The IAEG presents the next lecture of 2026; David Hall Fund Student Mapping Project Presentations. Natalie Cole and Theertha Rajesh, recipients of the David Hall Fund, will present on their mapping projects on Monday the 2nd of March at 7 PM online. 

Both Natalie Cole and Theertha Rajesh are in their final year of a BSc in Geology at University College Dublin. Theertha's final year mapping project will focus on the Villamanin region in north western Spain, an area within the Variscan fold and thrust belt associated with the Pyrenean-Cantabrian mountains. The primary aim is to understand the timing and nature of lithological deposition, particularly in the context of facies successions that reflect environmental and depositional changes through time. The second major focus is on structural geology. Natalie's mapping project will also focus on the Villaminin region in north western Spain. The primary goal is to understand the geological and tectonic development of the area including changes in depositional setting and any mineralisation that may have occurred. The study will also investigate how these rocks have been influenced by the deformation associated with tectonic events, such as folding, faulting and volcanism.

The David Hall Mineral Exploration Fund was established in March 2024 by David Hall’s family, friends, and colleagues as a way of celebrating and continuing David’s passion for mineral exploration; allowing new, young graduate geologists and researchers to have exposure to field-based exploration activity. The new fund has had a successful start in 2024 with funds raised providing two bursaries to Irish geology students.

On behalf of the fund, we would like to thank all those who have contributed to date. As with any fund, it requires ongoing financial support. The fund web page with the bank details below and a paypal donate button can be found at the IAEG website: https://iaeg.ie/David-Hall-Exploration-Fund. All donations are greatly appreciated. If you would like to donate to the Fund please contact: Aiden Lavelle (President and Fund Committee Member) aiden.lavelle@iaeg.ie & Dan Collison (Treasurer) treasurer@iaeg.ie. The memorial fund is affiliated with the Irish Association for Economic Geology.