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Earth Science Conservation Review
| Mournes Coast Raised Beach - site of local interest | Down |
| Site number: | 743 | ||
| Locality Type: | Coastal section | Status: | local interest |
| Grid Reference: | J383236,J352171 Corners of site | ||
| Google maps: | 54.14329,-5.88362 | ||
| County: | Down | Council area: | Newry, Mourne & Down District Council |
| Period: | Quaternary | ||
| Stages: | Late Midlandian | ||
| Site Description | |
|---|---|
| Highlights: | |
Flat to gently-sloping terrain between Dunmore Head [J383 236] and Ballymartin Hill [J352 171] has a stepped profile produced by notches trending subparallel to the coast. These features are raised beaches and resulted from the interplay of glacio-isostatic and glacio-eustatic forces. They record the coastal erosion of moraines following the retreat northwards of the Late Midlandian ice along the coast. | |
| Description: | |
Flat to gently-sloping (<5°) terrain (<300m wide) between Dunmore Head [J383 236] and Ballymartin Hill [J352 171] has a stepped profile produced by notches trending subparallel to the coast. Between Dunmore Head and Annalong, coastal moraine ridges are truncated or notched at approximately 30m O.D. Between Mullartown and Annalong the gentle slopes are also notched at approximately 20m O.D. This notch is continuous south to 1km north of Ballymartin Hill where it pinches out. A notch (10m O.D.) cuts into late glacial beach deposits between Glasdrumman and Annalong and forms a discontinuous cliff (<8m high). | |
| Importance: | |
The coastal section south from Dunmore Head to Ballymartin Hill is of scientific significance as it provides excellent examples of raised beaches. | |
| Interpretation: | |
These notches are the result of the interplay of glacio-isostatic and glacio-eustatic forces and record the coastal erosion of moraines following the retreat northwards of the Late Midlandian ice along the coast. The bedrock high on which the Dunmore Hill moraine stands probably reduced the erosional impact at this point. The gap in the moraine west of Dunmore Hill may have been caused or accentuated by storm conditions. An exposure in a degraded cliff [J383 236] contains stratified sand and gravel. | |
| Notes: | |
The section from Glasdrumman Bridge [J380 227] to Wreck Port [J369 187] forms one of the routes in the GSNI / GSI 'Walk Mourne, Gullion and Cooley' set. The coastal section at Annalong and just to the south is of high amenity value. See also ESCR Key Site 460 - Northeast Mournes Complex - Northeast Mournes Raised Beaches [Sand and Gravel Landscapes Block]. | |
| Keywords | |
|---|---|
| Rocks: | Gravel, Sand |
| Geomorph: | moraine ridge, raised beach |
| Paleoenv: | deglacial |
| Measurements | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length: | Width: | <300m | Height: | ||
| Depth: | Area: | ||||
| Access | |
|---|---|
| Approach: | This site comprises a coastal platform running south from Dunmore Head to Ballymartin Hill. |
| Uses | |
| Educ. Level: | The coastal section is of some educational significance for third level and research students of Quaternary studies. |
| Record type: | SLNCI Report | ||
| Entered by: | E M Porter | ||
| Last updated: | 09/10/03 | ||
| Enlander, I., Dempster, M. & Doughty, P., 2026. Mournes Coast Raised Beach - site of local interest, County Down, site details. [In] Earth Science Conservation Review. https://www.habitas.org.uk/escr/site.php?item=743. Accessed on 2026-11-06. |
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