Gilleylaw Quarry

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 54.8768, -1.4162

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Also within

Tyne & Wear County

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
NZ375537 — Favourable 0.28 2012-01-25

Geology & landscape

Mining / Industrial: Quarry · Geological Period: Permian · Rock Type: Limestone

Description

Area, 0.2 hectares 0.6 ac Description The small disused quarry at Gilleylaw exposes the best transverse section through a Magnesian Limestone patch reef in the Durham Province. The composition of its shelly fauna is unique and includes abundant bryozoan and brachiopod species which are rarely found at other localities. A wide variety of diagenetic fabrics and faunal communities are also found within the quarry face. These are of particular importance in the understanding of patch reef development in shallow water shelf carbonate environments of the Permian Zechstein Sea.