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Earth Science Conservation Review
| White Mountain Quarry, near Lisburn | Antrim |
| Site number: | 550 | ||
| ESCC: | EA | ||
| Locality Type: | Quarry (working) | Status: | local interest |
| Grid Reference: | J236675 Centroid | ||
| Google maps: | 54.5412,-6.09023 | ||
| County: | Antrim | Council area: | Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council |
| Period: | Tertiary | ||
| Lithostrat: | Antrim Lava Group, Lower Basalt Formation | ||
| Site Description | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Highlights: | |
Tertiary basalt with zeolite minerals, saponite and plumose calcite. | |
| Introduction: | |
This is an active, deep quarry in the Lower Basalt Formation, quarried for roadstone etc. down to the top of the underlying Ulster White Limestone Formation. Currently (1997) the upper bench on the east side is being worked. | |
| Description: | |
Abundant zeolite material occurs in rubbly basalt. Species identified include: analcime, mesolite, chabazite, cowlesite, and possible laumontite. Saponite and coarse plumose calcite were also found. Good columnar jointing is displayed at the north end of the quarry. | |
| Keywords | |
|---|---|
| Minerals: | Analcime, Calcite, Chabazite, Saponite, Zeolites, Cowlesite, Mesolite, Laumontite |
| Rocks: | Basalt |
| Products: | Roadstone |
| Structures: | columnar jointing, vesicles |
| Access | |
|---|---|
| Management: | |
Continued working of the quarry is necessary to ensure a supply of fresh material (zeolitic basalt decays such that quarry faces older than about 5 years are of limited value). Due to increased security as a consequence of proximity to the Belfast urban area, and hazards associated with deep workings, visiting groups are unlikely to gain permission to enter the quarry. | |
| Uses | |
| Uses: | Active, deep quarry. |
| 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. White Mountain Quarry, near Lisburn, County Antrim, site details. [In] Earth Science Conservation Review. https://www.habitas.org.uk/escr/site.php?item=550. Accessed on 2026-11-07. |
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