Local Geology Field Trip - Dec 3rd

Hello everyone!

We hope you have a very fulfilling Thanksgiving. While the weather is still beautiful and crisp, we look forward to getting out and having some fun outdoors, while we learn about some fascinating geology!

Our next Geology Field Trip will be on Saturday, December 3rd at 10 am.

Our first stop is a real natural gem, located near the NC Museum of Art. We will be exploring the geology exposed at the Prairie Ridge Ecostation,  45 acres of Piedmont prairie, forest, ponds, a stream and sustainable building features set within a wildlife-friendly landscape. Prairie Ridge furthers the NC Science Museum's mission of enhancing public understanding and appreciation of the natural environment by providing an outdoor learning space while acting as a model for renewable and sustainable energy.

The geologic story of the rock types and their geologic history was deciphered through many years of research by many investigators mapping in the Piedmont of North Carolina and the immediate area surrounding Prairie Ridge. 

To a geologist the rock types present - metamorphic schists and gneisses - help tell the story of how a major portion of North Carolina formed.  The rock that underlie Prairie Ridge record a long and sometimes violent geologic past of over a half billion years of Earth history.  Collectively the rocks of the Raleigh area record the formation of an ancient chain of volcanic islands (called Carolinia by geologists) that were active for millions of years with countless volcanic eruptions that formed piles of volcanic ash and lava flows.  During this same period of volcanic activity, erosion wore down the volcanic areas and deposited layers of sedimentary rocks in the form of mudstone, siltstone, and sandstone.

Following this visit, we will hike and explore the geology of nearby Umstead Park. This will be a chance for everyone to burn off some steam and enjoy a hike lead by Rob Greenberg. Bring a lunch to enjoy! Umstead has a beautiful picnic area.

The cost of the Geology Field Trip is $35.00 per student.  There is no charge to parents/drivers.  Contact us if you would like details about a multiple sibling or scout group discount.

Because, we like to have an accurate 'head count', please let us know as soon as you can, if you will be attending and how many will be in your party : )

You can pay in two ways:  

1) Send your payment to Pay Pal - rgreen08@gmail.com.  - or -

2) Mail a check to

Rob Greenberg
2218 Esther Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Here are some things to know about the trip.

• Wear sturdy shoes 
• Bring water, snacks and a lunch to enjoy at Umstead Park
• Bring sunscreen and bug spray (ticks can be out anytime!)
• If you happen to run late, we can be reached at  919-270-0028.

Please feel free to forward this email to others who you think will be interested.  We would love to grow our list of geology enthusiasts!

We look forward to seeing everyone!


Mary Watson & Rob Greenberg

Photos from the October 22nd trip to Gold Country

Thanks to Yelena McManaman and Rob Greenberg for sharing these photos!!

Panning for gold on the Uwharrie River 

Mitchell Mill Natural Area and Garnet-Mica Schist Collecting Area

Hello Friends and Rockhounds.

Wherever you live or travel, geology is everywhere. Geology also unlocks the history that lies hidden in the land all around us—in a piece of granite, a hillside, a handful of sand, the rock layers along a lake shore, or the jagged peaks of a mountain range.

We would like to invite you to attend our next Geology Trip on Saturday, November 12th.

Starting at 10:00 am, we will visit the Mitchell Mill State Natural Area - part of the largest granite dome on the east coast. This is a 'granite flatrock' - an outstanding natural exposure of the Rolesville granite and its unique, endemic plant community.  

We will be having a special program at Mitchell Mill State Natural Area, a granite 'flatrock' area, courtesy of the B. W. Wells Association. Experts will lead us on tour of the unique, special biota that have specially adapted themselves to live on this granite flat rock environment.

There are unique geological features present that separate Mitchell Mill State Natural Area from any other park in the area. It is part of the largest granite dome on the East coast, measuring approximately 30 miles long, 13 miles wide and 40,000-60,000 feet deep. Today, the rock face is pitted, worn and covered in ephemeral pools. These pools fill with water when it rains and are home to salamanders, frogs, crayfish and other tiny organisms. 

Please bring snacks, lunch and drinks. This is a perfect place for a 'picnic' lunch and we will have a break here as we enjoy the geology and scenery.

Our next stop will be an excellent outcrop near Falls Lake where participants will have the opportunity to 'load up" on garnets and garnet-mica schist. This is a very hard rock, so safety glasses or goggles are a great safety feature, please bring yours if you have them. There is no limit on the time we can spend at this last stop, so you can collect as much as you want.

Rockhounds of all ages are welcome!!

We will provide rock, hammers, eye protection for the group and the other equipment necessary. Bring rock hammers and eye protection if you have them.

