| Quarries
All quarries, both active and disused, are often worth a
visit when looking for sand. They are not usually as
productive, in the number of different samples that may be
collected, as would a visit to a sand and gravel pit, but
occasionally, a handful of different samples may be
gathered. By way of an example, there's an old limestone
quarry that I visit regularly to watch birds and other
wildlife and I've been able to collect a number of different
samples of sand and similar materials. The quarry has a
range of underground areas where limestone has been
extracted, called "stoop and room" workings. In
these locations I've collected some wind-blown limestone
dust and a fine grey powder left over from the lime making
process. In the main quarry, an exposure of well weathered
and very rotten shale has produces some coarse sand and two
different beds of rotten sandstone have also been productive
enough to allow sufficient samples to be gathered. While
these quantities are not very extensive, I only need around
10 ml for my collection, so even the smallest of exposure
can be enough. Some of these exposures as so rotten than the
sandstone crumbles to sand when rubbed in the hand. When
searching a quarry for sand and the like, look for areas
where weathering has taken place, particularly where glacial
or river deposits are exposed. Also worth checking are areas
where plant was used to crush rock, the resulting fine power
or dust might be of interest, if even for the sake of
curiosity. Similarly, spoil heaps are often found associated
with quarries, and also with mines, and natural weathering
will often produce sand and silt.
Before you visit any quarry it's always best to seek
permission, as quarries are dangerous places to be alone. A
polite enquiry to the quarry manager requesting access
should be made although access may not always be granted. If
you are given permission, you may need to provide a hard
hat, safety boots and a hi-visibility vest.
Failure to get permission to enter a working quarry can
be disappointing but there are other options available -
disused quarries. You can often find these marked on maps
and if you know the geology of the area you may be able to
determine is the quarry is worth a visit. Some research at
the local library may also produce lists of old quarries and
what types of produce they produced. |
