Glacial Landforms Working Group NI Field Meeting: The Quaternary Glaciation of the Mournes, Co. Down, Northern Ireland. 27th – 30th October 2016
Preliminary Programme
The glacial geology of Northern Ireland, like much of the UK, is characterised by a contrast between complete ice sheet coverage during the last glacial maximum and local upland ice cap glaciations typical of average glacial conditions during the Quaternary. Recent studies by the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University have contributed to understandings of the style and timing of the Late-glacial re-advance in Co. Down, as well as the nature and extent of upland glaciations in the Mountains of Mourne. The coastal location of the Mournes has resulted in a complex interplay between local icefield glaciers, the Irish Sea Ice stream and regional scale ice cap outlet glaciers.
This fieldtrip will introduce the range large scale glacial landforms that reflect processes operating beneath the Irish Ice Sheet at Last Glacial Maximum (glacial breaches, Rogen moraines, drumlins, glacial lineations and subglacial meltwater channels). Field visits will provide insights into the style and rate of ice retreat in the Irish Sea. We will be looking for evidence of small ice-cap style glaciation of the Mountains of Mourne during field visits to the Annalong valley.
Two and a half field days are planned, preceded by introductory talks on Thursday evening in Newcastle, Co. Down.
Day 0 (Thursday evening) Registration and introductory talk, Newcastle, Co. Down.
Sam Roberson, Mark Cooper, Iestyn Barr, Paul Dunlop and Jon Merritt.
Day 1 (Friday) Mountains of Mourne – Bloody Bridge, Annalong valley moraines, Blue Lough, Slieve Binnian tors.
Leaders: Sam Roberson, Peter Wilson
Day 2 (Saturday) The Mourne Plain – Cranfield Moraine, Derryoge harbour and Killkeel steps.
Leaders: Jon Merritt, Mark Cooper, Sam Roberson
Day 3 (Sunday morning -until 1.00pm) Drumlins and Rogens – Slieve Croob, Waringsford and Ballynahinch.
Leaders: Paul Dunlop and Jon Merritt.
Contributors
Sam Roberson, Mark Cooper, Jon Merritt (British Geological Survey); Iestyn Barr (Queen’s University Belfast), Paul Dunlop, Peter Wilson, Michael Dempster (Ulster University), Jasper Knight (University of Witwatersrand).
Registration
Maximum number of participants: 50
Registration is free. Other costs will involve accommodation (see below) and a field guide (estimated at £15).
Please register by emailing the registration form to sam.roberson@bgs.ac.uk. Please indicate if you want a place in the pre-booked hostel accommodation (see below).
You will then be contacted via e-mail with a confirmation of your place and payment information.
Accommodation
We have booked the Hutt Hostel in Newcastle, Co. Down, (http://www.hutthostel.com/) which can accommodate up to 40 people. The cost will be £55 p.p. for three nights. Towels are available for a fee £2.50. There are probably not enough for everybody so you are encouraged to bring your own.
For those wishing to book their own accommodation, Newcastle is a thriving seaside resort and there are a range of reasonable value B&Bs in the town.
Further Information
Sam Roberson (sam.roberson@bgs.ac.uk) or Iestyn Barr (i.barr@qub.ac.uk)