Field Trip: The Black Mountain and the Gower, South Wales
Leader:
Entry Fee
Members: Free
Visitors: £3.00
Date and Time
18:00
Location
Swansea
Field Trip Description
Black Mountain: this day comprises a traverse across the Black Mountain, at the western end of the Brecon Beacons National Park, and north of the Coalfield. The traverse provides a complete section from the base of the Coal Measures down through the Namurian Millstone Grit, the Carboniferous Limestone and the Old Red Sandstone to upper Silurian rocks.The localities display a range of sedimentary rock types and facies, including goniatite-bearing shales, quartzite with plant impressions, conglomerate, fossiliferous limestone, and fossiliferous shallow marine storm deposits. It may be possible to fit in a very quick visit to Carreg Cennen Castle (people should bring English Heritage membership cards if they have them). Lunch can be at a pub or at tea-rooms or a picnic - your choice.
Gower: the Gower Peninsula, west of Swansea, was Britain’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The southern and western coastlines are formed of dramatic cliffs separated by sandy bays. There is a close relationship between geology and scenery, with hills and bays controlled by the distribution of Carboniferous Limestone, Millstone Grit and Old Red Sandstone. Most of the day will be spent at 2 localities - Rhossili and Caswell Bay. Short walks at each locality will demonstrate the typical Gower scenery, the relationship between geology and scenery, and the Carboniferous and Quaternary palaeoenvironments of the area. Lunch will probably be at Rhossili where there is a pub and tea-shops.
Meet in time for dinner at our accommodation in Swansea (still to be determined). Bring strong, waterproof footwear and warm waterproof clothing. A safety helmet will be useful for one locality on Saturday.
Important Notice: Bath Geological Society Insurance
Each person attending a field meeting does so on the understanding that he/she attends at his/her own risk. The Bath Geological Society has Public Liability Insurance Cover for field and indoor meetings, but Personal Accident Cover and Personal Liability Cover remain the responsibility and personal choice of the participant.
There may be an element of appropriate cover included in house insurance or in travel insurance: although Bath Geological Society activities are not particularly dangerous members are advised to check whether exclusions apply to activities in which they plan to participate in case they wish to arrange further cover. An annual travel insurance may be the best solution for any member who regularly attends field events: this again is a matter of choice.
Please note however that all members participating in overseas events will be required to have travel insurance for the duration of the event: this is so that participants are covered for Medical, Repatriation and Personal Liability expenses. The Personal Accident element remains the personal choice of the member and again members are advised to check exclusions so that they can make an informed decision about the cover they want.