3,000-year-old underground water channels flowing beneath desert
Pioneered by Persians 3,000 years ago, skilfully engineered subterranean channels called qanats are alleviating water poverty in arid areas of the Middle East, North Africa and China by transmitting water from aquifers and natural springs with minimal surface evaporation. Though labour-intensive to create, the sustainable system of water management enables crops to be irrigated and supports life in harsh desert environments.
https://www.express.co.uk/travel/articles/2154873/underground-water-highways-Qanats-iran

The world’s oldest railway station
Built in 1830, Liverpool Road Station in Manchester served passengers on the world’s first inter-urban railway – the Liverpool and Manchester railway line for fourteen years. Although closed to passengers when Manchester Victoria Station opened in 1844, it continued in use as a goods depot until 1975 and now forms part of Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum. As such it’s the oldest surviving station building in the world and has been granted Grade I listed status.
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/trips-and-breaks/worlds-oldest-railway-station-manchester-33356496

Industrial waste turns to rock in decades
New rock is evolving from industrial waste in just a few decades compared with the millions of years it would take to form without material generated by humans. The process, described by scientists as ‘rapid anthropoclastic rock cycle’, could be disastrous for biodiversity and ecosystems around industrial waste sites.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/earth-sciences-europe-bilbao-b1224610.html

The Settle to Carlisle Railway
The 72-mile line, which runs from Settle in North Yorkshire to Carlisle in Cumbria, incorporates two of the country’s most challenging feats of engineering – the Ribblehead Viaduct and the Blea Moor Tunnel – and passes through some of England’s most stunning landscapes.
https://englandexplore.com/settle-to-carlisle-railway-a-nostalgic-and-beautiful-journey/?utm_source=mailerlite&utm_medium=email&omhide=true

UK’s deepest mine
Boulby Mine under the North Yorkshire Moors is 1,400m deep in places. It’s home to an underground laboratory and provides 350,000 tonnes of rock salt annually from deposits laid down 250 million years ago, as well as other commodities, such as potash.

Set: The history of concrete
Fascinating evolution of a vital building material.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwb8S1SiGCA

17th century Lancashire alum mine 
Once visited by King James I, the alum mine is located at Pleasington, near Blackburn, and was first worked in 1609. The alum extracted from it was transported to Bolton, Coppull and Wigan, where it was used for fixing dyes for use in the textile industry.
https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/pleasington-alum-mine-history-lancashire-32674942?utm_source=lancs_live_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=main_daily_newsletter&utm_content=&utm_term=&ruid=fee879e0-f9b7-4c6f-8ca5-a9fa64e03ff9&hx=84ce638986bc73b191ec0774c05a547009942838093c58c9450b62a0b824de21&error=true