S Engering, S and Barron, H.F. (2007) Doncaster Geodiversity Assessment Volumes 1&2. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report CR/07/025N.
For planning purposes consult Doncaster City Council The report is also available as a PDF download from NERC NORA
Site name: Warmsworth Quarry
Site key: D94
Grid reference:
Site type: active quarries and pits
Local authority: Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council, South Yorkshire
Site dimensions: 15 m x 6 x 10 m
Site owner: WBB Minerals
Conservation status: Regionally Important Geological Site Date: 16/9/97
Field surveyor: Scott Engering Date: 16/2/07
Time unit: Permian Rock unit: Sprotbrough Member, Cadeby Formation, Zechstein Group
Rock type: Dolostone Details: Dolostone breccia
This map is based upon Ordnance Survey topographic material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence Number: 100017897 [2007]
An isolated stump comprising a breccia of angular and in places sub-rounded limestone generally less than 100 mm in size with an orange-brown sandy matrix. The south side contains lenses where there is a large proportion of sandy material and to the north side, there are two beds 300-400 mm thick that are essentially composed of cemented sand and form a sharp boundary with the underlying breccia but coarsen upwards into the overlying breccia.
According to the quarry manager the exposure is located in a position that was previously the site of a large mound of quarry waste and adjacent to the exposure, there is a remnant which is obviously man made. However, this exposure is very well cemented and has sheer vertical faces and has a well developed upper soil horizon. To the south, the access road to the quarry is flanked to the west by a rock face that is extremely fissured and further along the Don Gorge to the west at Nearcliff Woods, the limestone has been subjected to massive slumping and brecciation with very large fissures that are filled with similar material.
Ratings: 1–2 very poor; 3–4 poor; 5–6 acceptable/useful; 7–8 quite good; 9–10 very good/excellent; N/A not applicable; D/K don't know
Aspect/Description/Rating
Road access & parking Accessible along road to working limestone quarry parking at site offices. Limited. Rating: 4
Safety of access Very busy working quarry so considered potentially hazardous. Rating: 4
Safety of exposure Adjacent to busy access road to quarry without pathways 4
Permission to visit Private Ownership WBB Minerals. Rating: 5
Current condition Very good. Rating: 8
Current conflicting activities traffic to quarry and landfill site
Restricting conditions No collecting
Nature of exposure Large stubby pillar of dolostone breccia left as a remnant of past quarrying activities
Multiple exposures /prospect for trail With specific permission, potential to link with Warmsworth Park, Cadeby Cliff, Cedar Road Quarry and Hexthorpe Flatts as part of organised group visit
Notes This is a busy quarry and landfill site and particular care needs to be taken when visiting, over and above usual fieldwork precautions
Aspect/Description/Rating
Historic, archaeological & literary associations None known. Rating: 0
Aesthetic landscape Working quarry environment 3 history of Earth Sciences None known. Rating: 0
Economic geology Production of pure dolostone suitable for the glass making industry. Aggregates and some building stone produced. Rating: 8
Notes Economically significant source of materials for glass industry
Surface processes Deposit associated with gorge formation, rifting, slumping and cambering. Rating: 8
Geomorphology Not applicable. Rating: 0
Sedimentary Good example of brecciated dolomitic limestone with sandy beds. Rating: 8
Fossils Not applicable. Rating: 0
Igneous Not applicable. Rating: 0
Metamorphic Not applicable. Rating: 0
Tectonic: structural Associations with rifting, slumping and cambering in the Don Gorge and its relationship to the South Don fault. Rating: 8
Minerals . Rating: 0
Stratigraphy Rare occurrence of brecciated dolostone. Rating: 7
Notes Good field work site at advanced, graduate or adult level, for rarity value
Unusual occurrence of brecciated dolostone. Rating: 8