Field Trips for 2024
Please let us know if you have particular requests or would be interested to lead a fieldtrip or happy to lend a hand with the organisation of fieldtrips. We had excellent attendance at all the trips last year and we are more limited by the ability to organise than by potential participants!
Email: royalgeolsoccornwall@gmail.com
For all field trips please register by email to Beatrice Kerno (beatricekerno@yahoo.co.uk) with names of attendees, contact telephone numbers and an emergency contact number for each participant.
Field Excursion Sunday 28 April, 2024 to Botallack
Leader: Peter Scott, Emeritus Professor, Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter and Chair of the Cornwall Geoconservation Group Prof Peter Scott | Geology and Mining | University of Exeter
Times and meeting point: 11.00 am at the National Trust Car Park next to the old Counthouse at Botallack.
National Trust Members can park for free. Finish approx. 4.30 pm.
Aim: Botallack and its dramatic cliffs are a classic area for Cornish geology and historic mining. The exposed rocks of metamorphosed sediments, basalts and others, form an aureole to the granite underneath, which is seen only in the waste from the former mining activities. Skarn style tin mineralisation is seen in horizontal ‘floors’, which were mined at the surface. Several sub-vertical veins of tin, copper and uranium were excavated underground, the remains of which can be observed in the many mineral dumps. Physical evidence of the infrastructure for the past mining activities is seen in the iconic Crowns engine houses and others, plus an arsenic labyrinth, old dressing floors, and several shafts and adits.
The excursion will involve a stroll over the area with a lunch stop at the Count House Cafe where there are picnic tables and toilets. (https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/botallack). Food: bring packed lunch
What to wear: warm weatherproof clothing, walking boots or shoes. Hard hats will not be needed.
Participants with all levels of geological knowledge are welcome, under 16s need to be accompanied by an adult.
RGSC members – free, non-members - £5, please bring in a sealed labelled envelope. (Why not join, membership is just £15),
Please register by email to Beatrice Kerno (beatricekerno@yahoo.co.uk) with names of attendees, contact telephone numbers and an emergency contact number for each participant.
Directions: Turn into Botallack village off the St Just to St Ives road and then onto the unmade rough road towards the cliffs. The Count House is the last large building on the right with the car park just beyond.