Easington Beck
Grid Reference NZ 749 162
BGS Sheet 34
OS Sheet 94
Forwarded as RIGS 30/09/2003
Site Description
Site Status SNCI
Description of Geodiversity Upland river cutting through deltaic sandstone revealing river-cliffs and waterfalls. Exposures include Saltwick sandstone, Dogger and Whitby mudstone formations
Literature References
Site Map
Site Assessment
| Access and Safety | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Safety of access | From footbridge and along stream bank | 8 |
| Safety of exposure | Slippery on waterfall features and 6m vertical drop | 4 |
| Restricting conditions | High flow episodes and adverse weather | 5 |
| Multiple exposure | Reach of Easington Beck | 10 |
| Note | It is strongly suggested that on-site safety be the responsibility of the party leader(s), as the safety information above is given only as a guide. |
| Education and Science | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Surface processes | Various fluvial processes | 10 |
| Geomorphology | V-shaped valley upstream, downstream examples of river gorges and waterfalls | 10 |
| Sedimentary rock | Lias and Ravenscar groups (including rare Dogger exposure below the Saltwick formation) | 10 |
| Igneous rock | Glacial erratics in stream bed | 2 |
| Metamorphic rock | Glacial erratics in stream bed | 2 |
| Fossils | Various trace fossils throughout river reach | 5 |
| Minerals | Tufa (including stalactites), Calcite and Iron oxide weathering | 8 |
| Structural features | Various examples of faulting through river reach | 5 |
| Stratigraphy | Sheet jointing in Eller Beck formation | 5 |
| Geodiversity Value | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Excellent for fluvial processes but very difficult access | 8 |
| Scientific | Site of special interest for Earth scientists | 10 |
| Historical | None | |
| Aesthetic | Excellent fluvial environment in wooded steep sided gorge | 10 |
Surveyors
Andrew Carter, Andrew Cooper, Carl Rees-Davies
Tags: Dogger, Jurassic, Lias, Marine, Ravenscar, Saltwick Sandstone, Whitby Mudstone