Alum Shale occurs within the upper 35 metres or so of the Whitby Mudstone Formation. A suite of rocks that originated as soft sediment accumulating on the floor of an ancient sea (the Tethys) which occupied this area between c.188 million and c.182 million years ago during the late Lower Jurassic phase of Earth’s geological [...]
Category Archives: Jurassic
March – Ironstone
Iron makes up a full 35% of the whole Earth, though most is sequestered within the metallic core, with the crust containing around 6%. It is an important rock commercially, being smelted to make iron and steel. High grade deposits, often comprising more than 70% iron, were laid down in the Precambrian, around 2 billion [...]
on March 8, 2009 Leave a comment
November – Ammonite
Ammonites are coiled relatives of the octopus (Cephalopods) and became extinct at the end of the Cretaceous Period around 65 million years ago.
Below is an image of a Harpoceras, which lived during the Jurassic Period. These fossils can be found in the Upper Liassic shale (Whitby Mudstone Formation) which crops-out widely across Cleveland and the [...]
on November 1, 2008 Leave a comment
Slapewath
Grid Reference NZ 643 158
BGS Sheet 34
OS Sheet 94
Forwarded as RIGS 30/09/2003
Site Description
Site Status
Description of Geodiversity Exposures of Main Seam Cleveland Ironstone Formation (bottom block) beside bridge footings below Fox & Hounds public house. A small waterfall immediately upstream may exist due to presence of the Pecten Seam. The area has [...]
on September 24, 2003 Leave a comment
Woodhill Gill
Grid Reference NZ 655 132
BGS Sheet 34
OS Sheet 94
Forwarded as RIGS
Site Description
Site Status SNCI
Description of Geodiversity Upland stream-side escarpment revealing deltaic sandstones specifically the Moor Grit member of the Scalby formation
Literature References
Site Map
Site Assessment
Access and Safety
Comments
Rating
Safety of access
Along designated footpath
10
Safety of exposure
Steep slopes obscured by vegetation
5
Restricting conditions
Vegetation growth in summer [...]
on September 20, 2003 Leave a comment
Cass Rock Quarry
Grid Reference NZ 631 146
BGS Sheet 34
OS Sheet 94
Forwarded as RIGS Part of Guisborough Forest 30/09/2003
Site Description
Site Status SNCI
Brief Site Description Site 7 of 7. Disused alum quarry revealing exposures of Liassic Whitby mudstone and overlying Middle Jurassic Saltwick sandstone. Following abandonment after alum working, this quarry [...]
on September 20, 2003 Leave a comment
Cow Bar Nab
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 [...]
on September 8, 2003 Leave a comment
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 [...]
on September 4, 2003 Leave a comment
Wiley Cat Beck
Grid Reference NZ 643 145
BGS Sheet 34
OS Sheet 94
Forwarded as RIGS 30/09/03
Site Description
Site Status SNCI
Description of Geodiversity Upland river gorge revealing exposures of Saltwick sandstone with a beck cutting steeply through the profile
Literature References
Site Map
Site Assessment
Access and Safety
Comments
Rating
Safety of access
Along designated footpath
8
Safety of exposure
Steep-sided valley, overhangs in places
6
Restricting conditions
High-flow episodes
9
Multiple exposure
None
Note
It [...]
on August 28, 2003 Leave a comment
Whitecliff Wood
Grid Reference NZ 715 182
BGS Sheet 34
OS Sheet 94
Forwarded as RIGS
Site Description
Site Status
Description of Geodiversity River cliff exposures of massive Saltwick sandstone forming cliffs and escarpments
Literature References
Site Map
Site Assessment
Access and Safety
Comments
Rating
Safety of access
Descend to stream level via housing estate
8
Safety of exposure
Slippery bank, no footpath
5
Restricting conditions
High flow episodes
5
Multiple exposure
None
Note
It is [...]
on August 12, 2003 Leave a comment