Matthew Bennett explores the landscape of Snowdonia, and the rocks from which it is carved, in order to tell a story of oceans, shallow seas, volcanoes, mountain building and climate change.
This book explains to the hillwalker, in easy to understand but accurate terms, how geology has shaped the landscape of Snowdonia. A selection of thirteen guided walks are used to illustrate this in terms of what can be seen on the ground. Divided into two parts, it is intended to help those who love Snowdonia's mountain scenery to understand how this haunting landscape came about. The first half narrates the story of colliding continents, volcanoes, mountain-building and glaciation in creating Snowdonia, explaining why volcanoes occurred, the rocks they created and how to interpret signs of mountain-building and glaciation on the ground. The second half describes several recommended walks, of differing levels of difficulty, but all with a wide variety of geological features to be seen and, most important, enjoying consistently fantastic views of the very best of Snowdonia's wonderful scenery. The author has concentrated on what you can see as you walk around the hills, pointing to conspicuous, easily seen features in rocks and the overall shape of the terrain in accounting for the present day landscape.
The first complete field guide for the mountains of Snowdonia through the seasons, its plants, animals and rocks. Everything you're likely to see in the hills at that time of year is here in one volume. Follow the seasons of Snowdonia; winter is the perfect time for studying rocks and lichen; in spring the bog flowers flourish and beautiful orchids bloom; summer brings fruits and flowers, and the trees are in full leaf; in autumn an amazing display of funghi appear, the hill farms are busy again in preparation for winter and as the nights draw in it is time again to sit beside the fire and tell tales of local myth and legend. A little knowledge of thyme, tormentil and thrift will enhance your day in the hills. Fossil trilobytes and roche moutonn'e (rock sheep), bogbean beer and caterpillar fungus, are just some of the fascinating things you will discover.
This Volcanic Isle explores the rich geological history of the British Isles over the past 66 million years, since the disappearance of the dinosaurs. From the Isle of Wight needles to the Giant's causeway to the Sticklepath faultline in Devon, this book recounts how earthquakes and eruptions, plumes and plate boundaries, built the British Isles.
&Quot;This Report is revised and expanded from the 1972 publication, providing an up-to-the-minute account of the British Ordovician formations and their correlation nationally and internationally. It also includes the most comprehensive treatment of Ireland ever attempted. The reference list is a comprehensive bibliography of papers on the subject published since 1970.". "This Special Report will be a valuable reference for research and applied geoscientists working with rocks of Ordovician age. It will be of particular interest to those working in, or visiting, the Welsh mountains and the English Lake District."--BOOK JACKET.
This guidebook describes 40 day walks exploring Snowdonia. It showcases some of the best mountain walks in the area, with routes up Snowdon and Tryfan alongside other classic peaks like Y Garn, Cadair Idris and the Glyders. Routes are graded easy to strenuous and include airy and pulse-quickening scrambles such as Crib Goch and Bristly Ridge as well as the Snowdon Horseshoe, the Nantlle Ridge and a 2-day traverse of all 15 of Snowdon's peaks over 3000ft. Walks range in distance from 4 miles (6km) to 16 miles (26km). Clear route descriptions are accompanied by OS mapping, and for each walk there is key information about distance, grade, ascent, terrain, access and parking. With useful advice on where to stay and when to go, and an English-Welsh glossary, this book is an invaluable guide to discovering both the popular and less well-trodden corners of Snowdonia. Snowdonia can justifiably lay claim to some of the finest mountain walking in Britain, from the bristling, jagged ridges of Snowdon to the huge grassy mounds of the Carneddau and the stone-girt fortresses of the Glyderau. These are big mountains with big personalities, with glowering crags and deep rocky cwms. Whether you are based in Bala, Beddgelert, Llanberis, Betws-y-Coed, Dolgellau or Capel Curig, you'll find walks in this guidebook to suit you.
This guidebook describes the Snowdonia Way in Wales, a long-distance route through Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park from Machynlleth to Conwy. A low-level route of 97 miles (in 6 stages of between 13 and 21 miles) passes through the heart of Eryri's stunning mountain scenery and includes Pass of Aberglaslyn, Ogwen Valley and Aber Falls. It is suitable for walkers of average fitness and stamina, though the day stages are long. An alternative mountain route covers 122 miles in 9 stages of 12-18 miles, giving a spectacular journey over the most famous peaks such as Cadair Idris, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and the Glyders. The high-level route is more physically challenging and requires good navigation skills. Full route descriptions for each stage are accompanied by OS maps and profiles. The guide also includes lists of accommodation and transport providers and a table of facilities to help with itinerary planning. Background notes on Eryri's geology, wildlife and history and extra information about features encountered along the way will help you discover more about this ancient and beautiful land.