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Earth Science Conservation Review

Summary Full report
Crockfadda - site of local interestFermanagh, Tyrone
Site number:718
Locality Type:Inland exposure, Pit Status: local interest
Grid Reference: H346544,H390565 End(s) of linear site
Google maps: 54.43742,-7.46675
County: Fermanagh, TyroneCouncil area:Fermanagh & Omagh District Council
Period:Quaternary
Site Description
Highlights:
This area, extending for 5km from Crockalusky [H346 544] to Crocknafarbrague [H390 565], is characterised by aligned moraine ridges and flat, dissected outwash surfaces.
Description:
This area, extending for 5km from Crockalusky [H346 544] to Crocknafarbrague [H390 565], is characterised by aligned moraine ridges and flat, dissected outwash surfaces. Ridges are generally aligned northeast or east to southwest or west, parallel to the Fintona Hills to the south. Ridges are up to 900m long, 300m wide and 20m high and are often closely spaced (50m), separated by deeply incised and narrow meltwater channels. Ridges are also related to feeder eskers (transferring material from west to east), kettleholes, proximity of bedrock surfaces and intervening localised outwash spreads. There are two main exposures in the outwash and ridge sediments:



1. Meencrim Pit [H377 559] is a mostly disused sand pit and shows a range of rhythmically-bedded, well-sorted, fine-grained sediments with some glaciotectonic deformation. This exposure records low energy subaqueous sedimentation influenced by local current activity and seasonal meltwater events.



2. Cocknaboortan [H372 551] - this exposure is 25m long and 5m high and is characterised by dipping units (40-60cm thick) of sorted clast- and matrix-supported massive and occasionally normally-graded beds composed of sand to pebble gravels (<15cm across). This sediment is interpreted to reflect an ice-marginal environment affected by ice melt-out and post-depositional water migration processes.
Importance:
The site is scientifically important as it contains well preserved aligned moraine ridges and flat, dissected outwash surfaces.
Notes:
See also ESCR Key Site 495 - Fintona Hills Complex - Crockfadda outwash-moraine system [Sand and Gravel Landscapes Block].
Keywords
Rocks:Gravel, Sand
Relations:Glacio-fluvial sediment
Geomorph:meltwater channel, moraine ridge, outwash terrace
Paleoenv:glacial
Access
Approach:Located in Counties Fermanagh and Tyrone between Crocknafarbrague and Crockalusky.
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. Crockfadda - site of local interest, County Fermanagh, Tyrone, site details. [In] Earth Science Conservation Review.
https://www.habitas.org.uk/escr/site.php?item=718. Accessed on 2026-11-06.

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