CORNISH GEO-QUIZ

No! Geology is not just another of those specialist '...ologies' only understood by experts and competitors on Mastermind. This '..ology is everywhere you look - under your feet on the roof tops and even in your paper and toothpaste. And Cornwall has some amazing geology that we can all enjoy - so let's see how you can get on in our cryptic geoquiz........

Click on the questions to reveal the answers...

1. Where are the best places to spot seals? Answer 1   1. Especially along the north and south west coast where the contorted rocks are easily eroded into the caves that seals love.

2. What sort of quarry is the Eden Project built in? Answer 2  2. In a disused china clay quarry in the St. Austell granite district. Granites?

3. Why does Cornish Heath Erica vagans only grow on The Lizard? Answer 3 3. The Lizard is the only place in England where magnesium rich serpentine and calcium rich gabbro rocks occur making special alkaline soils that are perfect for Cornish Heath.

4. What are Delabole butterflies? Answer 4 4. Believe it or not they are compressed fossil sea shells (Brachiopods) over 350 million years old.

5. Why are there so many abandoned engine houses? Answer 5 5. During the 19th Century Cornwall was the mining capital of the World extracting tin and copper from mineral veins around the granite intrusions. The steam engines for winding and pumping were in the engine houses.

6. Where can I see pyramidal orchids and cowslips in their natural habitat? Answer 6 6. On the calcium rich sand-dunes along the north Cornwall coast.

7. Name the ninth largest exporting port in Britain. Answer 7 7. Fowey, exporting china clay from its deep water harbour; one of the beautiful flooded estuaries, or rias, along the south coast.

8. What is the Cheesewring? Answer 8 8. The Cheesewring is a dramatic natural granite tor on the south side of Bodmin Moor. It's also the logo for geological conservation in Cornwall.

HOW MANY DID YOU GET RIGHT?

8/8 Pack in the day job and become an 'ologist' !

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