Geological Sites | Leeds
| Bradford | Calderdale
| Kirklees | Wakefield
 STATUS: RIGS
OTHER DESIGNATIONS:
COUNTY: West Yorkshire
DISTRICT: Bradford
OS GRID REF SE 987 367 to 980 364
OS SHEET 1:50,000 Landranger 104 Leeds and Bradford
OS SHEET: 1:25,000 Outdoor Leisure 21 South Pennines
BGS Geological 1:50,000 Sheet 69 Bradford (Solid and Drift Edition)
FIRST DESIGNATED by West Yorkshire RIGS Group in 1996
DATE OF MOST RECENT SURVEY
SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION produced by Neil Aitkenhead
SITE DESCRIPTION:
The designated area is a small site covering the two cloughs above Ponden
reservoir on Stanbury Moor. The steams have cut into a series of Upper
Carboniferous shales and sandstones which show many features which
indicate the environment in which the rocks were deposited.
HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS:
Contains marine bands used for zoning by Bisat and Hudson. The Keighley
Bluestone was much used for road stone in previous times.
EDUCATIONAL
VALUE:
Suitable for secondary and higher level students wishing to study Namurian
sedimentation and the identification of fossilised flora and fauna.
Ponden Clough is unwooded allowing the geomorphological processes of
the locality
to be seen. The varied rock succession in this section represents repeated
cycles of palaeoenvironmental change from marine flooding, marking
a rise in sea level, then gradual encroachment of river delta deposits,
followed by river abandonment and soil development.
AESTHETIC CHARACTERISTICS:
There are extensive views over moorland and unspoilt countryside. The
area has strong connections with the Bronte Sisters especially at
Top Withins and Ponden Hall.
ACCESS AND SAFETY:
The site can be reached by a 2km moorland walk via Lower Slack. Alternatively
the lower sections can be reached along the track via Upper Ponden.
Walking boots and waterproof clothing are essential. Plenty of
parking is available
alongside Ponden Reservoir (SE 9920 3695).
|
