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Earth Science Conservation Review
| Ballinamallard Esker - site of local interest | Fermanagh, Tyrone |
| Site number: | 700 | ||
| Locality Type: | Inland exposure | Status: | local interest |
| Grid Reference: | H244531,H333560 End(s) of linear site | ||
| Google maps: | 54.42633,-7.62405 | ||
| County: | Fermanagh, Tyrone | Council area: | Fermanagh & Omagh District Council |
| Period: | Quaternary | ||
| Site Description | |
|---|---|
| Highlights: | |
This area extends for 10km from Sidaire [H244 531] to Trillick [H333 560] and is characterised by discontinuous, generally straight sand and gravel ridges aligned northeast-southwest. The ridges are interpreted as subglacial eskers deposited from southwest to northeast during deglaciation under relatively high hydraulic pressure. | |
| Description: | |
This area extends for 10km from Sidaire [H244 531] to Trillick [H333 560] and is characterised by discontinuous, generally straight sand and gravel ridges aligned northeast-southwest. Individual ridges are 100-500m long, 5-10m high and 10-40m wide and are separated by breaks 50-100m across. Ridge long axes are generally flat to slightly undulatory. The ridges dip and swell in height and morphology and decline in overall elevation by about 40m from east to west. Only one ridge is usually present at any one location and ridges do not generally bifurcate. Ridges are often contained within a broad (100-150m wide, 10-30m deep) meltwater channel which is cut between diamict-dominated bedforms (200-300m wide, 600-1,200m long) aligned northwest-southeast (interpreted as Rogen moraines), and into bedrock. | |
| Importance: | |
The site is scientifically important as it contains well preserved examples of subglacial eskers. | |
| Interpretation: | |
The ridges are interpreted as subglacial eskers deposited from southwest to northeast during deglaciation under relatively high hydraulic pressure. Evidence supporting this interpretation includes the straight ridge morphology, its clean superimposition upon the diamict bedforms, its uphill climb, lack of slack water-type sand and gravel fan lobes and its relationship to the nearby Crockfadda outwash-moraine system. A high hydraulic gradient may have been generated due to the blocking of subglacial drainage outlets to the west and by changes in glacier morphology caused by its break-up over the Fintona Hills axis. A small exposure near Trillick [H339 558] shows outwash sand, gravel and silt beds indicating a flow to the northeast. | |
| Notes: | |
See also ESCR Key Site 494 - Fintona Hills Complex - Ballinamallard Esker [Sand and Gravel Landscapes Block]. | |
| Keywords | |
|---|---|
| Rocks: | Diamict, Gravel, Sand |
| Relations: | Deglacial sediments |
| Geomorph: | esker, gravel ridge |
| Paleoenv: | deglacial |
| Measurements | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length: | 10km | Width: | Height: | ||
| Depth: | Area: | ||||
| Access | |
|---|---|
| Approach: | Located in Counties Fermanagh and Tyrone between Sidaire and Trillick. |
| Uses | |
| Educ. Level: | The site is of educational value to researchers and students of glaciology. |
| Record type: | SLNCI Report | ||
| Entered by: | E M Porter | ||
| Last updated: | 09/10/03 | ||
| Enlander, I., Dempster, M. & Doughty, P., 2026. Ballinamallard Esker - site of local interest, County Fermanagh, Tyrone, site details. [In] Earth Science Conservation Review. https://www.habitas.org.uk/escr/site.php?item=700. Accessed on 2026-11-04. |
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