Ellery Sike
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NY542758 | — | Favourable | 0.95 | 2009-03-09 |
| NY544758 | — | Favourable | 1.6 | 2009-03-09 |
| NY544760 | — | Favourable | 1.59 | 2009-03-09 |
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Carboniferous · Rock Type: Limestone
Landscape processes: Volcanic / Igneous
Description
Description The site consists of Ellery Sike and White Lyne, together comprising approximately one kilometre of streams providing exposures of the rock succession in the banks and beds. Ellery Sike lies about 15 kilometres north of Brampton. The site shows important sections in the earliest part of the outcropping Lower Carboniferous sequence of the Bewcastle area. The lower part of the Chadian Stage, Lynebank Formation of the Lower Border Group is exposed and includes the Ellery Sike Limestones at its type locality. A wide variety of sedimentological and palaeontological features are present. This includes a succession of Yoredale type 'marine' limestone deltaic clastic cycles. The limestone contains a variety of peritidal stramatolite growths associated with sessile, cemented vermatid gastropod. These combined with the rarity of organisms indicating normal salinity, suggest that the limestones were deposited under conditions of elevated salinity, reflecting the presence of a fault activated sill or barrier at the outer margin of the basin. The site is of outstanding importance to the understanding of early Carboniferous palaeogeography in the central area of the Northumberland Trough.