To register for the November field trip or any other field trip, or if you'd like more information, please contact rgreengeology@gmail.com. We accept PayPal or pay by check.

Upon registration, we will send you additional info about where to meet, what to bring along and answer any questions that you have for us.

Because of the cost of the equipment we provide, the cost of the Geology Trip will be $35.00 per student.  There is no charge to parents/drivers.  Contact us if you would like details about a multiple sibling or scout group discount. 

We will need an accurate 'head count', so please let us know as soon as you can, if you will be attending and how many will be in your party : )

You can pay in two ways:   

1) Send your payment to Pay Pal - rgreen08@gmail.com.  - or - 

2) Mail a check to
Rob Greenberg
2218 Esther Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Thanks so much for your time and interest. Please feel free to forward this email to others who you think will be interested. We would love to grow our list of geology enthusiasts!  Have them contact me and I will add their information so they can receive announcements and updates.

Please spread the word about this trip to anyone you think it would interest!

Photos from the September 17th trip to Knightdale Quarry

Thanks to Yelena McManaman and Dilip Barman for sharing these photos!!

Veins of aplite cutting across granite

Granite layered with veins of biotite

Sign up for the Uwharrie Gold Panning Adventure - Saturday, October 22nd

Hello Friends and Rockhounds, 

We are very excited about our next geology trip to the 'Gold Country' of NC.

The geology, archaeology and precious metal resources of the Uwharrie Mountains are truly unique. We invite you to join us for our October adventure to Morrow Mountain State Park to be followed by trying your hand at gold panning in the adjacent Uwharrie National Forest, an area rich in cultural and natural history.

We'll start the adventure at the Morrow Mountain Summit - a scenic overlook and picnic area. Morrow Mountain is the highest peak in the area, at an elevation of 936 feet, from its summit we enjoy a truly spectacular view of the Pee Dee River and the rugged topography of the park that forms a stark contrast with the rolling countryside of the Piedmont plateau.

Bring a lunch/snacks and drinks and enjoy some social time with the group. 

The Uwharries are ancient Mountains. Now worn down to rounded ridges, these pinnacles are the remains of one of the oldest mountain ranges in the eastern United States. This beautiful landscape is the result of powerful geological forces that began millions of years ago. Over time, wind and water eroded lofty peaks to their more subdued profile we see today. 

The discovery of artifacts in the area attests to the presence of Native Americans 10,000 years before European settlement. 

Our program begins with a short hike during which we explore the geology and archaeology of the park. The program continues with a guided tour at the new exhibit hall commemorating the history of the Uwharries. Exhibits include hands-on rocks and minerals, American Indians, plant and animal communities, and early settlers.

The exhibits provide a perfect way for us to introduce you to gold history and gold panning techniques. 

The adventure continues with gold panning along the watershed of Uwharrie River. 

The first substantial gold strike in the United States was discovered near this area in 1799, and gold was discovered in the Uwharrie Mountains throughout the 19th century. A mini-gold rush occurred here during the Great Depression. Interest peaked again in this recession as gold increased to $1900/ounce. Today the price per ounce is closer to $1300.

Panning for gold in the forest's streams and rivers remains a popular activity. Recreational panning is allowed on most of the Uwharrie National Forest. No fee or permit is required as long as only shovel and pan techniques are used and no significant stream disturbance results.

We will provide gold pans and the other equipment necessary. Bring rock hammers and eye protection if you have them. We will provide some for the group.

To register for the October field trip or any other field trip, or if you'd like more information, please contact rgreengeology@gmail.com. We accept PayPal or pay by check.

Upon registration, we will send you additional info about where to meet, what to bring along and answer any questions that you have for us.

Because of the cost of the equipment we provide, the cost of the Geology Trip will be $60.00 per student.  There is no charge to parents/drivers.  Contact us if you would like details about a multiple sibling or scout group discount. 

We will need an accurate 'head count', please let us know as soon as you can, if you will be attending and how many will be in your party : )

You can pay in two ways:   

1) Send your payment to Pay Pal - rgreen08@gmail.com.  - or - 

2) Mail a check to
Rob Greenberg
2218 Esther Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Thanks so much for your time and interest. 

Please feel free to forward this email to others who you think will be interested. We would love to grow our list of geology enthusiasts!  Have them contact me and I will add their information so they can receive announcements and updates.

