The Northfolk Project
Geology Walks 2020
Timeline of the Universe - Cromer to West Runton
 |
A ramble along a beach and a journey through Deep Time
Few people, even geologists, can comprehend the immensity of Deep Time. Can you even imagine one million years? We live such brief lives that we have a myopic and self-centred view of the passage of time but the Earth has been around for 4.6 billion years (that's 4,600 times a million years) and the Universe was created three times longer ago than that. I am going to help you appreciate just what an immense amount of time it has taken for the Universe, and the Earth, to evolve and explain some of the major events that have shaped our world along the way. I do this by using the beach as a timeline with every metre representing 4 million years of astronomical and geological time. Along the way we will also encounter some highlights of the local geology, some of which happened a long time ago and some relatively recently on a geological timescale.
The guided walk starts at the entrance to Cromer Pier and will finish at Woman Hythe (West Runton Gap) 3.6 km away, where there is a café. You can make your own way back at your leisure or go in to West Runton village and catch a bus or train.
 |  |
Geology Walks 2020: Timeline of the Universe
April 13 |
Easter Mon |
Timeline of the Universe From the Big Bang to the present day in a morning! A beach walk from Cromer to West Runton. |
Cancelled |
|
Oct 25 |
Sun |
Timeline of the Universe From the Big Bang to the present day in a morning! A beach walk from Cromer to West Runton. |
10.30 - 13.15 |
This date is provisional and should be confirmed when you make a booking. In the event of bad weather the leader will always turn up at the starting point.
Booking is important
Booking is essential to help me gauge the size of audience, number of handouts, whether a helper is needed for safety and so on.
Geology Walks £6.00 adults, £3.00 under 18 (over 8) and includes a b/w handout (which you can download in colour from this site). Tickets are paid for on the day.
Please email to book your place (using the links above for your chosen walk) and tell me:
- your name,
- how many walkers
- your mobile number.
Your mobile number is only used to contact you in case of a last minute problem or cancellation.
For last minute bookings, or if you don't have access to email, you may call
01263 513992 (or mobile 07887 389804)
See below for the meeting place.
Clothing
Please come adequately dressed. It's really important that you are well prepared.
The beach is rocky and wet in places, so please:
- Wear boots or at least very stout shoes. Wellies are excellent, so you can walk anywhere with impunity.
- Wear clothing suitable for any weather (be that rain, wind or shine), waterproofs, a hat is always a good idea and an umbrella is really cool if rain is forecast (you stay dry while all around are getting damp).
- Do bring some refreshment: sweets and/or a bottle of water as the walk lasts two and a half hours or more.
Do wrap up well; some people come without adequate coats and hats. It can be chilly on the beach, even in summer and we want you to enjoy yourself, not shiver.
Inclement weather
While the walks have a really remarkable record of getting fine weather, there is always the chance of a really bad day. In the event of bad weather the leader will always turn up at the starting point. I work on the principal that there is no such thing as bad weather, only inadequate clothing. We can still have fun, even in the rain. But if it really is that bad we can take a vote on what to do.
Dogs
I love dogs but in my experience they don't understand geology. They can get bored and there are often other dogs on the beach to get them excited. Then they bark and I can't compete, so I recommend you don't bring them.
Cromer meeting place
For the Cromer to West Runton walk please assemble on the Pier forecourt on the Promenade. Pay and display car parks and street parking are available.
