Betton Farm Quarries

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 54.2556, -0.4643

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (2)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
TA001855 Favourable 1.33 2024-03-28
TA002856 Favourable 1.03 2024-03-28

Geology & landscape

Geological Feature: Rock Outcrop

Description

Area, 2.28 hectares 5.64 ac Description The best Coral Rag sections in the Scarborough area are to be seen at Betton Farm Quarries. A series of Thamnasteria patch reefs rest upon Malton Oolite, surrounded by calcareous muds and reef detritus. The best example of coral patch reefs in the Yorkshire Corallian outcrop here, with a rich associated molluscan fossil fauna, notably gastropods which occur both in and around the reefs. This is an important palaeoecological locality in the classic Coral Rag of Yorkshire. Other Information 1. The site is identified as of national importance in the Geological Conservation Review.2. During the 1983 revision the boundary has been reduced. * Under Section 23 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, 1949.