Roman Wall Escarpments
Also within
Northumberland County NORTHUMBERLAND National Park Hadrian's Wall Path National TrailPennine Way National Trail
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NY741671 | — | Favourable | 255.02 | 2021-11-16 |
| NY774682 | — | Favourable | 494.36 | 2021-11-16 |
| NY779695 | — | Favourable | 521.92 | 2021-11-16 |
| NY794675 | — | Favourable | 345.6 | 2021-11-16 |
| NY802702 | — | Favourable | 335.57 | 2021-11-16 |
Geology & landscape
Rock Type: Limestone, Sandstone
Landscape processes: Glacial, Volcanic / Igneous
Description
Description The Roman Wall area of west Northumberland is geologically important for exposures of the whin Sill in a landscape influenced by the action of ice during the last glaciation. The Roman Wall site represents a classic cuesta landscape. The most striking feature is the cuesta associated with the whin Sill, but a suite of complementary features occur extensively to both the north and south in association with the outcrops of limestone and sandstone strata. Easterly flowing ice accentuated the cuesta forms and was responsible for eroding numerous shallow basins in the less resistant rocks of the intervening linear depressions. Between Steel Rigg and Sewingshields Crag the site shows a section of the spectacular north facing scarp formed by the whin Sill and the quartz doleritic rocks are excellently exposed in a series of drags over 20m high. This section is significant in illustrating that the Sill shows a general transgression to higher stratigraphic levels from east to west along its course and within the site this can be demonstrated east of broomlee Lough and again at Housteads where the transgressions are fault controlled. In addition Sewingshields Crags is notable for good exposures of the base and top of the sill and for the presence of a raft of limestone near the base. Other Information 1. This site was previously notified* as part of the Roman Wall SSSI and overlapsin part with Muckle Moss SSSI and Roman Wall Loughs SSSI. 2. At the 1990 revision this site has been amended to exclude some areas previously notified* and include others not previously notified. 3. This site is identified as of national importance in the Geological Conservation Review. * Under Section 23 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, 1949.