ROCK DETECTIVES
Site visit worksheets
Stop 1: Rock Wall
Use a hand lens to do a rock description of the rock type of the Rock Wall. Fill in your findings in
the space below. Create a full field sketch showing the rock wall. Label on evidence for different
types of weathering, concentrate on the BIOLOGICAL weathering.
Sketch of rock features or fossils
Colour
Shape
Size
Components
Cementation
View through hand lens
Other
White, brown, reddish,
etc
Angular, rounded
Measure the grains in
mm
Large and small,
patterns, interlocking
or not
Are the components
together? How?
Are there any fossils?
Colour:
Shape:
Size:
Components
Cement
Other Features:
Field sketch: Describe, sketch and label the
BIOLOGICAL weathering
Remember to add scale, notations, orientation and title
Reminders
Physical Physical changes such as
changes in temperature
(freeze-thaw) as well as the
effects of wind, water and waves.
Chemical Chemicals which can break
down rocks, such as acid rain.
Biological Animals or plants, breaking up
the rock, via burrowing or root
growth, for example.
Weathering - the breaking down of the rock
in place
Erosion the movement of the broken
down rock
Wren’s Nest
National Nature Reserve
ROCK DETECTIVES
Site visit worksheets
Stop 2: Coral Reef Mounds
Use a hand lens to do a rock description of the rock type of the Rock Wall. Fill in your findings in
the space below. Create a full field sketch showing the coral reef mounds. Label on evidence for
different types of weathering, concentrate on the CHEMICAL weathering.
Sketch of rock features or fossils
Colour
Shape
Size
Components
Cementation
View through hand lens
Other
White, brown, reddish,
etc
Angular, rounded
Measure the grains in
mm
Large and small,
patterns, interlocking
or not
Are the components
together? How?
Are there any fossils?
Colour:
Shape:
Size:
Components
Cement
Other Features:
Field sketch: Describe, sketch and label the
CHEMICAL weathering
Watch the demonstration about acid rain water
carefully
Remember to add scale, notations, orientation and title
Reminders
Physical Physical changes such as
changes in temperature
(freeze-thaw) as well as the
effects of wind, water and waves.
Chemical Chemicals which can break
down rocks, such as acid rain.
Biological Animals or plants, breaking up
the rock, via burrowing or root
growth, for example.
Weathering - the breaking down of the rock
in place
Erosion the movement of the broken
down rock
Wren’s Nest
National Nature Reserve
ROCK DETECTIVES
Site visit worksheets
Stop 3: Interbedded cliff
Use a hand lens to do a rock description of the rock type of the Rock Wall. Fill in your findings in
the space below. Create a full field sketch showing the rock wall. Label on evidence for different
types of weathering, concentrate on the PHYSICAL weathering.
Sketch of rock features or fossils
Colour
Shape
Size
Components
Cementation
View through hand lens
Other
White, brown, reddish,
etc
Angular, rounded
Measure the grains in
mm
Large and small,
patterns, interlocking
or not
Are the components
together? How?
Are there any fossils?
Colour:
Shape:
Size:
Components
Cement
Other Features:
Field sketch: Describe, sketch and label the
PHYSICAL weathering
Watch the demonstration about acid rain water
carefully
Remember to add scale, notations, orientation and title
Reminders
Physical Physical changes such as
changes in temperature
(freeze-thaw) as well as the
effects of wind, water and waves.
Chemical Chemicals which can break
down rocks, such as acid rain.
Biological Animals or plants, breaking up
the rock, via burrowing or root
growth, for example.
Weathering - the breaking down of the rock
in place
Erosion the movement of the broken
down rock
Wren’s Nest
National Nature Reserve
ROCK DETECTIVES
Site visit worksheets
Stop 2: Ripple Beds
Draw the cliff in front of you. Your sketch must include:
- a scale
- direction that you are facing
- the angle that the rocks are dipping
- label the different features with the correct words
ripples
mega ripples
recent rock collapse
fence
trees and scrub
What do you think are the main reasons for the weathering at Wren’s Nest?
Circle your answer. (You can circle more than one).
Freeze
Thaw
Wind
Rain
Man
Heat
Plants
Why did you choose this answer?
Wren’s Nest
National Nature Reserve