**********

This is a very scenic part of our state!! If you would like to turn the gold panning adventure into a weekend getaway, please click on the links below:

Morrow Mountain State Park has more than 15 miles of hiking trails, camping, stay-overnight-cabins and swimming.
http://www.ncparks.gov/morrow-mountain-state-park 
Uwharrie National Forest has camping (with hot showers), fishing, hiking, boating and off-roading.
http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/southern/uwhcmp.htm

Other area attractions include:

Seagrove, NC - pottery capital of NC
http://www.discoverseagrove.com/

NC Zoo
http://www.nczoo.org/

Rock & mineral collecting trip to Knightdale Quarry and Falls Lake area, Saturday, 9/17/16

Hi everyone, We hope your summer was a good one and rewarding for you and your family!!

Our next Geology Field Trip will be on Saturday, September, 17th at 10 am.

We will visit an outstanding, operating granite quarry at Wake Stone's Knightdale quarry, where there will a chance to collect specimens including feldspar, graphic granite, mica and amethyst. 

The cost of the Geology Field Trip is $35.00 per student. There is no charge to parents/drivers. Contact us if you would like details about a multiple sibling or scout group discount. Once you register for the trip, we will send you directions to our meeting place.

To register for any trip, or if you'd like more information, please contact rgreengeology@gmail.com. We accept PayPal or pay by check.

Our first destination is a 400-foot deep quarry in Wake Co., NC, where we will be looking at the geologic history near the boundary between the Piedmont and Coastal Plain. These rocks record a time in North Carolina's past characterized by mega-earthquakes, intrusions of magma chambers and the emplacement of mineralized veins rich in unique minerals.

The Knightdale area is bounded by a major plate tectonic boundary formed when ancient Africa collided with ancient North America to create the super-continent called Pangaea. An event very similar to what happened when the Indian subcontinent collided with the Asian continent to push up the modern Himalayas. Just as today we see major earthquakes happening all along that collision zone, in ancient times, our area experienced cataclysmic earthquakes.

The rocks at the quarry tell us this history by their texture and we will see examples on our trip. Textures of the rocks also reveal that a transform boundary (strike-slip fault system) similar to the San Andreas fault also existed in this area hundreds of millions of years ago. Raleigh, so tectonically quiet now, was once a mountainous area rocked by massive, high-magnitude earthquakes!

On the trip, we will enjoy a special opportunity for rock and mineral collection and learn about the economic importance of these rocks. Rock and mineral specimens we can expect to see include: orthoclase, plagioclase, quartz and micas. We may see some amethyst, we collected this mineral on our last trip to the quarry. The intrusive igneous rock, granite, is similar in composition to the Sierra Nevada and has a similar geologic history.

We'll follow the first stop with a trip to see the unique Raleigh gneiss at Fall's Lake Dam. Bring a lunch to enjoy! We will picnic there at a site with a fantastic overview of the lake. For those interested, Rob will lead a hike at Falls Lake to show you the outstanding geology exposed along the shore line of Falls Lake.This will be a great chance to burn off some steam while enjoying outdoors time.

Because, the quarry will need an accurate 'head count', please let us know as soon as you can, if you will be attending and how many will be in your party : )

To register for any trip, or if you'd like more information, please contact rgreengeology@gmail.com. We accept PayPal or pay by check.

Upon registration we will send you additional info about what to bring along and field any questions that you have for us.

Please feel free to forward this email to others who you think will be interested. We would love to grow our list of geology enthusiasts!

We look forward to seeing everyone!

Mary Watson & Rob Greenberg

Photos from the Geology Trip to West Virginia, June 17 - 18th

Top photos by Rob Greenberg

Many more incredible trip photos taken by Vincent Batts can be found at this link: https://goo.gl/photos/YKcaGpYRtsVQvJko6

UPDATED - Late Summer & Fall Geology Trips

Hi Everyone!!

We hope you will join us starting in September for more geo-adventures!! Over the summer, we were able to reschedule the Knightdale quarry trip for September. This is a fantastic trip and we are very pleased to be able to offer it again for you!!

To register for any trip, or if you'd like more information, please contact rgreengeology@gmail.com. We accept PayPal or pay by check.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 – Knightdale Quarry and outcrops along Falls Lake 

Meeting Time: 10:00 am

Meeting Place: To Be Announced, we will send you directions to our meeting place.

$35/student; no charge for parents or drivers. Email us to find out about multiple sibling or scout group discounts

We will visit an operating granite quarry at Wake Stone's Knightdale quarry, where there will a chance to collect all-you-can-carry, specimens including feldspar, graphic granite, mica and amethyst.  On this trip, we will explore the fascinating geology of eastern Wake County and learn more about how geology influences human activity. We'll follow with a stop to see the unique Raleigh gneiss at Fall's Lake Dam. We will eat lunch there at a site with a fantastic overview of the lake. For those interested, Rob will lead a hike to further explore the geology exposed along the lake shore.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22 – Gold Country!

