Fieldwork
Dorchester U3a Geology Group getting up close and personal with the Jurassic at Ringstead Bay. Photo: Kelvin Huff
Fieldwork ideas
Don't forget what's in your local area. Even if you live in a town or city there is plenty of geology to be found in local cemeteries, buildings and walls.
1) Cemeteries as a geological resource. Most towns will have churchyards and cemeteries. We have found a visit to be a great introduction to the three main rock types. Often you will see a contrast between the use of local stone for the earlier graves and the use of more exotic stone such as Larvikite and imported 'Black Granite', actually an ultra-basic rock from India or South Africa. An activity sheet from Earth Learning idea can be downloaded HERE. Please act sensitively when visiting such sites with a group.
2) Building stones and town trails.
Towns, with their churches, banks, old buildings, kerb stones and even modern shop fronts are a fantastic geological resource. Many larger towns have published their own town trails but why not develop one for your group? One of us has been involved in developing a building stones website for Dorset which may give you some ideas. Visit the site HERE
3) Excellent field trips and geological tours are run by "Down to Earth" and by the North West Highlands Geopark. These are ideal for U3A members, and not just geology Group members. Make enquiries at: www.nwhgeopark.com/ and at downtoearth@geosupplies.co.uk
4) Teme Valley Geol Soc near Worcester can provide guided visits - click HERE for more information.
5) There may be a local GA group who can help you organise a visit. View the list HERE
6) As this site develops it is hoped we can help fellow group leaders organise their fieldwork further afield, perhaps on residential visits. So far we can offer help for groups visiting Dorset and Essex. (Please use the Contact form on this site to seek or offer advice in this respect).
7) The close relationship between buildings and the underlying geology is investigated in and around Essex - see this Essex Rock and Mineral Society web page for ideas.
Don't forget what's in your local area. Even if you live in a town or city there is plenty of geology to be found in local cemeteries, buildings and walls.
1) Cemeteries as a geological resource. Most towns will have churchyards and cemeteries. We have found a visit to be a great introduction to the three main rock types. Often you will see a contrast between the use of local stone for the earlier graves and the use of more exotic stone such as Larvikite and imported 'Black Granite', actually an ultra-basic rock from India or South Africa. An activity sheet from Earth Learning idea can be downloaded HERE. Please act sensitively when visiting such sites with a group.
2) Building stones and town trails.
Towns, with their churches, banks, old buildings, kerb stones and even modern shop fronts are a fantastic geological resource. Many larger towns have published their own town trails but why not develop one for your group? One of us has been involved in developing a building stones website for Dorset which may give you some ideas. Visit the site HERE
3) Excellent field trips and geological tours are run by "Down to Earth" and by the North West Highlands Geopark. These are ideal for U3A members, and not just geology Group members. Make enquiries at: www.nwhgeopark.com/ and at downtoearth@geosupplies.co.uk
4) Teme Valley Geol Soc near Worcester can provide guided visits - click HERE for more information.
5) There may be a local GA group who can help you organise a visit. View the list HERE
6) As this site develops it is hoped we can help fellow group leaders organise their fieldwork further afield, perhaps on residential visits. So far we can offer help for groups visiting Dorset and Essex. (Please use the Contact form on this site to seek or offer advice in this respect).
7) The close relationship between buildings and the underlying geology is investigated in and around Essex - see this Essex Rock and Mineral Society web page for ideas.
Organising Fieldwork
Remember to check the insurance situation with your U3a Committee before planning field-work. Always do a recce visit and make sure the terrain is appropriate for group members. Doing a full risk assessment is essential.
Does Public Liability cover the Local U3A against accidents whilst out walking or any other type of outdoor or strenuous activity? It does, so long as it is remembered that the Public Liability policy is an insurance against legal liability. The Policy is not an automatic Personal Accident insurance. It would have to be shown that U3A, its agents or members had in some way been negligent in causing injury to the victim. For further details on insurance, and particularly help with specific types of group visit, please telephone U3A HQ on 020 8466 6139 Mon to Fri 09.30 to 16.30 and they are ready to help with the right advice for your group.
Code for Geological Fieldwork (reproduced from the Geological Society)
- Always remember that fieldwork is potentially hazardous: the quarries, excavations and cliffs that so often provide the best exposures for study are also inherently dangerous places.
- Don't visit any field site without obtaining the prior permission of the owner. Bear in mind that you may need a guide to conduct you round a working quarry. Never enter a working quarry without first visiting the quarry office.
- Don't do fieldwork by yourself if working in uninhabited or remote areas. Leave others with information of your intended route and don't depart from your plan.
- Wear strong and waterproof footwear with non-slip soles.
- Always carry warm and waterproof clothing if you plan to spend several hours in the field.
- Wear a hard hat when working near steep faces.
- Be aware that rock falls and collapses of sand and gravel faces can occur at any time and without prior warning.
- Use your geological hammer sparingly, and only at sites where hammering is permitted. Never hammer rocks without wearing protective glasses or goggles.
- Don't visit coastal sites without checking on tide times. Ensure that you have a means of retreat if caught on a rising tide.
- Do not climb on steep faces. Use binoculars to study rocks when they are too dangerously situated to be approached safely.
- Take sensible safety precautions at all times - always carry appropriate safety equipment, including a compass, and a First Aid kit.
The above code was developed from the "Rules of Geological Fieldwork" presented in Earth Heritage Conservation published by the Geological Society in association with the Open University
(1994; ISBN 1 897799 03 9). This work is now out of print.
Please encourage responsible use of fieldwork sites. Dorset has developed a fossil collecting code which can be accessed here
Dorchester U3a Geology Group with Steve Etches at his museum in Kimmeridge. Photo: Kelvin Huff
