Join NCSWA member Janet Byron, co-author of Berkeley Walks: Revealing Rambles in America’s Most Intriguing City (Roaring Forties Press, 2015), for a revealing ramble through the rock parks of Berkeley.
The Berkeley hills were formed by a volcanic eruption 8 to 12 million years ago; outcroppings of rhyolite, graywacke, blueschist and other rocks are common here. Remnants of these large rocks can be seen in front yards and seven public “rock parks.” Native Ohlone pounded acorns at Mortar Rock Park, and Berkeley native David Brower developed modern rock-climbing techniques at Indian Rock Park. Geologist and Berkeley resident John Christensen, staff scientist at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, will reveal what happened beneath the surface of Berkeley that helped make it the rockin’ town that it is today. Christensen is an isotopic geochemist who researches problems in environmental science and environmental remediation, among other topics. Meet at 9:30 am at the corner of Solano Avenue and The Alameda in Berkeley. If you like, bring a lunch to eat at the end of the walk. We’ll dine atop Indian Rock, located above Solano Avenue, around noon to close out the tour.
Cost is $15 per person; signed copies of Berkeley Walks will be available to registered attendees for $10 ($20 for each additional copy).