Meeting Time: 11:00 am (to allow travel time for Triangle folks)

Meeting Place: To Be Announced, we will send you directions to our meeting place.

$50/student; no charge for parents or drivers. Email us to find out about multiple sibling or scout group discounts.

The geology, archaeology and precious metal resources of the Uwharrie Mountains are truly unique. We invite you to join us for our Fall adventure to Morrow Mountain State Park to be followed by trying your hand at gold panning in the adjacent Uwharrie National Forest, an area rich in cultural and natural history. You may be one of lucky ones bringing home a gold specimen!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12 - Mitchell Mill State Natural Area & Raleigh Gneiss 

Meeting Time:  10:00 am.

Meeting Place: To Be Announced, we will send you directions and coordinates to our meeting place.

$35/student; no charge for parents or drivers. Email us to find out about multiple sibling or scout group discounts

At our first stop, we will be having a special program at Mitchell Mill State Natural Area, a granite 'flatrock' area, courtesy of the B. W. Wells Association.  An expert naturalist will present a program about the unique ecosystem.  This is a great place to enjoy a picnic lunch. At our next stop, we will be visiting and collecting Raleigh Gneiss, a beautiful metamorphic rock that not only records an episode of high heat and pressure during mountain building associated with continental collision but is also treasured as a building stone. Our historic state capitol building is constructed of this attractive and durable stone.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3 - Geology of the Prairie Ridge Ecostation

Meeting Time:  10:00 am.

Meeting Place: To Be Announced, we will send you directions to our meeting place.

$35/student; no charge for parents or drivers. Email us to find out about multiple sibling or scout group discounts

The geologic story of the rock types and their geologic history was determined through many years of research by many investigators in the Piedmont of North Carolina and the immediate area surrounding Prairie Ridge.  This story combines many geologic investigations conducted within the Raleigh area and from other locations throughout the Southeast. The rocks visible in the creek at Prairie Ridge can be generally separated into three rock types: 1) muscovite schist, 2) graphite-bearing schist, and 3) granitic gneiss. To a geologist these rock types help tell the story of how a major portion of North Carolina formed.  The rock that underlie Prairie Ridge and the surrounding areas of Wake County record a long and sometimes violent geologic past of over a half billion years of Earth history.

Geology & Biology Trip to Highlands area, Macon Co, NC

Hi everyone, I scouted a new trip over the weekend. Abundant rocks, gems and minerals, waterfalls, spring wildflowers and majestic landscapes await in the western mountains of our beautiful state. Look for a 2017 trip to this beautiful area!

Photos by Ashley Allen, UNCP student

Bridal Veil Falls

Gneiss at Bridal Veil Falls

Dry Falls

Gems and minerals from Macon Co.

Spring wildflowers

Geological Excursion to Pocahontas County, West Virginia

Beautiful Pocahontas County, West Virginia

SATURDAY, JUNE 18 – Geological Excursion to Pocahontas County, West Virginia

Meeting Time & Place: To Be Announced, once you register for the trip, we will send you directions to our meeting place.

$70/student, participants arrange own lodging and meal costs. Contact Rob for information about multiple sibling or scout group discounts.

Hello Geology Enthusiasts!

We take great pleasure in announcing our June Geology trip.

This amazing region is Rob’s undergraduate field research area. The geology and scenery are simply spectacular. Our last trip was a real pleasure and highly rated by the participants! 

On this trip you will experience the best outcrops east of the Grand Canyon! There will be opportunities galore for mineral and fossil collecting. We will identify and help you label all your exciting finds.

We will meet you at a pre-arranged location for a day trip on Saturday. then we will caravan to a series of outstanding outcrops of Paleozoic rocks including limestone, sandstone, shale and coal. These rocks record a series of rises and falls of sea level at a time before the supercontinent Pangaea formed. Uplifted by the formation of the Appalachian Mountains, subsequent erosion has cut gorges and canyons providing us with spectacular outcrops to visit and explore. If time allows we will also visit the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

On this trip, we will visit picturesque locations, where you can climb an anticline, explore and swim in clear mountain streams, and collect fossils, minerals and rock samples, as many as you wish to carry home. We will interpret the geologic events for you along the way and you will leave with an increased understanding of and appreciation for the geology and history of the area. 

Depending on the group's' interest, on Sunday we can also arrange to visit a cave and explore its depths.

Camp at Watoga State Park or stay at a nearby motel. Participants will arrange their own lodging and meals. Camping, cabins and other lodging options in the area are available. Pick your own level of comfort. There are plenty of dining options along the way during our day trip. Plan to bring enough snacks and water along with you to keep your family well hydrated and comfortable.

