Ashfield Brick Pits
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Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SK514981 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 0.57 | 2010-10-04 |
Geology & landscape
Mining / Industrial: Quarry · Geological Period: Permian · Rock Type: Limestone
Description
The extraction of clay from this quarry on the southern edge of Conisbrough has exposed several geological strata, ranging from the highest Coal Measures in Yorkshire through Permian Marl to Magnesian Limestone. Partial filling has to some extent obscured the lower interface and it is the transition from Marl to Limestone that now constitutes its special interest. The section exposed at Ashfield Brick Pit's shows Magnesian Limestone overlying Permian Marl and basal sands. An abundant fauna has been obtained from the Wetherby Member. This lithostratigraphic unit displays a wide variety of facies, from grey marls and clays to shelly ooid grainstones. The site includes a fossiliferous bryozoan patch reef, with flanking grainstones and oolites. This locality is unique in displaying such a wide variety of predominantly carbonate facies in the Permian rocks of the Yorkshire Province.