Carboniferous geology of Roundhay Park: using LiDAR to see through the trees, deltaic palaeoenvironments, and the Yorkshire coelacanths
led by Ru Smith
A Yorkshire Geology Month event.
Sometimes we can revisit a familiar area with new techniques and see things in new ways. The geology of Roundhay Park is like that. Outcrop is patchy, since much of the ground has been landscaped, and an area of the park with fascinating geology is largely obscured by trees. A first approach is to view the area in 3D with digital terrain models, draping earlier geological maps and new observations on the terrain. A LiDAR dataset provides the opportunity to observe the land surface beneath the tree cover, often expressing important features of the geology. And at a finer scale, outcrops can be documented in 3D using photogrammetry, making them readily observable from a range of orientations.
The geology of the park includes some compact gems of sedimentary geology, palaeontology and structural geology with the added interest of quarrying and building activity. The excursion will discuss the sedimentology of deltas, how to reconstruct the original shapes and heights of subaqueous dunes and make inferences about where they developed, how palaeontology can reveal changes in sea-level with non-marine faunas being replaced by marine faunas, and finally, we’ll gather some structural geology observations and discuss implications for ancient stress fields. We’ll also talk about some celebrated Carboniferous fish fossils from Leeds, with a focus on the coelacanths.
The excursion uses park paths which are in the main very accessible, but can be muddy if wet and have some sections with steeper inclinations (choose footwear accordingly). Total elevation change along the route is 42 m and the distance is 4.8 km/3 miles. 15 participants max and entirely suitable for children.
Meet at 10.30 at Mansion House, Mansion Lane, Roundhay, Leeds, LS8 2HH. Bring packed lunch. Compass and measuring apps will be useful. If travelling by train and bus, walk (~7 minutes) from Leeds train station to Corn Exchange and the number 12 bus stop diagonally opposite Leeds market. Ride time to Roundhay Park stop is ~ 22 minutes. Car parking is available along Mansion Lane or at Soldiers Field car park.