Earth Science Conservation Review

Ladyhill QuarryAntrim
Ladyhill Quarry, Co.Antrim, May 1997.
Summary Full report
Site Type: Quarry (working)
Site Status: local interest
Council area: Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council
Grid Reference: J172916
Bing maps: 54.7591,-6.17941
Google maps: 54.7591,-6.17941
Rocks
Rock Age: Tertiary
Rock Name: Antrim Lava Group, Upper Basalt Formation
Rock Type: Basalt
Interest
Minerals: Analcime, Calcite, Chabazite, Natrolite, Saponite, Stilbite, Thomsonite, Zeolites, Heulandite, Apophyllite
Other interest: Roadstone, vesicles
Summary of site:
This is a large, active quarry which contains zeolite minerals lining bubbles trapped in the basalts. The range of zeolites and their quality changes with each new blasting.
The County Antrim basalts are internationally famous for the variety of zeolites they contain. This group of minerals is associated with hot groundwater circulating soon after the lavas were erupted, in this case around 65 million years ago and the different types are indicators of the depth of burial at the time.

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