Slate Fell, Cockermouth: intrusions, hornfels and quarrying

When

Wednesday, 24 May, 2023    
17:30

DETAILS

Evening trip. Start: 1730h Meet at the layby on the road from Cockermouth School to Embleton. NGR NY 1473 3066

Phil Davies

A short geological excursion followed by a visit to the Embleton Spa Hotel for refreshments. The craggy exposures on the north-east side of Slate Fell include weathered and quartz veined diorite with evidence of excavation of several mineral veins, possibly involving a search for gold. The country rock is Kirk Stile Formation (Skiddaw Group) showing varying degrees of hornfelsing from thermal metamorphism. The top of the fell is pockmarked by dozens of shallow quarry excavations. Caution is needed walking along the road between the layby and the footpath access gateway. A briefing note will be provided.

Slate Fell Lidar Image

Risk Assessment

https://www.cumberland-geol-soc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/CGS-Risk-Assessment-Slate-Fell-2023.pdf

Additional Material

https://www.cumberland-geol-soc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/CGS-Slate-Fell-TCG-No-3.pdf