What's in ... Down?

Cave Hill, on the edge of the basalt escarpment, overlooks Belfast. Major quarries scar the surrounding hills and brick pits were once dug in the Triassic mudstones around the city.

The Ards Peninsula and Strangford Lough are key features of Co.Down. Coalpit Bay, Donaghadee is a well-known site for fossil graptolites. Drumlins are well-developed throughout the county and partially submerged examples occur in Strangford Lough. The Mourne Mountains are built of granite.


Folded rocks at Millisle




Rocks at Orlock Point

 



Newtownards lead mines

 



Slieve Donard from Newcastle strand
16/105 Black Collection
Department of Geology, Ulster Museum

 


Mournes above the clouds
Photo by Ian Forsythe, September 2002

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