Field trip leaders: Members of the convener team Dates: Thursday 11 th and Friday 12 th April Jurassic Coast Fieldtrip Logistics: Note that the field trip will begin and end in Piccadilly, London (in front of the Geological Society). Transport to and between field trip localities and return will be by coach. A full safety briefing will be given at the beginning of the trip along with a risk assessment. Hard hats and reflective vests will be provided. Participants are responsible for bringing their own field boots and other field equipment (waterproofs, etc). Do not bring hammers as hammering is forbidden at all localities since they are Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Participants are responsible for obtaining their own lunch each day. A variety of options will be available in the towns that forms our lunch stops. A short field guide will be provided. Overview The geology of the Wessex Basin exposed along the coast of Dorset represents a classic study area for stratigraphy, sedimentary geology and palaeontology. It is also a region that contains a major oil field (Wytch Farm) and exposes the rocks that make up the petroleum system that lead to the presence of oil and gas in the subsurface. We will take a look at some classic outcrops and identify those features which have significance in locating and producing subsurface hydrocarbons. We will also discuss depositional setting of the rocks we encounter and the controls on cyclicity observed and the tectono-stratigraphic evolution of the basin. In the context of the conference we will pay particular attention to those parts of the geological succession that have a wider significance in terms of representing episodes of organic enrichment, sealevel events, or regional/global tectonics.
Simplified geological map of the Wessex Basin with field trip localities indicated.
Stratigraphy of the Wessex Basin
Day One 11 April 08.00 Depart Piccadilly 10.30 Arrive Kimmeridge 12.00 Lunch (Kimmeridge, Etches Collection) 13.00 Depart Kimmeridge 13.30 Arrive Durdle Door 17.00 Depart Lulworth Cove 20.00 Arrive Weymouth 08.30 Depart Weymouth 09.00 Arrive West Bay 11.00 Depart West Bay Day Two 12 April 11.30 Arrive Lyme Regis (Lunch) 12.30 Outcrops Lyme Regis 15.00 Depart Lyme Regis 18.00 Arrive Piccadilly
Outcrop Summaries Kimmeridge Bay The Kimmeridge stage is widely associated with source rock deposition in many basins of the Northern Hemisphere, and here at the type locality from which the stage took its name, the rocks are organic-rich although not mature. Depositional setting and cyclicity will be discussed as well as resource play potential. We will visit the internationally renowned Etches Collection of fossils from the Kimmeridge Clay.
Durdle Door/Lulworth Cove The Late Jurassic Cretaceous is exposed here along with spectacular evidence of Tertiary structural deformation. Critical here is the evidence of a phase of Early Cretaceous rifting, the sedimentary fill of which, drives source rock maturation and migration. We will walk from Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove, passing through Late Jurassic stratigraphy (discussion of widespread carbonate platforms, followed by sea-level fall, arid climates and widespread evaporite deposition); Early Cretaceous stratigraphy (discussion of regional rifting events); Late Cretaceous stratigraphy (discussion of global sea-level events; widespread chalk reservoirs). In Lulworth Cove we will discuss Alpine Tectonics. West Bay
Spectacular exposure of the Early Jurassic Bridport Sands, the secondary reservoir in the Wytch Farm oil field and an important carrier bed. We will study reservoir heterogeneity issues in association with depositional setting and diagenesis. We will also examine evidence and the impact for widespread Late Toarcian Aalenian sea-level fall and its impact on hydrocarbon systems. Lyme Regis World-famous exposure of the Blue Lias (Early Jurassic) shales. These form the primary source rock in the basin and also yield spectacular fossils. We will discuss the reasons for organic enrichment and the cyclicity evident in the succession. In global context we will discuss Atlantic rifting and Early Jurassic phases of anoxia.