Geology: Monks Park Slope Shaft
Monks Park quarry was once run as a museum and its slope shaft retains a series of small signs designating the beds of different rock types as you descend. Not being a geologist, I cannot confirm their accuracy nor provide much by way of informed commentary, but it is interesting to note the layers. These photographs were taken some years ago when the quarry was dormant, but as of 2016 it is once again a working quarry producing Bath Stone.
The slope shaft is an impressive sight from the bottom.
The next sequence of photographs shows the rock strata labels, starting from the TOP of the slopeshaft, walking DOWNWARDS. The first labelled layer is Forest Marble. In these upper layers, the detail of the rock itself is masked by all the white calcite that has formed over the top.
Next comes the Rag Beds, which are again covered in calcite.
In some places, the calcite coverage is considerable.
Next comes Bradford Clay.
Coral Bed.
Ironshot Bed.
Great Oolite.
The final label is Oolitic Roofbeds.
