Geology of Arthur's Seat

Pre-requisites for enrolment

The course is suitably introductory such that anyone could enrol and get up to speed on the first day, which is classroom-based. There will be field trips on Arthur’s Seat. The total walking distance will be about 6km (3.7miles) mainly on paths. Although we will not go to the summit of Arthur’s Seat we will ascend and descend some moderately steep path sections.

Special Information

Field clothing is required, such as walking shoes and wet weather gear.

Content of Course

Class Room

1. Lecture: Landforms, field relations, tectonic settings of igneous rocks. Practical : Map work.

2. Lecture: Igneous petrography; how mineralogy and texture reveal the origin of igneous rocks and their mode of occurrence. Practical: Igneous rocks and thin sections.

Arthur’s Seat:

1. North side of Arthur’s Seat: overall morphology, lava flows, interbedded sediments, faults, pyroclastic rocks and intrusions.

2. Queen’s Drive agglomerate, Hutton’s section etc., return round Radical Rd. to Dynamic Earth.

Teaching method(s)

Lectures and practical sessions looking at maps and rock specimens. Field trips on Arthur’s Seat looking at natural outcrops.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Observe and interpret the salient features of igneous rocks in hand specimen and in the field;

• Appreciate the geological control on landforms;

• Achieve a basic understanding of geological maps and cross sections;

• Understand the field relationships of igneous rocks;

• Understand the significance of igneous rocks and what they tell us about ancient tectonic settings;

• Appreciate the significance of Hutton’s Section (on Arthur’s Seat) in the development of geology as a science.

Sources

Core Readings

Essential:

• Land, D.H.& Cheeney, R.F., 2000 Discovering Edinburgh's Volcano - A geological guide to Holyrood Park. Edinburgh Geological Society (Leaflet, £1.50)

Recommended:

• McAdam, A.D. & Clarkson, E. N. K. (1996) Lothian Geology - An excursion guide. Edinburgh Geological Society.

• Gillen, C., 2003 Geology and Landscapes of Scotland; Harpenden.

Web Sources

http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/arthurseat

http://www.edinburghgeolsoc.org/o_home.html

http://www.edinburghgeolsoc.org/downloads/rigsleaflet_hutton.pdf

Class Handouts

Handouts and worksheets to support lectures, practical sessions and the field excursion.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.