Geological Map of the Upper Aude Valley, Languedoc, France

I completed an undergraduate degree, between 2015 to 2018, and graduated with a 2:1 in Geology (BSc) from the University of Derby. During my degree, I developed a strong foundation across key areas of geoscience, including sedimentology, structural geology, basin analysis, and geological mapping.

My strongest performance came in basin analysis and independent research, alongside solid results in engineering geology and GIS. Over time, I built confidence in both fieldwork and data interpretation, culminating in my final-year mapping project where I applied these skills in the field.

For my BSc independent study, I completed a six-week geological field mapping project in the Upper Aude Valley in southern France. I mapped a sequence of Late Cretaceous to Early Eocene sedimentary rocks, producing a detailed geological map supported by stratigraphic columns, sedimentary logs, and cross-sections.

Through field observations and laboratory analysis, I identified eight key lithological units and reconstructed the area’s depositional history, tracing a transition from fluvial and floodplain environments to lacustrine conditions and eventually shallow marine settings. I also analysed structural features associated with the Pyrenean Orogeny, including thrust faulting and brittle deformation.

Alongside the geological interpretation, I assessed engineering geology and geohazards in the area, identifying risks such as slope instability and flooding linked to the local lithologies and terrain.

Independent Project: Geological Mapping and Palaeoenvironment Reconstruction of Mesozoic-Tertiary Sedimentary Areas with Alpine Style Deformation in the Upper Aude Valley, Languedoc, Southern France.