Cracoe Reef Knolls
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SD987601 | — | Favourable | 19.9 | 2021-11-22 |
| SD989602 | — | Favourable | 5.1 | 2021-11-22 |
| SD994604 | — | Favourable | 5.86 | 2021-11-22 |
| SD995607 | — | Favourable | 14.93 | 2021-11-22 |
| SE001606 | — | Favourable | 5.96 | 2021-11-22 |
| SE001608 | — | Favourable | 10.64 | 2021-11-22 |
| SE005618 | — | Favourable | 11.39 | 2021-11-22 |
| SE007615 | — | Favourable | 36.3 | 2009-03-17 |
| SE016613 | — | Favourable | 14.08 | 2021-11-22 |
| SE016616 | — | Favourable | 9.03 | 2021-11-22 |
| SE026616 | — | Favourable | 5.13 | 2021-11-22 |
| SE026617 | — | Favourable | 3.98 | 2021-11-22 |
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Carboniferous · Rock Type: Carboniferous Limestone, Limestone
Description
Description Cracoe Reef Knolls is the classic site for the study of knoll reefs in the Asbian Carboniferous Limestone of England. The base of the reef here may be of Holkerian age, but the bulk of the reef contains a rich and varied Asbian fauna and flora. In part the reefs form an apron fringe at the edge of the Askrigg block, but the more southerly reefs are regarded as having formed as knolls within the Craven Basin. Considerable argument has raged for years over the structure and origins of the Dinantian knoll reefs, with this site as a focus for the controversy. This is a key locality in the study of Lower Carboniferous carbonate environments and it is essential for an understanding of reef communities and their palaeoecology, having great potential for future research on reef development and palaeontology. Other Information1.2. This site is listed within the Geological Conservation Review.