| Brunton Bank Quarry | |
| Aos: | Northumberland |
| Interest: | Geological |
| Coordinates: | 55.0237°N -2.1129°W |
| Area: | 2.18ha |
| Notifydate: | 1969 |
| Enref: | 1004408 |
| Map: | DEFRA MAGIC map |
Brunton Bank Quarry is a disused quarry now designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Northumberland, North East England. The quarry exposes a base layer of the Namurian Great Limestone stratigraphic unit, including the Chaetetes Band, the fossilised fauna within which is of current geological interest.[1] [2]
Brunton Bank Quarry is situated in the south-west of the county of Northumberland, some south-west of Chollerford and north of Hexham. The site at High Brunton lies to the north of the B6318 road and Hadrian's Wall, which runs immediately south of the road; it is north of Turret 26A. The quarry's elevation is between and above sea level.[1] [2]
Brunton Bank Quarry is one of a number of SSSIs which expose the Namurian Great Limestone; others include Sleightholme Beck Gorge – The Troughs and West Rigg Open Cutting, both to the south of this site, in County Durham.
An ancient tumulus is noted within the boundary of the site.[1]
Brunton Bank Quarry is identified as an important geological site in the UK's Geological Conservation Review, for its stratigraphic and palaeontological characteristics. It provides an excellent exposure of the reef-like biostromic Chaetetes Band of the Namurian Great Limestone, the affinities of the flora of which is a subject of contemporary study: the quarry constitutes a leading site for such studies. The site is the type locality of the eponymous fossil species Calcifolium bruntonense.[2]
The condition of Brunton Bank Quarry was judged to be favourable in a 2013 inspection, which noted recent scrub clearance.[3]