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Earth Science Conservation Review
| Sandy Braes - Mineralogy | Antrim |
| Site number: | 537 | ||
| ESCC: | ED | ||
| Locality Type: | Quarry (disused) | Status: | ASSI |
| Grid Reference: | J206958 Centroid | ||
| Google maps: | 54.796,-6.12488 | ||
| County: | Antrim | Council area: | Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council |
| Period: | Tertiary | ||
| Lithostrat: | Antrim Lava Group | ||
| Site Description | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Highlights: | |
Tertiary porphyritic obsidian and agglomerate with sanidine phenocrysts and rare opal veinlets. | |
| Introduction: | |
Sandy Braes has been explored by several companies since the 1970s as a source of perlite for producing expanded glass filler for use in lightweight concrete and other products. The site comprises a large pit c.60m long by 25m wide and 6-8m deep, formerly worked for perlite, plus a number of smaller exploratory pits and trenches. Access is via a 200m untarred lane off the Kells-Ballyclare Road. | |
| Description: | |
Agglomerate-textured obsidian rock is displayed on the east wall of the main pit and also in one of the smaller pits. Both this rock, and the unfragmented obsidian, are rich in phenocrysts of sanidine (rectangular, colourless, glassy crystals) and quartz (light brown, rounded bi-pyramidal crystals). Veinlets <3mm thick of orange/red opaline silica have been found cutting the obsidian. Quarry faces have become degraded due to weathering. | |
| Notes: | |
Features of the site are complementary to nearby Tardree Mountain (Key Site 524). See also Key Site 517 - Sandy Braes [Igneous/Tertiary Block]. | |
| Keywords | |
|---|---|
| Minerals: | Opal, Quartz, Sanidine |
| Rocks: | Agglomerate, Obsidian, Perlite |
| Access | |
|---|---|
| Approach: | Access is via a 200m untarred lane off the Kells-Ballyclare Road. |
| Management: | |
Site management recommendations are to remove accumulated rubbish, freshen the quarry faces, and secure the access gate with a lock to ensure that entry is by permission only. | |
| Uses | |
| Uses: | The site is currently used for sheep grazing, motorbike scrambling, clay pigeon shooting, and unauthorised disposal of rubbish. |
| Record type: | ESCR report | Recorded by: | R. Nawaz and N.R. Moles |
| Entered by: | E M Porter | ||
| Last updated: | 07 MAY 68 | ||
| Enlander, I., Dempster, M. & Doughty, P., 2026. Sandy Braes - Mineralogy, County Antrim, site details. [In] Earth Science Conservation Review. https://www.habitas.org.uk/escr/site.php?item=537. Accessed on 2026-11-08. |
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