This is the location of some of the oldest stone quarries in the area, though finding the history of the working of the area is quite difficult.
Anyway to the geology.
Sandstone such as at this location is made when silt and mud is laid down with a consistent water flow. Sandstone (sometimes known as arenite) is a clastic sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains. Most sandstone is composed quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust and the rock feels rough. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are brown, yellow, and red. Since sandstone beds often form highly visible cliffs and other topographic features, certain colours of sandstone have been strongly identified with certain regions. Rock formations that are primarily composed of sandstone usually allow percolation of water and other fluids and are porous enough to store large quantities, making them valuable aquifers and petroleum reservoirs.
At this location you will notice that the layers of stone are quite thick, identified by up to 1m of constant colour. However there is also a peculiar breaking up of the layers vertically, making this face of rock look like a stone wall which has been constructed, but it’s not, this is a natural formation and is formed …………….., well I’m not going to tell you quite how it’s formed but there is enough information above for you to work it out.
What I can say is that fine-grained aquifers, such as sandstones, are more apt to hold water from the surface in cracks and crevices. This water holding property leads to these vertical cracks, but why?
Questions
- Describe the face of the rock, tell me how it feels and looks
- Why does this rock face have vertical can horizontal cracks making it look like the wall of a house?
- How tall is the rock face at the location given?
If you feel willing and able please post a photo of the location, I don’t mind if the rock face makes up part of your photo.
You are welcome to log your find and message me with your answers at the same time