FIELD TRIPS

The two-day field trip (see map) will focus on observing the littoral landscapes of Mallorca Island where Pleistocene deposits and karst features are exposed.

The presence of the MIS 5 marine terrace sequences, related with eolianites, paleosoils, and beach deposits will be examined in several areas like the Palma Bay (Es Carnatge) and NE Alcudia Bay (Es Calo). The Upper Pleistocene cliff-related eolianites that shape most of the present-day littoral landscapes, show a complex growth architecture as well as the imprints of the extinct ruminant goat Myotragus, will be also observed (Estret des Temps).

The trip to the Pleistocene deposit outcrops will be complemented with the visit of several cave sites in the Migjorn area (Cova des Pas de Vallgornera) and along the eastern coast of the island (Portocristo caves and Coves d'Arta). At these locations, the Pleistocene sea level oscillations are recorded inside the littoral caves in the form of phreatic overgrowths on vadose speleothems. The topic of low- and high-sea stand will be discussed in the light of the present knowledge of paleoclimate and Pleistocene sea level oscillations in the Western Mediterranean basin.

The estimated cost of the two-day field trip is 100 Euro per participant. Price includes bus transportation, field guide book, access fees, and a meal. The only method of payment accepted is cash on-site in EUR (€).

Caving field trip info

Most of the caves visited during the two-day fieldtrip are show caves, except for Cova des Pas de Vallgornera, which is a protected wild site. To enter this cave, an artificial well (1 m in diameter and 4 m deep) rigged with a fixed metal ladder need to be descended. Once down in the Entrance Chamber (T: 19ºC, rel. humidity: 99%), a flagged path will lead the participants to a brackish pool populated by phreatic overgrowths on speleothems; the steepest section of this short path have been rigged too with a rope to help the transit over a stepped, slippery flowstone. Because of this, suitable footwear (e.g., hiking boots) and clothes (long pens and sleeve shirts) are required, along with a hiking headlamp (e.g., Tikka model by PETZL, or similar LED lamps). For those who prefer not to visit this cave, an alternate geological walk will be arranged along the sheer coast of the surrounding area.

Schedule