GeologyRocks

In the field twice in one week! On Sunday I attended the launch of the Hamps-Manifold Geotrail.

An overcast, but mercifully mostly dry day, saw about forty people attend the launch of the geotrail. The whole trail runs from Hulme End to Waterhouses in the Staffordshire Peak District down the old track of the Manifold Light Railway, but this opening just did the northern section from Hulme End to Thor's Cave.

The trail criss-crosses the axis of the Ecton Anticline staying within the Carboniferous Limestone but displays many limestone facies from deep water, to shallow water bioclastics to reef. There are also many localised tight folds, most notably at Apes Tor. Ecton is also noted for its copper mine on Ecton Hill above the trail, once one of the most productive copper mines in the world and there are also small lead mine entrances dotted along the trail.

A very interesting day out helped by the knowledgeable writers of the guide leading the walk and the magnificent spread laid out for us at the Wetton Mill tea rooms at lunchtime! The trail guide can be downloaded from www.esci.keele.ac.uk/srigs or picked up for free at the local information sites along the trail.