Earth Science Conservation Review

Summary Full report
Cushendun - Bay Hotel to Cave House tunnel - Devonian
Site number:307File Number:D23
ESCC:EC
Locality Type:Coastal section Status: ESCR
Grid Reference: D252327,D25253254 End(s) of linear site, Not Entered
County: AntrimCouncil area:Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council
Period:Devonian
Stages:Lower Devonian
Lithostrat:Cross Slieve Group, Cushendun Conglomerate
Site Description

Conglomerates of the Cushendun Formation at the tunnel entrance to Cave House, Cushendun, Co.Antrim.
Description:
Exposed at Cushendun, east of the Bay Hotel (D252327) and at the spectacular cliff north of Cave House (D25253254) are conglomerates that are typical of the basal unit of the Cushendun Formation. They occur in laterally persistent beds, frequently up to 12m thick, and are interbedded with coarse-grained laminated sandstones.
Conglomerates and lenticular sandstones of the Cushendun Formation, east of the Bay Hotel, Cushendun.
The conglomerates are clast-supported and well sorted, with a lithic arenite matrix and well rounded clasts which consist almost exclusively of quartzite and are attributed to a polycyclic origin.
Loose block of fine-grained silty sandstone with surface layer of green mudstone showing large scale dessication cracks (found on shore at tunnel entrance to Cave House).
Cross-stratification is absent in the conglomerates. Sandstone beds are commonly eroded by the overlying conglomerates and in places are laterally impersistent.
Notes:

For general information and reference list on the Cross Slieve Group see Key Site 1146 - Cross Slieve Group; Cushendun to Port Obe.

For general information and reference list on the Devonian System in N. Ireland see Key Site 1147 - The Devonian System in N. Ireland - Introduction.

Keywords
Rocks:Conglomerate, Sand, Sandstone
Structures:cross-bedding
Access
References
Map(s): See the 1:50,000 O.S. Sheet 5 (Ballycastle).
Rec Type Environment Serv. GIS, ESCR report    
Enterer: Doughty, P.J.
Updates: 31 May 2006 / 16 Jul 2003 / 18 FEB 97 / 17 FEB 97 / 05 JAN 97
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