Geological overview
These exposures of red-brown sandstones with intermittent thin layers of red-brown mudstones are Carboniferous in age and belong to the rock unit known as the Salop Formation, the youngest Carboniferous-aged rock unit in the Geopark. The slightly older Carboniferous-aged sandstones of the Halesowen Formation can be seen not far from here on the higher ground at and around Severn Valley Railways Engine House. The marked difference between these two rock units is the colour, a change from green to red-brown. This change in colour indicates that the environment in which the rocks formed was markedly different.
Rocks of the Halesowen Formation formed in a humid delta environment, whereas the Salop Formation rocks represent sedimentation from rivers on a well-drained alluvial plain.
Location
Severn Valley Country Park, Highley, Shropshire; Grid Reference: SO 7485 8386
Access
Open along public right of way
Geological Age
Carboniferous – Salop Formation
Rock Types
Sedimentary – sandstone
Features
Sedimentary structures
Interpretation
Section 2 of the Geopark Way trail
