Polyphant
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SX256826 | — | Favourable | 1.83 | 2012-03-09 |
| SX259825 | — | Favourable | 1.66 | 2012-03-09 |
Geology & landscape
Mining / Industrial: Quarry · Rock Type: Serpentinite
Description
Polyphant SSSI Description A Geological Conservation Review site The type area for ‘polyphant’ stone, a weakly foliated talcose serpentinite derived from ultrabasic rocks and used for many years as an ornamental stone. The interest lies not only in the old serpentinite quarry and its weathering effects, but also in the adjacent, relatively fresh, weakly layered, metaperidotite masses, which are unique in this part of the Hercynian belt outside the Lizard complex. They appear to be tectonic slabs, although whether representative of exotic mantle or cumulates of the greenstone suite, is open to question.