonsberg Mountain).

2. Laingsburg – highlighting upper Cape Supergroup and lower Karoo Supergroup exposures which are both of academic-economic significance (e.g. hydrocarbon-rich turbidite deposits…

Article in Daily Maverick 12 March 2026 by Julienne Du Toit:

"The Karoo Origins Fossil Centre in Graaff-Reinet showcases ancient life, highlighting Professor Bruce Rubidge’s passionate journey from childhood fossil discoveries to a world-class palaeontological research hub."

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-12-the-karoo-fossil-finder-discovering-lifefe-before-the-dinosaurs-in-south-africas/

• The Umvoto Foundation (TUF) is still busy on the development of the Hermanus Water Walk and associated guidebook/app layer, which should hopefully be finally finished and published by the end of this year. Separately Dylan Blake (TUF) presented to Whale Coast Conservation on the geology and hydrogeology of the Overstrand region in September 2025, and will be giving the same talk to the University of the 3^rd Age (in association with the Overberg Geoscientist Group) in Hermanus in April 2026.

• Paul Lee (TUF) continues to take guided Table Mountain Dams hydrogeoheritage day trips up Orange Kloof and onto the Back Table in summer, which are proving popular with local and foreign tourists. TUF have sold out of the 1^st and 2^nd printings of the Table Mountain Dams guidebook (so about 300 physical copies have been distributed now), and will do a 3^rd print run of ~300 copies this year. The latter will be done…