Field Trips

Field Trip: Eastern Pyrenees Geology and Geomorphology

Right after the conference, we have an exciting 3-day (2-night) field trip planned from 28 to 30 November 2024. This trip is not just about exploring the geological features of the eastern Pyrenees, but also about immersing yourself in the unique experiences and sensations these landscapes, geology, and mediaeval villages in Spain, France, and Andorra have to offer.

28 November: On the initial day of the post-conference field trip, we will explore the Natural Park of the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone. Our itinerary includes a tour of Montsacopa Volcano, centrally situated in Olot. It provides opportunities to examine and discuss its proximal volcanic deposits and ascend to the crater for the stunning views of the city and the natural park. We will also visit the newly established volcano museum at the volcano's base. On the way to the karstic lakes of Banyoles, we will make a geostop to admire the scenic Castellfollit de la Roca cliff, a geological marvel formed by the overlapping of two lava flows eroded by two rivers, with its picturesque village atop.

29 November: After an overnight stay at Puigcerdà, we will visit the glacial landforms of the Querol Valley and Col de Puymorens. The Last Glacial Maximum (21.000 years ago) chronology of three generations of ice-margin deposits is based on surface exposure ages, vertical 10Be profiles, and burial dating. We will learn about the paleoclimatic reconstruction based on glacial modelling and its implications for large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns. In the afternoon, we will see the Andorran landscape and the famous "El Forn" landslide. That night, we will stay at Andorra la Vella, renowned for its tax-free shopping streets!

30 November: The third day of the trip will focus on two unique geological wonders in the Barcelona outback: the salt mountain at Cardona and the Montserrat Massif. These two scenic areas are located in the Central Catalonia UNESCO Geopark. They are situated geologically in the Cenozoic Ebro Basin, which we will cross from Andorra to Barcelona.

The morning will be dedicated to exploring the unique salt mountain in Cardona, a village adorned with an impressive castle and Romanesque church. The preservation of large salt domes reaching the Earth's surface is a rarity in itself. But what truly captivates is the beauty of the salt in Cardona: colourful deformed layers that can be observed both on the mountain's surface and in safe galleries adapted as a geotourism attraction. Cardona offers a unique blend of disciplines such as Geology (salt tectonics, sedimentology, geomorphology), mining, environmental management, and history, providing an enriching and unforgettable experience.

In the afternoon, we will visit Montserrat Mountain and the monastery. 2024 is the 1000th anniversary of the Benedictine Monastery Foundation, located in the massif's core. This massif contains the largest number of conglomerate monoliths in the world, some of which are several hundreds of meters tall. Montserrat formed during the Eocene by a fan delta. The dense network of joints and erosion sculptured the conglomerates, an ongoing process.

Throughout the trip, we will be guided by five experts in their respective fields: Magali Delmas and Marc Calvet from the University of Perpignan, Marc Oliva from the University of Barcelona, Valenti Turu from Andorra, and Oriol Oms Llobet from the Autonomous University of Barcelona. Their profound knowledge and insights will ensure a rich and enlightening field trip experience.

Throughout the trip, we will be guided by seven experts in their respective fields:

First day: Xavier de Bolós Granados (CSIC-Barcelona, Spain) and Ivan Sunyé-Puchol (Sapienza University of Rome, Italy).

Second day: Magali Delmas and Marc Calvet (University of Perpignan, France), Marc Oliva (University of Barcelona, Spain), and Valenti Turu (Andorra).

Last day: Oriol Oms Llobet (Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain).

Their profound knowledge and insights will ensure a rich and enlightening field trip experience.

Please note that a participation fee is required to secure your spot. The fee is 500 euros for a shared room or 600 EUR for a single room. This fee covers all expenses, including bus transport, hotels, breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. The online registration for the field trip will open on 15 August 2024 (see the Important Dates section for more details).

The Field Trip Guide is available for download.


Guides

Marc Oliva

Marc Oliva

Research Group on Antarctic, Arctic and Alpine Environments (ANTALP)
Professor, Department of Geography, University of Barcelona, Spain
scopus preview
Attila Çiner

Attila Çiner

MedGU (Interim) President
Founding Editor-in-Chief, Mediterranean Geosciences Reviews (Springer)
Topical Chief Editor, Arabian Journal of Geosciences (Springer)
Professor, Eurasia Institute of Earth Sciences, Istanbul Technical University, Türkiye
Visiting Professor, Faculty of Geography, University of Barcelona, Spain
scopus preview
Xavier Bolós

Xavier Bolós

Geosciences Barcelona, GEO3BCN-CSIC, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
scopus preview
Ivan Sunyé-Puchol

Ivan Sunyé-Puchol

Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy
scopus preview
Magali Delmas

Magali Delmas

Department of Geography, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
scopus preview
Marc Calvet

Marc Calvet

Department of Geography, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
scopus preview
Valentí Turu

Valentí Turu

Departamento de Ingeniería Geológica y Minera, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
Fundació Marcel Chevalier, Andorra la Vella, Principat d’ Andorra
scopus preview
Oriol Oms Llobet

Oriol Oms Llobet

Head of the Stratigraphy Unit
Geology Department, Sciences Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
scopus preview

What is included in the rate above

  • 02 Nights’ accommodation (Puigcerda & Andorra la Vella) in high-standard hotels (Single, Double or Twin)
  • Breakfasts and dinners at the hotels
  • Lunches (restaurant or pick-nick)
  • Dinners and lunches include one drink
  • Andorra Belvedere evening stop welcome drink
  • Transportation in deluxe nonsmoking vehicles
  • Expert geologists and geomorphologists will join us every day
  • Entrance and guide fees to Olot Volcano Museum
  • Entrance and guide fees to Cardona Salt Mountain Museum
  • Montserrat Mountain Monastery (Museum visit is not planned due to time constraints)
  • All transportation fees (highways and parking)
  • Driver’s expenses
  • All local taxes

What is excluded from the rate above

  • Personal expenses and other services not mentioned above
  • Tip for the bus driver (not compulsory)