| Site Type: | Coastal section | | Site Status: | ASSI | | Council area: | Newry, Mourne & Down District Council | | Grid Reference: | J24751144 | | Bing maps: | 54.03723,-6.09662 | | Google maps: | 54.03723,-6.09662 | | Rocks |
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| Rock Age: | Carboniferous (Arundian, Visean) | | Rock Name: | Carlingford Limestone Group | | Rock Type: | Limestone, Oolitic limestone, Sand, Sandstone | | Interest |
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| Other interest: | cross-bedding, Marine sediments |
| Summary of site: |
| This site is significant because it is the most north-westerly exposure of the small outcrop of Carboniferous rocks in south County Down. | | It consists of a few thick beds of limestone protruding through beach sands. The limestones are oolitic (composed of subspherical grains of concentric shells of calcium carbonate) and grade into lime-rich sandstones. Cross bedding and parallel laminations also occur. | | Ooliths are formed in shallow water by wave agitation of the sea bed and the cross laminations further confirm modest water depth in this tropical sea. | | The rocks belong to the Arundian stage, which means that they formed around 345 million years ago. |
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