Cliff Ridge

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 54.4968, -1.1155

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
NZ573116 Favourable 2.62 2024-04-04

Climate exposure

This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.

Coastal

Coastal habitats are exposed to sea-level rise and storm erosion. Where hard sea defences sit behind them, there's nowhere landward to retreat to — a squeeze that keeps compressing the habitat no matter how well it's managed.

Geology & landscape

Landscape processes: Coastal, Volcanic / Igneous

Description

Area, 2.6 hectares 6.4 ac First Notified, 1988 Description Fine exposures in the upper quarries at Cliff Ridge show the Cleveland Dyke in full cross section and in contact with thermally altered metamorphosed sediments. The dyke is the best known and furthest travelled member of the swarm originating in the Tertiary Igneous Complex of Mull some 370 kilometres distant. The site, in conjunction with the nearby Langbaurgh Ridge locality, superbly illustrates the emplacement of this far flung member of the swarm. Other Information This site is identified as of national importance in the Geological Conservation Review.