Hawthorn Quarry

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 54.8108, -1.3261

Also within

Durham County

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
NZ434464 Favourable 11.05 2012-02-15

Geology & landscape

Mining / Industrial: Quarry · Rock Type: Limestone

Description

Description hawthorn Quarry shows sections in the Middle Magnesian Limestone and exposes the upper reef core and reef flat, with overlying boulder beds and stromatolite biostrome, of the Ford Formation. Bedded oolites, with thin variegated clays at the top of the section, are possibly of Zechstein Cycle 2age. A wide variety of algal structures can be found within the biostrome and the reef yields a specialised fauna unknown at other outcrops of this formation. This site is highly informative and helps in the understanding of the later evolution of carbonate environments in mid Magnesian Limestone times, with reef carbonates overlain by bedded, non reef sediments.