In 2018, I had the great opportunity to travel to Oman as part of a geological expedition organised to celebrate the completion of our studies at ENSG. It was an incredible experience that allowed me to discover one of the most fascinating geological environments I had ever encountered. During the expedition, I had the opportunity to observe firsthand the extraordinary diversity of Oman’s landscapes and geological formations, from the spectacular mountains of the Hajar range to the ophiolites and sedimentary sequences exposed across the country.
What made the journey particularly memorable was being able to connect the geological concepts I had studied in the classroom with real-world observations in the field. We examined different types of rocks, structures, and geological formations, while learning about the complex tectonic history that shaped the region. Seeing these features directly in their natural environment gave me a much deeper understanding of processes such as plate tectonics, sedimentation, deformation, and the formation of oceanic crust. It was also an opportunity to develop my field skills by observing, interpreting, and discussing geological features as a team.
Beyond the technical knowledge, the expedition was a remarkable human and cultural experience. Travelling through Oman, discovering its landscapes, and working alongside fellow students and professors made the end of my studies especially meaningful. The experience reinforced my passion for geology and reminded me of the unique perspective that fieldwork brings to the discipline: sometimes, the best way to appreciate the Earth is simply to stand in front of the rocks and admire its history for yourself.
In 2019 during my MSc in Petroleum Geosciences at IFP School, I had the opportunity to visit Ladram Bay- East Devon in the UK with my fellow students, working alongside both geologists and geophysicists. The area was a fascinating natural laboratory, particularly for studying the Jurassic sedimentary sequences of the Jurassic Coast, where marine rocks and fossils provide a remarkable record of ancient depositional environments.
We observed features such as stratification, sedimentary structures, fossil-rich layers, and the effects of erosion and coastal processes. For me, it was particularly interesting to connect these observations to concepts relevant to petroleum geoscience, such as sedimentary facies, stratigraphic relationships, depositional environments, and the reconstruction of geological history.
The experience also showed me the importance of integrating geological and geophysical perspectives. Working together in the field, we learned how different types of observations can be combined to build a more complete understanding of the subsurface and the evolution of sedimentary basins.
