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Earth Science Conservation Review

Summary Full report
Cushendun - Bay Hotel to Cave House tunnel - DevonianAntrim
Site number:307File Number:D23
ESCC:EC
Locality Type:Coastal section Status: ESCR
Grid Reference: D252327,D25253254 End(s) of linear site, Not Entered
Google maps: 55.12614,-6.03731
County: AntrimCouncil area:Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council
Period:Devonian
Stages:Lower Devonian
Lithostrat:Cross Slieve Group, Cushendun Conglomerate
Site Description
image: 0307c.jpg Loose block of fine-grained silty sandstone with surface layer of green mudstone showing large scale dessication cracks (found on shore at tunnel entrance to Cave House).
Loose block of fine-grained silty sandstone with surface layer of green mudstone showing large scale dessication cracks (found on shore at tunnel entrance to Cave House).
Description:
Exposed at Cushendun, east of the Bay Hotel (D252327) and at the spectacular cliff north of Cave House (D25253254) are conglomerates that are typical of the basal unit of the Cushendun Formation. They occur in laterally persistent beds, frequently up to 12m thick, and are interbedded with coarse-grained laminated sandstones. The conglomerates are clast-supported and well sorted, with a lithic arenite matrix and well rounded clasts which consist almost exclusively of quartzite and are attributed to a polycyclic origin. Cross-stratification is absent in the conglomerates. Sandstone beds are commonly eroded by the overlying conglomerates and in places are laterally impersistent.
Notes:
For general information and reference list on the Cross Slieve Group see Key Site 1146 - Cross Slieve Group; Cushendun to Port Obe.

For general information and reference list on the Devonian System in N. Ireland see Key Site 1147 - The Devonian System in N. Ireland - Introduction.
Keywords
Rocks:Conglomerate, Sand, Sandstone
Structures:cross-bedding
Map(s): See the 1:50,000 O.S. Sheet 5 (Ballycastle).
Record type: Environment Serv. GIS, ESCR report    
Entered by: Doughty, P.J.
Last updated:31 May 2006
 Enlander, I., Dempster, M. & Doughty, P., 2026. Cushendun - Bay Hotel to Cave House tunnel - Devonian, County Antrim, site details. [In] Earth Science Conservation Review.
https://www.habitas.org.uk/escr/site.php?item=307. Accessed on 2026-11-06.

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