If you are interested in this trip, please register in advance and and let us know how many will be in your party*** . 

To register, or if you'd like more information, please contact rgreengeology@gmail.com. Two forms of payment are accepted for this adventure: PayPal or check. If you are not using PayPal, ask for information on paying with a check. Send your email to Rob with JUNE GEOLOGY TRIP in the subject line.  

When you register, please provide Rob with the total number in your group, including number and names and ages of students. Please provide us with your email address and cellphone number - just in case we need to check in or contact you!

Rob's email is rgreengeology@gmail.com

Rob Greenberg and Mary Watson

Helpful Lodging & Information Links:

http://www.watoga.com/
http://www.watoga.com/accommodations/accommodations.html
http://www.watoga.com/camping.html
http://www.wvstateparks.com/lodging/cabins.html
http://www.pocahontascountywv.com/
http://www.pocahontascountywv.com/lodging.aspx

May Geology Trip - Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area and Few's Ford in Eno River State Park.

Historic quarry at Occoneechee Mountain

Liz Stabenow and student at Few's Ford

SATURDAY, MAY 21 –  Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area and Few's Ford in Eno River State Park.

Meeting Time: 10:00 am

Meeting Place: To Be Announced, once you register for the trip, we will send you directions to our meeting place.

Hello Geology Enthusiasts!

Our next field trip on Saturday, May 21st is an investigation of two sites along the Eno River. Both sites show off the natural beauty of the preserved lands along the Eno River.  The meeting time is 10am. 

We should be done with both of our site visits by 2pm, perhaps earlier, however you may leave whenever you need to.

On this trip, we will explore the fascinating geology of the Hillsborough area which is well exposed along the Eno River. The bed rock of the area formed more than 600 million years ago, in the center of a large and extensive chain of islands composed of actively erupting volcanoes. Geologists call this area the the Hillsborough Caldera located in the Central Volcanic Complex of the Carolina Terrane. 

We will visit the tallest spot in the area and check out the quarry where pyrophyllite (talc mineral) was mined. We will also explore the outcrops along the Eno River at Few's Ford and interpret their meaning in terms of the assembly of the supercontinent Pangaea. Easy to moderate hiking involved. 

Bring a lunch to enjoy, Few's Ford is a great place to picnic!

The volcanic rocks have been "baked" due to their proximity to an ancient supervolcano, similar to the ones that erupted at Yellowstone. The Eno River is a fine example of an incised river with several distinct terraces.  

At both sites, we’ll investigate metamorphosed volcanic rock of the Carolina Terrane and its transecting mineral veins.  We’ll discover traces of a nineteenth century mills, as well as visit an old quarry. We will be in the Eno River State Park, so this is a 'look, see and learn' trip instead of a rock collecting trip.

What to bring:  sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, mosquito/tick repellent, comfortable shoes for hiking, water shoes (optional), towel, water bottles, lunch and snacks.  We will provide hand lenses  and mineral guides as well as maps and information.

We will send out another email to those signed up for this field trip closer to the date.  In that email I will include a description of the geology at both sites as well as driving directions..  

Thanks so much for your time and interest.  Enjoy the fine weather this week!

The cost of the Geology Field Trip is $35.00 per student. There is no charge to parents/drivers. Contact Rob at rgreengeology@gmail.com if you would like details about a multiple sibling or scout group discount. 

Please let us know as soon as you can, if you will be attending and how many will be in your party*** 

If you are interested in this trip, please register in advance. To register, or if you'd like more information, please contact rgreengeology@gmail.com. Two forms of payment are accepted: PayPal or check.

When you register, please email Rob with the total number in your group, including number and names and ages of students.  Please provide us with your email address and phone number - just in case we need to contact you! 

If you are not using PayPal, ask for information on paying with a check. Send your email with MAY GEOLOGY TRIP in the subject line.  Rob's email is rgreengeology@gmail.com

Rob Greenberg and Mary Watson

***We are very sorry but, we can no longer accommodate participants on a 'drop-in basis' for the geology trips. If you would like to join us, please register in advance, so that we can know how many to expect. This helps us offer the best-possible experience for everyone. We hope you will understand that this precaution is for everyone's well being and safety!!

Photos from the Geology Trip to Morrisville and Falls Lake, April 16th

All photos by Rob Greenberg

Triassic-age Alluvial Fan, Morrisville Parkway

Closeup Alluvial Fan

Falls Lake Leucogneiss

Graphite schist, Shelley Lake Greenway

Closeup of Graphite schist, traces of ancient life