GEOLOGY FIELD EXCURSIONS by Emeritus Professor John Compton

All participants will receive a copy of Compton’s West Coast, A Natural History as a field guide (if you already own a copy you can use the R250 credit toward another of Compton’s books).

Fieldtrip includes: entrance fee to the West Coast National Park and the West Coast Fossil Park; luxury bus coach transport with microphone.

Participants need to wear appropriate gear and clothing for the weather conditions and they need to bring what they want to eat and a minimum of a litre of water.

The scenic and beautifully exposed rocks and mountains of Cape Town provide the perfect place to explore and learn about the local geology. This walking tour commences at the end of Tafelberg Road beyond the Cableway. We will walk along the section of Tafelberg Road that is now closed to vehicular traffic to examine the spectacular exposures of maroon muddy sandstone of the Graafwater Formation exposed in road cuts. We will look from the road at the scenic vistas of Table Mountain, the City Bowl, the harbour and Lion’s Head and discuss aspects of the geology, erosion (rockfalls).Participants need to be fit enough to go for a three hour walk on mostly level to slight undulating tarmac.