Geological Sites | Leeds
| Bradford | Calderdale
| Kirklees | Wakefield
 STATUS: Local Geological Site
OTHER DESIGNATIONS:
COUNTY: West Yorkshire
DISTRICT: Calderdale
OS GRID REF. SD 985 278
OS 1:50,000 Landranger 103 Blackburn and Burnley
OS 1:25,000 Explorer OL 21 South Pennines
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 October 2007
DESIGNATION SHEET UPDATED August 2009
SITE DESCRIPTION:
A massive outcrop of Lower Kinderscout Grit is exposed in a 20m high
quarry face. The
site demonstrates cross bedding on an enormous scale, containing foresets
dipping at
approximately 30o within the bedding planes. There are some finer beds,
probably silt,
near the top of the quarry, which have been weathered, so that the
sandstones above
produce an overhang. The site dramatically illustrates the environment
of deposition
during the Namurian epoch of the Upper Carboniferous period when large
scale deltaic
channel systems spread across the area.
HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS:
The quarry is near to the historic weaving settlement of Heptonstall,
which also stands on
a platform of the Lower Kinderscout Grit.
 EDUCATIONAL
VALUE:
The site is suitable for sixth form and higher education students.
The site contains
extensive geological structures, useful for developing interpretive
skills. As an
immensely impressive quarry face in a fine position, close to an
old village, it is a very
good site for interpreting geology for the general public.
AESTHETIC CHARACTERISTICS:
Set amongst woodland and heather, the site provides extensive views
of the Upper Calder
and its over-deepened valley.
ACCESS AND SAFETY:
There is a small car park in Heptonstall village, or park in
Hebden Bridge. Approach the
site by the footpath from the south of Heptonstall, between
estates of new houses. The
path descends very steeply down the quarry side, so boots should
be worn. The quarry
face appears to be stable, but this is a hard hat site. There
is a grassy area a short distance
from the quarry face where groups can stand to observe the
features.
There are fallen blocks, including a spectacularly leaning
stack, on the grassy area in
front of the quarry which allow rock textures to be examined
closely.
A footpath runs down to the Calder valley and becomes a flagged
quarry track before it
reaches Mytholm. None of these paths are suitable for wheelchairs.
The public footpaths
are part of the Calderdale Way. The site is used for climbing.
|
