School of Geosciences - University of Witwatersrand

Jul 7

This week we have Prof. David Harper, visiting from Durham University, presenting a Geotalk on "Understanding early animal biodiversity: Jumps and bumps or steady as we go?” Date: Thurs 10th July Time: 16h00 Venue: Hall G101 - Geosciences Zoom Meeting ID: 97168403738 Join Zoom Meeting #wits #w...Read more

This week we have Prof. David Harper, visiting from Durham University, presenting a Geotalk on "Understanding early animal biodiversity: Jumps and bumps or steady as we go?” Date: Thurs 10th July Time: 16h00 Venue: Hall G101 - Geosciences Zoom Meeting ID: 97168403738 Join Zoom Meeting #wits #witsforgood #witsgeosciences #geotalks

Jun 27

Celebrating our students' hard work!! Wits Geosciences is happy to share the incredible achievements of our science students who received Faculty of Science prizes! Every year, the Dean of Science gives out these awards to celebrate the top academic performance and amazing science projects that ...Read more

Celebrating our students' hard work!! Wits Geosciences is happy to share the incredible achievements of our science students who received Faculty of Science prizes! Every year, the Dean of Science gives out these awards to celebrate the top academic performance and amazing science projects that showcase our students’ enthusiasm and commitment. This time around, we celebrated the excellence of these awesome students in areas such as science innovation, high marks in Geology and Geosciences, leadership and many more. Huge congrats to all the students who took home an award!

Jun 20

Exciting news! A scientific research report into meteorite fragments linked to the Nqweba bolide – a rare fireball event that occurred in the Eastern Cape on 25 August 2024 – has just been released. The discovery sparked a collaborative scientific investigation involving Nelson Mandela Universit...Read more

Exciting news! A scientific research report into meteorite fragments linked to the Nqweba bolide – a rare fireball event that occurred in the Eastern Cape on 25 August 2024 – has just been released. The discovery sparked a collaborative scientific investigation involving Nelson Mandela University, Wits University, Rhodes University and the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA). Co-author Professor Roger Gibson of the Wits School of Geosciences marks it as a significant moment for planetary science and positions the research’s impact at the forefront of cosmic and geological contributions. This is just the beginning. This significant planetary event is an ongoing focus of the Wits' meteorite team, Roger Gibson, Lew Ashwal and Leonidas Vonopartis. Meteorites are the oldest solid materials in our solar system and help scientists understand the origins and evolution of planets. Research into meteorites has unlocked new insights into how the solar system was formed and assists with geoscience education. The discovery of the Nqweba bolide: Informs the next generation of geoscientists from Africa and around the globe Helps advance the frontiers of knowledge in planetary and Earth sciences Assists in pushing public understanding of Earth’s position in the wider solar system, making planetary information more accessible and relevant to society Read more about the discovery here: Nqweba Bolide Report #WitsGeosciences #NqwebaBolide #WitsForGood #Wits

Jun 18

The Wits School of Geosciences is excited to welcome Dr Nombuso Ngcobo! She’ll be lecturing in Sedimentology, Stratigraphy and Palaeoclimate, and brings a wealth of research experience from her PhD at Wits. She’s already been working closely with us and contributing meaningfully to our School’s ...Read more

The Wits School of Geosciences is excited to welcome Dr Nombuso Ngcobo! She’ll be lecturing in Sedimentology, Stratigraphy and Palaeoclimate, and brings a wealth of research experience from her PhD at Wits. She’s already been working closely with us and contributing meaningfully to our School’s activities. #WitsForGood #WitsForGood #WitsGeosciences

Jun 5

HAPPY WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY! 🌊 ⛰️🌿 Today we’re reflecting on the inspiring conversations sparked by the Wits Integrated Experience. This year’s theme — Preventing Day Zero: Securing Johannesburg’s Water Future — challenged us to explore our role in discovering, monitoring, and protecting our fre...Read more

HAPPY WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY! 🌊 ⛰️🌿 Today we’re reflecting on the inspiring conversations sparked by the Wits Integrated Experience. This year’s theme — Preventing Day Zero: Securing Johannesburg’s Water Future — challenged us to explore our role in discovering, monitoring, and protecting our freshwater resources. From aquifers to acid mine drainage, urban flooding to water justice, our feeder school students helped us engage with water not just as a resource, but as a vital connector. Thank you to everyone who helped make WIE such a meaningful exploration of how we understand and protect our planet. And an enormous thank you to all the Grade 11 learners, their schools, and teachers for taking the time to participate!