| Site Description |
|---|
 | | Interbedded conglomerates and sandstones at the top of the Cushendun Formation, south of Cave House, Cushendun, Co.Antrim. |
|
| Description: |
|---|
The transitional strata between the lower and upper units of the Cushendun Formation consist of interbedded quartzite- conglomerates and sandstones. These are particularly well exposed on the south face of the steep sided amphitheatre located 150m southeast of Cave House. The conglomerates, which may be several metres thick, are dominated by quartzite clasts up to 20cm diameter and are erosive into the underlying sandstones. The sandstones are usually medium to coarse- grained with cross-bedding and parallel laminations and, very rarely, contain thin (2-3cm) beds of hard green mudstone.
 | | Thin disrupted beds of green mudstone in coarse-grained sandstone (ruler 0.14m). |
The mudstones are laterally discontinuous and frequently occur as discrete, slightly concave-upwards tablets separated from one another by sandstone-filled cracks and as such may represent large scale examples of desiccation cracks. Palynological analysis of the mudstones failed to yield any miospores. Some 300m south-southeast of Cave House at the north end of the boulder-strewn beach (D25403220) are additional excellent exposures of interbedded coarse cobble quartzite conglomerates and cross-bedded sandstones. |
| 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. |