Horsehay Quarries
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Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP455276 | — | Favourable | 8.36 | 2009-10-07 |
| SP456272 | — | Favourable | 8.36 | 2009-10-07 |
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Jurassic · Rock Type: Limestone
Description
Area, 8.2 hectares 20.6 ac Description The Horsehay Quarries show an important rock section of the Middle Jurassic, from the Northampton Sand Formation Aalenian up to the Taynton Limestone Formation Middle Bathonian. The section includes the best exposure of the' White Sands' facies of north Oxfordshire; these 'sands' were previously assigned to various stratigraphic horizons, but dating using the analysis of fossil pollen from these strata now proves that they belong within the Chipping Norton Formation late Bajocian to early Bathonian. This exposure is ideally situated for demonstrating facies relationships both within the Chipping Norton Formation and between the formation and the laterally equivalent Stamford Member Rutland Formation. The fossiliferous exposures of the whole of the sharp's Hill Formation are important for exhibiting changes that occur between the type section to the north and the more southerly exposures at Stonesfield and Charlbury.