The cliffs for about 2 km to the west of Cowbar Nab are capped by glacial till, bedrock being at 40 to 50m O.D. Staithes Beck has cut a deep channel through the till in to the solid strata. On the coast, several landslips and rockfalls can be seen and, in contrast, examples of slow, gradual marine erosion. The marine erosion has been the subject of detailed studies by Agar (1960) and by Durham University in recent years.
Make your way across the beck and follow the Cleveland Way up the steep, stepped path and then eastwards where there is a view of the Old Gut dock (marked 1 on the plan). Pass the path down to the shore at NZ 725 198 and North Warren Cottage (Tile Sheds). (2 cisterns (2) are missed unless one deviates along the coastal path). At NZ 735 197 fork left off the Cleveland Way to go down the track in to the quarries.
View the geomorphology of this area (much of which has now been donated to Tees Valley Wildlife Trust. The scarp line of Saltwick Sandstone is set back from the coast and is paralleled underground by the subcrop of the Cleveland Ironstone Formation (see the geological map). The, therefore, deep embayment is infilled by till that is much landslipped on the seawards side. The Snailah Ponds, still shown on modern maps, are said to have been infilled by material from Boulby Potash Mine development.
Boulby Quarry and the sea cliffs beneath (making use of the tracks down to the shore) are where several 19th century and, more recently, geologists such as Chowns made measured sections. That by Lewis Hunton (1836) is the most notable as he independently recognized the importance of collecting fossils in-situ, and relating the fossils found to the beds in which they occur bolstering the emerging concept of biostratigraphy.
Iron carbonate (FeCO3), or siderite from the Greek sideros meaning iron, is a major source of ore for steel-making being usually low in sulphur and phosphorous, and high in manganese and/or magnesium.
This mineral is able to assume almost any colour but commonly brown, yellowish-brown, or grey specimens can be found. It occurs in Britain’s [...]
Grid Reference NZ 7784 192
BGS Sheet 34
OS Sheet 94
Forwarded as RIGS Part of Skinningrove to Staithes Coast 30/09/2003
Site Description
Site Status Part of the Heritage Coast
Description of Geodiversity Costal cliff nab exposure consisting of the Staithes sandstone formation which is the type locality. The foreshore to the west of the coastal defences consists [...]
Grid Reference NZ 690 228
BGS Sheet 34
OS Sheet 94
Forwarded as RIGS Part of Saltburn to Skinningrove Coast 30/09/2003
Site Description
Site Status SNCI
Description of Geodiversity Wave washed platform and cliffs revealing Redcar mudstone formation at the base overlain by Staithes sandstone in the cliffs. Cleveland ironstone in upper part of cliffs, all capped by [...]
Grid Reference NZ 615 253
BGS Sheet 34
OS Sheet 93
Forwarded as RIGS 30/09/2003
Site Description
Site Status SSSI
Description of Geodiversity Wave washed platform of Redcar mudstone. Locality reveals the lowest Lias group exposure in the Tees Valley
Literature References Along the Scar – Dennis Goldring 2001
The Regional Coastline of Yorkshire – J.W.Steers 1967
Site Map
Site Assessment
Access and [...]
Grid Reference NZ 610 260
BGS Sheet 34
OS Sheet 93
Forwarded as RIGS 30/09/2003
Site Description
Site Status SNCI
Description of Geodiversity Wave washed platform of Redcar mudstone with small exposure of overlying Staithes sandstone exposed at low tide
Literature References Along the Scar – Denis Goldring 2001
The Regional Coastline of Yorkshire – J.W.Steers 1967
Site Map
Site Assessment
Access and [...]
Superb sea cliffs and rocky foreshore (scar) with extensive Lias Group exposures. Much geomorphological and industrial archaeological interest. The Cleveland Way passes along the cliff top. The coastal scenery is impressive.