Earth Science Week 2016 kicks off tomorrow, with events taking place across the UK and Ireland!

We’re thrilled to launch the week by announcing the winners of our 2016 photography competition, ‘Earth Science in Action.’ We received hundreds of fascinating entries interpreting the theme in various ways, from dynamic Earth processes to geologists at work, and the winning images, we think, reflect this brilliantly.

Thank you to everyone who entered – we so enjoyed looking through your photographs!

First place: ‘Doors Portrait II: Reveal’, Tim Hoe

The photograph, says Tim, was captured while camping with an old friend on the astonishing Pembrokeshire coastline.

“The conditions were dark and awkward with sea mist and spray coating the camera and lens. I lost the foot of my tripod somewhere in the large stones underfoot. There are three sources of light here: the low ambient light of the scene and two LED flashlights; one directed by me beside the camera and one by my friend.”

Second place: Salisbury Crags, Catherine Inglis

Says Catherine, ‘the photograph was taken during a rope access rock fall risk assessment of the microgabbro on Salisbury Crags in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh. I’d like to think it demonstrates Earth science in action!’

Third place: Climbing Ben Nevis, James Orr

‘Taking a moment’ says James, ‘to catch our breath and enjoy the view of lochan meall an t-suidhe (‘Halfway Lochan’).’

The Storr, Gijs de Reijke

Dawn at Clashach Cove, Jim Robertson

Achmelvich Beach, Katherine Joy

King’s Gully, Benbulbin, Robert Mulraney

Time Ramp (Seaford), Tim Hoe

The Cauldron, River Etive, Pablo Ruiz

Monknash, Kevin Privett

Bowfiddle Rock, Dave Bremner

Box weathering, Kevin Privett