Geological Sites | Leeds
| Bradford | Calderdale
| Kirklees | Wakefield
 STATUS:
Local Geological Site
OTHER DESIGNATIONS:
COUNTY: West Yorkshire
DISTRICT: Calderdale
OS GRID REF. SE 095 216
OS 1:50,000 Landranger 104 Leeds and Bradford
OS 1:25,000 Explorer 288 Bradford and Huddersfield
BGS 1:50,000 Sheet 77 Huddersfield (Solid and Drift)
FIRST DESIGNATED by West Yorkshire LGS Group in 1996
MOST RECENT SURVEY West Yorkshire Geology Trust January 2009
DESIGNATION SHEET UPDATED August 2009
SITE DESCRIPTION:
Upper Carboniferous Rough Rock sandstone of the Namurian (Millstone
Grit) Series is
exposed in a 6m quarry face, which extends for 100m east-west before
becoming
overgrown. The exposure demonstrates depositional features associated
with
meandering channels within a deltaic system. Current directions can
be determined from
the cross stratification seen within the bedding.
HISTORICAL VALUE:
The Huddersfield and Halifax geological memoir 1930 p184 (see reference
below)
mentions that the Rough Rock Flags were worked in many quarries in
North Dean
Woods, where they are about 30m thick.. This probably includes this
quarry, called Dean
Top Delph on the map below, which has the same rock type. The memoir
p46 reports that
the Rough Rock Flags are about 15m thick on the south side of Greetland
Moor. Because
the rocks are well bedded, they would have been exploited for flags
and setts, with the
waste being used for aggregate for local roads.
 EDUCATIONAL
VALUE:
This site is suitable for sixth form and higher level students
interested in studying
depositional features of sand bodies. It would be a good site for
developing interpretative
skills.
AESTHETIC CHARACTERISTICS:
The quarry has a considerable amount of graffiti and there is water
running down the
face.
ACCESS AND SAFETY:
The quarry is found off Clayhouse Lane off the B6113 Ripponden
to Greetland road.
There is parking along nearby streets for
cars/minibuses. Access to the site is along the
footpath behind Coronation Street which runs through the quarry
and into North Dean
Woods. There is a level grassed area in front of the quarry
face, though wheelchair access
would not be easy. Hard hats need to be worn. The site is
used for climbing.
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