A geologist's expertise wanted

Devil’s Quoits 15

Image by Moth

Jane Aug 31, 2009 12:20:06

Unfortunately my knowledge of geology is poor and I can only just tell different kinds of rocks apart.

Would a kind and knowledgable geologist be able to tell me what sort of rock the stones at the Devil's Quoits near Stanton Harcourt are? Some kind of conglomerate or coagulate perhaps? They seem to be made up of a sedimentary rock with lots of pebbles and gravel in them. Is there a name for this, please?
J
x

Rupert Soskin Aug 31, 2009 12:36:34

Replying to Jane

Hi Jane,
I'm no expert but... most likely either a conglomerate or a boulder clay.
In a conglomerate the fragments are rounded which indicates water erosion.
In a boulder clay the fragments can be very random

If the stones are stratified, with a very pebbly layer beside or in between finer more uniform layer(s), it is almost certainly a conglomerate.

StoneGloves Aug 31, 2009 13:38:32

Replying to Jane

You don't need a geologist. It's sandstone, sub-species coarse gritstone. (At a guess, of course, and without seeing it).

mascot Sep 2, 2009 15:21:39

Replying to Jane

Jane

I can recommend the Geology Rocks web site (must have had the NZ marketing board from Flight of the Choncords on the naming team for that one!). :-)

http://www.geologyrocks.co.uk/

Easy to join and I've posted up pictures for feedback on rock types etc before and had quick and helpful responses each time.

Mac

CraigR Sep 2, 2009 23:29:52

Replying to Jane

Sounds like the marvelously named 'puddingstone' to me Jane!

(A level Geology, 1 year at Liverpool University studying Geology......then dropped like a hot puddingstone!)

**Edit - apologies, someone else has suggested this**