Geological Sites | Leeds
| Bradford | Calderdale
| Kirklees | Wakefield
 STATUS: RIGS
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 RIGS Group in 1996
MOST RECENT SURVEY West Yorkshire Geology Trust October 2007
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 and largely inaccessible. 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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