(Foreshore Exposures - 2007)

The geology along this shore runs horizontally. At the Eastern end, the Lower Coal Measures once had a coal seam which has been dug away long ago. The coal seams once was over 1m thick. Dark gray mudstones contain the fossil shells and plant material at this location.

Further west, and the Passage Formation can be seen by thick sandstones. The base of the bed can be seen furthest out to sea at low tide. Within this formation, there are limited Marine bands, which contain some fossil shells.

Next, the Castlecary Limestone is 4m thick. This is where most of the fossil shells and crinoids come from.

Lastly at the Western end, the upper limestone formation contains thin coal seams. Below the coal seams are the sandstones which have been used as building stones when Joppa Quarry was once open. Mudstones and Siltstones contain fossil shells and plant remains.

©The Field Museum, GEO85637c.

An example of what this location looked like 300 million years ago during the Carboniferous period.

Carboniferous	Silesian	Stephanian		290 to 306
		Westphalian	Westphalian	306 to 308
			Bolsovian	308 to 311
			Duckmantian	311 to 314
			Langsettian	314 to 316
		Namurian	Yeadonain	316 to 318
			Marsdenian	318 to 319
			Kinderscoutian	319 to 320
			Alportian	320 to 322
			Chokierian	322 to 324
			Arnsbergian	324 to 325
			Pendleian	325 to 327
	Dinantian	Visean	Brigantian	327 to 330
			Asbian	330 to 334
			Holkerian	334 to 337
			Arundian	337 to 340
		Tournaisian	Chadian	340 to 344
			Courceyan	344 to 354

Westphalian 306 to 316MYA
FORMATIONS AND DEPOSITS				LOCATIONS
Westphalian D	Westphalian D	Publow Formation
		Radstock Formation		Writhlington
		Rickets Head Sandstone		Nolton Haven Little Haven
		Farrington & Barren Red Formations
Westphalian C	Bolsovian	Mangotsfield Formation
		Downend Formation
		Upper Similis-pulchra	Whitehaven Sandstone Series	Whitehaven
			Whitehaven Siltstones	Whitehaven
			Countess Sandstone	Whitehaven
			Aegiranum M.B.
Westphalian B	Duckmantian	Lower Similis-pulchra	Black Metal
			Chemiss Coal	East Wemyss
			Pilkembare Coal	East Wemyss
			White Metal
			Slaty
			Ten Quarters
			Bannock
			Main
Westphalian A	Langsettian			Offerton Newhay Quarry Besom Hill Joppa Shore

Namurian 316 - 327 MYA
FORMATIONS AND DEPOSITS			LOCATIONS
Yeadonain	Passage Formation		Joppa Shore
Marsdenian	Castlecary Limestone		Joppa Shore
Kinderscoutian	Millstone Grit series	Kinderscout Grit	Castleton
		Mam-Tor Beds	Castleton
		Edale Shales	Castleton
		Sandstone	Druidston Haven
Alportian	Upper Limestone Series		Joppa Shore
Chokierian
Arnsbergian
Pendleian

1:250 000 Geological Map of Joppa Geological Maps are sold either Flat or Folded for Solid, or Seabed geology. Special editions may be available for certain locations. For a complete list click the link below. Click here to BUY ONLINE from our Store

1: 50 000 Geological Map of Joppa Geological Maps are sold either Flat or Folded for Solid, Drift or combined geology. Special editions may be available for certain locations. For a complete list of 1: 50 000 maps, click the link below. Click here to BUY ONLINE from our Store