Geological Sites | Leeds
| Bradford | Calderdale
| Kirklees | Wakefield
STATUS: RIGS
OTHER DESIGNATIONS:
COUNTY: West Yorkshire
DISTRICT: Kirklees
OS GRID REF. March Haigh: 008132 Buckstones: 018136
OS 1:50,000 Landranger 110 Sheffield and Huddersfield
OS 1:25,000 EXPLORER OL 21 South Pennines
BGS 1:50,000 Sheet 77 Huddersfield
FIRST DESIGNATED by West Yorkshire RIGS Group in 1996
DATE OF MOST RECENT SURVEY
SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION produced by Ian Chisholm
SITE DESCRIPTION:
March Haigh (SE 008 132):-
The site illustrates large scale landslip structures developed in shales
below the Upper Kinderscout Grit which dates from the Upper Carboniferous
period. Slip planes can be seen where detached material has moved down-slope.
The slope is active especially after heavy rain, when rapid movement
can occur.
Buckstones (SE 018 136):-
Exposures of Midgley Grit form an impressive 500m long gritstone edge
overlooking
Marsden Moor and Pule Hill to the south. The edge has weathered into
large blocks, 5 – 10m high.
A traverse along the edge reveals a range of sedimentary structures and
occasional plant fossils.
The mineralogy of the Midgley Grit can be observed in fresh blocks of
fallen rock below the edge. There is a reference to the Buckstones in
the Huddersfield and Halifax memoir (1930) p39.
Exposures of underlying Upper Kinderscout Grit can be seen by descending
into Haigh Clough, 1km south west of Buckstones.
HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS:
The Holmfirth and Glossop memoir p136-137 (see below) records that March
Hill has proved to be one of the most prolific sites along the whole
of the Pennines for finding worked flints. 500 appear to show evidence
of being worked out of the 6000 which have been found.
EDUCATIONAL VALUE:
Buckstones is an excellent vantage point to study South Pennine geology
and landscape, particularly the landslips at March Haigh which are
not easy to access. The geology map can easily be related to the landscape.
AESTHETIC CHARACTERISTICS:
Extensive views toward Pule Hill and across the South Pennines.
ACCESS AND SAFETY:
There is a large car park at Buckstones. Alternatively, park at Hey Green
(033 123) and walk to Buckstones via Green Owlers and March Haigh.
Care is required along the edge on steep slopes and on slippery rock.
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