Stackpole - a geological exploration

With Tom down at Swansea Uni doing Earth Sciences it's good to be able to take part in field trips - albeit remotely!

Top: Stackpole Quay middle cove (north side)
 Bottom: further north along the coast.

Fossils at Stackpole Quay (Middle Cove) from the Lower Carboniferous

 Top left: geopetal structure (fossil spirit level) When cavities fill with some sediment material, calcite minerals form in the cavity above the sediment and as the sediment should start horizontally the line between the calcite mineral and the rock should represent 180 degrees when the sediment was laid.
Bottom left : colonial coral fossil.
Top right : Cross section through a gastropod shell fossil.
Bottom right:  gastropod shell. Also present were brachiopods and crinoids.

Left: Syncline Stack at Stackpole Quay- carboniferous limestone with some vertical fractures showing offset strata and fracture cleavage fanning away from the fold hinge.
Right: making a field sketch and measurements of dip and strike with a compass clinometer.