Field Trip to Lower Greensand (Surrey and Sussex)
Wednesday 21st December 2011
Fieldtrip leaders: Martin Wells (BP) & Gary Hampson (Imperial College London)
Folkestone Sands Formation of the Lower Greensand Group
Introduction
The fieldtrip will visit exposures of the Folkestone Sands Formation of the Lower Greensand Group in the Weald Basin (Surrey and Sussex). This unit consists of shallow-marine sandstones with abundant evidence of tidal influence, and is interpreted to have been deposited in sand waves within the epicontinental "Lower Greensand Seaway". We plan to visit two working quarries. The quarry faces provide high-quality, three-dimensional exposures but these change continuously, so we will need to be flexible in terms of where precisely where we spend most of the time - we will seek the best exposures to show you the range of structures, facies and depositional architectures.
Field safety
Please monitor the weather forecasts and dress appropriately - it can be cold even on sunny winter days. The localities are in working quarries, so we will need to wear reflective jackets and hard hats (which can be loaned to fieldtrip participants by the leaders). You are also advised to wear walking boots with good grip. We will visit the quarries on condition that we meet the requirements of the quarry operators' public indemnity insurance and health and safety protocols. Fieldtrip participants may need to sign indemnity waiver forms, and are advised to check that their university or employer's insurance policy provides accident cover for the fieldtrip. For safety reasons, the number of fieldtrip participants is limited to a maximum of 25.
Cost
The fieldtrip cost stated on the registration page (£25 per person) covers return transport by minibus from Imperial College to the outcrops, and a hard copy of the fieldguide. In addition, participants will need to buy their own lunch in the pub.