Brunton Bank Quarry facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
| Area of Search | Northumberland |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 55°01′25″N 2°06′46″W / 55.023714°N 2.112861°W |
| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 2.18 hectares (5 acres) |
| Notification | 1969 |
| Location map | DEFRA MAGIC map |
Brunton Bank Quarry is an old quarry in Northumberland, North East England. It is now a special protected area called a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means the site is important for its natural features. At this quarry, you can see very old rock layers. These layers include the Namurian Great Limestone, which is a type of rock formed a long, long time ago. Inside these rocks, scientists find amazing fossils. These fossils, especially from a part called the Chaetetes Band, help us learn about Earth's history.
Where is Brunton Bank Quarry Located?
Brunton Bank Quarry is in the southwest part of Northumberland. It is about 0.7 miles (1.1 km) southwest of Chollerford. It is also about 3.8 miles (6.1 km) north of Hexham. The site covers about 2.16 hectares (5.3 acres) of land. It sits north of the B6318 road. The famous Hadrian's Wall runs just south of this road. The quarry is also about 0.2 miles (0.3 km) north of Turret 26A. The land here is quite high, between 150 and 160 meters (490 to 520 feet) above sea level.
Brunton Bank Quarry is one of several SSSIs in the area. These sites show the Namurian Great Limestone rock. Other similar sites include Sleightholme Beck Gorge – The Troughs and West Rigg Open Cutting. These are both located further south in County Durham. There is also an ancient burial mound, called a tumulus, within the quarry's boundaries.
Why is Brunton Bank Quarry Geologically Important?
Brunton Bank Quarry is a very important place for studying geology in the UK. It is part of the UK's Geological Conservation Review. This review identifies sites that are special because of their rocks and fossils. The quarry is excellent for studying stratigraphy, which is the study of rock layers. It is also great for palaeontology, which is the study of ancient life through fossils.
The quarry clearly shows the Chaetetes Band. This band is a reef-like layer within the Namurian Great Limestone. Scientists are still studying the ancient life forms found here. Brunton Bank Quarry is a leading site for these studies. It is also the only place where a specific fossil species, called Calcifolium bruntonense, has been found. This fossil is named after the quarry itself.
