Field trip: Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve

Friday Time TBA Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve

Leader

Andrew Leier, University of South Carolina-Columbia

Post-Meeting Field Trip

Friday, July 24: Peachtree Rock Heritage Park

Leaders

Dr. Andrew Leier, University of South Carolina

The Peachtree Rock Heritage preserve is located approximately 30 minutes from the University of South Carolina campus and contains some of the only sedimentary rock exposures in the region. The Eocene-age sandstones are exposed within the valleys of the preserve, with total thicknesses between 1-4 meters. The sandstones are composed of well-sorted quartzose sands with lesser clay rip-up clasts, and contain several excellent examples of Ophiomorpha (crustacean) burrows. Minor bivalve fossils and cross-strata are also present in several of the outcrops. The deposits are significant in that they record an ancient shoreline pomagesition that was near the city of Columbia during the Greenhouse conditions of the Eocene Epoch. We use these outcrops for select introductory classes and for the Sedimentology and Stratigraphy course. The field trips typically focus on the identification of rock types and the interpretation of depositional setting, with further discussions branching into marine biology, modern sea-level rise on the South Carolina coast, and Eocene paleoclimate and sea-level. The relative remoteness of the outcrops has attracted other parties over the years, including bootleggers who left behind stills from the 1930s to the 1950s. Depending on timing and availability we may also incorporate a short stop at a local silica mine.

Logistics

Departure: Two 15-passenger vans from the School of the Earth, Ocean and Environment will be used to drive participants, with the trip from campus to the Peachtree Heritage Preserve taking roughly 30 minutes. Participants will leave from the University of South Carolina Devine Street parking lot adjacent to the Earth Water Science Building on the morning of July 24. More details on time and location will be provided closer to the event.
Return: We will return to the departure location (Devine St. parking lot) by early afternoon.
Releases: All participants will need to sign liability releases.
Attire: In general, wear warm-weather clothes, sturdy tennis shoes, bring water and a hat. Boots are fine, but not necessary. Open-toed shoes are discouraged. The area is generally shaded, but some sun penetrates the canopy so a hat may be useful.
To bring: Bring water, snacks if desired, bug spray if preferred.

Location

The Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve is a 300 acre park located approximately 25 km southwest of the University of South Carolina. Travel time takes approximately 30 minutes from campus to the parking site. As a preserve, it contains no restroom facilities or water. The area is generally shaded beneath native longleaf pine trees and contains a number of different plant and bird species.

Strategy

The focus of this field trip will be to examine the only sedimentary rock exposures in the region. Eocene-age sandstones are exposed, including Ophiomorpha (crustacean) burrows, minor bivalve fossils, and cross-strata. The deposits record an ancient shoreline position near the city of Columbia during the Greenhouse conditions of the Eocene Epoch. We will spend a couple of hours on the outcrop, exploring different features and discussing relevant topics. Discussion at the end will include the geology of the Eocene sandstones as well as discussions concerning the pedagogical aspects of the rocks.

Tentative Itinerary

The hike from the Peachtree parking site to the outcrops is approximately 1 km and takes ~10 minutes, with an elevation change of ~20 meters. The trail to the outcrops is well-made and maintained and consists of loose to well-packed sand. Some small creeks need to be crossed but these can be traversed with a wide step and do not require jumping or getting your feet wet.

Upon reaching the outcrop, we will spend 2-3 hours exploring different features and discussing relevant topics.

A quick side trip (~5 min. walk) from the outcrop will be made to examine an abandoned alcohol still.

The hike back to the parking site will take ~15 minutes and will be made on the same trail that was used to get to the outcrop. Depending on time and availability, we will try to stop at a local silica mine, where quartzose sand of the Pinehurst Formation is mined.