Geological and Geotrail at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden
By:
Morris Viljoen
Date:
Sun, 26/11/2017 - 09:30
Venue:
Entrance, Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens, Malcolm Rd, Poortview, Roodepoort
Branch:
Northern
Charge: Members: R230.00 - Non-Members: R260.00
Included: Entrance fee and buffet lunch. Drinks for own account
Bring: Walking shoes, hat, sun lotion, water
Booking essential: Phone Anita at 011 795 4056
Please advise if you are a Botanical Society member and if you are a vegetarian
Our year-end outing will be to the 300 hectare botanical reserve of the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden in Roodepoort. Here Morris Viljoen will explain South Africa’s geology in the Geological Garden and along the first section of the Geotrail along Witpoortjie Falls. Subsequently, we will meet on the wooden deck of Eagles’ Fare Restaurant for a buffet lunch comprising five starters, a range of salads, three main courses (fish, chicken and meat), five deserts and coffee/tea.
Our year-end outing will be to the 300 hectare botanical reserve of the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden in Roodepoort. Here Morris Viljoen will explain South Africa’s geology in the Geological Garden and along the first section of the Geotrail along Witpoortjie Falls. Subsequently, we will meet on the wooden deck of Eagles’ Fare Restaurant for a buffet lunch comprising five starters, a range of salads, three main courses (fish, chicken and meat), five deserts and coffee/tea.
In the Geological Garden, a selection of large rock specimens representing some of the major geological formations of South Africa identified by interpretive plaques are laid out in chronological order. We will follow the trail that starts with some of the oldest volcanic rocks (ultra-high temperature primitive magnesium-rich komatiites dated at 3.5 billion years) on which the lower main botanical garden below Witpoortjie Falls is situated. We continue past specimens of Witwatersrand rocks that include magnetic shales occurring in the lowermost strata, typical Witwatersrand auriferous conglomerate and overlying amygdaloidal Ventersdorp lava from the Klipriversberg hills south of Johannesburg. Other specimens to be discussed include dolomite and rocks from the
Bushveld Igneous Complex, Karoo rocks and kimberlites (the host rock to primary diamond deposits).
Many of the specimens have polished ‘surface windows’ to reveal their colour and texture. Our tour will be followed by a walk along the geological trail that continues to the falls and the top of the falls to the Orange Grove quartzite ridge that forms the scarp face of the falls and the northern edge of the Witwatersrand Plateau. There is a good chance of spotting Black Eagles nesting on the cliff face of the waterfall. Return via the same path and continue to Eagles’ Fare. Keen walkers may continue along the circular path for a pleasant Highveld walk of an hour or so and join the group at the restaurant thereafter.
Morris Viljoen is emeritus professor of geology at Wits University. He was and still is involved in mineral exploration and mining, but has always had an interest in geo-heritage promotion for education and tourism. He has published numerous books and chapters in books, the latest being in the recently published Africa’s Top Geological Sites. He has led geologically oriented excursions for and presented talks to ArchSoc for many years.
Please click here to view the complete September - November Newsletter
Many of the specimens have polished ‘surface windows’ to reveal their colour and texture. Our tour will be followed by a walk along the geological trail that continues to the falls and the top of the falls to the Orange Grove quartzite ridge that forms the scarp face of the falls and the northern edge of the Witwatersrand Plateau. There is a good chance of spotting Black Eagles nesting on the cliff face of the waterfall. Return via the same path and continue to Eagles’ Fare. Keen walkers may continue along the circular path for a pleasant Highveld walk of an hour or so and join the group at the restaurant thereafter.
Morris Viljoen is emeritus professor of geology at Wits University. He was and still is involved in mineral exploration and mining, but has always had an interest in geo-heritage promotion for education and tourism. He has published numerous books and chapters in books, the latest being in the recently published Africa’s Top Geological Sites. He has led geologically oriented excursions for and presented talks to ArchSoc for many years.
Please click here to view the complete September - November Newsletter