Science
Deep Time Walk – Roseisle Forrest
Join naturalist Dan Puplett on a journey through deep time. Explore the mind-blowing 4.6 billion year story of Planet Earth as we walk 4.6 kilometres at Roseisle. As we stride through the aeons, every millimetre will represent 1000 years in the astonishing saga or life on our home planet. Hear tales of the rise of life, mass extinctions, the evolution of countless organisms and where Homo sapiens fits into it all! We will also talk about the flora, fauna and… Join naturalist Dan Puplett on a journey through deep time. Explore the mind-blowing 4.6 billion year story of Planet Earth as we walk 4.6 kilometres at Roseisle. As we stride through the aeons, every millimetre will represent 1000 years in the astonishing saga or life on our home planet. Hear tales of the rise of life, mass extinctions, the evolution of countless organisms and where Homo sapiens fits into it all! We will also talk about the flora, fauna and fungi we see on the way, and their place in Earth’s story.
Hopeman Fossil Dunes and Trackways Tour
An opportunity to examine features of the late Permian Hopeman Sandstone Formation, including fossilised dunes and animal trackways, with local geologist Dave Longstaff. During this full-day event with Elgin Museum, you’ll examine the features of the late Permian Hopeman Sandstone Formation. Starting at the beach huts, we will see relicts of aeolian barchan and possible star dunes before examining a stretch of coastline that shows small faults, a range of soft sediment deformation features, fluvial and lacustrine sandstones, abandoned millstones and quarries, trace fossils and other sedimentary features. After lunch in Cove Bay (NJ 1594 7011) around low tide of 13:33, we will look at a well-studied fault zone and post-glacial caves. We will then go to Clashach Quarry to examine fossilised reptile footprints and glacial features before descending to the coast via a short path to visit an old sandstone quarry (1781), the old Clashach port, Jock Muldoon’s Cave and see some beautifully displayed sandstone cross-bedding and relicts of quarrying. When the excursion finishes, we will return to the beach huts via the coastal path; the expected time back at cars is 16:00-16:30.