Limestone landscapes — a geodiversity audit and action plan for the Durham Magnesian Limestone Plateau — contents

Title page and preliminaries

by D J D Lawrence. Editor A H Cooper

British Geological Survey. Geology and Landscape England Programme Open Report OR/09/007

(Front cover)

Contents

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Contents

Summary

1 Introduction

1.1 Aim

1.2 Scope of the study

1.3 Area of study

2 The Magnesian Limestone

2.1 Composition

2.2 Age

2.3 Naming and Division

3 Understanding the rocks

3.1 Evolution of the rocks and landscape

3.2 Yellow Sands Formation

3.3 Marl Slate Formation

3.4 Raisby Formation (Formerly Lower Magnesian Limestone)

3.5 Ford Formation (Formerly Middle Magnesian Limestone)

3.6 Roker Dolomite Formation

3.7 Seaham Residue

3.8 Seaham Formation

3.9 Rotten Marl

3.10 Quaternary deposits

4 The geodiversity of the Limestone Landscapes area

4.1 Major features of geodiversity importance within the area

4.2 Threats to geodiversity

4.3 Enhancement of sites

5 Geodiversity Site selection

5.1 Existing designated sites

5.2 Selection of sites for Limestone Landscapes

6 Opportunities for interpretation, involvement and enhancement

6.1 Working with organisations and communities

6.2 Suggestions for major themes that could be developed and/or interpreted

7 Recommendations for geodiversity action plan

Brief descriptions of principal geodiversity sites

Fulwell & Carley Hill quarries

Tunstall Hills and Ryhope Cutting

Middridge Quarry

Claxheugh Rock

Ford Quarry

Bishop Middleham Quarry

Trimdon Grange Quarry

Wingate Quarry

Marsden Old Quarry

Hepplewhites (Cold Knuckles) Quarry

Crime Rigg Quarry

Thrislington Quarry

Trow Point to Frenchman's Bay

Frenchman's Bay

Marsden Bay

Lizard Point and Marsden Limekiln

Seaham Harbour

Blackhall Rocks

Appendix 1 Major sources of information consulted

Appendix 2 GCR, SSSI and County Geology Sites within the area

Appendix 3 Working quarries

References

Figures, plates and tables