Geological Sites | Leeds
| Bradford | Calderdale
| Kirklees | Wakefield
 STATUS: RIGS (Representative section from Green Clough to Whitaker Naze)
OTHER DESIGNATIONS:
COUNTY: West Yorkshire
DISTRICT: Calderdale
OS GRID REF. SD 892 260 (Green Clough) to 903 266 (Whitaker Naze)
OS 1:50,000 Landranger 103 Blackburn and Burnley
OS 1:25,000 Explorer OL 21 South Pennines
BGS 1:50,000 Sheet 76 Rochdale
FIRST DESIGNATED by West Yorkshire RIGS Group in 1996
MOST RECENT SURVEY
SITE DESCRIPTION:
The rocks are Upper Carboniferous Namurian (Millstone Grit) and Westphalian
(Coal Measures) sandstones, siltstones and shales, with some coal seams.
This sequence coarsens upwards because of delta advance into a deep
water basin, so alternating beds form several cyclothems.
The valley runs along major faults, which forms weaknesses for subsequent
weathering and erosion to take place.
Cliviger Gorge is an important geomorphological feature, a remarkable
example of a glacially over-deepened valley formed by escaping melt water
at the end of the last glacial period. The deepening of the main valley
caused tributary streams to form hanging valleys where the underlying
strata are exposed in steep sided cloughs. Cliviger Gorge, with its precipitous
slopes, is prone to landslips and rotational slides.
HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS:
Evidence of coal and lead mining can be seen near Thieveley Scout. Riddle
Scout is the site of an 18th century iron stone mine. There are many
packhorse routes in the district which enabled lead and iron ore to
be transported to Yorkshire for smelting.
 EDUCATIONAL VALUE:
The Cliviger Valley contains many features of educational interest including
landforms, major faulting, mineralisation, marine bands and exposures
of Coal Measure cyclothems.
AESTHETIC CHARACTERISTICS:
The dramatic landscape of the Cliviger Gorge can be viewed from its extensive
network of footpaths.
ACCESS AND SAFETY:
Cars can be parked at Portsmouth off the main road, adjacent to the post
office. Green Clough may be reached by the footpath leading through
Chatham Hill Plantation. Whitaker Naze can be reached by following
the Burnley Way eastward from Portsmouth. Follow the Burnley Way westward,
to reach Greenhouses, a house now in ruins. The latter is an excellent
vantage point overlooking the length of the Cliviger Gorge.
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