Mid-Congress Field Trips

The following field trips are designed to focus on a geological or engineering geological theme in areas of high scenic and scientific value.  Each trip will be lead by guide who is an "expert" in the local area or on the theme.

Detailed field guides will be provided to all attendees to set out the purpose of the field trip and to provide background information and maps on both the route and the geology.

All attendees will be supplied with safety equipment, if required.  However, please ensure you come equipped with good footwear, wet weather and warm clothing. Lunch is not included in the field trips.

Please also refer to the Accompanying Person options for self guided tours available on Wednesday 8th September, including a trip to Auckland's youngest volcano, Rangitoto. 

Please note that all field trips require a minimum of 30 attendees.

We will be unable to take bookings for these tours after August 1 2010

Engineering Geology of Auckland

Date: 8 September 2010
Time: 0830 -1730
Maximum Numbers: 145
Numbers still available: 42

This tour will help you to gain an understanding of the engineering geological challenges facing urban development in Auckland. Visit receding coastal cliffs, volcanoes, swamp/soft alluvium sites and steep rugged hill slopes. Engineering developments include large subdivisions, tunnels, roads and water supply pipelines and dams. 

Please note there is a charge of $30 per person for attendance on
the Engineering Geology of Auckland field trip.

Engineering Geology of Northland Allochthon

Date: 8 September 2010
Time: 0800 - 1730
Maximum Numbers: 90
Numbers still available: FULLY BOOKED

This area was formed by the massive submarine landslide that emplaced Eocene and Miocene sequences over younger rocks that have subsequently been uplifted and eroded to form much of the land north of Auckland. Engineering projects have to manage clay rich high sheared and deformed rock masses. During this tour you will see many examples of slope instability affecting land subdivisions, roads, tunnels and coastal developments. 

Please note there is a charge of $30 per person for attendance on
the Engineering Geology of Northland Allochthon field trip.

Coal Mines of the Waikato

Date: 8 September 2010
Time: 0815- 1730
Maximum Numbers: 45
Numbers still available: 1

Take the opportunity to visit opencast mines, viewing complex geology and high cuts in weak coal measures and marine tertiary rock masses. Enjoy discussions on the evolution of the Waikato Coal Fields, mining history and the challenges of cutting walls up to 200 metres high in very weak to weak faulted rock mass. Please note that numbers will be limited due to mine site access.

Please note there is a charge of $55 per person for attendance on
the Coal Mines of Waikato field trip.

Gold Mining History of the Coromandel

Date: 8 September 2010
Time: 0730 - 1930
Maximum Numbers: 90
Numbers still available: 3

This will be a very long day but well worth the trip! The combination of scenic beauty and mining history is unique. Visit Waihi and historic Martha Mine where the use of cyanide in the gold extraction process was first developed and became adopted worldwide. The Martha Mine became one of the most important gold and silver mines in the world. By 1952, when the mighty Martha Mine was closed, around 5.6 million ounces of gold and 38.4 million ounces of silver had been produced from the 11,932,000 tonnes of ore using arsenic extraction in Karangahake gorge.

Please note there is a charge of $55 per person for attendance on the Gold Mining History of the Coromandel field trip.

Please click here to download the field trip health and safety guidelines