Carboniferous strata
Geological overview
The geology at Martley Rock is exceptionally varied, puzzling and of great scientific interest. Spanning over 700 million years it includes some of the oldest rocks in England. Walking from the entrance to the far side of the site you pass through five geological time periods. Amazing, in such a short distance!
The main feature at the site is an exposure of the most northerly outcrop of the Precambrian aged Malverns Complex (around 700 MY old), some 15 kilometres north of the main Malvern Hills ridgeline. The ancient Precambrian Malverns Complex and the Martley Quartzite (around 530 to 488 MY old) at the site are surrounded by progressively younger rocks. Silurian mudstones (around 416 MY old), Carboniferous mudstones, siltstones and sandstones (around 308 MY old) and Triassic sandstones (around 230 MY old) are all present. Quaternary aged sands, deposited sometime over the last million years, are also visible.
Location
Martley, Worcestershire; Grid Reference: SO 745595
Shear zone
Access
Open, but on private land; Group visits by appointment only
Geological Age
Precambrian – Malverns Complex
Cambrian – Martley Quartzite Formation
Silurian – Raglan Mudstone Formation
Carbonifeorus – Halesowen Formation
Triassic – Bromsgrove Sandstone Formation
Rock Types
Sedimentary – sandstone, siltstone, mudstone, clay, quartzite
Metamorphic – meta-igneous
Igneous – granite, diorite, syenite
Features
Structural geology
Shear zones
Local and regional geological history
Interpretation
Three interpretation boards on-site with QR codes
Site leaflet (click here)
Features on local geology walks – Martley Geology Trail 2 & Martley Geology Trail 3
