Earth Science Conservation Review
| Ladyhill Quarry | Antrim |
| Site Type: | Quarry (working) |
| Site Status: | local interest |
| Grid Reference: | J172916 |
| Google maps: | 54.7591,-6.17941 |
| Rocks | |
|---|---|
| Rock Age: | Tertiary |
| Rock Name: | Antrim Lava Group, Upper Basalt Formation |
| Rock Type: | Basalt |
| Interest | |
| Minerals: | Analcime, Calcite, Chabazite, Natrolite, Saponite, Stilbite, Thomsonite, Zeolites, Heulandite, Apophyllite |
| Other interest: | Roadstone, vesicles |
Summary of site:
This is a large, active quarry which contains zeolite minerals lining bubbles trapped in the basalts. The range of zeolites and their quality changes with each new blasting.
The County Antrim basalts are internationally famous for the variety of zeolites they contain. This group of minerals is associated with hot groundwater circulating soon after the lavas were erupted, in this case around 65 million years ago and the different types are indicators of the depth of burial at the time.
The County Antrim basalts are internationally famous for the variety of zeolites they contain. This group of minerals is associated with hot groundwater circulating soon after the lavas were erupted, in this case around 65 million years ago and the different types are indicators of the depth of burial at the time.
| Enlander, I., Dempster, M. & Doughty, P., 2026. Ladyhill Quarry, County Antrim, site summary. [In] Earth Science Conservation Review. https://www.habitas.org.uk/escr/summary.php?item=548. Accessed on 2026-04-15 |
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