The exercises in this book are based as far as possible on the geology that can be seen in the field in order to keep specialised knowledge to a minimum. Because of this it is intended that they can be attempted by any enthusiast with an elementary knowledge of geology. Typically the geological content in the field exercises is at a level that would cover A-level to first/second year single or combined honours undergraduate courses.

WHAT YOU ALREADY NEED TO KNOW

To keep this book small enough to be useable in the field it is not possible to provide background information on all the topics touched upon during the exercises. Indeed, its real purpose is to put into practice what can be learnt indoors. So although specific ideas involved in each exercise are explained before field work commences, it must be assumed that the user of this book has at least a very basic prior knowledge of geological processes and principles. However, below is a brief guide to what this knowledge should perhaps include.

1. 1 An awareness of relative and absolute geological time scales.

2. 2 A grasp of the concepts behind plate tectonics and the internal structure of the Earth.

3. 3 An idea of where magma originates and how it might produce intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks.

4. 4 An awareness of basic structures such as faults, folds and how they might form.

5. 5 […]