Please Mind the Gap – Groundwater Flow through Permo-Triassic rocks of Northern Ireland
Please click HERE to register.
Leader: Dr Mark Cooper (Cgeol) is currently the GSNI Chief Geologist and he has a broad understanding of Northern Ireland geology in its all-island, UK and international contexts. Mark is chartered through the Geological Society of London and sits on the Northern Ireland Chapter Committee. His publications include 50 peer-reviewed, high impact papers, book chapters and over 20 geological maps and models covering a wide range of geological subject areas.
This excursion is to look at how faults and igneous intrusions, such as dykes and sills, influence how fluids and heat move underground. Understanding the impacts of these kinds of structures on the subsurface is becoming more and more important was we look to develop geothermal energy systems and make greater use of ground water here and around the world. It will take place around the area of Strangford and Belfast Loughs.
Packed lunches will be needed on both days and waterproof footwear with ankle support is advised. The rock exposures we will be looking at are mainly intertidal so will be slippery. Dress appropriately for weather conditions. There will be some short periods of moderate exertion on both days.
Participants are limited to 30.
Please click HERE to register.
After completing the registration form, You will be contacted within 7 days to confirm registration. Please email stephen.carrington@ucd.ie if you register and are subsequently unable to attend, so that your place can be reallocated.
Accommodation and Transport
We will do our best to coordinate between participants to assist car sharing and the use of public transport. Karen Parks has offered to hire a 9 person MPV for those who prefer not to use their car, but we would need 8 persons (+ Karen) to sign up at a cost of around £40 per person. Please respond with relevant transport details/preferences during registration. A free text box is provided for you to do this.
If you are arriving by train, there are several hotels close to Grand Central Station in Belfast (search ‘Hotels near Grand Central Station Belfast’ in Google Maps for locations and prices). Make sure to ask about parking if you are bringing a car. The Hampton by Hilton has reduced price parking in a local multistory carpark. Sunday is based out near Carrickfergus, where there is a Premier Inn at around £100.00 per night. Also, the Ivanhoe Inn and Hotel on the Saintfield Road is also an option (£125.00) . If anyone is staying an extra day, Karen Parks has generously offered up to 3 places in her car for a trip up the East Antrim Coast. (email her on kparks601@outlook.com).
Restaurants
Belfast -Near the Train station
Amelia Hall
Villa Italia
Ten Square
Henry’s bar
Fratellis
Anywhere in the Cathedral Quarter Booking advised for an evening meal on Saturday night in central Belfast.
Carrickfergus area
Papa Browns
Castello Italia
Whiteabbey
Bureau by the Lough
Little wing pizza restaurant
Sleepy Hollow
Larne
Ballygalley Hotel
Proposed Itinerary
- Amelia Hall
- Villa Italia
- Ten Square
- Henry’s bar
- Fratellis
- Anywhere in the Cathedral Quarter Booking advised for an evening meal on Saturday night in central Belfast.
Day 1 – 2nd August.
10.30am: Meet at Scrabo Quarry Carpark. Toilets available. https://maps.app.goo.gl/nZ3qi2sEdMabvvHq7
The NIEA country park provides opportunity to look recently restored quarry faces with Sherwood Sandstone Group rocks and Paleogene dykes and sills. The Sherwood Sandstone here is unusual in that is includes evidence of desert dunes and river environments.
12.30-1.30pm: Lunch.
1.30pm: Drive to lay-by adjacent to Strangford Lough. https://maps.app.goo.gl/LKzTWoTsDiKKocC38
Here we will look at a fault zone intruded by Paleogene dykes. We will also examine Triassic Sherwood Sandstone Group country rocks, that were laid down in river environments, and show the impacts of heat and fluid flow.
4pm: End of Day 1 of excursion. Return to accommodation.
Day 2 – 3rd August.
9.30am: Meet at Carrickfergus Castle Carpark. https://maps.app.goo.gl/mAjzcUYMX6Wdi8su6 Toilets available.
We will examine the form of Paleogene dykes and a sill in the foundations of the castle. The contact between the intrusion(s) and Triassic Mercia Mudstone Group rocks is visible and is baked.
10.30am: Drive to Andrew Jackson Cottage & US Rangers Museum
https://maps.app.goo.gl/k9fFqAgzJovx7Q2Q7
Here we will examine a number of dykes and sills intruding the Triassic Mercia Mudstone and see the development of intrusion breccias and what happens when dykes and sills come to an end.
12.30-1.30pm. Lunch.
1.30pm: Drive to Hazelbank Car Park. Toilets available.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/o8SToNqPLSSgQXcR7
From Macedon Point to Whiteabbey, we will examine dykes intruding Mercia Mustone and the Sherwood Sandstone groups. In addition, we will examine a large fault that brings the two rock groups together, and which is intruded by multiple dykes.
4pm: End of excursion
Please click HERE to register.