Earth Science Conservation Review
| Greencastle Bay (NW end), Carlingford Lough - Carboniferous | Down |
| Site Type: | Coastal section |
| Site Status: | ASSI |
| Council area: | Newry & Mourne District Council |
| Grid Reference: | J24751144 |
| Google maps: | 54.03723,-6.09662 |
| Rocks | |
|---|---|
| Rock Age: | Carboniferous (Arundian, Visean) |
| Rock Name: | Carlingford Limestone Group |
| Rock Type: | Limestone, Oolitic limestone, Sand, Sandstone |
| Interest | |
| Other interest: | cross-bedding, Marine sediments |
Summary of site:
This site is significant because it is the most north-westerly exposure of the small outcrop of Carboniferous rocks in south County Down.
It consists of a few thick beds of limestone protruding through beach sands. The limestones are oolitic (composed of subspherical grains of concentric shells of calcium carbonate) and grade into lime-rich sandstones. Cross bedding and parallel laminations also occur.
Ooliths are formed in shallow water by wave agitation of the sea bed and the cross laminations further confirm modest water depth in this tropical sea.
The rocks belong to the Arundian stage, which means that they formed around 345 million years ago.
It consists of a few thick beds of limestone protruding through beach sands. The limestones are oolitic (composed of subspherical grains of concentric shells of calcium carbonate) and grade into lime-rich sandstones. Cross bedding and parallel laminations also occur.
Ooliths are formed in shallow water by wave agitation of the sea bed and the cross laminations further confirm modest water depth in this tropical sea.
The rocks belong to the Arundian stage, which means that they formed around 345 million years ago.
| Enlander, I., Dempster, M. & Doughty, P., 2024. Greencastle Bay (NW end), Carlingford Lough - Carboniferous, County Down, site summary. [In] Earth Science Conservation Review. https://www.habitas.org.uk/escr/summary.php?item=297. Accessed on 2024-12-26 |
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