This model depicts the scenario where from the surface an abundance of coal appears to exist, but there is actually very little quantity below. In this case there are only three coal seams but the effect of faulting and erosion on gives the appearance of nine at the surface. Thomas Sopwith (1803 - 1879) was an eminent geologist and civil engineer who pioneered methods of representing geological features. This set of wooden models were designed to represent geological situations with faults, folds, inclines and strata that were particularly relevant to the mining industry.