South Elmsall Quarry
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Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE483116 | — | Unfavourable Declining | 0.32 | 2019-11-04 |
Geology & landscape
Mining / Industrial: Quarry · Geological Period: Permian · Rock Type: Sandstone
Description
Description This quarry is situated along a minor road 1 kilometre to the northeast of South Elmsall. The site has been landscaped in recent years and a path, seats and information board which explains the special interest have been provided.. The quarry shows the rocks of the Wetherby Member of the Zechstein Cadeby Formation. Here is exposed a patch reef, eighty metres across and eight metres in thickness, made up for the most part of bryozoan sandstone with algal laminated sandstone above. The grainstones beneath contain a varied bivalve fauna. This exposure is unique amongst the British Marine Permian rocks, the reef being the most complete and best exposed of its type.