Field Trip: Lulworth Cove and east to Mupe Bay, Dorset
Leader:
Entry Fee
Members: Free
Visitors: £3.00
Date and Time
10:30
Location
Lulworth Cove Car Park, West Lulworth, Wareham BH20 5RS
Field Trip Description
Lulworth Cove is a classic geological section of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. Highlights include the spectacular bay itself, Stair Hole and the Fossil Forest. At Lulworth we will see the Upper Jurassic - Cretaceous strata: tectonics, stratigraphy, sedimentology and palaeontology. The Portland limestone and Purbeck beds show oolites, stromatolites, collapse breccias from evaporite dissolution, lacustrine limestones with bivalves and gastropods; the overlying Wealden consists of fluvial sandstones (some impregnated with oil) and palaeosoils. The Greensand and the Chalk at the back of the Bay contain fossil echinoids, bivalves and serpulids. There are also spectacular folds and faults, at Stair Hole in particular.
There is much to see geologically around Lulworth Cove itself, but we will then walk along the Southwest Coastal Path to the east across the army firing range towards Mupe Bay. This 2-mile stretch is described as moderate and strenuous on the Jurassic Coast website and Mupe Bay as an “ideal spot for those who like their coastline wild, rugged and just a little bit dangerous!” We will avoid the dangerous parts. There are some steps to climb to get out of Lulworth Cove. We hope at least to view the fossil forest from above, if access is still an issue following the cliff fall in 2015.
Meet at the Lulworth Cove car park at 10.30 am.
Post-code for the Lulworth car-park is BH20 5RQ. Price £7.50 for up to 6 hours (£9 >6 hrs).
We will aim to be finished by 16.00.
Strong footwear and packed lunch will be needed.
Transport will be by private car. We will try to arrange lifts.
Sign-up for the trip on the sheet at the February (2nd) or March (2nd) meeting of the Bath GS at BRLSI or contact [email protected] or 01249 443019 or mobile 07712 776117.
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.