Our San Antonio hosts have agreed to organize several field trips before and after the workshop. All field trips are optional, and expenses associated with the trips must be covered by the participants, including any extra nights of lodging. Two options are planned:
Field Trip Option A – Canyon Lake Gorge
A half-day field trip to a Canyon Lake Gorge
on Thursday morning, February 18. This gorge experienced a catastrophic flood following heavy rains in 2002. Erosion of the dam spillway resulted in extraordinary, 3D exposure of the Balcones Fault Zone. This Miocene(?) age fault zone, which bounds the Texas Hill Country, is part of the extensional system relating to the opening of the Gulf of Mexico, and a unique conduit into the Edwards Aquifer that provides the water supply for central Texas. Estimated field trip cost, including transportation, entrance fee, and lunch, is ~$40-50. (Participation is limited to 55, first come, first served. A waitlist will be enabled.)
Field Trip Guides:
David Ferrill (Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio)
Tom Gardner and Ben Surpless (Trinity University)
For more details of the gorge exposures see:
(1) Ferrill et al., , 2008, Geologic Controls on Interaction Between the Edwards and Trinity Aquifers, Balcones Fault System, Texas; South Texas Geological Society Bulletin, April 2008, 21-45.
(2) Ferrill, D.A., and Morris, A.P., 2008, Fault zone deformation controlled by carbonate mechanical stratigraphy, Balcones fault system, Texas, AAPG Bulletin, 92, 359-380.
Field Trip Option B – San Antonio Mission Tour
An approximately half-day bus tour of the San Antonio Missions
< http://www.nps.gov/saan >
, to be held on Sunday, February 14, and/or Thursday, February 18. In the early 18th century, Spanish Franciscans constructed 5 missions along the San Antonio River, the most famous of which is the Alamo. Four of these sites are now a National Historical Park, and provide insights into cultural and agricultural practices of the time. Estimated field trip cost, including transportation, guide, and entrance fees to the missions, is ~$20-30 - possibly less depending on participation.
Option C – Self-Guided Tours of San Antonio on the Alamo Trolley
The Alamo Trolley < http://www.southtexastrailways.com/trolley/index.htm> also offers tours of 6 San Antonio sights, including the Missions, departing next door from the Menger Hotel. A 1-hour tour costs $19.95; a 2-day “Hop Pass”, which allows you visit the sights at your leisure, is $27.95. Tickets can be purchased at the Menger Hotel. No sign up is necessary.
