Whitcliffe Section, Quarry Moor
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Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE307692 | — | Favourable | 0.1 | 2024-04-04 |
Geology & landscape
Mining / Industrial: Quarry · Geological Period: Permian
Landscape processes: Karst
Description
Description The geological interest at Whitcliffe Section, Quarry Moor consists of a small section which has been preserved along the western face of an infilled quarry, two kilometres south of Ripon. This site exposes uniquely the transitional relationship between the sea marginal strata of the uppermost part of the late Permian. A sequence through the Sprotborough Member of the Cadeby Formation and possibly the lowermost part of the Edlington Formation. The rocks are mainly algal laminated ooidal dolomites and limestones. Higher beds in the section are contorted and include several clayey beds that may be evaporite dissolution residues. All were formed at or very close to the Permian shoreline and tepee like expansion structures, not reported elsewhere in the British Permian marine strata, occur at some levels.