Field Trip

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ICE FT 01 | Geology of the Midland Valley Area Around Edinburgh

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)

Tuesday, 10 October – Friday, 13 October 2017, 6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. | Edinburgh, England

Who Should Attend

Geoscientists with an interest in classical geology, carboniferous shallow marine clastic and carbonate sediments and the interaction of volcanism with sedimentation. The trip would also be suitable for non-geologists.

Objectives

To visit some of the classic geological sections where James Hutton first established some of the basic rules of stratigraphy and to study the mainly Carboniferous geology of the Midland Valley of Scotland near Edinburgh.

Course Content

The Midland Valley of Central Scotland is bordered Ochil Hills Fault to the north and Southern Uplands Fault to the south and comprises several basins with a dominantly Carboniferous fill which includes limestones, oil shales, coals and sandstones intruded and interbedded with a broad variety of Carboniferous volcanics of mainly Dinantian (Lower Carboniferous age). The oil shales were historically important economically as a source of oil whilst the associated limestones were used to generate lime. The Namurian and Westphalian (middle and Upper Carboniferous) are also widespread but are mainly known from the subsurface where they formed an economically important coal resource across much of the region. Several historically important geological sites will be visited including the famous Siccar Point unconformity where James Hutton in 1788 was the first to recognize the true significance of this structure in terms of stratigraphy and to conclude that the Earth is formed by cyclical, oft-repeated processes. Other classic sections studied by Hutton include the intrusion of a large teschenite sill into Carboniferous Cementstone/Strathclyde Group sediments at Salisbury Crag where he unraveled the age relationship between the two.

Itinerary Roster

Tuesday, 10th October

Travel to Edinburgh and check into hotel for an early morning start of the field trip the next day.

Wednesday, 11 October (Low Tide 1200)

Forth Rail Bridge: Carboniferous Pumpherston oil shales (stromatolites, plants and fish), deltaic sandstones and associated sediments/igneous intrusions.

Holyrood Park/Arthurs Seat Volcano, Edinburgh: Walk to top of Arthurs Seat for overview of Midland Valley geology. Volcanic plugs, agglomerates, tuffs, lavas and intrusions (including Salisbury Crag Sill). Carboniferous Cementstone/Strathclyde Group shallow marine sandstones with trace fossils, ripples etc. Includes a view of Huttons section where he deduced that the Salisbury Crag intrusion post-dated the sediments it intrudes. Overnight in Edinburgh.

Thursday, 12 October (Low Tide 1400)

Huttons Unconformity at Siccar Point: Devonian fluvial conglomerates with clasts of Silurian turbidtes rest with angular unconformity on uplifted and eroded Silurian turbidites.
Catcraig: Carboniferous (Dinantian Lower Limestone Group) shallow marine fossiliferous limestones with trace fossils, coral patch reefs and fossil tree stumps. Overnight in Edinburgh.

Friday, 13 October (Low Tide 1500)

Gullen Bents or Yellowcraig (am): Carboniferous volcanics (pillow lavas, tuffs, agglomerates, sills associated with deformed Cementstone/Strathclyde Group sediments etc.).
St. Baldreds Cradle: Basalt vent and agglomerate intruded into tuffs and Carboniferous deltaic sediments. Sandstone channels, soft sediment deformation, faulting and folding etc. Overnight in Edinburgh.

Fees

Professionals: US $1,300 + 20% VAT

Students: US $1,100 + 20% VAT

Limit: 16 people

Includes: Ground transportation in and around Edinburgh by minibus, hotel accommodations for four nights in central Edinburgh (10-13 October), breakfast, packed lunches, evening meals and field guidebook.

Does not include: Flights or rail fare to and from Edinburgh, UK.

Notes: Each participant will need to bring field boots with provided ankle protection, waterproofs, and any other PPE equipment as required by their employers.

Venue

ICE FT 01 | Geology of the Midland Valley Area Around Edinburgh

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Edinburgh, Aberdeen City

United Kingdom

Website Map

Instructor

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Important Notes Regarding Field Trips

**Alicia Collins**
Events Coordinator
+1 918 560 2616
[email protected]

Before purchasing non-refundable airline tickets, confirm that the trip will take place as trips may be cancelled if undersubscribed.
Please register well before 5 August 2024. Field trip cancellation due to low enrollment will be considered at this time. No refunds will be allowed on field trips after this date.
Field trips are limited in size and are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis and must be accompanied by full payment.
If you do not plan on attending the conference, a U.S. $30 enrollment fee will be added to the field trip fee. This fee may be applied toward registration if you decide to attend the conference at a later date.
A wait list is automatically created if a field trip sells out. AAPG will notify you if space becomes available
We will continue to take registrations for field trips not cancelled until they are either sold out or closed.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations can be made by contacting ICE Registration on or before 5 August via email at [email protected]
Cancellations received on or before 5 August will receive a refund LESS a US $75 processing fee.
Refunds will not be issued after 5 August or for “no shows.”
You may substitute one participant for another.