The jurassic coast
The Devon – Dorset Coast of southern England is an area of great scientific importance and has been accorded UNESCO World Heritage status as the “Jurassic Coast”.
Favourable tectonics allows the entirety of the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous stratigraphy to be seen in transect along the coast. Several major unconformity surfaces can be demonstrated, which may be correlated to North Sea stratigraphy.
The coastline is also one of the few areas where a working petroleum system can be examined in full, including source, reservoir and seal horizons with live oil seeps and producing fields in the locality. Several major faults and folds can be viewed in the field and highlight the impact of tectonics on the working petroleum system.
The coastline is famous for numerous world class fossil discoveries, including a recently-unearthed giant pliosaur, which can be visited at the superb ‘Etches Collection’ museum in Kimmeridge. There is an opportunity to collect fossils at several localities during the field trip.
Localities of interest include Lyme Regis, Charmouth, Burton Bradstock, Osmington Mills, Lulworth Cove, Stair Hole, Durdle Door, Kimmeridge Bay and Gad Cliff, as well as the Wytch Farm and Kimmeridge oil fields.
In safe hands
Merlin has organised and run numerous field trips for clients over many years, including several along the Dorset coast. The trip will be led by geologist and stratigrapher Dr Philip Copestake and structural geologist and geophysicist Dr Bill Wilks who have extensive knowledge of the site localities.
your trip, your way
Field trips can be fully tailored to your needs with durations of 1 to 4 days. Itineraries can be customised to suit company requirements and can include non-geological activities if desired, e.g. archaeological and historical sites.
LOCATION
The Devon – Dorset Coast is in the southwest of the UK, with good road links from the remainder of the country. It can be accessed via airport transfer from Heathrow (2.5 hrs), Gatwick (2.5 hrs), Bristol (2hrs) or Birmingham (3hrs).
Accommodation, eating and transportation
- Trusted hotel and transportation providers, airport transfers can be arranged.
- Hotel meeting rooms and conference facilities available.
- Packed lunches can be provided for field days.
- Transportation to excellent local pubs and restaurants for evening meals.
- Hotel spa, gym, pool and racket sport facilities for leisure time.