IGA Field Trip: Dr Siobhán Power – Geology of the Mourne Region of County Down

Led by Dr Siobhán Power, Mourne Cooley Gullion Geotourism

Summary:

The Mourne region has the undeniable majesty of the Palaeogene granites in the Mourne Mountains but it also has lowlands underlain by Silurian subduction zone metasediments and Carboniferous fossil beds and storm deposits. The landscape itself formed during the last glaciation and has a wealth of both erosional and depositional landforms. This tour of the main geological features of the region will look at the Silurian Longford-Down sediments deposited close to a subduction zone as the Iapetus Ocean closed, the Carboniferous limestone deposits on the Carlingford Lough shore and some aspects of the Mourne granites including a spectacular section through a cone sheet with basaltic and feldspar porphyry differentiations. As we travel through the region, we will be able to appreciate the role of glaciers in shaping the landscape and the interaction between people and their landscape.

Outline of the trip:

Meeting @ 09:30 h Bagenal’s Castle (Newry & Mounre Museum, beside Lidl), Newry (Co Down) BT34 2BY From here we will travel in convoy. There is a good and free carpark there as it is advisable to share cars. 1st Stop: Cranfield (Co. Down) – Carboniferous limestone, 35-40 min from Nrewry in the direction of Kilkeel. 2nd Stop: Glassdrumman Pier (Co. Down coast between Annalong and Newcastle) – Silurian metasediments and Palaeogene cone sheet. 3rd Stop: Bloody Bridge (Co. Down coast between Annalong and Newcastle) – Contact between Silurian and metasediments, and Palaeogene Mourne granite. 4th Stop: Lunch in Newcastle (Co. Down) 5th Stop: Meelmore Lodge (Co. Down) – Glacial landscape and the other side of the Mournes 6th Stop: Spelga (Co. Down) – Geohydrology Back to Newry to finish around 5 pm. Bring any necessary waterproofs, stout footwear, warm clothing [just in case], geological gear [though hammers won’t really be necessary]. Interested participants should register by Thursday April 16th with Isabel O’Brien ( juno@my.open.ac.uk ) PLACES ARE LIMITED, SO PLEASE BOOK NOW!!