Wider Significance

Walltown QuarryThese rocks provide a wealth of evidence of the geological environments and processes involved in their deposition during Carboniferous times. They provide excellent illustrations of the effects of blocks and basins, and the structural factors which controlled their formation and evolution, on sedimentary facies and the thickness of sediments deposited. Comparison of this district with adjacent sedimentary basins, such as the Midland Valley and Craven basins, allows correlation of rock units to further understanding of the UK’s evolution during Carboniferous times.

The Great Limestone, marks the last significant episode of limestone formation in the Carboniferous succession. Like all of the marine limestones, it contains abundant evidence of the contemporary marine fauna and flora, and in places, e.g. the Chaetetes Band, exhibits striking examples of complete marine ecosystems fossilised in situ.

Geological SSSIs

England and North Wales

• Redesdale Ironstone Quarries [NY 895 833]
• Tipalt Burn [NY 659 661 to NY 687 683]

Namurian of England and Wales

• Brunton Bank Quarry [NY 928 698]
• Greenleighton Quarry [NZ 034 920]

Geological SNCIs

Tyne Limestone Formation:

• Akenshaw Burn, Bowden Doors, Chirdon Burn, Colster Cleugh, Conshield Back Wood, Forest Burn, Hawkside South, Hawthorne Moss, Kyloe Hills, Linkleylaw Quarry, Mill and Whiskershield Burns, Ridsdale Quarries, Shiellow Crags, Swallow Crags and Caw Burn, The Wanneys and Aid Moss, Warks Burn

Alston Formation:

• Barmoorhill Quarry, Barras Quarry, Toddle, Reaver, Cawfield Crags, Divethill and Claywalls, Forest Burn, Fourstones and Park Shield Quarry, Haltwhistle Burn, Milestone House Quarry, Walltown Quarry and Crags

Stainmore Formation:

• Haltwhistle Burn, Milestone House Quarry, Fourstones and Park Shield Quarry

NWT Reserve

• Crindledykes